Many Union City residents took advantage of the free plant giveaways and jazz entertainment provided by the city’s Department of Public Works for the Earth Day celebration held in Ellsworth Park April 25. The Concert in the Park celebration and also had a specialist on site to teach people how to care for their new plants.
“I would rather see the plants [that are given away] on the front porches rather than in their backyards,” said Assistant Superintendent of Department of Public Works Joe Chasmer last week. “I hope they will be placed outside where all of Union City can enjoy them.”
The city’s DPW and the Hudson County Improvement Authority were also on hand to give out pamphlets and other information on recycling and other ways that Union City residents could help out the environment.
“This year we decided to spend some time with adults and telling them how they can help out in Union City,” said Chasmer.
Fun for all ages
While this event was full of adult-type entertainment, the younger kids couldn’t help but join in the fun. Many of the kids, like Susan Figueroa, picked-out a plant to bring home to mom, while others danced and enjoyed the music provided by the three-piece jazz band Swivelhead.
Unfortunately, the 40-degree weather may have been a little too chilly for Swivelhead to play longer than the hour and a half set that they provided.
“It was hard to keep [the instruments] in tune,” said band member Mike Todd, explaining how the cold weather was effecting their instruments. “Also, the guitar player broke one of his strings and didn’t bring an extra one.”
However, that was just long enough to entice the younger audience who hung around to get autographs from the band’s three members, Todd, Eddy Zak and Mike Advensky, and practice on the band’s instruments.
“I am like their honorary member now,” said Jonathan Andujar, who got everyone dancing while the band was playing.
Bringing Earth Day to the schools
Department of Public Works Commissioner Tina Yandolino provided ways for children to learn how to clean-up the environment as well.
“There will be separate events for children within the school system,” said Yandolino, citing many contests that the children are participating in.
The city was able to work with the DPW in creating an essay, poem or slogan contest for the children as well as developing an Earth Day Award.
The Earth Day Award will be presented to one school that submits the best Earth Day service project each year. That school will receive a trophy and a flag that will be kept at that school for one year until the next winner is chosen.
“This contest is to entice children in school to get involved in Earth Day programs,” said Chasmer.
“Each school will have to submit their own service project,” said Yandolino. “We will pick the best entry.”