Fresh Garlick – Friday, February 4, 2022

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week marks the start of Black History Month, which is a time to honor and celebrate the many contributions of the Black communities and voices through reflection, learning, and action. Black history is deeply entwined within American history, but often, the contributions of Black individuals are left out of history. Together, we can bring these individuals back into history and strengthen our communities by dedicating time to educating ourselves.

To help start your journey this month I am including two lists from the Needham Free Public Library, Reading Black History and Movies to Celebrate Black History Month. These lists include books and films that honor and tell Black history.

Yours in Service,

Denise

• In Needham, Needham Public Schools is holding a family and community meeting on the building, infrastructure, space, and programmatic needs of Mitchell, High Rock, and Pollard schools. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 8 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. To attend the meeting, click here.
• In Needham, the High School Take Back The Night Club will host its 15th annual Take Back the Night which will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at Powers Hall in the Town Hall from 6 – 8 pm. Take Back the Night is an organization with the mission to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual abuse.

• In Dover, Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for summer counselor positions. Summer counselor positions are paid positions open to individuals 16 and older. Interested applicants are invited to drop-in to the Dover Parks & Recreation Office during one of their Open Applicant Events to discuss available positions and answer questions. These drop in events are Thursday, February 10 and Tuesday February 15 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Wednesday, February 23 from 3:30 – 5:30 PM. For more information on applying, click here.

• In Medfield, the Town is accepting sign-ups from local non-profits to host a car wash on Saturday this spring. There is only one car wash per Saturday and an adult must be present at each car each fundraiser. For more information, click here.

Legislative Updates

• On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to pass Nero’s Law, S.2573, An Act allowing humane transportation of K9 partners. This legislation allows a law enforcement dog injured in the line of duty to be transported in an ambulance if there is not a competing need for human transport. Specifically this legislation:
  • Requires EMS to provide treatment and transportation to an injured police dog.
  • Requires EMS to receive training on caring for an injured police dog.
  • Protects EMS from liability for treating an injured police dog.

• Thursday morning, there was a legislative briefing on H.673, The Healthy Youth Act. This briefing focused on the perspective members of the faith community have on this legislation. This legislation requires school districts to offer sex education that is medically accurate and age appropriate and focuses on building healthy relationships and understanding consent.

Statewide Updates

• The Massachusetts Cultural Council has announced grant awards for two programs this week. First, is the FY22 Artist Fellowship Awards in Chorography, Poetry, and Traditional Arts, of which 58 artists will be receiving awards. Second, is the FY22 Project Grant, which 173 organizations will be receiving funding including the Arlekin Players Theater and the Plugged In Band Program in Needham.

• Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are free, safe, and effective against COVID-19 and are available to individuals who live, work, and study in Massachusetts. To find a vaccine clinic, click here.
  • Individuals age 18 and older are eligible to receive any vaccine or booster
  • Individuals ages 12-17 are eligible to receive a Pfizer booster
  • Individuals ages 5-17 are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine

• Massachusetts is now offering digital vaccine cards through the MyVaxRecords tool if you received your vaccine in the Commonwealth. MyVaxRecords utilizes your vaccination records from the Massachusetts Immunization Information System. To access your digital vaccine card, click here.

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