hgazette.com, Haverhill, MA

January 20, 2010

Community Calendar: Homeless forum at UU church on Saturday, Jan. 23

Deadline reminder: To list an event happening in Greater Haverhill, submit no later than 10 days before The Haverhill Gazette's Thursday publication date. Listings run as space allows.

Thursday, Jan. 21

Merrimack Valley Quilters: Published thread artist Sarah Ann Smith is the guest at the Quilters' first meeting at St. Luke the Evangelist Church Hall in Plaistow at 7 p.m. New members and guests welcome. Smith has written "Thread Work Unraveled" and many articles for quilt magazines. She will exhibit her love for beads and embellishments for quilts, bringing her quilts for viewing. For more information, visit mvquilters.wordpress.com or call Angie at 382-6823.

Friday, Jan. 22

Joe Piscopo: Best known for his role on "Saturday Night Live," Joe Piscopo brings his Frank Sinatra impression to the Tupelo Music Hall in Salisbury at 8 p.m.. Tickets are $40. Call 978-462-5888 or visit www.tupelohall.com. Doors open 90 minutes before show times.

Nature Detectives, Homeschool Tracking Program: From 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for ages 6 to 10. Introduce your homeschooler to the art and science of tracking wildlife. They will discover the clues animals leave behind and become wildlife "detectives" in this fun, educational program. Program will include both indoor and outdoor activities so dress for the weather. Meet at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 6 Plum Island Turnpike.

Saturday, Jan. 23

Cycle for Shelter Kick-Off and Expo: A fundraising concert featuring local Beatles cover band Beatle Tracks from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Haverhill High School Auditorium. Event kicks off Emmaus Inc. Cycle for Shelter campaign. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., expo provides information on training, bikes and gear, early discounted registration, volunteering, and a slide show from last year's event. Pre-sale tickets are $5 for students and seniors, $10 for adults and $20 for families. Call 978-241-3429 or email keri@emmausinc.org to reserve tickets. Door prices are $5 for students and seniors, $12 for adults and $25 for families. Snow date is Saturday, Jan. 30.

Haverhill Republicans caucus: The Haverhill Republican City Committee elects delegates to the Republican State Convention. Registration from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Technology Center, Room TC103AB, on the Haverhill campus of Northern Essex Community College. Doors close at 10 a.m. Delegate selection is at 11:30 a.m. The state convention is April 17 in Worcester. Any registered Republican as of Dec. 1, 2009, is eligible to be a delegate. The person must be a resident of the ward in which they are selected. Voter status of participants will be checked at the door for accuracy. Delegates are elected by ward committee members only. In the event of poor weather, the event will be held Jan. 30, same place and time. Contact Chairman Jack A. Roy at 978-314-9189.

Homelessness forum: Social Justice Committee at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill hosts a "Housing and Homelessness Forum" from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church, 15 Kenoza Ave. Guest speaker is Leslie Lawrence, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. Overview on housing and homelessness and challenges for advocates. Will discuss unique roles of faith communities in awareness and action. Discussion on levels of social action and how to engage faith communities more deeply. All welcome. Coffee and snacks provided. Contact Christina Sillari for more information at cmsillari@gmail.com or 203-435-6110.

Haverhill Firefighting Museum: At 75 Kenoza Ave., open 9 a.m. to noon. Weekday, group visits available by appointment. Call 978-372-4061.

Art workshop: Mark Hayden and Joan Rademacher offer art lessons at the First Church of Christ, 10 Church St., Bradford, 9 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. All are welcome. A $5 contribution is appreciated. Call 978-374-1114.

Eddie Money performs in Salisbury: Eddie Money brings his American rock to the Tupelo Music Hall in Salisbury at 8 p.m. He is best known for 1970's singles "Baby Hold On" and "Two Tickets to Paradise." Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling 978-462-5888 or online at www.tupelohall.com. Doors open 90 minutes before show times.

