Business Bulletin

Power of Self-Education’s COCO Brown in Haverhill Receives Barr Foundation Grant

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Haverhill-based Power of Self-Education’s COCO Brown initiative was recently named as one of 55 grassroots arts organizations across the state to receive a Catalyzing Vitality grant from the Barr Foundation. COCO Brown, at 143 Essex St., is described as helping to sustain and expand “culturally vibrant, community-centered programming for artists and creative entrepreneurs north of Boston.” For more than six years, it has offered open mics, storytelling events, wellness workshops, youth and adult programming, civic and social events, entrepreneurial support and space for collective reflection, celebration and learning. “POSE Inc. is a powerful example of how community-rooted creativity can spark healing, connection and opportunity,” says Francisco Torres, program officer for arts and creativity at Barr Foundation. “We’re proud to support COCO Brown through the Catalyzing Vitality initiative as it continues to build a space that nurtures artists and fosters a deep sense of belonging in Haverhill.”

Katrina “Kat” Hobbs Everett, co-founder of POSE and director/curator of COCO Brown, adds “Here we are healing from scarcity mindsets and fear of money. We are reimagining what thriving looks like for our communities, and then pursuing what we dream up!”

Catalyzing Vitality addresses longstanding disparities in arts funding by investing in smaller, grassroots organizations that have historically lacked access to long-term, flexible resources.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill’s Woofstock and Wicked Axe Join Forces for May 24 Fundraiser for Sweet Paws Rescue

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Haverhill’s Woofstock, which plans a September celebration of dogs and local farms, is backing a “Spring into Rescue” fundraiser later this month at Wicked Axe to benefit Sweet Paws Rescue. Cyndie Morgan, organizer of Haverhill’s Woofstock, and Amanda Mann, event planner for Wicked Axe, said they are joining forces in support of Sweet Paws Rescue, which is planning a move from Groveland to a 69-acre farm in Haverhill. “It’s such a wonderful feeling when you can continue helping our community, and a collaboration like this is yet another example of how leading with heart makes anything possible,” said Morgan. “Spring into Rescue” features pet service and supply vendors, such as apparel and treats; information about adoptions; a demonstration by the Essex County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit; pay-to-play puppy sessions; and more Saturday, May 24, from 2-7 p.m., at Wicked Axe, 721 S. Main St., Haverhill. After the event, there will be live music from 8-11 p.m. There is a suggested cover of $10 with all donations going Sweet Paws Rescue.

Haverhill

Councilors Seek Haverhill Residents and Businesses to Weigh-In on Five-Year Housing Plan

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Haverhill city councilors are looking for input from residents and businesses before giving their blessings to a draft five-year Housing Production Plan. After nearly an hour of discussion, councilors voted Tuesday, May 6, to send the draft, prepared by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, to its Planning and Development Committee. Haverhill Community Development Division Director Andrew K. Herlihy, explained that while a Housing Production Plan is not required, it greatly improves the city’s chances of winning state and federal grants and makes Haverhill more attractive to developers. “This is going to be an aspirational document. It’s a guide.

Health

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center Celebrates 45th Anniversary; Posthumously Honors Keller

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Greater Lawrence Family Health Center Wednesday night celebrated the 45th anniversary of its founding in Lawrence and subsequent growth into Methuen in Haverhill, with a posthumous tribute to one its founders. Those attending the 45th anniversary gala learned more about Rev. James P. Keller, a Presbyterian minister and activist for peace and social justice, who initially founded what became the Health Center in a five or six room house that formerly served as a funeral home. Keller died last November at age 93, but his children—sons James Jr. and Jonathan and daughter Christian—accepted the Health Center’s Making a Difference Award. The elder son, reading from his father’s memoir, “Three Islands in My Life and Ministry,” explained his father’s interest stemmed from the poor receiving care only from a hospital emergency room. “This is not a satisfactory arrangement because there can be no continuity of care for an individual or family with a rotation of physicians who take only a turn covering the emergency room,” he explained.

Education

McGuire Family Donates $20,000 to Help Whittier Tech Install Track Timing System

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Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School Wednesday honored the Richard McGuire family for its $20,000 donation of a track timing system. The FinishLynx Track Timing system was dedicated just prior to Whittier Tech’s track meet against Greater Lowell Technical High School. It was paid by the Richard McGuire Scholarship Fund, created in memory of Richard McGuire, who passed away from leukemia at the age of 21. McGuire was active in street and ice hockey during the late 1970s and early 1980s in Lawrence. The fund was established by Richard’s parents, Henry and Theresa McGuire, to honor their son’s memory by helping students pursue continued education.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Council on Aging Screens P.T. Barnum Flick May 14

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The musical period drama “The Greatest Showman” about the life and times of P.T. Barnum will be shown by the Haverhill Council on Aging. The film starring Hugh Jackman in the title role will be shown Wednesday, May 14, at 11 a.m. in Room 45 at the Haverhill Citizen Center, 10 Welcome St. The showing is free. The film, which won a Golden Globe for best original song, traces Barnum’s early beginnings in entertainment. Reserve a place by calling Activities Director Paola Hussein at 978-374-2390, ext.

Haverhill

West Newbury Returns to Drawing Board as it Seeks to Comply with MBTA Communities Act

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West Newbury town officials say the town isn’t fighting a state housing requirement and will return to the drawing board after Town Meeting voters rejected a new multifamily zoning district to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. The vote on April 28 was 227 in favor with 302 against, according to Town Manager Angus Jennings. West Newbury has a population of 4,500 and 3,800 registered voters. “West Newbury is totally committed to remaining in compliance with the requirement,” Jennings said, noting that the town has until the end of this year to accept the act’s provisions. The MBTA Communities Act requires communities that have, or are adjacent to communities with, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority service to have at least one special housing district.

Business Bulletin

U.S. SBA’s Spahiu and Steele to Address Merrimack Valley Chamber at Annual Awards Breakfast

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U.S. Small Business Administration’s Ili Spahiu, acting Massachusetts district director, and Peter A. Steele, regional administrator, will be on hand to congratulate a wide variety of local businesses during the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming Annual Small Business Awards. The awards breakfast takes place Friday, June 6, from 7:30-9 a.m., at Renaissance Country Club, 377 Kenoza St., in Haverhill. Winners include, in Business assistance, MakelT Haverhill and MassDevelopment; Discovery/Education, Mass, School of Law at Andover and Merrimack College; Environmental, G. Mello Disposal, NRGTree and Revise; Healthcare, Comfort Home Care and Spectrum Adult DayHealth; and Innovative, Factorial Energy and STEMspot. In addition, Longevity, Haffner’s, Michaud Insurance Agency and Raymond’s Turkey Farm; Manufacturing, Edwards Vacuum and Helfrich Brothers Boiler Works; Cultural/Tourism Duston-Dustin Garrison House and North Andover Historical Society; Diversity, Top Notch Scholars’ Joanna De Pena and New York Life’s Lisanny Richiez; and Media Advocate, Andover Living and Merrimack Valley Eats. Also, Nonprofit, Community Teamwork and Lazarus House; Perseverance, X-Golf Methuen; Retail, Harrows Chicken Pies and Little Giant Comics; Service, A.D. Parkside West and Servpro of Lowell; Veteran, Clear Path for Veterans; Wholesale, Bigbelly Waste Solutions and Shaheen Bros.; and Family-Owned Businesses, Joseph’s Trattoria Pest-End, Shadi’s Restaurant, Silverio Insurance Agency and Wang’s Table.