Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Red Sox Raffle, J.P. Ryan's Night To Support Family and Community Resources Inc. June 2

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Family and Community Resources Inc. in Brockton will host a fundraising event Thursday, June 2 at J.P. Ryan's in Abington from 6 to 8 p.m.
The event will help support awareness for children and adult victims of domestic violence.
The highlight of the fundraiser will be the announcement of the winner of a raffle for two Red Sox tickets that three rows behind the Red Sox dugout.
The tickets are for Saturday, June 18 with a 1 p.m. game time at Fenway against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Seats are Section 12, Box F13, Row C, Seats 3 & 4--a $250 face value.
Raffle tickets are $20 and can be purchased the night of the event or at Family and Community Resource's website at www.fcr-ma.org.Winner does not need to be present to win, but there will be a complimentary buffet, live entertainment and free Red Hook Ale on tap.

Awesome Red Sox Tickets Fundraiser
Imagine sitting 3 rows off the field next to the Red Sox dugout!
Win a pair of Red Sox vs. Brewers Game Tickets
Saturday, June 18th - 1PM Game
Purchase $20 Raffle Tickets at JP Ryan's or online at www.fcr-ma.org
We will announce the winner at J.P. Ryan's
246 Brockton Avenue, Abington
Thursday, June 2nd - 6 to 8PM
Need not be present to win
Complimentary Buffet & FREE RedHook Ale on Tap
Entertainment by Andrea Beaton
All proceeds benefit child and adult victims of domestic violence.

Good Sam Healing Garden, Cancer Survivor Celebration June 16

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Good Samaritan Medical Center will dedicate a healing garden and celebrate cancer survivors in two special ceremonies on June 16.
The garden is designed to bring a sense of peace and calm and promote healing of the body, mind and spirit, officials said in a prepared statement.
The garden will be located in front of the Good Samaritan Radiation Oncology Center, 818 Oak St. on the campus of the medical center.
“Promoting a sense of well-being is an important part of treatment for our patients,” said Good Samaritan Medical Center President Jeff Liebman in the statement. “We hope this beautiful garden will bring many peaceful moments and a renewed sense of hope to our patients as they come and go from their medical appointments,” he said.
The garden was designed by Carol R. Johnson Associates of Boston. Contractors were Greenscape, Inc., of Taunton.
The healing garden ceremony will begin at 3:30 p.m. with the cancer survivors’ celebration set to follow at 4 p.m.
Lorna Brunelle, of Middleboro, a cancer survivor, author, vocal coach and owner of The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts will be the keynote speaker at the cancer survivors’ event, which will include an ice cream social.
Brunelle will be joined by area pageant winners including Molly Whalen, Miss Taunton 2011, who will serve as greeters.
All area cancer survivors are invited to attend this free event. To register please call the Good Samaritan Radiation Oncology Center at 508-427-2900.
(Photo courtesy Good Samaritan Medical Center)

Southeastern Voke Surplus Auction June 4

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--The Southeastern Regional School District will hold a public auction of surplus items ranging from tables, chairs, saws and ladders to a sanding machine, and air conditioning unit.
The public, silent auction will be held Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vocational-Technical High School located at 250 Foundry St., S. Easton.
Some items are in working condition others are not.
Click this link to view the list of items available for public auction.

Brockton After Dark Kicks Off June 27

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton After Dark is looking for youth between the ages of 13 and 20 who want to spend a few hours in the evenings playing soccer, basketball, volleyball, acting, art classes,open mic, community service projects and awareness, hip-hop dancing, boxing or swimming.
Brockton After Dark's programs begin June 27 and run to August 19.
All activities are free.
Programs take place on various evenings depending on the activity. Some activities like basketball at the Boys and Girls Club can go from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., or hip-hop dancing from 6 to 9 p.m. or art classes at The Fuller Museum from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Most sites provide dinner for participants.
Brockton After Dark is also looking for coaches, mentors, food coordinators and volunteers to help with the numerous sports and arts programs.
Coaches and volunteers will be checked through the Criminal Offenders Record Inquiry, or CORI, system and must fill out an application with schedule of availibility.
For forms, schedule and to apply and download forms visit the city of Brockton's website by clicking here.
For questions and more information, contact Program Coordinator Denise Bishop at 508-580-7123 or Volunteer Coordinator Amanda Trask at 508-894-2516.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Memorial Day Parade Kicks Off, May 30 10 a.m.

