Action eUpdate for Week of April 5

Chamber Member/ Community
Events & Workshops

March 22-June 28: Reading and Math Enhancement Course, a 26 Class Session, Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm at the Adult Learning Center, 211 Crescent Street, Brockton. Improve reading comprehension and math skills necessary for success, improve test taking skills, practice pre-enrollment assessments for allied health certificate programs or college programs. Class size is limited, call 508-580-7475.

Starting Friday, April 2: Burrito Wraps Mexican Grill, located at 688 Crescent Street, Brockton is serving Margaritas with their food.

Tuesday, April 6: The Joseph W. Martin Institute for Law and Society will host a performance of "And Still We Rise!" an authentic documentary theater humanizing the lives-the struggles and the triumphs-of those touched by incarceration. And Still We Rise Productions is a collaboration of theatre artists and social justice. The event will take place in the Martin Institute Auditorium, Stonehill College at 7:00 p.m. April 6. There is plenty of free parking in Lot 11 behind the Sports Complex with a short walk to Martin Institute. For more information, please go to http://www.stonehill.edu/martin.xml.

Wednesday, April 7: 2010 Massasoit Job Fair. Save the Date! -- from 10:00am-1:00pm Brockton Campus, Student Center, upper lounge. All are welcome. For more information, call 508-588-9100 x1406.

Thursday, April 8: Cooking with Kids Desserts at the Children's Museum in Easton with Chef Rosa Galeno of Rosa's Food Shop. Kids will learn how to prepare a delicious desserts, using simple and wholesome foods, that they can take home that night! Also bring a trifle dish or a glass bowl! Pre-registration is required. This workshop is $20, this pricing includes the workshop for each adult and child. The Museum is located in the Old Fire Station at 9 Sullivan Avenue in North Easton Village. 4-5pm.

Thursday, April 8: - The Joseph W. Martin Institute for Law and Society will be screening "Intifada NYC", a documentary film that follows the controversy surrounding the opening of the first Arabic language public school. The film's director, David Teague, will be available to answer questions after the screening. The event will take place in the Martin Institute Auditorium, 320 Washington Street, Stonehill College, N. Easton. at 6:30 p.m. Parking is availbale in Lot 11. For more information, visit www.stonehill.edu/martin.xml

Thursday, April 8: Signature Healthcare Prostate Health Education Evening. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer affecting American men, yet prostate health is little understood. On April 8th at 6:30pm, improve your knowledge of prostate health, symptoms and treatment options available at this free event. Men and women are invited, a light supper will be served, and all attendees will have the chance to win a $50 gift card to Modell's or Macy's. Location: 110 Liberty Street, 3rd floor conference room, Brockton MA 02301. Call our registration line at 508-941-7550 to register for the event.

Thursday, April 8: Ignite Clean Energy/Cleantech Open Team Building & Competition Briefing at UMass Dartmouth-ATMC, 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Free to attend. Register.

Friday, April 9: Finding the Green: New Markets Tax Credit. Massasoit Conference Center, 770 Crescent St, Brockton. Experiencing a credit crunch? New Market Tax Credits might be able to help! In this in-depth seminar you will learn how you can use New Markets tax Credit to help finance projects in your community! David Trevisani, Director National Development Council, the country's foremost economic development training organization and a leader in New Markets Tax Credits. Sponsored by: Rockland Trust and Old Colony Planning Council. Register by emailing jenniferreid@massedc.org, or calling (978) 630-4014. MEDC member rate: $30.00 - Non-member rate: $45.00. Visit our website for more information www.massedc.org.

Thursday, April 15: CEO Roundtable. Winfree Business Growth Advisors will conduct a free workshop for Business Owners and Sales Executives. Do you need a business growth process that not only tracks results but assures success? Are you looking for a top performing sales person or new and innovative ways to best differentiate your business? Get the answers here. The session will be held from 8:30 am to 10:30 am at 25 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 200, Braintree, MA.   For reservations call Ken Cheo at 781-930-3220 or email kcheo@winfree.org.

Thursday, April 15: As lawmakers in Washington grapple with healthcare reform, a panel of local experts will discuss the issue during the 19th annual Peter Mareb Memorial Lecture. "A Rational Talk About Rationing Care- Looking at Final Options" will be the topic of this year's Mareb Lecture. The event will take place on April 15 at the Joseph W. Martin Jr. Institute for Law & Society at Stonehill College. A reception will take place from 6-7:15 p.m. with the lecture immediately following.

