Documentary Filmmaker Julie Cohen to serve as keynote speaker for Pauli Murray Awards

The Orange County Human Relations Commission is pleased to announce documentary director and producer Julie Cohen will be participate in an audience Q&A as the keynote guest at the Pauli Murray Awards Ceremony to be held Sunday, March 27 at 3 p.m. via Zoom. The event is free and open to the public. Click the link to register: https://orangecountync.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OtrUlQtzSfitryNZF4Fyjg

"My Name Is Pauli Murray," the documentary film released in 2021, was directed and written by Ms. Cohen and Betsy West. Additional writers include Talleah Bridges McMahon and Cinque Northern. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2021, followed by a limited release nationally in September 2021 before the film’s purchase by Amazon Studios.

The Academy Award nominated RBG was also directed and produced by Ms. Cohen along with filmmaking partner Betsy West. RBG was the winner of an Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking and was the ninth feature length documentary she directed.

The winners of the 2022 Pauli Murray Award will also be announced during the event. Established in 1990, the Pauli Murray Award commemorates the life of the late Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray (1910-1985), a distinguished and remarkable person who confronted discrimination, racism, and sexism in her own life. The Pauli Murray Award is presented annually by the Orange County Human Relations Commission to an Orange County youth, an Orange County adult, and an Orange County business that have served the community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all residents.

We're excited to once again host our annual Egg Hunt. All of your favorite activities will be included such Egg Hunts, crafts, photos with the bunny, inflatables, and more. Register all household members who plan to attend at just $5 per household (must reside at the same residence). Bring your egg basket and come ready to have fun!

Details

Ages: All ages
Day/Date: Saturday, April 9
Register by: Monday, April 4
Fee: $5/household (must be from the same address)
Location: Central Recreation Center sports field behind building

Click the graphic for links to register.

Orange County offers free tax help with 2021 Income Tax Returns

Orange County Department on Aging’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is continuing to assist low and moderate-income taxpayers with tax preparation services. VITA services are free to those that have incomes below $70,000 for a single person or $100,000 for a household. The deadline for filing 2021 income taxes is now April 18, 2022.

We are offering a Valet Tax Preparation Service that will provide service for the remainder of March, ending the first week in April. Taxpayers with scheduled appointments, can bring in their tax documents and complete the intake paperwork at the Seymour Center (walk-in services are not available). Our VITA tax team members will scan and upload your documents and IRS-certified preparers will contact you by phone to prepare and electronically file your return. Appointments will be scheduled to sign and pick-up the completed returns.

Valet Days and Times (by appointment only):

Seymour Center – 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill:

Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (March 24, 31 and April 7)
Fridays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (March 25 and April 1, 8)

Alternatively, if you have internet access, an active email account, and either a computer and scanner or a cell phone with a camera, you can participate in our Virtual VITA program. Check our website www.orangecountync.gov/ocncvita or send an email to ocncvita@gmail.com for more information.

To schedule an appointment, call 919-245-4242 or schedule online using AppointmentPlus at www.orangecountync.gov/ocncvita.

Join the Clean Water Education Partnership and Orange County Public Library for an afternoon of water activities. Get ready to become a storm cloud in our Enviroscape demo and put on your investigator hat to search for stormwater features nearby.

Here are links to register:

Arts Commission, Housing Department present HOME? An Artistic Exploration of Housing in the Triangle

The Orange County Arts Commission, in partnership with the Orange County Department of Housing and Community Development present "HOME? An Artistic Exploration of Housing in the Triangle," which seeks to showcase “home” through the eyes and words of working artists.

The exhibit features 100 works of art by 54 Triangle-based artists and will be on view through April, 2022 at the Eno Mill Gallery in Hillsborough.

The public is invited to a free Opening Party on Friday, April 1, from 6-9 p.m. featuring:

Selected written works on the theme of “home” by sixteen Triangle-based writers
Live music with Soteria Shepperson
Open artist studios
Food trucks Yagg Sii Tenn (back by popular demand!) and Maple View Ice Cream
Beer from Red Oak Brewery
Kids’ activities with the Art Therapy Institute
Tabling with community housing organizations

Click here for more information, including a list of featured artists.