Senior Concerto Concert: The Phillips Academy Music Department presents senior students in five concertos with piano accompaniment at 7 p.m. in the Cochran Chapel, 180 Main St. in Andover. Free. Features seniors playing movements from various concerti: Nikita Saxena performing Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1; Young Hoon Moon performing Vieuxtemps's Violin Concerto No. 5; Randy Li performing Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1; Julie Xie performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23; and Lauren Kim performing Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1. For more information, contact the Music Department at 978-749-4263 or email music@andover.edu.

Sunday, Jan. 24

Youth Opera Auditions: The North of Boston Arts Center auditions for students ages 5 to 15 for its spring youth opera production of Mozart's The Magic Flute. Auditions are from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the GAR Hall, 8 Dane St. in Beverly. Children should be prepared to sing, dance and perform a dramatization. Please bring a photo if available. The performance will take place in May. Please call NOBAC80033 (662-228-0033) or e-mail northofbostonartscenter@yahoo.com to schedule a time. For more information, visit www.thenobac.org.

Hank Phillippi Ryan benefit and book talk: Hank Phillippi Ryan of Channel 7 News appears for a benefit lunch, book talk and book signing on Sunday, Jan. 24, to benefit PATHS (Patient Advocacy Training & Health Services), which helps patients and their families with their medical journey. At the Wyndham Andover Hotel. Reserve by e-mailing author@patientpaths.org or call Brian or Kim Hodder at 781-275-5599. Reservations close on Jan. 19. To learn more, visit www.patientpaths.org. Ticket packages are $25 per person.

Monday, Jan. 25

Possible Dreams: At 7 p.m., Team Haverhill hosts third annual Possible Dreams in the Northern Essex Community College Technology Center, 100 Elliott St. in Haverhill. Everyone with a stake in the city's life is encouraged to attend: Residents, business people, elected officials and organization leaders. Reserve a seat by e-mailing team.haverhill@comcast.net or phone Elaine at 978-372-3861. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

Art in the Mill: UNH Manchester will feature the photography of Andrew Lathrop of Milford n its second floor gallery from Jan. 25 through April 26. The public is welcome to attend an artist reception on Monday, Feb. 1, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on UNH Manchester's second floor at 400 Commercial St. Light refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, Jan. 26

Business assistance: Service Corps of Retired Executives — SCORE — offers free, confidential help to individuals starting a business or already in business from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce temporary office in the Landmark Building, Merrimack Street.

Education Volunteer: Learn to assist children's educator Lisa Hutchings at the Mass Audobon's Joppa Flats Education Center in coastal ecology and birding programs in the field and at schools. No experience necessary. Post-training commitment is two half-days per month. Training days are Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This week will be All About Raptors. Fee is $15 per session and pre-registration is required. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the web site at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.

Wednesday, Jan. 27

Wednesday Morning Birding: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join Joppa Flats Education Coordinator Dave Larson or Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Bill Gette and David Weaver for this weekly trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Appropriate for all birding levels. Fee is $15. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the web site at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.

Live music: Pianist Bob Allison hosts a piano bar with classic songs from the Great American Song Book on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., performing with the Lighthouse Trio and Friends show the first Wednesday of every month, at Hobo's Cafe, 5 Broadway, Salisbury Beach. No cover charge. Call 978-255-2558 or visit www.CasablancaPiano.com.

Line-dancing classes: At All Saints Parish, 120 Bellevue Ave., 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. All are welcome. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Call 978-374-6001.