Thursday, April 15: Free Webinar about Depression in the Workplace, sponsored by the Massachusetts Workplace Mental Health Initiative. The presentation will address the cost of depression, what depression looks like in the workplace and success stories.   Depression is the number one cause of disability in US, and it ranks among the top three workplace problems addressed by EAPs. Register for the webinar. If you have questions, call 781-239-0071.

Saturday, April 17: Please join St. Joseph Manor in celebrating their 45th Year Anniversary at their Anniversary Dinner Dance on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at the Massasoit Conference Center, 770 Crescent Street Brockton, MA. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and Dinner at 7:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the band GQ and the Lady. Come join us for this special event and enjoy a fabulous night of dinner and dancing in addition to great raffle prizes and silent auction items! Admission is $60 per person. Tickets are available at St. Joseph Manor, 215 Thatcher St., Brockton, by calling 508-583-5834, or emailing mdunton@SJMBrockton.org

Saturday, April 17: Brockton City Lights, at Brockton Public Library, 304 Main Street, Brockton, 7pm-1am. Please join us for an elegant and stylish party, cocktails, dinner and dancing and live muisc, eye popping artwork and a great night to remember. For tickets, visit www.brocktoncitylights.com.

Wednesday, April 21: Attend a FREE SBA workshop designed to highlight the various SBA programs and services that are available to prospective or current entrepreneurs who need assistance in starting or expanding their business. General information will be provided on the following: Small Business Counseling (SCORE), Small Business / Development Centers · Business Information Center SBA 7(a) · Loan Guaranty Program · 8(a) Business Development HUB/Zones · Small Disadvantaged Business Assistance · Government Contracting Opportunities The workshop will be held at CareerWorks, 34 School Street, Brockton from 2 - 4 pm on the third Wednesday of each month. Contact CareerWorks at 508.513.3400 for further workshop information.

Wednesday, April 21: Money Management for Small Business, Weymouth Public Library, 46 Broad Street, Weymouth You provide great products and services for your customers, but feel you're not capitalizing on the full financial potential of your business. This workshop can put on the path to better financial results. Get practical advice you can use right away to improve cash flow, increase profits and get your business on a more secure financial footing. Workshop topics include improving profit; managing cash flow including inventory management, vendor management, and receivables management; analyzing financial results; and managing when cash is tight. This workshop is free for Chamber Members and is $25 for non-members. Register by calling Lisa Keene at 508.586.0500 x 225 or email lkeene@metrosouthchamber.com.

Tuesday, April 27: Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board Open House, 8am- 9:30 am. There will be a door prize and refreshments will be served. Please respond by April 13 to 508-584-3235 or email admin@bawib.org. BAWIB, located on the 2nd floor at 34 School Street provides current members of the workfoce and those seeking employment with the training they need.

Sunday, April 25: More than 1,500 friends of old Colony Hospice will set out on either a 2-mile or a 4-mile loop at the Irish Cultural Centre campus in Canton to honor the memory of a loved one of a friend at the 12th Memorial Stepping Out for Old Colony Hospice Walk. We walk rain or shine. Whether you walk as an individual or as part of a team, you will embark on a journey to help raise funds that will make a difference in the life of a hospice patient today. Check in as at 11:30 am and the walk begins at 12:30 pm. For more information or to register, visit www.oldcolonyhospice.com.

Tuesday, April 27 & Wednesday, April 28: Good Samaritan Medical Center "One-Stop Shopping" for cholesterol, blood sugar (glucose), body mass and blood pressure screenings.At the Trinity Baptist Church, 1367 Main St, Brockton. Tuesday: from 2-5pm. Wednesday: from 5-7pm.

Tuesday, April 27: The Community Bank's Women's Business Exchange is hosting a seminar entitled, "Build Your Own Business Braintrust" on Tuesday, April 27th beginning at 9:00am at Thorny Lea Golf Club, Brockton, MA. Kathy Robbins, founder of Three C's Coaching and Therapy, will discuss how to select the right people to be in a business brain trust, develop an advisory team to make life more manageable and create an accessible support network. The event will feature a light breakfast and an opportunity for networking. Registration will be online only. Kindly visit www.communitybank.com to register by 4/20. Please register early, seating is limited to 50 guests.