River Park Arch installation underway

The Hillsborough Arts Council (HAC) and the Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) along with representatives from the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County are excited to announce the installation of River Park Arch beginning Tuesday, March 15, in River Park in Downtown Hillsborough. The public is invited to River Park over the next several weeks to watch the installation and meet the artist, including during Last Fridays ArtWalk on Friday, March 25.

The project was initiated when an approximately 250 year-old, venerable Southern Red Oak on Calvin Street in West Hillsborough fell during Hurricane Florence in September, 2018. Identified as one of Hillsborough’s “Treasure Trees,” the project partners responded to a call from the community to repurpose the wood.

For more information, please visit https://www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/tree.

Register of Deeds resumes fulltime passport services, offers new fraud alert service

The Orange County Register of Deeds office will resume offering passport services fulltime beginning Monday, March 20. Hours of service will be from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The office will also host a passport fair on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., walk-ins ONLY, at the office located at 228 S. Churton Street, Hillsborough.

For more information about what is required to obtain a passport, visit our website at https://www.orangecountync.gov/771/Passports or call (919) 245-2681.

The Register of Deeds now offers fraud alert protection service to provide email notifications whenever a document is recorded in the Register of Deeds office that matches your name. You can enter up to five names per email address. If a document is recorded in either of the names you submit, you will receive an email notifying you.
To sign up for the service, visit this website: https://fraudalertme.com/ORANGENCNW/FRAUDDETECTION.ASP.

Animal Services needs home for available dogs

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) needs to find homes for available dogs at the shelter. Recently, the number of dog adoptions at OCAS has decreased. The staff at OCAS report an increase in the length of stay for dogs at the shelter and the number of dogs is increasing.

“It is a little unusual for us to see a reduction in dog adoptions for an extended period of time,” said Orange County Animal Services Director, Dr. Sandra Strong. “The longer animals stay in our shelter, the more likely that they experience stress and anxiety. We do everything we can to provide enrichment and keep them comfortable, but dogs really need to be with families that can help them establish routines in a loving home environment. The home environment is where dogs can be social, thrive and settle into happy lives.”

Currently, you can “name your price” for adoptable, adult dogs and cats or take advantage of drastically reduced adoption fees for adoptable puppies and kittens as part of the Spring Adoption Special at OCAS. You do not need to be an Orange County resident to adopt a pet from OCAS. Adoption fees for dogs include: health screening, standard vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, heartworm testing (for dogs seven months and older) and heartworm preventative, spay or neuter surgery, microchip, and broad-spectrum deworming.

If anyone is interested in viewing available pets or adopting a dog, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/287/Available-Pets or visit the shelter to select your new best friend. You may also call the OCAS adoption desk at 919-942-7387, menu option 3, for more information.

Bluestem Conservation Burial ground webinar

Upcoming activities at the Orange County Senior Centers

CBD - What it is, should you consider it?

Join Elliot Galdy for a brief history of cannabis and focus on the benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids for age related issues, i.e. arthritis, pain, insomnia and anxiety.

Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill (Hybrid: in-person & virtual options)

Date: Wednesday, March 30

Time: 1 pm - 2 pm

Fee: FREE

Register by: Monday, March 28, call (919) 968- 2070

Bluestem Conservation Burial Ground: An Introduction?
Why conservation burial, and why Bluestem in particular? Bluestem, a conservation cemetery designed as: a nature preserve and place of reverence, with a trail network, quiet areas for reflection, open space for contemplation, and designated areas within its restored landscape for natural burial. Join us to learn more. .

Date: Tuesday. April 12 4-5:30 p.m.

Fee: FREE Virtual Event

Register: www.orangecountync.gov/Bluestem

FAQs: www.orangecountync.gov/BluestemFAQ

Conversation Project Workshop PART I:
In small conversation groups, patterned after the Conversation Project, Project EngAGE End of Life Choices SRT members will coach participants how to engage their loved ones in end of life care conversations. Attendees will receive the Conversation Starter Kit from The Conversation Project and a free copy of The Five Wishes Booklet.

Passmore Center

Date: Tuesday, April 26 4-6 p.m.

Fee: FREE

Max in-person attendance: 12.
Register by: Friday, April 22 at 919-968-2070

www.orangecountync.gov