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Brockton
October 27, 2024
~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time.
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Victory for Families
First Annual Gala
On October 18th, Victory for Families held their Inaugural Fundraiser Gala to honor and celebrate single mothers and their families in the Brockton community. The night featured entertainment, dancing, food, cocktails, raffles, vendors, an award ceremony, and community networking!
Victory for Families (VFF) is a nonprofit organization committed to the welfare of single mothers through support and empowerment. Established in 2022, Founder Veronica Thompson set out to make a difference in these mothers' and families' lives by providing them with "necessary resources and support to achieve housing stability, pursue education and career opportunities, and attain financial security." To learn more about the mission and services of VFF, visit www.victoryforfamilies.org.
Thank you to VFF for your hard work and dedication to creating a community environment in which single mothers can thrive, thank you to Mayor Sullivan's Constituent Services Liaison Alycia Montrond-Bullock and City Councilor Phil Griffin for attending in support, and thank you to everyone who came to the first ever VFF Fundraiser Gala for coming together as a community to honor these mothers and families!
Source & Photo Credit: City of Brockton FB, VFF FB
Story written by Sara MacKinnon, BuzzAround Intern, Providence College
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Historical Tidbit: Life in the 1500's | |
Did you know that the early houses had thatched roofs, thick straw piled high, with no wood underneath.
It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice and bugs) lived in the roof.
When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying 'It's raining cats and dogs.
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.
Story Credit: Sue Basile
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30 children from Brockton’s Rose Conservatory under the direction of Greg Fernandes joined award winning songwriter Joe Jencks on his song You’ve Got to Vote at Brockton Public Library,
They performed and recorded this rousing call to action for you.
For more information about our project:
buzzaround.org/youve-got-to-vote
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Submit to the City's Events Calendar:
Please follow this link to submit
City Hall
45 School St 508-580-7123
brockton.ma.us
Check the city website for important updates
Brockton Public Library
Main Library - 304 Main St. 508-580-7890
East Branch - 54 Kingman St. 508-580-7892
West Branch - 540 Forest Ave. 508-580-7894
brocktonpubliclibrary.org
instagram.com/teenzonebppl.
Council on Aging
Temporarily at The Shaws Center,
1 Feinberg Way 508-580-7811
Email coa@cobma.us
COA
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Congratulations!
Danielle Young
won
a One free yoga class in convenient downtown East Bridgewater at 14 West Union St ($20 value)
Bliss Through Yoga!
Bee sure to play our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom of this newsletter.
Enter for this week's prize of
1 hour Living in the Gift coaching from GleeWorks
Learn mind-body spirit practices with Marcy Venezia building a foundation for healing. ($80 value.) GleeWorks.net
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Costume Karaoke
Thu, Oct 31
5p
942 West Chestnut St
Join us this Halloween for BrAGLY's 3rd annual Costume Karaoke event! BrAGLY, or Brockton Alliance of LGBTQIA+ Youth, is a supportive space for LGBTQIA+ youth and allies, ages 14-19 from the Greater Brockton Area. Supported by adult mentors, the group provides peer support, opportunities for discussion, leadership development, health education, and recreational activities. BrAGLY meets weekly on Thursdays, 5:30p - 6:30p, in person and on zoom. If you are interested in joining or for more information, contact Grace Terrazas at 508-256-3319 or bragly@healthimperatives.org.
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Early Voting Information
Starting October 28, in-person early voters can cast their ballots at Westgate Mall, 200 Westgate Dr., until November 1. You can stop by anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Find 2024 sample ballots, check your registration status, and explore other important voting details to get prepared here: City of Brockton Elections Commission,
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Brockton Conservation Commission Meeting 10-16-24
Video Courtesy of the Brockton Channels
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Brockton Bikes First Fridays!
Fri, Nov 1, 4:30p
In front of Brockton Beer Company
121 Main St
Brockton Bikes invites you to join them for their November bike rides! Together you'll ride for approximately 75 minutes and then eat at a Downtown location. All skill levels and bike types are welcome, and and you'll ride as a group to ensure everyone's safety. Additionally, each route is adjusted based on riders' ability and comfort level. Please wear a helmet, and as the days get shorter, lights are recommended.
For more info, contact Jed at 617-510-6213 or jed@votejed.org, or visit Brockton Bikes FB.