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton’s annual Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 30 and will include a special plaque dedication in honor of U.S. Army Capt. Anthony Palermo at City Hall Plaza.
The parade begins at the VFW Monument on Legion Parkway at 10 a.m.
The parade will proceed down Warren Avenue to Belmont Street, before turning left toward Main Street. The route will then turn right onto Crescent Street and conclude at City Hall Plaza.
Immediately following the parade, there will be a special plaque dedication ceremony for Palermo, a Brockton High School graduate who was a member of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
Palermo attended Norwich University and was killed in combat operations in Baghdad on April 7, 2006. (Correction: Palermo died April 6, 2007)
All veterans are welcome to march and all interested parties may attend the plaque dedication ceremony.

Rox Win 2011 Home Opener

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Former Red Sox Bill Buckner notched his first win as manager of the Brockton Rox Thursday night as the Rox opened the 2011 Can-Am League season with a 3-1 win over the Worcester Tornadoes.
Although the stands were sparsely filled die-hard fans like Brockton resident Patty Smith and her nearly 6-year-old niece Rylee Smith (Pictured below, left to right) who got a signed baseball and early birthday gift—she turns 6 on June 9-- from former Red Sox pitcher Bob Stanley.

Stanley (Pictured at left) gabbed and joked with fans and signed sports memorabilia as he made his way around Campanelli Stadium before and after throwing the ceremonial first pitch which did make it easily across home plate—a feat fans and Stanley jokingly wondered would happen prior to the throw.
Stanley also joked about his appearance at the home opener.
“I don’t know. I think they’re paying me a buck,” Stanley said.
Catcher Chris Grossman hit a solo homerun in the second to begin the scoring for the Rox after pitcher Mike Smith got himself out of a bases loaded jam in the Worcester half of the second. (Pictured below, left)
The Rox perhaps showed its manager’s desire to win games by playing a little small ball in the third inning when outfielder Chris Valenica laid down a bunt to move shortstop Dominic Ramos to second after Ramos reached first base on a single.
First baseman Mike Falu drove in the first of two RBI and second single of the game to score Ramos from second.
Falu earned his second RBI in the fifth when he hit another single to bring home Ramos who hit a double to put him in scoring position.
The Rox will play Worcester tonight, Saturday and Sunday for the Memorial Day Weekend season-launching home stand.
For tickets, visit the Brockton Rox website.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Brockton Community Schools Registration May 25, 26

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton Community Schools Summer 2011 Programs in-person registration will take place tonight, May 25 and Thursday, May 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Brockton High School Green cafeteria.
There are a myriad of fun and enriching summer school programs for youths, teens and adults offered by the Brockton school department.
For a complete listing of courses and costs click here to visit the Brockton Community Schools website. Registrants can save $10 by signing up online, (except for Junior Boxer camp)...

Brockton High Pops Spring Concert May 25


BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--When the Brockton High School Pops take the stage tonight they will be joined by alumnus Karin Bliznik, an accomplished trumpet player with several national symphony orchestras.
Bliznik, a 2002 Brockton High School graduate, is coming back to her stomping grounds to play with the band that helped give her her beginning: Brockton High's Pops.
She is currently Principal Trumpet for the Charlotte, N.C., Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe, N.M., Symphony Orchestra and is Associate Principal Trumpet for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
The concert begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the high school auditorium. Tickets are $3

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Rox Open Season May 26, Ceremonies To Mark 10th Anniversary