Knitting and crocheting classes: Plum Island Knitters will hold weekly classes at All Saints Church in Haverhill starting Jan. 6. Classes meet Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $65 for four classes, which are limited to eight students. Drop-in sessions are $15 each, but require that you call for availability. All levels from beginner to expert in knitting and crochet are welcome to participate. Registration is required. Plum Island Knitters supports the Katydid Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps adults with autism and operates a home in Haverhill. Gift certificates for classes in Haverhill and Newburyport are available. For more information, call 978-255-1130 or e-mail PIKnitters@comcast.net. Visit online at www.PIKnitters.com

REUNIONS

Class of 1950: The Haverhill High/Trade School Class of 1950 60-year reunion will be June 19 and 20 at the Haverhill Country Club. A cocktail hour, followed by dinner, will be Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m. Brunch will be Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call Bob Conte at 978-373-6931 or Carole (DeFelice) Lanseigne at 978-372-6767.

Haverhill High, Trade and St. James High School Class of 1945: 65th class reunion banquet on Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Michael's Function Hall in Haverhill. Cost is $30 per person. For more information, call Attilio Carbone at 978-373-5756 or Michael Der Boghosian at 978-373-3597.

Retired Whittier Vocational High School teachers and employees: Any retired employees and teachers from Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School interested in planning or attending a reunion should call Phil McCaughey at 978-372-9236 or George Manghis at 321-720-3673.

USS Columbus shipmates reconnect: Navy and Marine Corps shipmates who served on the USS Columbus (CA-74/CG-12) from 1944 through 1976 and the USS Columbus SSN-762 past and present who would like to share memories and camaraderie with old friends or make new ones, contact Allen R. Hope at 260-486-2221 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time or e-mail hope4391@comcast.net.

ARTS

Spotlight Playhouse presents Neil Simon's Rumors: On Feb. 5, Feb. 6, Feb. 12, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. Doors open one half hour before showtime. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and are available at 978-380-8509. The shows will be performed at Haverhill High School, 137 Monument St. For more information, visit www.spotlightplayhouse.org.

Through his photography, Andrew Lathrop captures events as they unwind, both in nature and in life. Attempting to showcase what helps to make New Hampshire's local farms great, both big and small was the driving force behind his exhibit at UNH Manchester. Lathrop hopes some of the imagery will help to inspire people to spend some time exploring local farms and farmers markets to see what new and unusual things are right around the corner. Spending time wandering around these and other local institutions and attractions with his wife, Elizabeth, and their dog helped provide inspiration for both his photography and his life.

ACTIVITIES

Cycle for Shelter Kick-Off and Expo: Saturday, Jan. 23, fundraising concert featuring local Beatles cover band Beatle Tracks from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Haverhill High School Auditorium. Event kicks off Emmaus Inc. Cycle for Shelter campaign. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., expo provides information on training, bikes and gear, early discounted registration, volunteering, and a slide show from last year's event. Pre-sale tickets are $5 for students and seniors, $10 for adults and $20 for families. Call 978-241-3429 or email keri@emmausinc.org to reserve tickets. Door prices are $5 for students and seniors, $12 for adults and $25 for families. Snow date is Saturday, Jan. 30.

Eight-Free Kick Cancer Celebration: This year's 4th annual event, celebrating Tara Ryan Byrne's 8 years of being cancer free, will be held Thursday, Feb. 18 from 6 p.m. to midnight at J.P. McBride's in Haverhill. The event benefits The Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Over the past the years, the event has collected $60,000 to donate to The Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber.

Pottery classes for all ages and abilities: Purple Sage Pottery in Merrimac offers classes for all ages and abilities with the next session beginning the week of Jan. 4. Adult classes are held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Kids classes are split into two age groups, with the 8 to 12 year old class running on Tuesdays from 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and the 12 to 18 year old class on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The adult classes are taught by Purple Sage Pottery owner Iris Minc and North Shore potters Beth Bell, Anni Melancon, Lisa Mistretta and Lisa Victoria. The children's classes are taught by Lisa Mistretta and Meryl Goldsmith. Complete class details and information on each instructor are listed online at www.purplesagepottery.com. For more information, you may also call the studio, located at 3 Mechanic St. in Merrimac, Ma at 978-346-9978.

