Our chapter is one of the most active chapters in Union County. I think what makes it so is that we have very interesting programs set up for each of our meetings. »

For most people, January is quiet. We recover from the holiday whirlwind, pay off credit cards (at least partially!) and resolve to eat less and exercise more. »

Dear EarthTalk: I understand that some companies are now looking to cut down forests and burn them as “biomass” for generating electricity. Is nothing sacred? -- Audrey Barklay, Newark, NJ »

EAST BRUNSWICK -- The public is invited to learn the art of scrap booking at Middlesex County 4-H’s “Crop-Til-You-Drop” Scrapbooking Night. This fundraising event takes place on Feb. 3 and 4. »

UNION -- The Children’s Department of the Union Public Library has scheduled the following programs at the Main Library during the month of February: »

CLARK -- Students in Jackie Grigoli’s fourth grade class at the Frank K. Hehnly School in Clark have been studying about magnetism and its properties in science class. »

RAHWAY -- Gabriel Rolon, a sophomore at Rahway High School, recently auditioned and was accepted into the New Jersey All State Symphonic Band as first chair in percussion. This is a rare honor, the third such student in the past 15 year. »

METUCHEN – Union Catholic High School sophomore and Metuchen resident Kelly Dalton recently experienced performed at the 2012 Orange Bowl halftime show in Miami, Fla. Dalton has been playing the clarinet for the past seven years and has participated in music classes and Union... »

STATE – Alphonsina Bardino, a member of Community Access Unlimited (CAU), celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this week, along with friends, fellow CAU members and agency staff. »

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Air Force Airman Walter A. Ruiz-Deza Jr. graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. »

RAHWAY -- Recently, students of Rahway High School art teacher JoAnne Campanelli studied the stained glass used in European cathedral windows and replicated the technique using colored tissue paper to adorn the windows of the hallway outside of the art studio. »

EDISON -- A dragon made its way into the All-Purpose Room to signal the start of the Chinese New Year celebration at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School on Monday morning. »

EDSION -- Temple Emanu-El, located at 100 James Street in Edison, has announced a number of events for February. For more information, call the temple at 1-732-549-4442. All events take place at Temple Emanu-El unless otherwise noted. »

WOODBRIDGE – On Monday, Jan. 30, all state buildings will fly their flags at half-staff to honor the honor the service and sacrifice of United States Marine Corporal Kevin J. Reinhard, who was killed On Jan. 19 when the CH-53D helicopter he was riding... »

TRENTON – Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is worth up to $146 million. No one has won the game’s top prize since a Pennsylvania couple claimed the jackpot worth $128.8 million in the Christmas Eve drawing last year. »

BASKING RIDGE -- Nature Walks at the Environmental Education Center are scheduled for Sundays from Noon to 1:00 P.M. on January 29, March 11 and 25; April 22; and May 27, 2012. »