CANDY, BANDS & AWARD HIGHLIGHT HOLIDAY PARADE 2010



Photo from Brockton Post



The BrocktonPost

BROCKTON—Melissa Rodriguez with her one-year-old Chihuaha Guido watched, waved and cheered as thousands of musicians, students in costume and vehicles decorated in bright Christmas and holiday motifs passed by on Main Street for the 24th annual Greater Brockton Holiday Parade. For full story and more Great pictures please see The Brockton Post.

BHS HOLIDAY CONCERT DECEMBER 14TH & 15TH

The sounds of the season will delight audiences once again when the highly regarded Brockton High School Holiday Concert is held December 14th and 15th in the Nelson Auditorium. The school's award-winning musicians in the Concert Band, Advanced Concert Band, Repertory  Chorus and Concert Choir will perform traditional tunes and funky holiday fare during the shows, which are sure to sell out. Tickets cost $5 with proceeds helping to fund the purchase of new band uniforms.

The 2010 Holiday Concert will stay true to the magic that draws thousands each year – great music, a festive spirit and a chance to celebrate with friends and neighbors – while also including several firsts.  This is the debut concert for Maestro Kevin Kardel, who took over direction of the Concert Band from beloved band leader Robert Ferrante, who retired last spring.  This is also the first time the Advanced Concert Band will be performing an original piece of music composed by a Brocktonian, Maureen Condon’s “When I Think of Christmas, I think of You.”  

“The holidays are always an exciting and joyful time for people,” said Music Director Vincent Macrina.  “We like to give our audience songs they know and love and also introduce some new tunes to keep it fresh.”

Macrina said Condon, a native Brocktonian, will be in the audience to hear her original song performed.  The piece is a beautiful ballad originally written for a piano and a small orchestra. Condon approached Macrina about performing the song, and he wrote a band arrangement.  Macrina’s daughter Lia, a professional singer, will accompany the band in performing the song.

“The song fits right in with our program.  It’s a romantic song, very pretty.  It makes you think of one of those postcard pictures of the fireplace with snow falling outside,” Macrina said.  “I’m really excited because there’s a possibility (Condon) might publish the song with our kids performing it.”

The Advanced Concert Band will also perform “Sleigh Ride,” a tried-and-true favorite; introduce a little calypso music with “Mary’s Boy Child;” and share another new song, “The Eighth Candle,” a Hanukkah celebration piece that is very challenging.

The Concert Choir, under the direction of esteemed leader Penny Knight, will perform “Christmas Day,” a powerful and challenging work by Gustav Holst, as well as a beautiful and traditional Hanukkah song “S’Vivon.”  The Repertory Chorus plans to present “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Slow Dancing in the Snow,” and the Concert Band will perform “March of the Toys” and “Christmas Song,” among other numbers.

The Holiday Concert is a tradition for many Brocktonians who are proud to have a professional-quality music program in their backyard, Macrina said.

“People tell me they come back year after year, long after their kids have graduated.  They come because the quality of music and performance is so good, and because they are proud to support young local musicians,” Macrina said.  “It’s very special for the students, too.  It’s the first concert of the year, and they are ready to show audiences what they can do.  I think everybody loves to come together for the concert, whether as performers or audience members.  It’s an important community celebration.”

Tickets prices have increased for the first time in years, and only to help defray the cost of new uniforms for the marching band.  The Brockton High School Marching Band is known throughout the region for its exceptional playing, marching and appearance.  However, the uniforms have started to show their wear after 17 years and Macrina said it’s time to replace them.  At $300 each – for a 225-piece band – that’s not an easy target.   HarborOne Credit Union donated $15,000 earlier this year and the band has done some fundraising to bring the total to nearly half of the $52,000 it needs to raise to outfit the entire band.

“I hate to raise prices, but this year we need the help.  I still think at five bucks it’s the best ticket in town, but I know it’s a tough economy and I appreciate all of the folks who have supported us over the years,” Macrina said.  “We hope to see a lot of smiling faces and we promise to put on a great show.”

Tickets cost $5 per person and are available at the Brockton High School Main Office, 470 Forest Avenue, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays.  The concerts will be held Tuesday, December 14^th and Wednesday, December 15^th at 7:30 p.m. in the Brockton High School Auditorium.  A snow date of Thursday, December 16^th has also been set.  For more information, please contact the Brockton High School Music Department at (508) 580-7656.