Beginner internet classes at library: Learn your way around the Internet by taking free beginning Internet classes offered by the Haverhill Public Library. These classes are small, offer individual attention and hands-on practice and are approximately two hours long. You do not have to own a computer to participate but you are welcome to come with your own wireless enabled laptop. For dates, times and other information, please drop by the Reference and Information desk at the library, or call 978-373-1586, ext. 608.

Business assistance: Service Corps of Retired Executives — SCORE — offers free, confidential help to individuals starting a business or already in business. Sessions are Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. Until the Chamber's home at 87 Winter St. is rehabilitated, sessions will be in the Chamber's temporary office in the Landmark Building, Merrimack Street.

Line-dancing classes: At All Saints Parish, 120 Bellevue Ave., 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on Wednesdays. All are welcome. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Call 978-374-6001.

Greater Haverhill Poets Society: The Poets Society meets the third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. at Haverhill Public Library. New members are always welcome.

Yoga classes: Caring Hands Center for Massage and Wellbeing offers yoga classes for all levels of experience at its new yoga studio at 55 Wingate St. The first class is free and packages are available. To register, call Cindy Brown at 978-835-8497 or e-mail yoga4stressreduction@yahoo.com. Class schedule: Mondays, all levels yoga class from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.; Tuesdays, beginners yoga classes from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. and from 7 to 8:15 p.m.; Thursdays, all levels yoga class from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.; Saturdays, all levels yoga class from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.

FAMILIES

Free events at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge: Nature Detectives, Homeschool Tracking Program will take place Friday, Jan. 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for ages 6 to 10. Introduce your homeschooler to the art and science of tracking wildlife. They will discover the clues animals leave behind and become wildlife "detectives" in this fun, educational program. Program will include both indoor and outdoor activities so dress for the weather. Meet at the Refuge Visitor Center at 6 Plum Island Turnpike. Whose Clues? will take place on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for ages 6 to 9. How can you tell when an animal has been around? Can you discover the clues that they leave behind? Follow the animal tracks and become a wildlife detective in this fun educational program. Program will include both indoor and outdoor activities so dress for the weather. Meet at the Refuge Visitor Center at 6 Plum Island Turnpike. For all events, space is limited and advanced registration is required. Please call 978-465-5753 to register. For more information, visit parkerriver.fws.gov.

Events at Mass Audobon's Joppa Flats Education Center: Become an Education Volunteer: Learn to assist children's educator Lisa Hutchings in coastal ecology and birding programs in the field and at schools. No experience necessary. Post-training commitment is two half-days per month. Training days are Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 19 will cover Winter Birds and Penguins and Jan. 26 will be All About Raptors. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee is $15 per session and pre-registration is required. Wednesday Morning Birding will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join Joppa Flats Education Coordinator Dave Larson or Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Bill Gette and USFWS veteran David Weaver for this weekly birding trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Appropriate for all birding levels. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee is $15 and pre-registration is not required.

Mass Audobon's Joppa Flats Education Center, located at One Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport, is a natural history education and visitor center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join Mass Audubon at Joppa Flats and receive a discount on your first program registration. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the web site at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.

Fit 'n' Fun after-school program: At Cedarland Family Fun Center, 931 Boston Road, for children in grades one through five. Indoor and outdoor activities vary by season. Call program director Beth Bailey at 978-373-1596 for registration, transportation and cost information.

Happenings at the Haverhill YMCA

Pre/post natal exercise class for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth are Mondays at 4:15 p.m. and Thursdays at 1:15 p.m. Classes feature extensive warm-up and cool down along with pulse monitored aerobic portion and strength and flexibility exercises. Cost is $35 for members and $53 for others.

Gymnastic classes are offered for children ages 1 and up, including fun Parent and Tot classes for children under the age of 3. Children can experience tumbling, hanging and swinging on the bars, balance beam walking, parachute play and other fun activities. Starting at age 3, gymnastics basics are introduced through fun and exciting techniques. Classes build on basic skills and advance to competition team levels.

