Kindergarten registration for September 2008
Andover School Committee policy indicates that children entering Kindergarten must be five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2008. Kindergarten packets for 2008 were mailed out in January. If you have not received a packet, call 978-623-8506 and leave your name and mailing address. Children entering grade 1 who did not attend kindergarten in Andover last year should also complete the registration forms. To register a child, parents must present: the child's birth certificate, proof of residency (you will need to show one of the following for the Andover address where you live: original deed or purchase and sale agreement, original lease/rental agreement, or a copy of latest mortgage payment), and immunization records. Copies of these documents must be submitted at the registration session and will be made a part of your child's file.
Registration dates and times:
Bancroft School, 15 Bancroft Road, March 3, 7 to 8 p.m. Principal is Mr. Scott Morrison. Information, 978-623-8880.
High Plain Elementary, 333 High Plain Road, Feb. 28, 7 to 8 p.m. Principal is Brenda O'Brien. Information, 978-623-8900.
Sanborn School, 90 Lovejoy Road, March 5, 7 to 8 p.m. Principal is Ms. Patricia Barrett. Information, 978-623-8860.
Shawsheen School, 18 Magnolia Ave., Feb. 27, 7 to 8 p.m. Principal is Mr. Moira O'Brien. Information, 978-623-8850.
South School, 55 Woburn St., March 6, 7 to 8 p.m. Principal is Dr. Eileen Woods. Information, 978-623-8830.
West Elementary School, 58 Beacon St., March 4, 7 to 8 p.m. Principal is Mr. Charles Friel. Information, 978-623-8800.
Grant provides shingles vaccine for residents
Thanks to a grant from the Andover Home for Aged People, the Andover Health Department will allow the continued offering of the shingles vaccine, Zostavax. This vaccine, licensed in 2006 by the FDA for people 60 and older, helps to prevent shingles disease and lessen the pain and complications caused by the disease. The clinics are being offered to Andover residents 60 years of age and older, who have had chicken pox disease in the past and have never had shingles. The cost of the vaccine is $10. All clinics are by appointment only. For more information, call 978-623-8295.
Weekend passes to crafts fair available
CRAFTBOSTON, an annual show of art, craft and design, is offering 10 weekend passes to Andover's Memorial Hall Library in Elm Square to provide to their patrons free of charge. The event is sponsored by the Society of Arts and Crafts and features more than 175 artists, showcasing one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces in baskets, ceramics, decorative fiber, wearables, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper and wood
CRAFTBOSTON is at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston on March 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The trade center is at 200 Seaport Blvd.
Celebration kicks off Relay for Life
American Cancer Society Relay For Life kick-off celebration will be March 12 beginning at 6 p.m. at For Winds Restaurant, Greater Lawrence Technical School, 57 River Road. Relays are 12 to 24 hours in length and go overnight. Teams of 8 to 15 people camp out and take turns walking, jogging or running around a track or path. Cancer survivors will begin the Relay by walking the first "Victory Lap" in celebration of survivorship. Teams are encouraged to camp in tents and enjoy music, food and the camaraderie of the event. Anyone interested in joining the planning committee, becoming a team captain, volunteering or finding out more about Relay For Life is encouraged to attend. For more information, to find out how to volunteer or to RSVP for the kick-off, call Randi Holland at 781-314-2643 or email randi.holland@cancer.org.
Growers: Sign up for farmers' market
The Andover Farmers' Market is now taking applications for vendors to join the second annual Andover Farmers' Market this summer from July 12 to Oct. 11. The farmers' market was held in front of the Andover Historical Society and Amos Blanchard House and Barn Museum, at 97 Main St. in Andover, on Saturdays during the summer of 2007. For more information and an application, log onto www.andoverhistorical.org/farmersmarket/ or call 978- 475-2236.
For stimulus, no need to respond
The Internal Revenue Service has advised taxpayers that in most cases they will not have to do anything extra this year to get the economic stimulus payments beginning in May. If eligible for payment, all you have to do is file a 2007 tax return and the IRS will do the rest. The IRS will use information on the 2007 tax return filed by the taxpayer to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of the stimulus payments. A payment schedule for taxpayers will be announced in the near future.
"Euthanasia: The Culture of Death"
Dr. George LeMaitre of Andover will present a talk on euthanasia on March 5 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in St. Augustine's Parish Center for Education and Ministry, 43 Essex St. He believes this issue will become more and more important over the next five to 10 years as the money runs out and politicians look for "politically correct" ways to cut the cost of health care. LeMaitre will talk for 20 minutes and then encourage as many questions as time permits.
Town election: Last day to register March 5
The last day for nonregistered voters to register to vote for the town election is Wednesday, March 5. The town clerk's office at the Town Offices at 36 Bartlet St., Andover will be open until 8 p.m. on March 5 for new voter registrations.