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Volunteer with BUILD Boston! | |
BUILD Boston is recruiting volunteers to serve as weekly Business Team Coaches at Randolph High! This unique volunteer opportunity supports youth entrepreneurs in building their own businesses.
For more information, visit Build.org.
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Share the Power of Positive voluntary subscription to your BuzzAround. | With your help, we offer interns hands-on civics and community building engagement. Strengthen communities, providing communication about solutions and ways to participate. At the end of each month, one of our $10/ month Hive Builders will win 2 weeks post and an image Weekender. | | | | |
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Brockton High School Girls Soccer vs Cambridge Rindge & Latin 10-17-24
Video Courtesy of The Brockton Channels
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Brockton School Committee Bid Review Subcommittee Meeting 10-15-24
Video Courtesy of The Brockton Channels
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Climate Can Do:
3 Tips for a Sustainable Halloween
With spooky season underway, it is important to remember how our choices impact the environment around us. According to Duke University, a 2019 study found that discarded Halloween costumes alone generated 2,000 tons of plastic waste each year. Luckily there are many quick and easy tricks to help you cut down your eco-footprint.
Recycle Costumes and Decor
When it comes to Halloween, some things never go out of style. From spiders to skeletons to witch cauldrons -- keep your "old" decor to use again next year and save time, money, and the planet!
You might consider shopping at thrift and consignment shops or try something new and DIY your own costume! The cape from one year's vampire costume might be the finishing touch for next year's superhero. A pillow case can be easily decorated at home and makes a great trick-or-treat bag. Old stockings with runs and pulls can be transformed into spider-webbing. And cardboard boxes can be cut and painted to look like tombstones in your front yard display!
Maximize Pumpkin Usage
When pumpkins are tossed in the trash and begin to breakdown, they create methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. To help prevent this, try to use every part of your pumpkin this Halloween!
Pumpkin seeds, flesh, and rind can be used in a ton of delicious recipes such as pumpkin bread, pudding, pie, and more. For inspiration, you can look online or visit Delish.
Once the season's over, compost your pumpkin, mixing it oxygen while it breaks down decreases methane emissions and improves your garden's nutrient-rich soil.
Shop Sustainably
Shopping locally is also an easy way to limit waste. Support local farmers this season and buy locally-grown pumpkins; and shop local or fair trade chocolatiers.
Source: Western Placer Waste Management Authority, Duke University
This Climate Can Do article was written by Sara MacKinnon, BuzzAround Intern, Providence College.
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Voices of Diversity and Voices of America
Sat, Nov 2, 2p
Brockton Public Library in the Lingos Auditorium
304 Main St
Join Brockton Public Library for the "Voices of Diversity - Voices of America" program of 10 Poets, 10 Languages and Cultures. BPL has featured over thirty-five languages and dialects, and you, too, are invited to this special celebration of diversity. The order of appearance for the November 2nd event will be as follows:
- Wampanoag Tribe - Opening prayer - Melissa Ferretti
- Spanish - Juan Rodriguez
- Greek - Theodora Stratis
- Haitian Creole - Jean-Dany Joachim
- Turkish - Pelin Kadercan
- Rose Music Conservatory. Director Greg Fernandes
- Cape Verderian - Laurel Gibau-Balla
- Cantonese - Christina Liu
- Youth Community - Ayesha Mohammed
- Elder Community - John Holgerson
- French - Mariio Maliver
For more information, contact Philip Hasouris at phasouris@cobma.us or Malice Veiga at mveiga@cobma.us.
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Arc of Greater Brockton Support Groups
Arc of Greater Brockton Family Support Center works in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to provide planning assistance, information, education, and referral services to assist parents in managing the challenges of raising a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder. These services extend to the people who love and support them: parents, sisters and brothers, grandparents, educators, and others.
Members of the Family Support Center Team include Coordinators that are fluent in Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, French, Spanish and Haitian Creole. They can also arrange for translation and interpretation in other languages upon request. To learn more about the Arc of Greater Brockton's Haitian, Spanish, Cape Verdean, Transition, Sibling, and Parent Support Groups, visit www.arcofgreaterbrockton.org.
