Santa Parade next Sunday

HAVERHILL — One of the city's great traditions, the 44th annual VFW Santa Parade, will step off next Sunday at 1 p.m. The parade will march along Route 125, from Bradford to Haverhill.

The deadline for float entries is today. They can be hand-delivered to VFW Post 29, 64 Kenoza Ave.

Donations are still being sought. Both the Business Boosters Club and the Family Boosters Club are accepting new members. The final fundraiser will take place during the parade when the traditional money blanket collection drive takes place.

This year's event is projected to cost $40,000. To date, the Parade Committee has raised about $28,000. The parade is funded entirely through public support.

For more information, call the VFW Santa Parade at 978-373-3777, or check out the new Web site at www.vfwsantaparade.com.

First-time homebuyer training offered

HAVERHILL — Community Action Inc. will offer a first-time homebuyer education workshop for area residents beginning Dec. 1, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., in the Presidential Gardens Community Room, 140 Evergreen Drive, Bradford.

Participants receive:

comprehensive information offered by housing professionals, including bank lenders, buyer/seller real estate brokers, housing attorneys, insurance agents, home inspectors and credit counselors;

individual household mortgage pre-qualification;

information regarding foreclosure sales;

information regarding area affordable housing lotteries and services of a buyer broker;

information about down payment assistance programs and reduced interest loans.

A state-approved certificate is awarded after completion of the four-night course, said Richard Lynch, housing development director at Community Action.

The dates for the course are Monday, Dec. 1, Wednesday, Dec. 3, Monday, Dec. 8, and Wednesday, Dec. 10. The cost is $50 per household. There are no income requirements to take the training.

For more information, call Lynch at 978-373-1971 or Susan Collins Hanley at 978-317-8998

Concert to benefit city family Friday

HAVERHILL — Pine Island Music is presenting a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Friday called "Jammin' for Hope." The concert will feature two bands from Pine Island Music, Pine Island and Soul Shaky Ground.

The concert will take place at the AMVETS hall, 576 Primrose St. Tickets are $10 each. To purchase tickets in advance, call Pine Island Music at 978-462-9020.

All proceeds will go to the Jim Croteau family of Haverhill. Croteau is struggling with a difficult battle against lung cancer. His cancer was in remission, but came back, and he will now have to stay on chemotherapy for the rest of his life.

Pine Island Soul and Shaky Ground will entertain with classic rock, contemporary covers and original tunes. The musicians are adult students and former students of EJ Ouellette, director of Pine Island Music.

Pine Island Soul is the Thursday night adult workshop and features guitarists, singers, a keyboard player and a fiddler.

Shaky Ground, formerly known as The Pinetones, is made up of the alumni of the Thursday night adult workshop from about two years ago. Shaky Ground includes guitarists, vocalists and a harmonica player.