 -Jocelyn Meek

Communications Officer

Brockton Public Schools

(508) 894-4476

FREE PUPPET SHOW NOV. 30th IN CELEBRATION OF FAMILY LITERACY MONTH

Brockton parents and children are invited to celebrate Family Literacy Month by attending a free puppet show presented by the Pumpernickel Puppets, a nationally recognized puppet troupe.  The puppet show will be held Tuesday, November 30^th at 6 p.m. at the Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Resource Center on Crescent Street.

Children of all ages are invited to see the renowned puppeteers present “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” and “The Lion and the Mouse.”

“November is Family Literacy Month, a time for us to support children of all ages in out-of-school learning, engage parents in supporting their children’s education, and engage community partners in supporting and celebrating lifelong learning and family well-being,” said Lela Spekin, Coordinated Family & Community Engagement Specialist. 

To promote family literacy, the Brockton Coordinated Family and Community Engagement program is hosting The Pumpernickel Puppets in conjunction with the grand opening of the Brockton CFCE Resource Center. Families are invited to enjoy a light pizza supper at 6 P.M. courtesy of Copeland Toyota Scion. The puppet show will begin at 6:30 P.M. and will last approximately 40 minutes. The performance is geared toward children ages 3-8, however all ages are welcome. Although there is no admission charge, reservations are required and can be made by calling the CFCE office at 508-580-7491.

Following the show, families are welcome to tour the CFCE Resource Center, which offers a variety of educational books and materials for families to access and/or borrow. Staff at the Resource Center is available to assist families in their attempt to access high quality early education and care programs and services for families with children pre-natal through school-age. Additional support and information is available to families with children transitioning between and among early education and care settings, home, and school.

 The Brockton CFCE program is supported by the MA Department of Early Education and Care and the Brockton Public Schools. The CFCE Resource Center is located in the lower level of the Brockton Adult Learning Center on 211 Crescent Street.

HATS ON TO BROCKTON

     This weekend on Sunday, November 21 at 12pm Brockton is going to try and break the world record for the most people gathered in one place wearing Santa Claus hats. The event will be at the corner of Main Street and Crescent street by the Parking Garage or where you see the large group of people wearing Santa Claus hats. The sign in will begin about 12pm so arrive early and the official count will be at 1pm. The event is being sponsored by the Downtown Business Association and Santa hats have already been given out to about 10,000 students in Brockton and hats are expected to be sold at the event for about $2, if you need one click here for locations to buy them. Participants who enter are automatically entered into a raffle to win a Kindle.

     The current record is held by the town of Mullingar, Ireland where they broke Brockton previous years record by 200 people. In 2008 Brockton held the record with 507 and last year Mullingar broke the record with about 700 people wearing the Santa hats. Mullingar is a town in Ireland with a population of about 18,000 according to their 2006 census and Brocktons population is about 100,000 so hopefully we will retake that record again. Brockton also has been traditionally known for having the first Department Store Santa Claus by store owner James Edgar, who in 1890 put the suit on and started the classic tradition. So lets take back this record and keep putting Brockton back on the map for all the positive things that happen in the city everyday. Hats on to you Brockton and all the residents and Happy Holidays.

THE ARNONE SCHOOL GREEN TEAM WON!!!!

November 15, 2010 - On America Recycles Day, we are pleased to announce that the Arnone School's Green Team has won the America Recycle's Day contest, sponsored by Abitibi Paper Retriever! The team of students and advisors wrote, directed and produced a short video encouraging people to recycle, and their entry garnered the most votes in a national voting drive. Thanks to your support, the Arnone School Green Team has won a $5,500 donation to their school!



The Arnone Green Team is a great representative of the Brockton Public Schools and its creativity is apparent in the facts the student included in the message, which they set to a fantastic student-sung rap.

The Arnone Green Team was founded during the 2009-2010 school year as part of the Smart Start Extended Day Program. The Green Team is made up of Arnone School 2nd and 3rd graders who meet after school to discuss the importance of preserving the environment. Under the direction of Extended Day Site Coordinators Dominic Santo, Sheliah Calhoun and Pam Brown, the team looks for ways kids can get involved in conserving our natural resources for the benefit of all.

This year, the second and third graders in the project are collecting and recycling paper, cardboard, bottles and cans, Capri Sun Juice Pouches, Chip Bags, and Cookie Wrappers.

