Midland Park November 23, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 11 For the 14th consecutive season, the internationally-acclaimed Donetsk Ballet Company from Ukraine and ballet students of Miss Patti’s School of Dance in Midland Park, will offer three performances of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved ballet, The Nutcracker, on Dec. 9 through 11 at Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus. Proceeds will benefit pediatric cancer research, care and treatment. Miss Patti’s 165 lavishly-costumed performers will combine in a dazzling display that creates marvelous memories as they become dancing candies, soldiers marching into battle, and dastardly rodents. In classic fashion, a beautiful princess finds her handsome prince. The performances are sponsored by JulieDance, a non-profit arts organization founded in 1997 by Patti and Darryl Vigon in memory of their beloved daughter, Julie, who succumbed to Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, at the age of 12. Julie was a promising young ballerina who distinguished herself as a student with the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center and as a performer in the children’s repertoire of many New York City Ballet productions. JulieDance is JulieDance to perform ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet dedicated to fostering appreciation for the participation in dance and music, and to supporting the efforts of those who research and treat childhood cancer. In 13 years, JulieDance has raised $335,000 for pediatric cancer organizations. The Donetsk Ballet, the resident company of Donetsk, a mining city in the Ukraine with a population of 1.5 million, has been regarded as one of the Russian region’s foremost dance companies, rivaling the Bolshoi and Kirov. Led by Artistic Director Vadim Pisarev, the touring group of the company features 18-20 national and honored artists of Ukraine. Since 1993, the Donetsk Ballet, performing The Nutcracker with students of regional ballet schools in the Eastern section of the United States, has delighted audiences with its highly talented and skilled artistry. Performances are scheduled at Paramus Catholic High School (425 Paramus Road) Friday, Dec 9 and Saturday, Dec.10 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35, $40. For information or to purchase tickets, call (201) 670-4422. MasterCard and Visa accepted. Group rates are available. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit will present an indepth program on Internet safety, hosted by the Midland Park PTA, on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Midland Park High School. The presentation, “Staying Safe in Cyberspace: Internet Safety for Parents,” is a comprehensive examination of today’s Internet and the dangers that lurk inside chat rooms, instant messages, e-mail, and blogs. Through education and outreach to the community, the Computer Crimes Unit hopes to raise parents’ awareness of online predators and the dangerous content that is only a mouse-click away. Through their dynamic, intriguing, and eye-opening program, complete with vivid graphics and streaming video clips, the Computer Crimes detectives hope to educate parents about the seedier side of the Internet. The goals of this presentation are to discuss the basic functions of the Internet, highlight current Internet trends, and illustrate the associated risks facing children of all ages. After what will be a shocking display of the dangers associated with online communication, the presenters will turn to preventative measures and effective solutions to protect children, many of whom know more about computers than the average parent. “The explosion of the Internet has proven to be most influential with the youngest of generations, namely our children,” said Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli. “Protecting them on the Internet, a truly unregulated atmosphere, is a tremendous task that needs to begin at home, where children are indeed most vulnerable.” With the advent of the Internet-ready PTA to sponsor presentation on Internet safety for parents home computer as a principal component of today’s household, the World Wide Web and all of its users are essentially invited into the privacy of every home in Bergen County. Parents seldom realize the depth and breadth of a limitless connection to the rest of the globe via a seemingly harmless Internet connection. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit, including the complementary Bergen County Computer Crimes Task Force, consists of investigators from around the county and has the vast responsibility of deterring and detecting Internet crimes. Many of their cases involve predators who target children through the Internet. To that end, detectives who combat Internet crime have recognized that their approach must also include a strong education initiative involving parents and children who surf the Web. This proactive mechanism is in place in order to prevent children from stumbling into areas of the Internet where they can fall prey to an online predator. Prosecutor John Molinelli and Chief Steven Cucciniello urge all parents and guardians to attend this presentation. It is their hope that by having skilled, wellversed computer crimes investigators, coupled with parents armed with a working knowledge of the Internet and its pitfalls, the children of this county will be well-protected while exploring the Web. For additional information about this event, contact Danielle Bache at (201) 4453880. For information about Internet safetyrelated issues, contact D/Sgt. Sharon Malone at SMalone@bcpo.net or Educational Outreach Coordinator D/Sergeant John DeVoe at JDeVoe@bcpo.net.