Wednesday, April 28: 13th Annual Career Day at The Shaw's Center in Brockton from 8:15-11:45. This initiative is designed as an opportunity to build stronger connections between schools and the community. By connecting schools with area businesses and organizations, students can see the meaning and relevance of what they are learning in school, invigorating the school culture and the classroom, while they begin to consider their potential careers. Businesses, organizations, and High Schools wishing information on participation can contact Cheryl Showstack, Educational Outreach Manager at 508-427-4010.

Thursday, April 29: The second session of Sandler Training Sales Seminar at the Metro South Chamber of Commerce: "Upset about long sales cycles? Tired of giving unpaid consulting? Strategies on how to move your opportunities forward!" Sandler Training's clients include Fortune 500 companies, as well as Massachusetts based businesses involved in financial, professional services, technology, manufacturing, construction, staffing, human resources, business consulting, and more. To register, contact Lisa Keene at 508.586.0500 x 225 or email lkeene@metrosouthchamber.com.

Sunday, May 2nd: 3:00 P.M. Brockton Symphony Spring concert at West Middle School. Admission $20, and $15 for seniors and students. Works by Stravinsky-Firebird Suite, Rimsky- Korsakov-Capriccio Espagnol, Lalo-The cello concerto, featuring 12 year-old Leland Ko, and other works. Visit www.brocktonsymphony.com for further information.

Sunday, May 2: Please join Signature Healthcare in their fight against cancer. We hope all in the community will participate in whatever capacity they can, be it volunteering, fundraising or donating. For many of you this is an annual event; but for some it will be your first time walking with us from Signature-Healthcare and The Chrystine M. Sullivan Memorial Foundation. Please take a moment to visit our website at www.signature-healthcare.org and click on the purple box to print off your pledge sheet, to get more information, to donate directly online, or to create your own personalized donation page. If you have any questions or need more assistance please feel free to call us at 508-941-7078. The Walk will take palce from 8am-10am and will also feature a gala celebration, cook out, fun and entertainment.

Tuesday, May 4: Southeastern Technical Institute Open House. Spring into a new career! Day programs: office technology, dental assisting, practical nursing, medical assisting. Evening programs: A+ certification/pc specialist, health claims specialist, HVAC, massage therapy, phlebotomy. 20 week program, hands on training, externships and financial aid available.   Tour classrooms and labs, speak with teachers and students, win raffels and prizes, and get your application fee waived. 2:30pm-5:00 pm, 250 Foundry Street, S. Easton. For more information, call 508-238-1860 or visit www.sti-tech.info.

Thursday, May 6: Massasoit Community College Division of Workplace Development and Community Education presents Business Interruption & Disaster Planning Conference from 8am-12:30 pm at the Massasoit Conference Center. "It's not a matter of if a disaster strikes, but when.." Speaking will be Diana McCLure, Institute for Business and Home Safety, FM Generator, ColoSpace, US Office SOlutions and Time Savers. The cost to attend is $79. For more information, call 508-588-9100 x 1322 or email jmiller@massasoit.mass.edu.

Sunday, May 16: Charity Guild Race Against Hunger at 11:am at DW Field. Park This a family oriented day with food and drink and a magician, etc
All are welcomed to participate since it is a 5.5 k race for the running enthusiasts and a 3 k walk for families. All details are on our website at thecharityguild.org. Or if anyone needs information, they may call us at 508-583-5280.

Wednesday, May 19: Attend a FREE SBA workshop designed to highlight the various SBA programs and services that are available to prospective or current entrepreneurs who need assistance in starting or expanding their business. General information will be provided on the following: Small Business Counseling (SCORE), Small Business / Development Centers · Business Information Center SBA 7(a) · Loan Guaranty Program · 8(a) Business Development HUB/Zones · Small Disadvantaged Business Assistance · Government Contracting Opportunities The workshop will be held at CareerWorks, 34 School Street, Brockton from 2 - 4 pm on the third Wednesday of each month. Contact CareerWorks at 508.513.3400 for further workshop information.

Thursday, May 20: The Boys and Girls Club will celebrate its twentieth birthday by honoring one of its board members and devoted supporters-Barry Koretz-at the organization's third annual signature event, "Black Tie and Tennis Shoes". The Club hopes to raise $200,000 to fund vital services for Brockton's youth. Thursday, May 20th, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. at The Shaw's Center. Tickets are $150.00 each and are available only in advance by calling 508-584-5209 ext. 106. Tables of ten may also be reserved, and include an ad in the program book. Sneakers are the required footwear. Black Tie is optional. The event will feature a "Best Decorated Tennis Shoes" contest, and entertainment by Vincent Macrina's United Brass Quintet.

