Business Bulletin

Institution for Savings, Baez Law, eXp Realty Offer Homebuyer Seminar

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Institution for Savings, Baez Law, eXp Realty Offer Homebuyer Seminar

Institution for Savings, working with Baez Law Group and eXp Realty, plans a free First-Time Homebuyer Seminar early next month. The seminar covers such topics as the Home Buying Process, Determining How Much You Can Afford, What Loan is Right for You, Grants and Special Programs and Closing, Fees and more. Participants may raise questions and also be entered to win Boston Bruins tickets with a drawing the same night. The free First-Time Homebuyer Seminar takes place Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Salvatore’s Restaurant, 354 Merrimack St., Lawrence.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill YMCA Seeks Nominations for Educator and Teen of the Year

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Haverhill YMCA says it’s time to submit nominations for Educator of the Year to be honored at a November celebration that also recognizes a Teen of the Year and grants the Commitment to Community Award to Dianne Connolly. The 18th annual Educator of the Year committee is looking for names of Haverhill educators, why the person is outstanding, how he or she nurtures youth potential and healthy living and how the educator is involved in the community. The Teen of the Year recognizes high school teens who exemplify what the YMCA is and represents its core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Nominations for both Educator of the Year and Teen of the Year will be accepted through Oct. 15 online here or can be sent to Regional Executive Director Tracy Fuller, Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St., Haverhill, MA 01830 or via email to [email protected].

Education

Northern Essex Production of ‘Steel Magnolias’ Serves to Honor Parton

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Northern Essex Community College Theater presents Steel Magnolias, the comedy-drama by Robert Harling, next month. Set in a close-knit Louisiana beauty salon, “Steel Magnolias” follows a circle of Southern women who lean on humor, gossip and each other through life’s biggest joys and hardest losses. The play’s title captures its heart: characters as delicate as magnolias, yet as resilient as steel. The production is directed by national award-winning Director and Northern Essex Professor Brianne Beatrice, with student Jay Ouellette serving as assistant director. The cast is led by national award-winning actor Naima Eve as Truvy, alongside Katherine Caulfield, Rachael Knipe, Tawny Marshall, Gianna Proia and Laurille Wirling, an Excellence in Performance nominee for her portrayal of Harper in NECC Theater’s “Angels in America.”

Beatrice said the show’s themes feel especially timely and wasn’t chosen because of Dolly Parton, who played Truvy in the 1989 film adaptation of the play, she said the country icon’s passing last month gave the production a new resonance.

Region

State Declares Area Improves to ‘Mild Drought,’ Still Urges Conservation

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The state said Thursday drought conditions have improved locally, dropping to a “mild drought,” and in most of the state, but officials are still advising conservation. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Northeast and Connecticut River Valley regions improved to the lowest level, mild drought, while Central Region has returned to normal conditions and the Western region and Dukes County remain at normal conditions. Cape Cod and Nantucket County continue to endure a significant drought. “The rain we saw this summer is helping, and we’re encouraged to see conditions improve across the state,” said Tepper. “We need more steady rain over the long-term, and we’re asking everyone across the state to conserve water and to help protect local water supplies and ensure enough water for fire protection.”

Following a wet July, August was drier than normal, with 1.5 to four inches of rain across Massachusetts.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Chamber Plans Oct. 2 Annual Public Safety Breakfast

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Law enforcement representatives from across the region will be on hand next month when the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce holds its annual public safety breakfast forum. The talk features Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger, Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe, Haverhill Police Chief Wayne J. Tracy, Methuen Acting Police Chief Jamie Moore and North Andover Acting Police Chief Stephen Diminico. Lawrence Police Chief Maurice Aguiler was also invited to join the speaker list. The forum, which includes include a breakfast buffet, takes place Friday, Oct. 2, 7:30-9 a.m., at Merrimack Valley Golf Club, 210 Howe St., Methuen, in the club’s Equinox room.

Community Spotlight

Trails and Sails Brings Free Tours, Trips and Activities Starting Sept. 12

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Area museums, historic sites and other attractions are taking part in Essex National Heritage Area’s Trails & Sails over the next two weeks. Trails & Sails kicks off its 16-day, 25th anniversary celebration Saturday, Sept. 12. Starting this opening weekend, Sept. 12-13, the public can find events highlighting four themes: Essex County Revolution 250, Outdoor Explorations, Life by the Water and Stories We Share.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill’s NETTTS Plans Events, Open House for Workforce Development Month

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Haverhill’s New England Tractor Trailer Training School plans to host and take part in a variety of career-building events, workshops and networking opportunities as part of Massachusetts Workforce Development Month. The company, which played a role in developing the state’s September proclamation, says “the month serves as a statewide call to action for citizens, prospective students and employers to engage in collaborative efforts that empower the next generation of workers.”

“Our goal is to bridge the gap between aspirations and opportunity,” says NETTTS Haverhill Campus Director Dean Graziano. “By focusing on critical industries—including transportation and HVACR, we are helping individuals identify clear career training pathways that can lead to personal growth and long-term community prosperity.”

The company will provide information about its commercial driver’s licenses and Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration training during Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus Saturday, between noon and 8:30 p.m. It will display one of its trucks and explain how its career training programs work. NETTS also plans a Career Fair, bringing together students and employers, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5-7 p.m., at its Haverhill campus, 1429 Hilldale Ave., and a “Live Skills Demonstrations: See-a-Trade Open House,” Wednesday, Sept.

Haverhill

Merrimack Valley Project Details $1M Investment in Health Programs

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The Merrimack Valley Project is detailing how it plans to spend $1 million over five years to build an intergenerational organizing movement for health equity. As WHAV reported Monday, the nonprofit will share in $17.9 million in Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds distributed statewide. Merrimack Valley Project Executive Director Julio Mejia outlined his background and how it helps shape the organization’s goals. “I was raised in Lawrence in a working-class immigrant family and I have seen firsthand how housing costs, access to healthcare and immigration policies affect our neighbors. For decades, the Merrimack Valley Project has worked alongside residents, especially people with lived experience, to organize for safer housing, better community health outcomes and protections for immigrant families,” he said.