School Vacation Fun Days feature supervised activities and themes in the pool, gym, gymnastic center, rock-climbing and activity rooms. Full and half day rates are available.

Friday Fun Night is from 6 to 9 p.m. for children in grades 1-4 and features supervised and themed usage of the pool, rock wall, gymnasium, volleyball court and gymnastics center, dodge ball tournaments, face painting, crafts, tumble track and trampoline and more. Pizza and a drink is included with registration.

Saturday Y-Night is from 6-9 p.m. for children in grades 5-8 and includes the use of the pool, gym, gymnastics, rock climbing and the Youth & Teen Center and features gladiator tournaments, gamer tournaments, demos rock band and more. Participants have the freedom to move and choose what they are interested in. Pizza is $1 per slice.

For more information about any of these programs, call the YMCA at 978-374-0506 or visit online at www.northshoreymca.org.

Haverhill YMCA offers winter programs: The Haverhill YMCA is accepting registrations for its winter program sessions. Children can participate in many fun activities, including swim lessons, gymnastics classes, sports, floor hockey, rock climbing and dance.

To meet your fitness goals for this year, the YMCA has new and updated cardio equipment. Nautilus, strength training, and over 40 group exercise classes are included in the fitness program. There is a $5 joiner fee.

The YMCA camp kick-off will be held Jan. 30. The event includes information about camping, fun activities, plus savings and give-a ways to those who register for camp on that day.

The YMCA's third annual parent/child Valentines Dance will be held Feb. 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. The cost is $10 per family for Y members, $15 for non Y members. The dance includes refreshments and games as well as pictures of fathers and daughters and mother and sons. The YMCA is at 81 Winter St. For more information, call 978-374-0506, ext. 130. You can also e-mail fullert@northshoreymca.org. Visit online at www.northshoreymca.org.

Ways to Give

Children's clothing needed: Ruth's House, a nonprofit, nondenominational thrift store, has a dire need for infants clothing, especially infants to 24 months, boys and girls summer clothing, all sizes. Winter clothing is not being accepted at this time. Also needed are pots, pans, dishes and household items. Ruth's House also needs volunteers to donate as few or as many hours as possible. Donations may also be dropped off for the Sacred Heart food pantry at Ruth's House. All donations are tax-deductible, and donors will be issued receipts for their gifts. Donations may be dropped off at Ruth's House, 30 Lafayette Square, on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Store hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 978-521-5575.

Book fundraiser: The First Church of Christ Bradford is raising money through the collection of new and used books, videos, CD's, DVD's and audio books. Donations may be dropped off in the gray container in the back parking lot of the church, 10 Church Street, Bradford. No encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers and catalogues please.

The church will be paid on an ongoing basis for all items collected in the donation container and all funds raised will benefit the general funding of the church. In addition, many of these collected books will be donated to schools, libraries, sent overseas to the troops and sold in book sales to benefit local nonprofit groups. For more information, call 978-396-6026.

Help sick or injured pets: Donate to Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley to replenish its fund to save sick or injured cats and dogs. Visit www.insiderpages.com/fundraisers/Animal-Rescue-Merrimack-Valley. Restaurant reviews result in donations to animal charity. Donations can also be made online at www.armv.org or by mailing a check to ARMV, P.O. Box 8006, Bradford, MA 01835.

Host families needed: Academic Foundation for International Cultural Exchange seeks community representatives and host families. Information, Anne Ring, 866-462-3423 or visit www.afice.org.

Kids Helping Kids: Students and their families at Little Sprouts Child Enrichment Centers are accepting gift donations for Debbie's Treasure Chest, a charity developed by three adopted girls, ages 8, 11 and 12, which targets the "forgotten kids" in state Department of Social Services custody. To donate, e-mail jtodisco@littlesprouts.com. For more information, call 781-929-2858.

