Thursday, October 5, 2023
MRBA Meeting with US Army Corps of Engineers | Plum Island | 9.29.23
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FY'24 Mass Cultural Council Grant Recipients
Mass
Cultural Council announced the FY'24 recipients of the Festivals & Projects grant program. In total, Mass Cultural Council granted $1,850,000 to 740 cultural projects and
festivals statewide. The
grants are $2,500 each and go to organizations to support their public
activities that incorporate the arts, humanities, or sciences.
Please join me in congratulating the Festivals & Projects Recipients
receiving grants in our District.
Mass Cultural Council announced the recipients of the Mass Cultural Council’s FY24 Cultural Investment Portfolio (CIP) and Gateway grant programs. In total, $6,988,800 has been granted to 338 cultural nonprofits this year through these two programs.
The CIP and Gateway provide general operating grants to
nonprofit organizations that enrich Massachusetts’ cultural life. The Portfolio
works to strengthen a creative and cultural sector that generates $1.2 billion
in economic activity, creates thousands of jobs, and delivers programs to more
than 20 million a year.
Please join me in congratulating the CIP and Gateway Grant Recipients
in our District.
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Gold Star Mothers and Family Day | Knight's of Columbus Rosary Prayer Service | 9.24.23
Sunday, September 24th was Gold Star Mothers and Family Day - a day of recognition of the sacrifices made by those who have paid the ultimate price and the burden the families are left behind to carry.
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Tax Relief for Commonwealth of Massachusetts | 10.4.23
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Blood Drive on Friday, 10/6 from 9AM-2PM in Ipswich

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Wednesday, October 4, 2023
OCABR Flash Flooding Impacted Areas Resources for Constituents
On behalf of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), see below communication:
Resources for Constituents Given the Recent Storms and Catastrophic Flash Flooding that have Impacted Areas Throughout the Commonwealth.
The mission of OCABR is to protect and empower consumers through education and advocacy. Our office oversees the state’s Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) program as well as several consumer
divisions, including the Division of Insurance.
It’s our hope that your constituents will not find themselves in situations where they will need to access these resources; however, OCABR would like to ensure that your offices are aware of them in case they do. Links below to some of our resources that may help and inform constituents should they need to navigate insurance claims and property repairs following a severe flood or storm.
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Division of Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions Following a Disaster: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-following-a-disaster
Guide to Disaster and Emergency Insurance Preparations: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guide-to-disaster-and-emergency-insurance-preparations
Is My Flood Damage Covered? https://www.mass.gov/info-details/is-my-flood-damage-covered
Division of Insurance Hotline: (617) 521-7794, (8:45am – 5:00pm)
Home Repairs & Contractors
For most home repairs, contractors are required to be registered Home Improvement Contractors. It’s critical that homeowners look up a contractor’s registration and any complaints filed against
their license before hiring them. In the event something goes wrong, and the homeowner needs to seek relief from the State’s Guaranty Fund, HIC registration is required.
Homeowner's guide to hiring a home improvement contractor: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-a-home-improvement-contractor
Check a contractor's registration: HIC Registration
Lookup https://services.oca.state.ma.us/hic/licenseelist.aspx
OCABR Hotline: (617) 973-8787 (9:00am - 4:30pm)
Auto Repairs
Recognizing that some vehicles may become submerged during a flash flooding emergency and constituents may need to seek repairs, the following is a link to help them select a reliable repair shop and understand their rights:
Massachusetts Consumer Guide – Mechanics of Auto Repair https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-consumer-guide-mechanics-of-auto-repair
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Gloucester 400+ Naturalization Ceremony | 9.22.23
“Citizenship
is an attitude, a state of mind, an emotional conviction that the whole is
greater than the part…” - Robert A.
Heinlein
Friday,
September 22nd, 2023, was an inspirational and moving day at
Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, as 97 people became U.S. citizens at a
special naturalization ceremony. The historic occasion took place in
front of Tablet Rock beneath sunny skies and beside the location where early
settlers established the first vestiges of Gloucester's fishing industry.
