Events listed here are open to the public and sponsored by nonprofit groups unless otherwise noted. Press releases may be sent to Goings on, Gloucester Daily Times, 36 Whittemore St., Gloucester, MA 01930, sent via email to gdt@gloucestertimes.com or faxed to 978-282-4397. Please include a contact person's name and telephone number and send at least two weeks prior to the event. The editorial department will do its best to run the announcement at least once prior to the event. Due to the volume of goings on listings received by the paper, listings are alternated once they run and the same listings are not printed every day.
Yard sale
The Poplar Park Community Building will host a weekend-long yard sale of household items on Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, at 64 Poplar Park.
Plant sale
The Annisquam Sewing Circle will hold its annual plant sale of annuals, perennials hanging baskets, hydrangeas an roses on Saturday, May 26, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Annisquam Village Hall, 40 Leonard St., Gloucester.
Generous Gardeners
The Gloucester Education Foundation's plant sale fundraiser is Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stage Fort Park. The sale, organized by Generous Gardeners Inc., will accept donations on May 18, from noon to 5 p.m., and May 19, from 7 to 9 a.m. We will also pick-up your if drop-off time is inconvenient, and provide pots if you need them. Please think about what perennials you might divide and donate. Plant identification is helpful but not required. The price your plant sells for may be a tax deductible donation to GEF. so let us know if you need a confirmation letter when you drop your donations. For more information or to volunteer, call Susan Kelly at 978-282-3306, or email: Susan@generousgardeners.com
Vernal Pond
The Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team and Kestral Educational Adventures will hold its second annual fundraiser yard sale on Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Commercial Street in Gloucester, next to St. Peter's parking area. (Rain date: Sunday, May 27). The team is accepting donations of clothing, small furniture, books, toys, sports and household goods. ALl items must be in good conditions, and no TV's or computers will be accepted). Donation may be delivered to the sale between 7 and 9 a.m. Small items may be picked up and/or stored upon request. For more information, call Cora at 978-281-5326.
Kindergarten prep
Pathways welcomes all Gloucester parents and caregivers to a free, informational dinner presentation, "Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten," on Wednesday, May 23, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at 29 Emerson Ave. This is a great opportunity for parents of children ages 3 & up, to learn what they can do over the summer to best prepare their child for a successful Kindergarten experience. Along with dinner, limited childcare is available. Please RSVP Amy, at 978-281-2400 x 120, or alarsen@pw4c.org before May 21. This event is a joint collaboration of the Gloucester Public Schools Title I Program, Pathways for Children and The Cape Ann Partnership for Children & Families.
Gig rowers
Gloucester Gig Rowers will hold an open house for the public on Saturday, May 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Maritime Gloucester, Harbor Loop. Come learn about this great rowing club, housed right here at Maritime Gloucester. For more information, call Heidi Tarr Henson at 978-828-3038.
Speech & Hearing
May is Better Speech & Hearing Month, and Addison Gilbert and Beverly Hospital is offering free speech/language screenings, including free pediatric speech and language screenings (20 to 30 minutes) for children 11 months to 18 years, conducted by a member of the Speech-Language Therapy Department to appropriately identify speech, language and feeding development. Children who qualify for more evaluation will be further assisted by a speech/language pathologist. The screenings will take place in Speech-language Therapy Outpatient Clinic at Beverly Hospital, on Herrick St., and in Addison Gilbert's Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Center in Gloucester. Available by appointment only; call 978-816-2690 for Beverly Hospital; and 978-283-4000 x141, for Addison Gilbert Hospital. For more information, e-mail: sgriffin@nhs-healthlink.org.
Empty bowls exhibit
Sawyer Free Library is displaying bowls that have been handmade and painted for the 12th annual Empty Bowl dinner benefit for The Open Door, on May 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cruiseport, Gloucester. The bowls were made by North Shore potters, seniors at the Rose Baker Senior Center, students of Cynthia Curtis, and many other community members. For more information, visit: www.foodpantry.org.
Support group
Pathways for Children offers free monthly drop-in parent support group meetings for Cape Ann families of children with special needs. Preregistration is necessary if child care is needed in order to attend. Meetings are on the fourth Thursday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Pathways, 29 Emerson Ave. Call Cheryl De Primio at 978-281-6920.
