North Shore News in Brief

The Chinese Folk Art Workshop of Boston will host a Chinese New Year celebration on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 4 p.m., at Dolan Performing Arts Center, 134 High St., Ipswich.

The event will feature traditional drumming, lion and dragon dances, and a Chinese yo-yo demonstration. A Q&A with the performers will follow. Proceeds will benefit Ipswich Music Arts and Drama Association, a non-profit that promotes the arts in Ipswich schools. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students under 18. For more information, visit www.imada.org.

A stage performance of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The House of the Seven Gables,” adapted by local playwright J.F. Dacey, will be held at The House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby St., Salem. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday, Jan. 19 and 20, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. Advance tickets are $12.50 for Gables members; $15 for Creative Salem members; and $17 for nonmembers. Day-of tickets are $20 per person. For more information, call 978-744-0991, ext. 104, or visit www.7gables.org.

The Danvers High School Falcon Band’s parent-led fundraising organization, Parents for Music Excellence, will host a 1980s-themed party on Friday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m., at Breakaway Restaurant, 221 Newbury St., Danvers. The event will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, raffles, and a performance by “Back to the ‘80s.” Proceed from the event will benefit PME and the DHS band. Tickets are $30 per person and must be purchased before Monday, Jan. 22. For more information, contact Amy O’Brien at 978-314-9043 or amybethobrien@gmail.com, or visit www.danversband.org.

Marblehead Festival of Arts will unveil its 2018 logo at a dinner event on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Landing Restaurant, 81 Front St., Marblehead. The winning logo is displayed on all products sold during the 2018 Festival as well as on Festival promotional materials throughout the year. Call 781-639-1266 for reservations.

North Shore Shelter Fest, an all-day music festival, will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, from noon to 9 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Beverly, 221 Cabot St. Eight local and regional rock, folk, country, and popular music bands and solo musical performers are scheduled to perform. Singer/songwriter Evan Goodrow and his band will headline. Proceeds will benefit Harborlight Community Partners, a nonprofit affordable housing developer and provider, and renovation costs for its family housing unit in Beverly. General admission is $10. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/northshoreshelterfest.

Applications for Peabody Historical Society’s George and Rachel Shaw Scholarship and Andrew Metropolis Scholarship are currently available at the Society headquarters, 35 Washington St., or by mail. The George and Rachel Shaw Scholarship, funded by Sylvia and Ralph Marble, is worth $3,000. Applicants must be Peabody residents, full-time college students currently completing their sophomore year, and have at least 12 credits per semester. The Andrew Metropolis Scholarship is worth $2,500. Applicants must be Peabody residents, graduating members of the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School class of 2017, and pursuing higher education in history, museum studies, historic preservation, or political science. The submission deadline for both awards are Friday, March 30. For more information, call 978-531-0805 or visit www.peabodyhistorical.org/scholarship-opportunities.

As part of its enrollment process, Danvers Integrated Preschool will host a peer partner screening on Friday, Feb. 9, at Riverside Elementary School, 95 Liberty St., Danvers. Children will be monitored during a 20-minute play group to determine their language, social, physical, and cognitive development. To

schedule an appointment, call the Department of Student Services at 978-774-6112.

The Cloister Gallery at St. Andrew’s Church will present an exhibition by artists Alexander Gassel and Susan Schrader from Sunday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, March 22, at 135 Lafayette St., Marblehead. Gassel is a Russian-born artist who specializes egg yolk tempera paintings. Schrader is a local abstract painter whose pieces depict figures and emotional connections. A free opening reception will be held on Jan. 21, from 11:15 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, 9 to 10:30 a.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon. The gallery is handicapped accessible. For more information, call 781-631-4951 or visit www.standrewsmhd.org/cloistergallery.html.

Eight new artists will be selling their work at the Marblehead Art Association Artisan Shop, 8 Hooper St., through Sunday, Jan. 14. The artists and their preferred media are as follows: Anne Brown, assemblage and sculpture to wear; Cynthia Curtis, stoneware pottery; Ruth Curtis, photography; Jo Demetra, beaded jewelry; Kiki Taron Kinney, handcrafted jewelry and textiles; Aaron Leaman, glass; Polly Maxon Tritschler, paintings, drawings, and prints; and Sandra Willmer, beaded jewelry. For more information, call 781631-2608 or visit www.marbleheadarts.org.

The American Lung Association and Pilgrim Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center present the Better Breathers Club for those affected by chronic lung diseases. Groups will be held on the second Wednesday of every month, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., at 96 Forest St., Peabody. Learn how to manage your condition and improve quality of life. Different topics will be addressed each month and light refreshments will be served. Family members and caregivers are also welcome to attend. There is no cost to participate. For more information or to RSVP, call 978-532-0303.

