This summer morning was a bit more energetic at the library. On this Saturday morning, there was a family playtime session for kids, a band, and a creative activity making clay pots. Afterwards a Nerf duel for Teens. While it may have been energetic, it was not unusual. Free activities all Saturday a weekly thing Brockton Public Library, where imaginations are free to grow.

The concert was a band known as Two of a Kind. They are an award winning children's music band who consistently make their performances fun for their audience. The married couple of David and Jenny Heitler-Klevans bring an energetic energy to their performances, with their themes range: the environment or diversity, or friendship, literature and there was even a song about the library itself! The two of them started making music after college, where they travelled around coffee shops and other small venues. When David started teaching elementary students, they shifted to becoming children's performers. Since then, they have won several awards including 6 parents choice awards, and 8 children's music awards. “The World is Not your Garbage Can” won a USA Songwriting Competition. This performance was full of singing and dancing.

Another major activity this Saturday was a small table where various terracotta clay pots were being made. The pots were would be molded over, then formed into flower pot looking creations, that are meant to look like faces. As well, the kids could wrap around a small facsimile of a snake, making the cute designs seen here. It could be challenging, and the kids loved it! Check brocktonpubliclibrary.org for future activities: on Saturdays, or any day!

Story & Photo Credit: Brian Coleman, Intern Writer, Bridgewater State University

Edited by J.Rose

 Brockton Business Assistance Awards 

The 21 Community Development Block Grant Brockton Business Assistance grant recipients is the second tranche of grants was distributed by the City and the BRA to provide funds to small businesses impacted by Covid-19. The City offers "a sincere thank you to Ms. Khady Mascarenhas for the assistance that she provided to the applicants and congratulations to all of the recipients." Congratulations! Great work, Brockton Redevelopment Authority and all involved, we cant wait to see your dreams become real! brocktonredevelopmentauthority.com

The Brockton Public Library and the Mass Cultural Council are hosting Rhythms of Life, which is an uplifting, participatory storytelling event perfect for elementary age children. Incorporating theater, music, and dance, this life-affirming multicultural program embodies positive life skills throughout the performance. Children will contribute to the program by playing, singing, and dancing along in this fun musical event! To sign up, fill out: form.

Donate clothing for a cause! From July 1st to August 18th you can donate school supply items to the library! We will be taking donations for the majority of the summer, and on August 26th we will be handing out these donations for free! The only catch, you have to participate in the Brockton Public Library Summer Reading Program!

WE ARE ACCEPTING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: Pencils Pens Paper Binders Planners Notebooks Workbooks Pencils Grips Glue Erasers Markers Crayons Highlighters Scissors Rulers Sticky Notes Color Pencils Book packs Lunch boxes Pencil Cases Whiteout Book Covers Pencil Sharpers NO Electronics.

For more info, please visit: brocktonpubliclibrary.org

For second prize in our Teen Locavore Recipe contest, Cabo Vegan offered a chance to try Catie Bloodsworth's recipe, "Grano's Pasta Estate!" Her delicious dish (with a vegan spin) was featured from August 2nd through August 9th on their menu. Catie's family enjoyed the last two plates, it was such a hit! What a yummy prize.

This was the first year BuzzAround's recipe contest was focused on teen cooks. The first place winner, Henry Donovan, will film his cooking segment with Chef Rosa Galeno making his "Mom’s Ham n Tato Casserole" in October, and then be featured in edible southeasternma magazine.

The first 10 entries received a $30 gift certificate to their favorite farm stand. We'll run the contest again next spring!

Photo credit : J. Meeks

Video Courtesy of BCA

Video Courtesy of BCA

Join a journaling workshop centered on themes of self improvement. The workshop is hosted by Feels of Foreal. Artist Foreal focuses her work on spiritual self discovery through art and creativity. Food and drink will be provided and a group discussion will follow the writing period. If attending be sure to bring pen, paper, and an open mind. RSVP at Feels of Foreal

Help to humanize the urban environment of Brockton! A grant has been provided by the Metro Area Planning Council and the NE Foundation for the Arts to create temporary public art in Brockton.

There are 3 ways to be involved:

1) Serve on Advisory Committee [developing the Call for Art/Artist concept]

2) Serve on Selection Committee [reviewing artist submissions and choosing grant awardee[s]

3) Would like to submit artwork[s] for potential selection.

Currently, an Advisory Committee is building a Call for Artists, which will be released in early January.