The annual town election is Tuesday, March 25, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All precincts will vote at the Collins Field House at the Andover High School, 80 Shawsheen Road.
The offices available on the 2008 ballot are: moderator: one for one year; selectman: one for three years; School Committee member: one for three years; Andover Housing Authority member: one for five years.
Open house with the Rev. Jeanne Harrison Nieuwejaar
The Rev. Jeanne Harrison Nieuwejaar, religious educator and author of "The Gift of Faith: Tending the Spiritual Lives of Children," will speak about the importance of nurturing children's spiritual growth on March 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6 Locke St. There will be a question-and-answer period. For more information, call 978-475-4454.
Program on long-term care insurance
Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Lawrence, a coalition of faith communities, social service agencies, and health organizations working together to serve elders and caregivers, will sponsor a long term care planning workshop by Anne Allar, who is certified in long-term care.
.The program will be at St. Michael Church Parish Hall, 196 Main St., North Andover on Tuesday, March 18, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This event is free to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
.Join Anne Allar and learn why long term care insurance is such a hot topic today, how policies and laws impacting long term care have changed, what the consequences are for your family and your retirement portfolio if you live a long life, how to choose a long term care insurance company or agent and if long term care insurance is appropriate for you. For more information call Jean Guyer at 978-686-4050.
Cholesterol screening clinic
The Andover Board of Health will hold a Cholesterol Screening Clinic on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. An appointment is necessary and the clinic is for Andover residents only. The simple finger-stick test costs $5 and does not require fasting. This program is made possible through a grant from the Andover Home for Aged People. For an appointment, call the Health Department at 978-623-8295.
Women's club dinner dance
The North Andover Womens Club will host a dinner dance on March 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 505 Sutton St., North Andover. Tickets are $25.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle and silent auctions. All proceeds from the night will go to the club's scholarship, awarded to a North Andover High School graduate each spring.
To reserve tickets or for more information, call Paula at 978-682-9625.
Fresh Air Fund
Andover area volunteers are needed to help create a fun-filled summer for children from New York City's low-income communities through the Fresh Air Fund. Each summer, close to 5,000 children, ages six to 18, enjoy two-week vacations with volunteer host families in suburban and small town communities across 13 northeastern states and Ontario, Canada. Local Fresh Air Fund committee members recruit host families, reach out to the community and coordinate fun activities for families and children. For more information or to volunteer, call Mary Carroll at 978-975-4182 or The Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003 or visit www.freshair.org.
ESOL registration
Registrations are now being taken for ESOL ( English for Speakers of Other Languages), citizenship preparation, parenting and preschool classes at the Asian Center, 1 Ballard Way, Lawrence. Anyone interested in signing up for either morning or evening classes should call the Asian Center at 978-683-7316. Check out the Asian Center's Web site at www.asiancentermv.org for directions and more details.
Apply for grants
The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) is accepting applications for its 2008 Partnership Grants. Open to all Essex County nonprofit organization, cities and towns and government agencies, grants will range from $1,000 to $7,500 per project in four categories: Thomas M. Leonard educational grants, heritage interpretation and programming, heritage preservation and resource stewardship, and archives and historical records. The program is designed to be seed funding to foster partnerships to preserve and promote the unique resources and heritage of Essex County. Deadline for submissions is March. 3 at 5 p.m. Recipients will be notified in June. To download a grant application, visit www.essexheritage.org. For more information, call 978-740-0444.
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Rotary meeting
The Rotary Club of Andover will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Andover Inn on Chapel Avenue every Friday.
On Feb. 22, Karen Herman, chairwoman of the Andover Preservation Commission, will talk about what preservation is and what it means to the long-term health of a community. Guests are welcome. For more information, visit www.rotaryandover.org.
Coats available for needy
Anton's Cleaners' 13th annual Coats for Kids drive has a large assortment of warm, gently-worn kids and adult-sized coats ready to be picked up by those in need. These coats have all been cleaned at no charge by Anton's Cleaners. The coats are available for immediate pickup at a large network of social service agencies throughout eastern Massachusetts, including Community Teamwork, 167 Dutton St., Lowell, and Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, 305 Essex St., Lawrence. For more information, call 800-659-0069 or visit www.antons.com.
Donations needed: The Merrimack Valley YMCA is in need of raffle and auction items from local merchants for the annual "Reach Out for Youth" Auction on March 8 at the Wyndham Andover Hotel. Such gifts can include: skis and bindings, golf equipment, condominium weekends, concert tickets, signed sports memorabilia and restaurant gift certificates. The event includes a silent auction, live auction and ongoing raffles. Proceeds from the event benefit the YMCA's "Reach Out for Youth" campaign, which supports YMCA community programs. For more information, call Melissa O'Brien at 978-725-6681.