The fifth annual Second Sunday Chowder and Lecture Series begins on Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Pickering House, 18 Broad St., Salem. A chowder lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m., and guest speaker Dane Morrison, professor of early American history at Salem State University, will present “Timothy Pickering, Alexander Hamilton, and the Federalist Vision of the New Nation” at 1 p.m. The series continues on the following Sundays: Feb. 11, March 11, and April 8. Admission costs $20 for Pickering House members and $25 for nonmembers. Reservations required at pickeringhouse1@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.pickeringhouse.org.

The city of Salem will host an open forum regarding its annual Community Action Plan on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m., in the third floor conference room at Salem City Hall, 120 Washington St. The plan outlines how Salem will spend its Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program funds for Fiscal Year 2019. At the forum, Salem residents and business owners are welcomed to comment on the housing, community, and economic development needs of Salem’s low- to moderate-income residents and on the types of activities that could be undertaken to meet those needs. In the case of inclement weather, the forum will be rescheduled to Tuesday, Jan. 22. Interested parties may also provide written comment addressed to the City of Salem Department of Planning and Community Development by Jan. 22. Following this hearing, the DPCD will prepare the draft Action Plan for FY19, which is expected to be available for public comment at the end of March. Copies of the draft plan will be available for viewing at the DPCD, the Salem Public Library and the Salem Housing Authority, and on www.salem.com.

Open rehearsals for The Concert Singers of Greater Lynn’s May 2018 concerts are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 16 and 23, at 7:30 p.m., at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 101 Forest Ave., Swampscott. Prospective members may come meet the group and sing along with selected pieces. There is no obligation to pay dues or purchase music during open rehearsals. On Jan. 24, the membership list for the spring performances will be closed. The spring concerts

are scheduled for Friday, May 4, and Sunday, May 6, in Swampscott and Lynn. Membership dues are $20 for the entire semester (cost of music not included). For more information, call chorus member Peggy Oleson at 781-639-4558 or music director William Sano at 978-744-4787.

The ninth annual Freeze Your Tush Off for Charity Ocean Dip will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m., at the Winter Island boat ramp on Winter Island Road in Salem. Participants can either jump in the freezing ocean water or sponsor someone who is jumping in. Donations of cash, checks, and canned/staple goods are accepted, and proceeds benefit The Salem Pantry. Raffles and refreshments will be available in the Winter Island function hall. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, call Becky Christie at 978-580-5016. To make a donation, visit www.gofundme.com/freezeyour-tush-off-2018. For more information on the event, visit www.fyto.weebly.com.

The Friends of Beverly Animals’ 2018 calendar is currently available at the following Beverly locations: Beverly Wild Bird & Pet Supply, 214 Rantoul St.; Cabot Street Books & Cards, 272 Cabot St.; Carroll’s Florist, 385 Cabot St.; DogSpa, 45 Enon St.; Dogs by Design & Cats, Too!, 131 Dodge St.; Marika’s Restaurant, 190 Cabot St.; Sally’s Hair Salon, 593 Cabot St.; and Soho Cats, 100 Cabot St. Calendars are $15 each and only payable by cash or check in stores. Online orders are also available at www.friendsofbeverlyanimals.org. Proceeds from sales support FOBA. For more information, email bhannable@gmail.com or call 978-922-7190.

The city of Salem will upgrade current interior and exterior lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs at the following schools: Nathaniel Bowditch Elementary School, Bates Elementary School, Witchcraft Heights Elementary School, Carlton Innovation School, and Collins Middle School. These changes will save an estimated $32,288 annually on energy costs. Guardian Energy Management Solutions will work to replace the fixtures outside of regular school hours. For more information, call 978-745-9595 or visit www.salem.com.

“Christmas Island — Threatened Paradise,” a photography exhibit by biologist and photographer Nigella Hillgarth, will be on view through Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Stetson Gallery at Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, 28 Mugford St. The photographs on display show island’s low-lying coral atoll, which is now vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, Jan. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, call 781-639-1215 or visit www.uumarblehead.org.

“Letters from War,” an original musical written by Salem resident Nate Bertone, will be performed from Friday, Jan. 26 through Saturday, Feb. 3, at Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School St. The plot follows a woman named Madison as she searches for the answers behind her grandmother’s mysterious box of letters. Tickets are priced between $15 and $25. For a complete list of showtimes or to purchase tickets, call 781-631-9697 or visit www.mltlive.org.

“The Struggle for Women’s Equality,” an international poster exhibit, will be on view through Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Peabody Institute Library, 15 Sylvan St., Danvers. The posters on display were used throughout history to raise awareness for gender equality issues in the U.S., Greece, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany. For more information, call 978-774-0554 or visit www.danverslibrary.org.

Beverly Bootstraps is seeking volunteers to sort clothes, display items, mark housewares, and keep the shop appearance appealing to our customers. Daytime, evening, and weekend hours are available. For more information, email lcolten@beverlybootstraps.org.

