Real estate bill due Nov. 2
The town of Andover has mailed the real estate tax bill for the second quarter of fiscal year 2010. This is a preliminary bill based on the actual fiscal year 2009 taxes. Payment is due Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. Taxes unpaid after that date are subject to interest charges of 14 percent. The Town Offices at 36 Bartlet St. are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Payments can be mailed in the envelope provided or dropped in the white mail box with the blue "Town of Andover" seal in front of the Town Offices. Payments can also be made online through Unibank, which can be accessed on town Web site, www.andoverma.gov by clicking on e-services, then "Bill Payments", then "Real Estate."
If you have not received a bill, please call the tax collectors' office at 978-623-8246 or send an email to treasurer@andoverma.gov. For any other questions call the assessors' office at 978-623-8265.
Casino Night Nov. 7
Quota International of Andover is hosting its annual Casino Night Fundraiser, "Bon Voyage" on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood St., North Andover from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is $75 per guest.
This year's theme is a gala cruise to the Mediterranean coast. Buffet offerings will feature food from Italy, Spain, France and Greece. casino games, a silent and live auction as well as music provided by DJ James Freeman will all be "on board" for the evening's entertainment.
Tickets may be purchased by mail c/o Louise Hadad, 265 Highland Rd., Andover, MA 01810 or in person at CoCo Collection, 93 Main St., Andover. Checks are payable to Quota International of Andover.
Proceeds from this year's event will help fund programs and services for disadvantaged women and children in the Merrimack Valley.
Help make child's holiday bright
The Lawrence Branch of the Merrimack Valley YMCA needs assistance in making Christmas memorable families who do not have the means to provide their children with Christmas gifts. Children range in age from toddlers to 18-year-olds. Each year, through the generosity of YMCA members, staff and the community-at-large, the YMCA helps parents make sure that the holiday season is a special time of year for all. Last year, the YMCA helped over 320 children during the holiday season.
If you can sponsor a child or a family, contact Michelle Becotte at 978-686-6191. Financial contributions for the YMCA to purchase gifts and gift wrap are also appreciated. The Lawrence Branch of the Merrimack Valley YMCA is located at 40 Lawrence St.
October health clinics
The Andover Health Department will offer mini clinics on at the senior center from 2 to 3 p.m. each Wednesday including Oct. 28. No appointment is necessary.
Learn how to raise money for your non-profit
Associated Grant Makers of Massachusetts workshops will be offered at Northern Essex Community College's Lawrence campuses through the Grant Resource Network. These workshops are free and open to anyone who wants to raise money for a nonprofit organization.
The workshops will include "Grants Research Database: An In-depth Look", Friday, Oct. 23, in a choice of sessions, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; "Introduction to Grant Writing", Friday, Nov. 6, 9 to 11 a.m.; and "Advanced Topics in Grant Writing", Friday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. to noon.
All workshops will be held in the White Fund Room, located at the college's Louise Haffner Fournier Education Center, 78 Amesbury St., except for the Friday, Oct. 23 workshop which will be held in Room 241 of the college's Dimitry Building, 45 Franklin St.
Registration for these workshops is required. To register, send an email with "AGM workshops registration" in the subject line to Glennys Sanchez, gsanchez@necc.mass.edu, or Dawna Perez, dperez@necc.mass.edu.
Include your name, name of affiliate organization, address of organization or home address, telephone numbers, e-mail address, and the name of the workshopvyou wish to attend. You can register for more than one workshop. For an appointment to use the Grant Resources tools at the NECC Lawrence library, contact Mike Hearn at mhearn@necc.mass.edu
For questions regarding the Grant Resources Network Program contact Martha Moore at mmoore@agmconnect.org.
For questions on where to park, visit the NECC Website www.necc.mass.edu or contact Glennys Sanchez at 978-738-7438.
Preschool fair Nov. 10
Parents are invited to the 12th annual preschool fair on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Wyndham hotel in Andover. The fair, which is free and open to the public, runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and is hosted by The Mother Connection. This fun and informative event lets parents meet with local preschool programs in one convenient place. Past attendees have found the fair to be an excellent way to evaluate the best early learning options for their children, and program directors appreciate the opportunity to speak one on one with prospective families. A directory will be available for purchase as well. For more information about the preschool fair, contact preschoolfair@themotherconnection.org.
Tastings with the chamber
The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce's "Wine and Martini Tasting, Extensive Food and Music" will be on Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. at the Indian Ridge Country Club, Lovejoy Road, Andover. The cost for members is $39 and $50 for non-members. For more information call 978-686-0900.
Andover Police Department participates in Emergency Vehicle Operation Course
Members of the Andover police department recently participated in a Emergency Vehicle Operation Course at the Massachusetts State Police EVOC facility in Ayer. The free course was presented by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, the town's insurance provider.
EVOC is a full-day comprehensive training program on the safe operation of police vehicles for officers. As a result of the training, the town will receive credit from the MIIA Rewards program, reducing the overall costs of their property and casualty insurance.
"Statistics indicate that on average there is a significant reduction in the number of accidents and their subsequent costs for the police departments who complete the EVOC," said Jeff Siena, MIIA Loss Control Manager.
The course consists of a classroom training followed by several hands-on exercises dealing with a number of situations regularly encountered by police officers while operating emergency vehicles, including cornering, evasive maneuvers, braking and backing up.
