The public is invited to learn about Somerset County through informational displays and activities at various county locations during National County Government Month in April.

Somerset County will join county governments nationwide in celebrating National County Government Month to raise public awareness and understanding about county government.  This year’s theme is “Healthy Counties, Healthy Families."

“We look forward each year to providing opportunities for our residents to learn about the many programs and services Somerset County offers,” said Freeholder Director Patricia L. Walsh.  “We hope residents will take advantage of some of the events and will pick up literature.”

Somerset County has been participating in National County Government events since its inception in 1991.

An information display hosted by the Somerset County Board of Freeholders/Public Information Office with literature from many county divisions will be available in the lobby of the Somerset County Bridgewater Library at 1 Vogt Drive from April 6 through April 15.  Residents are invited to help themselves to materials. Call (908) 526-4016 for library hours.  Contact Joanne Vuoso of the Somerset County Public Information Office for information at (908) 231-7020 or vuoso@co.somerset.nj.us.

The following county divisions will have information displays in the lobby of the Somerset County Administration Building at 20 Grove St. in Somerville: The Somerset County Consumer Protection Office from April 9 to 30, Somerset County Health Department from April 12 to 20, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office from April 16 to 27 and the Somerset County Library System from  April 23 to 27.  Free parking is available in the Bernie Field Parking Deck on East High Street.

Somerset County youth in grades 7 to 12 are invited to enjoy an evening of fun at a “Safe Night” party hosted by the Somerset County Youth Council.  The program titled “Psychedelic” will be held on Saturday, April 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School gym.  Registration and a $3 fee are required by April 6.  Seating is limited to the first 200 registrants. For details, call (908) 704-6307 or e-mail Sarah Murchison at murchis@co.somerset.nj.us.

The Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management is partnering with the Peapack Garage to collect old scrap tires, with or without rims, Monday, April 16, through Friday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Peapack Garage is located at 5 Holland Ave. The program is free and residents can drop off up to eight tires per household. For information, call (908) 541-5021.

The Somerset County Health Department Health Educator/Risk Communicator will present a talk on “Keeping Your Mind Sharp” to residents of Centerbridge I Senior Housing in Bridgewater on April 17 at 10:30 a.m. Another presentation will be given at Spring Hills Assisted Living, located at 473 De Mott Lane in Somerset , on April 19 at 2 p.m.  Non-residents are invited to attend. To register, call (732) 783-4800 ext. 265 by April 18.

Volunteer recognition events will be held at three county-operated senior centers:  Freeholder Director Patricia L. Walsh and Freeholder Patrick Scaglione will join in honoring 20 volunteers at the Senior Wellness Center in Basking Ridge on April 17 at 10:30 a.m. Freeholder Scaglione will be on hand to honor approximately 26 volunteers at the Warrenbrook Senior Center in Warren on April 18 at 10:30 a.m. and Freeholder Director Walsh, Freeholder Deputy Director Peter S. Palmer and Freeholder Scaglione will be at the Manville Senior Center on April 19 at 11:45 a.m. to recognize 13 volunteers.

The Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management will conduct tours of the county Recycling Center , located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater , on Thursday, April 19, and Friday, April 20. County residents are invited to register and attend a 40-minute guided tour at 9:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. on either day. Contact Melissa Harvey at (908) 231-7109 or harvey@co.somerset.nj.us by April 16 for details and to register.

Somerset County will hold an Operation Secure Shred countywide kick-off event on Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Somerset County South County Public Works Garage, located at 410 Roycefield Road in Hillsborough. Municipal events are being scheduled throughout the year and will be announced shortly. Sign up to be notified when the additional 2012 document-shredding dates and locations become available at www.co.somerset.nj.us/ongoing/shredform.html. For information, contact the Somerset County Consumer Protection Office at (908) 203-6080 or ConsumerProtection@co.somerset.nj.us.

The Somerset County Park Commission will host a park ranger-led guided two-hour general interpretive walking tour of the Sourland Mountain Preserve in Hillsborough on Wednesday, April 25, at 6 p.m. To register, call (908) 231-0802 by April 25.

The Somerset County Solid Waste Management Division will hold a free Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off event for Somerset County homeowners and farmers on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Warren Township Public Works Garage, located at 1 Bardy Road . No registration is necessary, but proof of residency is required.  For more information, call (908) 231-7031, e-mail solidwaste@co.somerset.nj.us or visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle/hazardouswaste.html.

The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services is holding events for seniors, age 60 and above, at their various locations as follows

·                Hillsborough Senior Center:  April 11, 11 a.m. – A presentation on “Am I Gluten Sensitive?”   Call (908) 369-8700 for details.

·                Quail Brook Senior Center in Somerset : April 13, 11 a.m. – A presentation on “Unclaimed Property,” by the New Jersey Unclaimed Property Administration.  Call (732) 563-4213 for details.

·                Somerset County Senior Wellness Center in Basking Ridge:  April 19, noon to 2 p.m.  – “Investing Basics for Women” Lunch & Learn Opportunity . The fee is $5 for attendees age 60 and above and $10 for attendees under age 60. Call (908) 204-3435 for details.

·                Raritan Senior Center:  April 23, 11 a.m. – A presentation on “The Benefits of Meditation.” Call (908) 203-0001 for details.

·                Montgomery Senior Center in Skillman:  April 25, 10:30 a.m. – Elvis Theme Party with an Elvis Impersonator. Call (609) 466-0846 for details.

·                Manville Senior Center: April 26, 11 a.m. – A presentation on “Back Yard Birds.”  Call
(908) 526-0175 for details.

·                Warrenbrook Senior Center in Warren :  April 30, 10:30 a.m. – A presentation on “Keeping Up The Beat: Heart Healthy.” Call (908) 753-9440 for details.

For more information about County Government Month, contact Joanne Vuoso of the Public Information Office at (908) 231-7020 or vuoso@co.somerset.nj.us. For information about specific programs, contact the divisions directly.