Business advice
SCORE, a resource partner of the Small Business Administration, offers free business advice and resource information to prospective and existing business owners at Cape Ann Business Incubator (CABI), 33 Commercial St., third floor (side entrance) every Tuesday. Using a three-person team approach, SCORE's accredited counselors help develop a business plan, test the potential of a new business idea or determine the best solution to a business problem. For more information, visit www.scorenemass.org and call 978-282-7779 to make an appointment.
Drug outreach
Northeast Behavioral Health (NBH) Healthy Streets Outreach Program provides HIV testing, hepatitis C information, access to drug treatment, overdose prevention and Narcan training. All services, provided by NBH Healthy Streets Program, are available at Gloucester Family Health Center (lower level), 302 Washington St., Gloucester, Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m. Call 978-236-0251.
Cell phones for soldiers
Gloucester High School collects old cell phones for overseas troops. No cords, batteries or any other accessories are needed. Phones may be dropped off at the GHS ROTC office. Call Rick at 978-281-9870 x1212.
AWANA Kids Club
AWANA is a Christian kids club mixing fun games and activities with thoughtful devotions and Bible memorization. Open to preschool children through grade six, meeting Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Cape Ann Bible Church, 8 Thompson St. Call 978-281-3941.
ESOL at the library
Wellspring Adult Learning Center provides ESOL courses at Sawyer Free Library, with free tutoring and small group classes in English for non-native speakers. The center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursday nights, 5:30 to 8. Walk-ins welcome. Call 978-281-9763, ext. 23.
Pet adoptions
Cape Ann Animal Aid holds an Overlooked Pets Adoption Day on the third Thursday of every month. Adoption fees are reduced and are completed on a first-come, first-served basis, and all regular adoption requirements apply. Photos and fees will be posted on the shelter's Web site, www.CapeAnnAnimalAid.com, monthly. Call 978-283-6055.
Open Door meals
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the Open Door Food Pantry, 28R Emerson Ave., serves a family-style meal from 5 to 6 p.m., and Sundays, 4 to 5 p.m. Call 978-283-6776, ext. 204, for a free van ride. Visit www.foodpantry.org.
Weight loss clinic
Cape Ann Weight Loss Clinic provides a program based on individual goals, determined through health assessment. Fitness director Nicole Bembridge helps implement your five week program, with nutritional guidance and motivation. Classes are one hour and 15 minutes and includes unlimited email and phone contact. Contact Nicole Bembridge, 978-283-0470, or bembridgen@northshoreymca.org.
North Shore Friends
Every Sunday, the North Shore Friends (Quakers) meet at 10 a.m. Call 978-283-4585.
Northern Essex WIC
Northern Essex WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a program providing nutrition and health education, healthy food and other services free to Massachusetts families who qualify. The Gloucester office is in the Gloucester Family Health Center, 302 Washington St.
Drivers needed
The Rose Baker Senior Center assists senior citizens in need of transportation to medical appointments. Drivers are needed for local rides to Addison Gilbert Hospital, the Cape Ann Medical Center, other local medical offices, as well as Beverly Hospital, Lahey Clinic and hospitals in Boston. A mileage stipend is provided. Call Bruce at 978-281-9765.
Day of reflection
The Guild of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church will sponsor a Day of Reflection on Tuesday, May 15, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Notre Dame Mission Center, Ipswich. Guest speaker is Rev. Richard Clancy, director of Campus Ministry for the Archdiocese of Boston and the campus chaplin at MIT. A film, "The Shroud of Turin," will be shown at 11 a.m. The offering is $35 and includes lunch. For reservations, call Peggy Perrin at 978-283-6621 or Mary Mitchell at 978-283-4804 before April 30.
VNA Care Network
VNA Care Network, a nonprofit home health care, hospice and wellness provider, provides stipends to women with breast cancer who need financial assistance for medications, co-payments, transportation to treatment and services to help increase access to treatment and support recovery. Women must be residents of eastern or central Massachusetts to qualify. This program is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Call Joan Schaefer at 888-663-3688 x1264, or email jschaefer@vnacarenetwork.org.