As we move forward, the Advisory Committee will engage in regular workshopping sessions throughout the rest of the year. These workshops will provide a platform for stimulating discussions, collaborative brainstorming, and the exchange of innovative ideas. We believe that this collaborative approach will help foster a dynamic environment where creativity flourishes, and exceptional public art concepts are born.

Art submissions can be in any medium so long as they are temporary. Near the end of January a Selection Committee will go over the submissions and choose a number of them to be installed or performed in the remainder of 2024.

If you are interested in joining either the Advisory or Selection Committee please contact John Fay at jfay@cobma.us. If you would like to submit art, please await the Call for Artists. Please keep in mind that applicants can only apply to one of the three positions: advisor, selector, or artist. For additional info please visit Making it Public.

Fashion is another tool to help combat climate change and protect the environment.

First, how does fashion harm the environment? In efforts to meet demands and popularity for society’s trendiest clothes, many big clothing brands end up wasting fabrics and energy as they rush to pump out clothes for consumers at cheap prices. This is known as fast fashion.

According to the United Nations Environment Program, the “pollution, waste, and emissions of fast fashion are fueling the planetary crisis” as "plastic fibers are polluting the oceans”. In addition, the “wastewater and toxic dyes” from the industrial plants that are used to create the clothes only further contaminate the surrounding natural environments.

Sustainable clothing: While buying sustainable and organic clothing is a healthier alternative, it can also be expensive or inaccessible for many people. Fortunately, there are still many ways to limit your own fashion consumption and help the planet without sacrificing your wallet.

Diversify your clothing store options: Buying secondhand clothing from local thrift stores or on-line platforms such as ThredUp, Depop, and Poshmark is an excellent alternative for getting clothes.

Consider clothes before buying them: We all have that item, or a few, that sit in the back of the closet untouched for the past two years. This is why the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University suggests buying an item only if you can see yourself wearing it at least 30 times. Thinking twice is a good way to limit how much fast fashion and wasted clothing ends up crowding your closet.

Support brands that have good sustainability practices: This online directory: Good on You allows you to search your favorite brands and view their sustainability/ethical work ratings. The website also provides a wide range of stores that solely produce sustainable fashion that you can occasionally invest in.

By researching, staying mindful, and practicing eco-friendly shopping habits, you can reduce carbon costs and the impact of waste on our landfills and atmosphere!

Drop by for the fifth annual Family Fun Day and find free haircuts, school supplies, food, and more. Presented by Block Security.

Questions can be sent to the following email: protectedbyblock@gmail.com

It is known that reading leads to fantastical worlds, but now, it leads to raffle prizes too. The Brockton Public Library is offering a raffle ticket for every three books that a child reads prior to the prize party, listed at the time and location above. Children must participate in the Summer Reading Challenge at only one public library, but rereading the same book still counts as progress. Some prizes require in person attendance to claim while others do not.

For more info, please visit: brocktonpubliclibrary.org

Looking to join a vibrant and dynamic orchestra? The Brockton Symphony is recruiting volunteer musicians to join the orchestra for the 2023-2024 season.

Under the dynamic leadership of Music Director John Masko, the BrSO seats accomplished community musicians alongside professional musicians to perform symphonic works for the greater Brockton Community.

Join the Symphony this season to perform traditional masterworks by Beethoven, Dvořák, Tchaikovsky and to explore exciting contemporary music that expands the classical canon.

To learn more about auditions and sign up, visit the Brockton Symphony website.

Video Courtesy of BCA

Video Courtesy of BCA

The Brockton Garden Club continues to be an extraordinary presence within the community as seen by their work at the Shaw’s Center on Sunday July 16. Since 1929, their constant commitment to the city and its residents can be seen in their gardening and service efforts, such as when they donated fountains to the Shaw’s Center almost 20 years ago. Over time, these fountains became weathered and were in much need of repair. In July, the Garden Club came together at the Shaw’s Center once again to fix up the fountains. Members arranged the stones and rocks, tidied up the fountain area, and invested roughly $3700 in upgrading the fountains, which resulted in a lovely display for the main entrance, the temporary home for our Council On Aging.

Interested in joining the Garden Club? Check out the Brockton Garden Club FB page.

Story Credit: Angel Benjamin, BuzzAround Writing Intern, Brown University

Photo & Sources: Anne Beauregard and Peg Kearney

Bliss Through Yoga! 

What did Brockton have first in America?

Prizes@buzzaround.info

Prize Box Rules 

On August 13, 2023, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.

Copyright 2023 Buzz Around Brockton. You have our permission to share and copy this issue in its entirety as much as you like. If you take it in part, please give credit. ("Buzz Around Brockton 8/13/23")