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—The Brockton Rox head into its 10th anniversary season sporting a new logo, new uniforms and new management as the Can-Am League baseball team looks to expand on a modest uptick in attendance last season.
“We’re heading into a new decade—new management, new uniforms. Every team has to reinvent itself. We’re hoping to keep growing and if the weather holds out, we’re looking toward a good season,” said new Chief Executive Officer Chris Carmunicci, who after two seasons as manager has shed that title and taken the lead in overall operations.
The Rox open the season Thursday night May 26 with a four-game home stand against the Worcester Tornadoes with special ceremonies that will celebrate the team’s milestones, most notably the team’s 10th anniversary.
Ceremonies begin at about 6:15 p.m. and first pitch around 7:05.
The team heads to Pittsfield Saturday May 21 for 2:05 p.m. exhibition game with the Colonials and wraps up exhibition weekend with home-on-home games against Worcester.
Carmunicci said because of the good weather last summer attendance averaged about 2,500 visitors per game at Campanelli Stadium’s about 5,000-seat facility—which equated into higher ticket and food and beverage sales from the year before--a modest rise that leaves room for guarded optimism.
“Our product has been good, we have great promotions, it’s a fun place to be for a game, and we’re looking at ways to increase revenues,” Carmunicci said.
"As long as we're profitable it's a good thing, because we haven't been in about the past 5 or 6 years, so a profit is a good thing," he said.
The front office is looking into ways to increase revenues, including greater use of the stadium, including the possibility of outdoor winter college hockey games or tournaments at the stadium.
Carmunicci has passed his head coaching duties to former Major League Baseball star and former Boston Red Sox slugger Billy Buckner. (Pictured at right, middle)
Buckner’s arrival was announced over the winter and topped with a Hot Stove Banquet in January that featured the new skipper, and Boston Red Sox greats Jimy Williams and Brockton favorite Bill “The Spaceman” Lee, who had the 400-plus audience rolling with laughter with his hard-core, unabashed hatred of the Yankees.
The Hot Stove event created a winter buzz around low-keyed Buckner that is expected—and hoped—to leave its mark on the field.
“From Bill’s standpoint he’s going to be able to talk about baseball—pro-baseball and all that comes with it,” Carmunicci said. “It’s been an instant respect. An instant rapport, an instant synergy,” he said.
In the last two years, the Rox have made it into the playoffs but fell short behind poor-pitching in key situations and teams that were hot at the right time.
“We’ve been close,” Carmunicci said.
Outfielder Chris Valencia, a 24-year-old California native who won the Can-Am League’s Rookie of the League award in 2009, shook his head at his performance last year and hung his head in what appeared to be shame because he didn’t repeat his .309batting average in 2009, although in 2010 he averaged .280, tied for second in the league with 24 doubles and popped more than 100 hits in each of his two seasons as a Can-Am player.
Valencia said under Buckner’s tutelage and with hard work and sweat, he and the team are eyeing that elusive championship.
“That was last year,” Valencia said. (Pictured, right)
Pictured top, pitcher Jake Hale)



For more Rox info and to purchase tickets visit the Brockton Rox website.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