Vehicle donations needed: Anyone who would like old cars removed from their yards free of charge, or would like a quick alternative to selling or trading their vehicle, can donate them to various organizations in the community. The Haverhill Boys and Girls Club is running a car campaign to raise money to help sustain its various programs through donations of unwanted vehicles. To donate a vehicle, call 1-800-246-0493. If your vehicle is accepted, it will be picked up free of charge in just a few days. The fair market value of the donation may be considered a charitable contribution for income-tax purposes. For the Melanoma Foundation, everyone who donates a car or truck, running or not, will get a receipt for a tax deduction. To make a donation, call Cars Helping America at 866-949-3668 and specify that you have a car to donate to the Melanoma Foundation. Your car, truck or camper may be worth more as a donation than a trade in and will benefit blind and vision impaired persons in Massachusetts by donating to Massachusetts Association for the Blind. This is a free tow, quick pick up and tax deductible. For more information, call 888-613-2777.

Places to Visit

Public Library hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays. For more information, call 978-373-1586 or visit www.haverhillpl.org.

The Haverhill Firefighting Museum, 75 Kenoza Ave.: Open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Weekday and group visits are available by appointment. For more information, call 978-372-4061.

John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace: Open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m.; Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m.; Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Closed major holidays. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for students under 18 and a $10 maximum for a family. For more information, call 978-373-3979.

The Buttonwoods Museum/Haverhill Historical Society: Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Tours by appointment only. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for ages 7 to 17 and free for children 7 and under. For details, call 978-374-4626.

Other

Haverhill Republicans to hold delegate caucus: The Haverhill Republican City Committee will hold a delegate caucus to elect delegates to the Republican State Convention on Saturday, Jan. 23 in the Technology Center, Room TC103AB, on the Haverhill campus of Northern Essex Community College. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Doors close at 10 a.m. Delegate selection is at 11:30 a.m. The state convention is April 17 in Worcester. Any registered Republican as of Dec. 1, 2009, is eligible to be a delegate. The person must be a resident of the ward in which they are selected. The voter status of all participants will be checked at the door for accuracy. Delegates are elected by ward committee members only. Proxy votes are prohibited. A person not need be present to be elected. In the event of poor weather, the event will be held Jan. 30, same place and time. For more information, contact chairman Jack A. Roy at 978-314-9189.

Dog licences available: Dog licences for 2009 are available in the City Clerk's Office in City Hall. The fee for all male and female dogs is $20 and the fee for all spayed female and neutered male dogs is $15. Application forms are available online at www.ci.haverhill.ma.us. Click on the link to "Departments" and then "City Clerk." Please provide a current rabies vaccination record and spaying/neutering certificate when licensing your dog. Late fines will be charged for the time the dog is not licensed starting at $10 after May 31, $15 after June 30 and $25 after July 31. For more information, call 978-374-2312.

The Haverhill Cultural Council invites all Haverhill arts organizations to submit notice of events to the council's Web site: www.ci.haverhill.ma.us, under "Human Services Department." To submit events or for information, call 978-374-4500, ext. 31, or e-mail culturalcouncil@cityofhaverhill.com.

Affordable housing units: Three discounted condominiums for low- and moderate-income, first-time homebuyers at Riverside Place, Washington Street. Sold for $181,395. Call Richard Lynch, Community Action, 978-373-1971 for income restrictions and information. Applications available Community Action office, 145 Essex St.

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Volunteers needed: The Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge needs volunteers to help staff The Plover's Nest gift shop and bookstore at the Refuge Headquarters and Visitor Center. The store is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers needed to help customers and act as cashiers during those times. Training will be provided. For more information or to volunteer, call Kate Toniolo at 978-465-5753.

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is at 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. For more information or to register for an event, call 978-465-5753 or visit www.parkerriver.fws.gov. All programs are free but space is limited and advanced registration is required unless otherwise indicated. Registration is not complete until you have received confirmation from a staff member.