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Beginner Bookworms
Wed, Nov 6
4:30p - 5:30p
Brockton Public Library Children's Room
304 Main St
Kids in grades 1-4 are invited to join Miss Ashley in improving and enhancing reading skills through group and solo reading weekly. Children will read excerpts of their chosen books during the first part of the club. In the second half, they will be given the opportunity to select books to read independently and then story tell to the group.
Source: Brockton Public Library
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PROMISE Academy
Receives a Special Visit!
PROMISE Academy had a special visit recently from BPS alum Shamus Clifford, who now works for Boston Dynamics, along with the company's robotic dog. He recounted his journey, which included time as a teacher at Brockton High, which resulted in his working for the robotics company. He also highlighted the numerous paths available to students in STEM fields and, of course, showed off the capabilities of the dog!
Shamus talked with students about robot-human interaction and all the work that goes into "making robots happen."
Source: Brockton Public Schools FB
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Calling All
Creative Veterans
Sat, Nov 9
Brockton Public Library, 304 Main St
Brockton Public Library will be holding their Voices of Veterans "Thank You for Your Service" on Saturday, November 9th! To help bring this day of honor and recognition to life, BPL is calling all creative veterans, family members, and friends for submissions, readers, and live performances of creative writing, poetry, visual arts, and musical entertainment. Art projects will be collected and submitted to the library.
All veterans, family, and friends are invited to the event. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Contact VA contact Holly Corrente, HPMT, MT-BC, at Holly.corrente@va.gov or 774-826-1804, or contact Philip Hasouris, Brockton Poet Laureate, at phasouris@cobma.us or 508-942-8018.
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Citizenship Workshop
Sat, Nov 16
Schedule by Appointment
West Middle School
271 West St
Project Citizenship is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services for lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) applying for citizenship. Join their free citizenship workshop this November and be matched with a pro bono attorney to fill out your application for citizenship! Walk-ins are limited, so schedule your appointment in advance using the QR code on the flyer.
For more questions and more information, contact Project Citizenship at info@projectcitizenship.org or 617-694-5949.
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Your Vote Matters!
As we near Election Day, it is important to remember that every vote matters and your voice deserves to be heard in the many contested races and state-wide ballot questions. To help spread this message, the Brockton Area Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hosted a forum on voting called "Your Vote Matters." The panel featured Brockton's Director of Immigration Services, Ms. Courtney Henderson, along with Dr. Patricia Jackson and Ms. Kevonna Jones Tandon. Brockton historian Mr. Willie Wilson discussed the history of voting rights. Among the attendees were Mayor Robert Sullivan’s Chief of Staff, Ms. Sydné Marrow, Massachusetts State Representative Michelle DuBois, Plymouth County Register of Deeds Mr. John Buckley, Brockton City Councilor Mr. Jean Bradley Derenoncourt, and Brockton Area Branch NAACP President Ms. Phyllis Ellis.
It is the mission of the Brockton Area Branch NAACP to "ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial discrimination."
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Their membership meetings take place on the 4th Monday of the month at 7p and are open to the public. To learn more about membership meetings, their mission, and their services, visit www.naacp-brocktonbranch.org.
Thank you to to the Brockton Area Branch NAACP as well as Brockton Public Library for organizing and hosting this informative event!
Story & Photo Credit: City of Brockton FB & Brockton Area Branch NAACP
Story written by Sara MacKinnon, BuzzAround Intern, Providence College
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win:
1 hour Living in the Gift coaching from GleeWorks
Learn mind-body spirit practices with Marcy Venezia building a foundation for healing. ($80 value.) GleeWorks.net
Historical Tidbit Question:
Why were canopy beds invented?
Email us your answer at:
Prizes@buzzaround.info Please include your name and phone number with your answer.
Prize Box Rules
By entering, you give us permission to print your name in next week's Buzz Around.
On October 30, 2024, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
| The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Sara MacKinnon, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia | | |
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Adventure
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”~ Eleanor Roosevelt
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”
~ Oprah Winfrey
“One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am - a reluctant enthusiast....a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive..." ~ Edward Abbey
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Everyday I work to make the BuzzAround better... and everyday I take moments to enjoy, to breathe the air, to swirl in a dance, or visually absorb the color of a leaf. It has been challenging and wonderful; life as a half-hearted fanatic~ Jacquie
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Copyright 2024 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 10/27/24")
Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. At the Buzz Around, we promote community. The links provided are for informational purposes. BuzzAround is not responsible for the media content of other organizations.
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