MetroSouth Biz Expo Wednesday

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton businesses will be highlighted for their perseverance, entrepreneurship and contributions to the city by the MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce, Brockton City Council and a coalition of business associations in honor of National Small Business Week.
Four businesses: Sunset Cafe, Executive Cuts, Waitt Funeral Home and Dwyer's Glass are the recipients of the first "Brockton--Let's Get Down To Business" recognition award initiated by Ward 2 City Councilor Thomas Monahan and modeled after a similar program in the City of Lawrence.
In a prepared statement, Monahan said afer seeing the recognition program in Lawrence and hearing from businesses how difficult it is to survive in a struggling city during the tax rate classification hearing in the winter, it would be a good idea to highlight more of Brockton's success stories.
"It hit home with me that many of these businesses are the employers of our residents and the contributors to various community groups and they don't even get a pat on the back," Monahan said. "The businesses being recognized through this program are examples of why one should bring their business to Brockton. They are the biggest cheerleaders of the city. The more businesses we bring in, the fewer burdens it has on our taxpayers," he said.
The four businesses received a certificate of accomplishment from the City Council and Mayor Linda Balzotti last Monday.
On Wednesday, May 18 Metro Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Small Business Expo and Awards Luncheon from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
The free Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon and is free to all.
The luncheon includes a presentation by Stephen Michon, vice-president of FutureWorks where he leads strategic planning for regional economic development. (Pictured at right)
Among the projects he has directed are the Fellowship for Regional Sustainable Development, the City of Portland economic development strategy, the Talent Dividend Network and an evaluation of small business lending strategies in Maine.
Michon is expected to tackle two major questions:
1) How does Brockton and the Metro South region compete on the global stage?
2) How do these trends impact your small business and what can your business do about it?
The luncheon will also feature the announcement of the Small Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Nominations for Small Business of the Year include:
Beaver Woodworking Supplies, Brockton;
Apothecare South Shore, Inc. Brockton;
Mia Regazza Restaurant, Abington;
Elie Baking Corp, Brockton;
The Mockingbird Restaurant, East Bridgewater;
Nominations for Entrepreneur of the Year include:
Cake in a Box, Bridgewater;
Hungry Coyote, Brockton;
Belle Epoque Café & Bakery, Brockton;
McGuiggan's Pub, Whitman.
For more information about the expo and luncheon visit the MetroSouth Chamber's website.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Road Race Supports Food Pantries Sunday

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Six food pantries in the Brockton area will reap the rewards of the sweat of hundreds of runners and walkers during the Mutual Bank Citywide Race Against Hunger which will be held Sunday May 15 at D.W. Field Park at 5 p.m.
The race features a 3.5 mile loop around the park and a 2.2 mile walk for those who want to take their time.
There will also be a 50-yard dash for youngsters.
Day-of-race registration is $20 for adults. Runners and walkers should head to the starting line and officials table which will be positioned just north of the tower. Registration will be held from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
Registration for children between 3 and 10 is the donation of a non-perishable food item.
Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in the 3.5-mile run and to the top male and female runners under 18.
The first 100 walkers and runners to register will get Race Against Hunger T-shirts. Mayor Linda Balzotti is scheduled to speak, and food and drinks will be available. Participating pantries are The Charity Guild, Catholic Charities South, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Full Gospel Tabernacle, Lincoln Congregational Church and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Edith Stein Church.
For more information about the race is available from Michael Molyneux at 781-784-1928 or visit the Race Against Hunger website.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Brockton Garden Club Hosts Annual Plant Sale

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--The Brockton Garden Club will hold its annual flower sale Saturday, May 14 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Brockton Park Department, 45 Meadow Lane.
There is always a wide variety of perennials, shrubs, ground covers, grasses, herbs and much more to choose from at prices that are unbeatable.
Most of the plants that will be on sale are clippings or grown locally from members' own gardens.
Many of the club members will be on hand to offer planting advice and best growing practices for each plant.
Admission is free and all are welcome.
Proceeds from the sale help fund the club's numerous city-wide civic projects, including keeping the main library pretty and as pictured above, creating a field of spring daffodils at D.W. Field Park with bulbs donated by Home Depot.
Meadow Lane is off Main Street on the West Bridgewater border across from HarborOne Credit Union and at the former site of the Campello swimming pool.
Residents also looking to recycle their plastic pots can bring them to the sale and the club will reuse them or properly dispose of them.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Vets Dept. Seeks Help With Flags

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON - The City of Brockton Office of Veterans’ Services is seeking volunteers to help place American flags on the graves of deceased veterans at cemeteries in Brockton to commemorate their service to the nation.
Flag placement will occur throughout the week of May 16, 2011.
Those interested in volunteering can meet each day at Veterans’ Services, located in the basement of City Hall, 45 School St. at 9 a.m. and 1p.m.
For those who wish to volunteer but cannot arrive at these times, a sign will be posted on the door of the Veterans’ Affairs office door stating which cemetery is being flagged that day.
Volunteers will flag graves at 13 cemeteries throughout the city. For further information, please contact the Office of Veterans’ Services at 508-580-7850 or 508- 441-9442 or via email at veterans@cobma.us.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Patriotism, Prayer To Honor Service to U.S.