To date, the Team has recycled:

3.69 tons of paper
12,316 Capri Sun Juice Pouches
2,071 Chip Bags
278 Cookie Wrappers (Our newest initiative)

Jocelyn Meek
Communications Officer
Brockton Public Schools
(508) 894-4476

BROCKTONS ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PARADE 2010 PART ONE

BROCKTONS ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PARADE 2010, PART TWO

BROCKTONS ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PARADE

     The City of Brockton will hold the annual Veteran's Day Parade this Thursday, November 11, at 10 a.m.The start of the parade will be the Brockton Fairgrounds at the Belmont Street entrance and will go down Belmont Street and take a left onto Main Street. The Parade will pause on Main Street at School Street for the Brockton Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums Band Strand Theater Tribute. After the pause the parade will continue down Main Street and take a left on Legion Parkway for a ceremony at the monument to honor all the Veterans. For more information about the City of Brocktons Veterans Day Parade contact Veterans Services at 508-580-7850.

FREE "TWEETS&BLOGS" WORKSHOP THIS WEDNESAY

Free “Tweets & Blogs” Workshop This Wednesday

November 5, 2010, Brockton, MA – Crescent Credit Union is partnering with the Metro South Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center in presenting “Tweets & Blogs” – the third installment of a three-part series of FREE workshops covering the topic of social media for small businesses.

Open to the public, the free “Tweets & Blogs” workshop will be held Wednesday, November 10, from 8:30am – 11:00am at Crescent Credit Union’s Community Learning Center, 115 Commercial Street, in Brockton. Attend this workshop for an overview of Twitter and blogging, how they work with search engine optimization (SEO), investigating their uses along with three recognized blogging platforms (Wordpress, Typepad and Blogger), widget and conversion mechanisms, structuring of blogs, ideas for writing and case studies of different types of blogs. Please be sure to register in advance.

The presenter is Tricia White, Senior Business Advisor with the MA Small Business Development Center Network (MSBDC) - SE Region. To register or for more information, please call Tammi or Alison at the MSBDC office at 508-673-9783 or register online at www.msbdc.org/training.

The MSBDC provides free and confidential business advisory services to existing or prospective small business people. They also offer training seminars on a variety of topics, including starting a business, financial planning, government procurement, marketing and strategic planning.

About Crescent Credit Union

Founded in 1919, Crescent Credit Union was originally chartered to serve the financial needs of employees at the Tarlow Brothers Leather Company in Brockton, Massachusetts. As the credit union grew, it moved into a small building on Crescent Street and adopted the street's name. Today, Crescent Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative providing better banking solutions to over 44,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk, or Barnstable counties can join Crescent Credit Union. For more information, please call 508-559-5409 or visit www.crescentcredit.org.

VOTE FOR THE ARNONE SCHOOL

Please watch this video that the children from the Arnone School in Brockton made. They are competing for a $5000 grant for their school. After you watch this go to the link provided and vote for DominicS/Arnone Green Team. It takes less than a minute to vote and the cause of recycling is worthy. Also pass the word along and lets help the kids win that grant.
http://www.paperretriever.com/infostore/creativityvoting.asp?mode=view&artcat=video

PIPES & DRUMS FOR A CAUSE GAMES

 Pipes & Drums for a Cause games

(PDCG)

SUNDAY November 14, 2010

12pm to 5pm contest to start at 1pm sharp.

Come watch New England area's best Pipe and Drum bands perform and compete for charity and bragging rights for the next year. Bands from all across New England will set on Brockton to compete to be the best public safety band in the land. There will be food, fun, music, and a whole lot more.

News from South Eastern MA, Brockton. Save the date!! On Sunday November 14, in partnership with the Shaw’s conference center and Campanelli stadium, home of the Brockton Rox professional baseball, the Brockton Firefighters Pipes and Drums would like to invite you to the second annual pipes and drums for a cause games (PDCG). The plan for these games is quite simple. Public is invited to join us for this charity event at a cost of $10.00.There will be food door prizes and great spirits!!! Entrants (bands) will be required to play in a circle one march set for a time frame of 3 to 6 minutes and perform at the end of the evening in a massed band. Each band will pay a $150.00 entrance fee and pick a charity that is close and personal to your band. All entrants will be asked to help promote the event by sending out informational packets, selling tickets at $10.00 or just plain spreading the word. There will be a top four winners group and of those top four the prize money will be divided for the respective charities. First prize $1000, Second prize $800, third prize $500, fourth prize $200. All bands must have their charities named by November one (1st) for their charity to be eligible for prize money. We will be sending out more information in the coming days so please if you have any questions and are interested in taking part in a great cause contact us. bfpdbandmanager@comcast.net. For full article please see BrocktonBeat Records.