Clothes Closet
The Clothes Closet, in the basement of St. Ann School, corner of Prospect and Pleasant streets, is open Saturdays, from 9 a.m.. to 1 p.m. This is made possible through the volunteer efforts of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Family Parish. Proceeds benefit local families in need. Call 978-283-7391.
AGH volunteers
Addison Gilbert Hospital needs volunteers. Positions are available in the hospital's gift shop for all shifts, including days, evenings and weekends. The Volunteer Department provides training for the position, free parking, meal vouchers for the hospital's cafe and gift shop discount. Call 978-922-3000 x2307.
GED help
Wellspring House Education Center, 302 Essex Ave., offers a free, drop-in GED skills session every Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m. Learn and practice GED skills in math, reading and writing; take practice tests; get tips on taking the test that will help you pass; and learn how to deal with stress and anxiety. Call 978-281-3558, x302.
Medical insurance help
For seniors and low-income residents needing help with health insurance forms or information, SHINE counselor Sefatia Romeo is at the Rose Baker Senior Center on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call the Council on Aging at 978-281-9765 to schedule an appointment.
Free blood pressure screenings
Free blood pressure screenings are offered each week here:
Mondays, 1 to 3 p.m., Women's Health Center, Addison Gilbert Hospital. Appointments not necessary. Not held on Monday holidays.
Wednesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.
Free HIV/AIDS testing
Every Friday, free HIV/AIDS testing is held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Addison Gilbert Hospital, third floor. Use the Washington Street entrance. No appointment is necessary. Call Mayra Rivera at 978-853-8633.
Knitting, crocheting group
Every Tuesday, a group meets to knit and crochet items for veterans and other worthy causes, 10 a.m. to noon, at Rose Baker Senior Center. Donations of yarn are always accepted. New members are welcome to join. Stop in or call the Council on Aging at 978-281-9765.
Bay View Brotherhood
On the second Tuesday of every month, Bay View Brotherhood Club Inc. holds a meeting at Brotherhood Club Hall, 889 Washington St., at 7 p.m.
Rotary Club
The Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester.
Memorial bricks
The Gloucester World War II Memorial Committee is accepting requests for memorial bricks. For an appointment, call Lucia at the Veterans' Center office at 978-281-9740. Bring a copy of the veteran's discharge papers and a check for $200 for the perpetual care of the memorial.
Military Family Support
The Cape Ann Military Family Support Group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Major Fred W. Ritvo Veterans Center, 12 Emerson Ave. in Gloucester. Those with family and friends serving in the military are welcome to attend. Those wishing to attend to support our military by working on special projects are also invited; all are welcome. Refreshments served.
Parent mentors
Pathways' Cape Ann Families is seeking men and women to volunteer as parent mentors. This program has served stressed and isolated parents of the Gloucester and Cape Ann Community for 20 years. Volunteers participate in a five-week Winter Parent Mentor Training, after which each will be matched with a parent, starting a year-long mentorship and friendship. Contact Hailey Granger at 978-281-2400, ext. 110, or email hgranger@pw4c.org.
Dog licenses
Dog licenses are now available at the Gloucester City Clerk's Office during regular business hours: Monday-Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $22.50 per dog, if paying in person, and $23.50, if paying by mail. Payment can be made by cash or check. Rabies vaccination certificates must be presented at the time of registration. A $10 late fee is no imposed. Call 978-281-9720.
Military families
Gloucester military family members may call the Gloucester Office of Veterans' Services at 978-281-9740 to register their active-duty family members. Military members' names will be announced during upcoming city ceremonies.
Arts scholarship
The Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe has established a $500 scholarship to be awarded to a Cape Ann high school senior who has been accepted to a college theater arts program. Prerequisites include participation in high school drama programs and involvement in one CAST production. For an application, contact Ray Jenness at kjenness045@netzero.com or 73 High St., Rockport, MA 01966.
Friday night bingo
Bingo is held in the St. Ann Church hall, 74 Pleasant St., Friday nights at 6:30. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Anyone 18 and older is invited. Proceeds support school and parish programs. Call 978-281-4820.
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