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton will host two events Thursday to celebrate this year's National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 5.
From 4 to 7 p.m. at Brockton City Hall, public officials, police and fire personnel and church leaders will host a remembrance to honor all of those who serve the community from government officials to men and women in the armed forces.
Following the city hall event Faith Family Life Church in Brockton will host a celebration, "God and Country," dedicated to the men and women who have served the U.S. as community and government leaders and military personnel during a celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. at the church.
The Faith Family Life celebration will include music, apple pie, ice cream and lemonade.
The event is free and open to all.
Faith Family Church is located at 443 Summer St. For more information call 508-232-7497 or visit the church's website at www.faithfamilylife.org.

Monday, May 2, 2011

W-H Grad Chauppetta, Howard Stern To Talk Cheating Tuesday

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Local private dick Mark Chauppetta hopes his unvarnished stories about catching men and women cheating on their significant others and spouses will be enough fodder for “shock jock” Howard Stern Tuesday, when Chauppetta appears on Stern’s popular Sirius satellite radio show.
“I like to think I can hang with Howard. I’ll find out. But I have to admit I’m excited, but I am nervous,” Chauppetta said hours before he will appear on Stern’s show.
Chauppetta, 42, a Whitman-Hanson graduate and former radio show host on Brockton’s WXBR heads to New York City for a stint on Stern’s show. (Pictured in top photo at left)
Chauppetta will share the microphone with Stern Tuesday morning, May 3 and is scheduled for 7 a.m., one hour after Stern’s show begins at 6 a.m.
The appearance is to support Chauppeta’s self-published book, “Happens All the Time: Cheating in the Good Ol’ U.S.A.” a naked look at love and sex in America as seen through the eyes of a private investigator hired to follow the love of some people loves to prove or deny they are being faithful.
Chauppetta, who recently moved his office from downtown Brockton to West Bridgewater, has been a private detective for nearly 20 years.
He has caught men and women from all over the South Shore, U.S. and the world sneaking into hotels, motels, back seats of cars and nearly every other place people can engage in affairs and clandestine relationships behind the backs of their loved ones.
Chauppetta said the real-life work of a private detective is far different from what is depicted on television and invites all to take a close and unexpected look at the sexual morality of American men and women.
“It’s funny, insightful and not like any other private investigative book out there,” Chauppetta said. “It’s hard-core, gum-shoe, tell it like it is s**t,” Chauppetta said.
The Stern appearance is also a way to continue spreading the word about his documentary, “A Father’s Fight,” which follows Chauppetta as he puts his body on the line taking on much younger athletes for a Mixed Martial Arts competition to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy in honor of his 15-year-old twin sons Troy and Andrew who fight Duchenne Syndrome everyday.
“A Father’s Fight” was directed by WXBR’s Ron van Dam and Peter Cyzmbor.
Fifty-percent of proceeds from Chauppetta’s book will support Duchenne MD.
"Happens All The Time," and "A Father's Fight" can be purchased on Amazon.com or Chauppetta's website, MyDriveInc.com
Chauppetta recently relaunched his radio show on BlogTalkRadio.com/onthemark. He expects it to air once a month with a chance to expand to once per week in the future.
Chauppetta said he is a media-hound and star-wanna-be, but the real reason he writes books, makes films and is willing to get his head bashed in in a mixed martial arts bout is for Troy and Andrew.
"Everyone who knows me knows everything I do isn't just for me and my personal ego, but for my two boys and Duchenne research," Chauppetta said.