Congratulations to those who persevered throughout the journey to
citizenship. Many thanks to the Gloucester 400+ Committee, its Tri-Chair,
Bruce Tobey, and all of those who brought this incredible ceremony to the
Gloucester community.
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Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Medal of Fidelity Presentations in North Andover | 9.22.23
I
was honored to join my legislative colleagues, members of the Massachusetts
National Guard, and local officials at a ceremony at North Andover Town Hall
organized by District Director of Veterans Services, Joseph Leblanc, for the
presentation of the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity to the loved ones of 8
Veterans who served our nation in the armed forces and who have passed away.
This moving and important ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the
courage, sacrifice, and dedication to our nation of such veterans and their
families, and our solemn obligation to capture every opportunity to recognize
their service on our behalf and to thank them for all that they have given to
our country and the principles that we share.
The Medal of Fidelity was recently created to recognize service members or veterans from the Commonwealth who died as the result of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or combat-related diseases and illnesses. To learn more, reach out to your local Veterans Service Officer or visit the Medal of Fidelity page at https://www.massnationalguard.org/index.php/quick-links/medal-of-fidelity.html.
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Monday, October 2, 2023
Salisbury Days SHINE Awards Ceremony | 9.21.23
Celebrated Salisbury Days by honoring SHINE Award
recipients. Tabitha Beebe was awarded
the ‘Here and Now’ award and Louis Masello was awarded the ‘Lifetime’ award for
being exceptional role models by participating in volunteer and humanitarian
activities that continue to make a difference in town of Salisbury and
surrounding towns in our community.
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Boxford, Hamilton & Rowley Council on Aging BBQs | 9.21.23 & 9.27.23
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HOWLETT BROOK FISHWAY OFFICIALLY OPENED | 9.21.23
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Beauport Financial Services LLC | Ribbon Cutting 9.21.23
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North of Boston Fall Tourism Marketing Grant Ceremony
Local Tourism Organizations Receive Mini-Grant Awards From North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Recently celebrated the local organizations, with The North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (NBCVB), receiving almost $48,000 in mini-grant funding as part of its mission to encourage the 34 cities and towns of Essex County as a tourism destination. Members, local chambers of commerce, and destination marketing organizations gathered with local officials at the Maria Miles Visitor Center to honor the tourism and hospitality industries that drive the local economy.
The NBCVB is providing a portion of its funding from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism as mini-grants to our member partners to further their marketing efforts. Congratulations to the Fiscal Year 2023 Fall Tourism Marketing Grant recipients from or supporting tourism in our District:
· Discover Gloucester Gloucester Seaport Trail
· Essex National Heritage Commission Photo Library of Essex National Heritage area
· Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce Fall and Winter Marketing Initiatives
· Wolfe Adventures and Tours, in partnership with Historic New England for a new tour
entitled History in the Making: Unveiling Essex County
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2023
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence is a critical health issue that impacts thousands of families in our state and across the nation. We must continue to raise awareness to prevent these kinds of acts from occurring and support those who need help. Together, we can end relationship violence.
Multifaceted - it may include verbal, physical, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse of a victim and is often hidden from public view.
Although it's not limited to women, domestic violence is the root of more injuries to women than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. Abusers impact men, women, and children in a dynamic that distorts power over peace.
This observance helps bring awareness across the nation about domestic violence and its effects. Together we can break the silence and end the violence.
For information, services, and help for yourself or someone you care about:
Safelink: 1-877-785-2020 is a 24-hour, free, and confidential multi-lingual domestic violence hotline in Massachusetts
To find the domestic violence program nearest you outside of Massachusetts, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233)
Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence – (617)557-1807; www.janedoe.org
Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-office-for-victim-assistance
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers assistance and safety planning 24/7. Call 1-800-799-7233 for live support. If you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto www.thehotline.org to chat online.
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