Friday, May 21: The Brockton Area Arc is giving you a chance to win $10,000! Only 300 tickets will be sold! Once there're gone, there're gone. For $100, you could win $10,000 and you and a guest will enjoy music and entertainment by Boston legend, Jim Plunkett; dancing, yummy hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and a night out. There will be other raffle tickets for sale & a Silent Auction. The event will be held at The Shaw's Center in Brockton. Contact the Brockton Area Arc for details and tickets at 508-583-8030 or check out our website at www.brocktonareaarc.org where you can download a form and mail it in.

Monday, May 24: Massasoit Community College Foundation Golf Classic at Thorny Lea Golf Club, 11:30 a.m. registration/box lunch and 1:00 p.m. shotgun start, scramble start. $200 per player, includes lunch, golf, and dinner. Contact Marilyn Burke @ 508-588-9100, x2602 or mburke@massasoit.mass.edu or visit our website at www.massasoit.mass.edu for further golfing information. Sponsorship Opportunities available as well. Please call Sheryl Savage @ 508-588-9100 X2603 or ssavage@massasoit.mass.edu for details.

Friday, May 28: The Brockton Rox will kick off the baseball season with a three game home set against the Worcester Tornadoes. For a full schedule, visit www.brocktonrox.com.

Monday, June 14: St. Joseph Manor Health Care in Brockton, Massachusetts, will hold its 19th Annual Golf Tournament at the Easton Country Club in South Easton, Massachusetts. All proceeds directly benefit our 118 residents and 60 adult day health clients. Tournament costs $135.00 and includes cart, giveaways, player prizes, continental breakfast and luncheon. Don't golf? Participate by becoming a sponsor or advertising in our program booklet. To register as a golfer, sponsor or for additional information please contact Marni Dunton, Marketing Coordinator at 508-583-5834 ext. 3058 or via email at mdunton@SJMbrockton.org

Saturday, June 26: 50th Birthday Party for BHS '78 Classmates. Celebrate with a picnic/cookout at a Brockton Rox baseball game at Campanelli Stadium! It'll be a great opportunity to see one another and to catch up with high school friends we haven't seen for years! It is a night game. The cookout starts at 5PM and is an all you can eat picnic with burgers, hotdogs, salad, lemonade, iced tea, and BIRTHDAY CAKE! For more information, and pay the $25 per person fee, visit http://brockton.projectalumni.org/brockton/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crescent Credit Union Children's Book Drive
From Thursday, April 1 through Friday, April 30, please drop off new or used children's books at your nearest Crescent Credit Union location in Brockton, Taunton, or Norwell.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lincoln Tech Massage Clinic: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-7pm.
Lincoln Tech at 365 Westgate Drive, Brockton is offering student massage clinics. The clin provides students and alumni the support they need to become professional massage therapists. Come in for a one hour massage for only $20. Call 508-941-0730 x 43527 to schedule an appointment.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Irish Cultural Centre of New England in Canton is offering Tin Whistle, Bodhran, Fiddle, Gaelic Language, Set Dancing, Step Dancing, Rambling House and Irish Banking classes for beginners to advance levels. For dates, times and prices, please visit www.irishculture.org or call 781-821-8291.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fuller Craft Museum

455 Oak Street, Brockton, MA 02301
www.fullercraft.org

Members Free, Adults $8, Seniors and Students $5
Children under 12 Free, Wednesday 5:00-9:00pm Free.
Open Tuesday- Sunday, 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free Tax Preparation

If you are a low to moderate income family, live in the Greater Brockton area and at least one member of your household worked, even part time in 2009, you may be eligible for this free service. Don't go to tax preparers who charge you to do your taxes and charge you again to get a loan for an early refund. Most people can get their state refund in 3 to 5 days and their federal approximately 7days later and save hundreds of additional dollars in preparer and loan fees. Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal and state tax benefit for people who work. With both the federal and state tax credits, workers may get up to $5,657 in refunds. Workers can claim both the federal and state EITC, even if they do not owe income tax, simply by filing federal and state income tax returns. You will receive a state credit equal to 15% of the federal amount.

Where and When:
Mondays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. starting February 1, 2010:
MultiCultural Banking Center, HarborOne, 68 Legion Parkway, Brockton
Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. starting January 30 and Wednesday evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. starting February 3, 2010: Self Help Healthy Housing and Community Resource Center, 142 Crescent St., Brockton