Salem Public Schools is offering developmental screenings to locate, identify, and refer for special education evaluation. Children living in Salem between the ages of 3 and 5 who may have disabilities are eligible for screenings. Appointments are typically scheduled on the first and third Friday of each month

during morning hours; SPS will work with parents if these times are inconvenient. To register, call the Salem Early Childhood Center at 978-740-1181.

Beverly Public Schools will be conducting kindergarten registration for the 2018-19 school year. Children must be 5 years of age on or before Aug. 31, 2018. Registration packets are available at www.beverlyschools.org. Submit completed documents at McKeown School, 70 Balch St., Beverly, on Saturday, Jan. 20, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., (snow date: Jan. 27); Wednesday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (snow date: Jan. 31); and Thursday, Jan. 25, 3 to 7 p.m. (snow date Feb. 1).

“Reflections: ocean waves, inland streams,” an art exhibit by James Chisholm, is currently on view through Thursday, Feb. 8, at Endicott College’s Carol Grillo Gallery, located inside the Manninen Center for the Arts at 376 Hale St., Beverly. The exhibit features Chisholm’s en plein air paintings, which emphasize light, sensations, depth of field, and movement. For more information, call 978-998-7700 or visit www.endicott.edu/centerforthearts

Stage 284’s Youth Company will perform “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr.” at the Hamilton-Wenham Community House, 284 Bay Road, Hamilton. The musical is based on the 1991 animated film of the same name. Showtimes are Saturday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 27, 3 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 28, 2 and 6:30 p.m. Admission costs $15 for floor seating and $20 for premium seating (prices increase by $5 on the day of the show). To purchase tickets, call 978-468-4818, ext. 10, or visit www.stage284.org.

Peabody Institute Library South Branch is currently exhibiting artwork by local artist Ruth Mowder at 78 Lynn St., Peabody. The watercolor and oil paintings on display depict North Shore scenes, and each are available purchase. For more information, call 978-531-3380 or visit www.peabodylibrary.org.

The Community Preservation Committee has released its fiscal 2018 Community Preservation Plan and fiscal 2017 Annual Report. The Community Preservation Plan is used to guide the CPC’s decision-making when reviewing and

recommending projects for Community Preservation Act funding. It also references several planning documents that have been vetted through public processes and summarizes some of the relevant needs, goals and recommendations of those plans. The plan also serves as an annual report that summarizes the status of funded projects and includes copies of the required state reports. The fiscal 2018 Community Preservation Plan and fiscal 2017 Annual Report, fiscal 2018 Determination of Eligibility Application, and other information on the CPA can be found at

www.salem.com/community-preservation-committee.

Fundraising efforts are continuing for the Nature and Environmental Education Center at Endicott Park in Danvers. The proposed center will showcase nature-themed exhibits, displays and interactive experiences. Personalized bricks are being sold, which will be a part of a long-lasting display at the base of the Townley Family Children’s barnyard door. They cost $100 each and are on sale at www.endicottpark.donationbricks.com or www.friendsofendicottpark.org.

Open hours for Peabody Institute Library’s Creativity Lab are Tuesdays, from 1 to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; and alternating Saturdays (visit www.peabodylibrary.org for dates), 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; at 82 Main St., Peabody. Ages 13 and up are welcome; children between 9-12 require adult supervision. Guided classes for ages 11-18 are held on Wednesdays, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. The lab provides space, tools, and learning opportunities to create art, technology, science, and fabrication. Services include 3D printers, a sound recording studio, and a large-scale printer. For more information, visit the library’s website or call 978-531-0100, ext. 22.

Former students of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District who graduated in 2008, 2009 and 2010 may place a request to obtain their student special education records. Requests must be submitted to the Student Services Office, 5 School St., Wenham. Call 978-468-5303 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. All unclaimed records will be destroyed on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Salem Philharmonic Orchestra has begun its 114th season at Salem High School, 77 Willson St. Concerts will be held on select Sundays at 3 p.m. Guests soloists include clarinetist Monica Duncan and violinist Natalia Beos on Jan. 14, and tenor Fred VanNess on Jan 28. On Feb. 4, local composer Robert Bradshaw will present his latest composition, “Good Harbor, Home,” featuring poetry written and read by John Ronan. The 2018 season will also feature appearances by the Salem High School Symphony and the Salem Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Admission to all concerts is free, and Salem High School is handicap-accessible. For more information, visit www.salemphilharmonic.org.

Marblehead Little Theatre’s in-house play development program Totally New Theater is seeking new members. The collective will host workshops once a month through May for new and experienced playwrights, along with a new play festival in June and additional 10-year anniversary celebration events throughout the year. Submit resumes and writing samples to sharidfrost@icloud.com.

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