HAUNTED HALLS OF THE YMCA

Haunted Halls Of The YMCA Oct. 28

Thursday, October 28, 2010 - Thursday, October 28, 2010
Starts: 6:30 PM
Ends: 7:45 PM
The Old Colony YMCA-Youth Branch will hold its annual Halloween Party on, Thursday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. at 465 Main Street Brockton. Each year this event continues to grow in attendance. Come join us and be part of the fun in a safe environment for the whole family. We will be featuring our traditional Haunted Halls and Rooms for children up to 12 years of age. We dare you to walk down the spooky rooms and halls! You never know who you will meet at the Y! Younger children can participate in the gym with climbing play house, face painting Halloween activities, movie, and games. Create a Halloween decoration to take home. Our admission still remains at $3.00 per child-under 2 free. All children must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. No registration is required. For more information call (508)587-4242.

Old Colony Y-Youth Branch, 465 Main St. Brockton
Contact Information:
Mary Ann Manzo
mmanzo@oldcolonyymca.org
(508) 587-4242

"KEANE" JOKES KEEP HALLOWEEN PARTY ROLLING

The BrocktonPost

BROCKTON—South Middle School teacher Beth Keane Monday night kept dozens of kids scratching their heads and eating cookies as they tried to answer a non-stop stream of children’s jokes at the Little Red Schoolhouse Association’s second annual Halloween costume party.
“Why were police looking for the vampire,” Keane asked the bustling group of youngsters wearing princess, witch, soldier and pirate costumes.
Jason Stevens, a 7-year-old who attends the Downey Elementary School, could barely be heard over the din on the second floor of the city’s oldest school house. For full story please read the article in The BrocktonPost.

Brockton High  Class of 2000                REUNION  Saturday November 27th 2010              @ Holiday INN         195 Westgate Dr, 02301          From 7pm-12Midnight $25 per ticket before Reunion, $35@door More info sueq82@aol.com/ 401-527-0591

Celebrate International Credit Union Day at Crescent Credit Union and Experience the Credit Union Difference

Brockton, MA – On October 21, credit union members around the world will celebrate International Credit Union Day, an event to commemorate the credit union movement’s history and achievements. In honor of this special day, Crescent Credit Union invites members and the whole community to visit their nearest Crescent branch in Brockton, Taunton and Norwell for free cider and donuts, and to cast a vote in our kids coloring contest.

Kids thru age 12 are encouraged to stop by their nearest Crescent location ASAP to pick up coloring pages and free crayons, while supplies last. The coloring pages and official rules can also be downloaded and printed from Crescent’s Facebook page, and at www.crescentcredit.org. Submissions will be accepted through close of business on Wednesday, October 20. Crescent members can vote for the contest winners on Thursday, October 21. One winner will be named at each of the Credit Union’s 8 branch locations.

Credit Unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that provide an effective and viable alternative to for-profit institutions for more than 186 million members in 97 countries worldwide. They exist to serve their members, providing a safe place to save money and access affordable loans. Founded in 1919, Crescent Credit Union provides better banking solutions to over 45,000 members via 8 convenient locations in Brockton, Taunton, and Norwell, and online at www.crescentcredit.org. Anyone who lives or works in Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk, or Barnstable Counties can join Crescent Credit Union.

Since 1948, International Credit Union Day has been celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October. Each year, the international event affords the opportunity to remember credit unions’ proud history and promote awareness of and support for the credit union difference. This year’s theme – Local. Trusted. Serving you. – underlines the commitment to their communities and trustworthy member service that credit unions today embody.

Credit Unions are recognized as a force for positive economic and social change and have provided significant social and economic value in both developed and emerging nations. International Credit Union Day is sponsored by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), the international trade association and development agency for credit unions worldwide, and Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the premier trade association for credit unions in the United States.

On October 21, credit unions from around the world will be celebrating the day. For more information about Crescent Credit Union’s celebration, visit www.crescentcredit.org or call 508-559-5409.