AROUND THE VALLEY

GLCF Awards Grant to Lowell Association for the Blind

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced that the Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB) has received this year’s grant from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Center for Business Philanthropy. The $10,000 grant will allow LAB to buy new computer workstations, accessible software and accessories to be used in its STEP computer training sessions.

The grant program, given in partnership with Juniper Networks, a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, builds relationships with nonprofit organizations and engages employees in learning about volunteer opportunities in the Greater Lowell community.

MCC to Host Weekly Virtual Drop-In Enrollment Sessions

Fall semester classes at Middlesex Community College (MCC) begin Wednesday, September 9. MCC’s Office of Admissions are now hosting virtual drop-in enrollment sessions every week to guide students to success starting.

The Virtual Drop-In enrollment sessions are held 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. These one-stop enrollment sessions will include MCC staff from admissions, enrollment, placement testing, financial aid, student accounts and advising. They will answer questions regarding admissions, course placement and financial aid.

With virtual drop-in enrollment, students can learn about MCC’s more than 80 degree and certificate programs without leaving their homes. They can also receive information about student support services – including tutoring, career counseling and disability support.

For more information, contact admissions@middlesex.mass.edu or call (800) 818-3434.

Visit here or call (800) 818-3434 to register for fall classes.

New Massachusetts Travel Orders for Visitors and Returning Residents

As of August 1, all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts must follow new travel orders. All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless you are visiting from a state designated by the Department of Public Health as lower-risk. Returning residents must also quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.

Travelers from COVID-19 lower-risk states are not required to fill out the Massachusetts Traveler Form and do not need to quarantine. These states include Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Pentucket Bank Named Industry Top Loan Producer

Independent Banker, the magazine of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and a for community banking news, recognized Pentucket Bank of Haverhill as an ICBA top lender in its July issue. Pentucket Bank’s recognition is based on the strength of its competitive banking services and operational efficiencies throughout 2019.

The annual list is based on the strength of competitive banking services and operational efficiencies using FDIC data for 2019. Scores were determined by combining the average of the bank’s percentile rank for lending concentration and for loan growth over the past.

Keep Kids Engaged with MCC’s Virtual College for Kids

Middlesex Community College is helping to keep kids ages 8 to 17 busy and engaged this summer with virtual College for Kids. College for Kids allows children to have a productive and fun summer while exploring careers, learning new skills, meeting new friends and boosting self-confidence. MCC’s College for Kids offers one and three-week, full and half-day summer programs for children and teens. The program runs through August 13.

Classes will either be on ZOOM, Google Classroom or Google Meet. Having classes in a virtual format ensures kids stay safe and healthy while learning. Upcoming classes include creative writing, exploration art studio, veterinary science, choreography and healthy eating. For the complete 2020 College for Kids schedule and registration information, visit here or call (781) 280-3663.

National and State Grants Awarded to MRT

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) recently received $60,000 in CARES Act grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and Mass Humanities, primarily in support of the MRT Young Company.

The grants were supported by Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and Rep. Lori Trahan to provide assistance for the theater’s longtime education program for high school students and its associated costs. Due to the pandemic, Young Company launched virtually for the first time earlier this month.

The pandemic caused the theater to close its doors in March and cancel the final two shows of the 2019-20 Season, which resulted in a deficit of more than $300,000.

Whittier Home in Amesbury, Virtually Yours

Since the museum has been closed indefinitely, the Whittier Home has produced a virtual tour of the museum to provide those who can’t visit in person but wish to learn more of Whittier, his Quaker beliefs of nonviolence and his antiracist works prior to and during the Civil War.  The tour, which is 35 minutes in length, is available on YouTube at this link: https://youtu.be/PbDzN7jmL8Q

Events in the garden of the Home have also been canceled this year, but the August poetry reading, “Tapestry of Voices,” a collaboration which has been held for 21 years, will offer a Zoom session for its 22nd year on August 9 from 3 to 5 p.m.

To make a reservation to attend the live Zoom session on August 9, please send a request in email to chrisbryant1@comcast.net. The event will be recorded on Zoom and be available at a later date on YouTube.

UML Researcher Invents New Printing Process, Advances 3D Capabilities

More durable prosthetics and medical devices for patients and stronger parts for airplanes and automobiles are just some of the products that could be created through a new 3D printing technology invented by a UMass Lowell researcher.

Substances such as plastics, metals and wax are used in 3D printers to make products and parts for larger items, as the practice has disrupted the prototyping and manufacturing fields. Products created through the 3D printing of plastics include everything from toys to drones.

Called injection printing, the technology Kazmer pioneered is featured in the academic journal Additive Manufacturing posted online last week. The process took about 18 months to develop.

Dacey Zouzas Endowment for the Arts Sneaker Project