Volunteers needed: Hospice of the North Shore is seeking volunteers to visit patients in nursing facilities and in homes throughout the Merrimack Valley area. All HNS volunteer roles offer convenient training and ongoing support. Volunteer assignments are flexible and tailored to fit each individual's preferences and schedule. For more information, call 978-774-7566 or visit www.hns.org.
Museum teachers needed
Andover Historical Society is seeking volunteer museum teachers who are responsible, friendly, flexible people with an interest or background in history, child care, education, and public speaking. As volunteer museum teachers, participants will teach various programs to local school children on topics ranging from cooking, printing, firefighting, and store keeping. Openings for volunteers begin in September. For information, call Sarah Sycz at 978-475-2236 or e-mail ssycz@yahoo.com.
YMCA winter hours
Andover/North Andover Branch of the Merrimack Valley YMCA winter hours are Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The YMCA is located at 165 Haverhill St., Andover. For more information about any programs offered, call 978-685-3541 or visit www.mvymca.org.
Passport applications
The passport application process is currently taking between four and six weeks for routine service and three weeks for expedited service. Fall is traditionally the low season of demand for passport services. Applicants who will need passports for the spring are urged to apply now.
People traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean religion are now required to present a valid passport. Visit the Department of State's Web site on U.S. Passports at http://travel.state.gov for up-to-date passport information.
The Andover town clerk's office at 36 Bartlet St. is open for new passport applications Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call 978-623-8256.
Donations for troops welcome
Members of the Andover Knights of Columbus Council 1078 are collecting supplies and funds to send to soldiers in Iraq. Items include prepaid phone cards, protein bars, packets of powdered orange Gatorade, Beef Jerky, Slim Jims, instant flavored coffee, sunflower seeds, nuts, sun block, dental floss, ChapStick and batteries. Baskets are located in the back of the church, St. Augustine School, 26 Central St., Andover, and the Knights of Columbus Hall, 10 Brook St.
Communication with loved ones overseas
The Merrimack Valley chapter of the Red Cross serves as a means for families to be in communication with a loved one who is deployed with the armed forces when there is a crisis at home. In addition, the chapter has partnered with the Northeast Veterans Outreach Center in Haverhill to create the Military Family Support Group, which helps families deal with the challenges of having a loved one serving in the military during this time of conflict. For more information, call 978-372-6871 or visit www.arcmv.org.
Volunteer drivers needed
Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Lawrence, a coalition of faith communities, social service agencies, and health organizations, is looking for volunteers to drive elders to medical and "quality of life" appointments. Volunteers serve through the Friends in Deed program at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. Elder Services provides training and additional liability insurance for its drivers. Volunteers decide when they drive. To help, call Elder Services at 1-800-892-0890 and ask for Eileen at ext. 463 or Jerry at ext. 445 (and mention Interfaith Caregivers).
Cars Helping America
Individuals who would like their old cars removed from their yards, free of charge, or would like a quick alternative to selling or trading their vehicle, have another option. Used vehicles are an essential source of funding to the Melanoma Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that trains wellness teachers and nurses about skin cancer and provides them with free materials to teach the subject to high school and middle school students in a single-class session.
The MEF SkinCheck curriculum is being used in more than 550 New England schools, including Andover High School. Every individual who donates a car or truck, running or not, will be provided with a receipt so they can receive a tax deduction in exchange for their gift.
To make a vehicle donation through MEF's local donation agent, contact Cars Helping America at 1-866-949-3668 and specify that you have a car to donate to the Melanoma Education Foundation. More information about the Melanoma Education Foundation is available at www.skincheck.org.
ALA accepting vehicle donations
The American Lung Association is accepting used cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats in every condition to help support Massachusetts residents living with chronic lung disease. ALA will pick up the vehicle free of charge. For more information, call 800-577-5864 or visit www.lungne.org.
Meetings for mothers
The Mother Connection, Inc., a non-profit organization for area mothers and families, will continue to offer a series of one-time Newborn Connection meetings for mothers with newborn babies throughout 2008. The Newborn Connection meetings help match mothers of newborn babies to form playgroups.
The TMC Newborn Connection gives mothers with newborns a chance to get together and share experiences, tips, and ideas about life with a new baby. Participants typically spend an informal evening getting to know one another, while learning more about The Mother Connection organization and forming playgroups.
Newborn Connection meetings are held every other month. Meetings will be held Jan. 14, March 17, May 12, and July 14. To attend a Newborn Connection meeting, RSVP via email to newbornconnection@themotherconnection.org. For information, call Liz Siegal at 978-374-1063 or Renee Metsch at 978-794-8080.
March health clinics
The Andover Health Department will offer mini clinics on Monday, March 10, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Andover Commons, and on Monday, March 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Frye Circle. Senior-center clinics will be from 2 to 3 p.m. each Wednesday in March. No appointment is necessary.
