Community Spotlight

Haverhill & Plaistow Community YMCA Auction Live Online Through May 12

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The Haverhill & Plaistow Community YMCA Legacy Gala online auction is live

Bidding takes place online through Sunday, May 12, at noon, with items and experiences up for grabs, including tickets to popular local summer events Ciderfeast and Tattersall Farm-to-Table; tickets to the Celtics, Red Sox and Bruins; scratch tickets and overnight stays in the heart of Boston and historic Salem, Mass. The YMCA Legacy Gala takes place Saturday, May 11, beginning at 5 p.m., at Bradford Country Club, 201 Chadwick Road, Haverhill. The sold out event features two signature cocktails and a photo booth for guests to take home memories. All proceeds support the YMCA’s work in fighting food insecurity, sending children to summer camp and educational programming for individuals and families in need of financial assistance.

Community Spotlight

River Bards Spotlight Teen Poets Tonight in Downtown Haverhill

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Haverhill High School Poetry and Spoken Word Club students will share their talents at a special open mic event hosted by the River Bards poetry group. The teens, who write poetry and prose, are the featured performers at the May meeting of the River Bards, a group of local poets who delight in shining a light on literary arts. Twice a year, the Bards gather at HC Media, which records the night’s performances for broadcast. On Wednesday, May 1, the Poetry Club students will open the meeting with readings. Those who are interested in sharing during the open mic portion of the event can sign up on a sheet that will be provided, then wait for their names to be called.

Community Spotlight

Red Cross, Haverhill Fire Department Partner to Install Free Smoke Alarms

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Haverhill is one of only five communities statewide where Red Cross volunteers and members of the Fire Department will work together to “Sound the Alarm and Save” a Life by helping families develop escape plans, install smoke alarms or both in local homes. To participate, either by volunteering or by registering to receive up to three residential smoke alarms and/or training on how to respond if a smoke alarm sounds, visit SoundTheAlarm.org/ma or call 800-564-1234. Deliveries and home visits to devise escape and safety plans will take place Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Community Spotlight

Local Artist Sarkhel Performs Tuesday at Citizens Center

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Surya Sarkhel, a longtime Haverhill resident known for local performances of poetry, dance and song, will share her talents in a free performance at the Haverhill Citizens Center. Sarkhel is a songwriter and published in her native Indian language and in English. She also performs traditional, classic Indian dance. For decades, she has traveled the U.S. to entertain in her unique style, and has made her mark locally at various open mic night venues and at the Haverhill Multicultural Festival

Her latest Haverhill performance will be Tuesday, April 30, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., Haverhill.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill YMCA Hosts Community Resource Fair May 1

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The Haverhill YMCA is helping area residents find and connect with community-based services in Greater Haverhill relating to physical and mental health, education, employment, financial benefits and more. In addition to help in sourcing assistance, those who attend can attain more immediate benefits, such as snacks, give-aways, and raffle prizes. At least two dozen organizations will have representatives and literature available on Wednesday, May 1, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St. They include organizations that focus on adult and children’s emotional and mental health, preventive medicine such as stop-smoking resources, as well as the Haverhill School Department, Social Security Administration, and Northern Essex Community College.

Community Spotlight

Santa’s Spring 5K and Fun Run Takes Place Saturday; Event Supports 60th VFW Santa Parade

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Santa’s Spring 5K and Fun Run to benefit the Lorraine Post 29’s 60th Annual VFW Santa Parade takes place tomorrow. Runners may register and pick up their bibs, Saturday, April 27, beginning at 9 a.m., at the Northern Essex Community College track, 671 Kenoza St., Haverhill. Entry fee is $35 and online registration is optionally available here. For those who aren’t up to running the 3.1 miles may participate in a fun run, walk around the track or lawn games.  There will also be food, a disc jockey, crafts for kids and a touch a tractor event. Activities run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Community Spotlight

Plaistow Police Inspect, Install Car Safety Seats Friday

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The Plaistow Public Library and Plaistow Police Department are helping drivers keep their youngest passengers safe. Trained and certified child safety seat technicians from the Plaistow Police Department will staff a checkpoint at the Plaistow Public Library to inspect the safety devices in local operators’ cars. For those having trouble safely installing the seats, the same trained personnel will lend a hand to make sure they are installed properly. The Car Seat Safety Checkup takes place on Friday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Plaistow Public Library, 85 Main St., Plaistow, N.H.

Community Spotlight

Friends of Plaistow Rec Stage Musical Laser Show Tonight

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Families looking for a fun activity near the end of New Hampshire’s school vacation week can take in a laser concert. Lasermania, by Prismatic Magic, will feature current musical hits and colorful lasers that appear to react to the sound. The show is tonight, April 25, from 4 to 5 p.m., at the Timberlane Performing Arts Center, 40 Greenough Road, Plaistow, N.H.

Doors will open at 3:45 p.m., but cash raffle sales will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the lobby. Raffle prizes will be drawn right after the show. Tickets are $8 when bought in advance online or $10 at the door on the day of the show.