TIE A RIBBON - Breast cancer survivor Marilyn Flaherty ties a pink ribbon on a lamppost in Newburyport as part of a citywide campaign to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer. Institution for Savings President Mike Jones and Mayor Donna Holaday participated in the ceremony.
North People: Local politicians going on stage to help homeless
TIE A RIBBON - Breast cancer survivor Marilyn Flaherty ties a pink ribbon on a lamppost in Newburyport as part of a citywide campaign to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer. Institution for Savings President Mike Jones and Mayor Donna Holaday participated in the ceremony.
POLITICALLY INCORRECT: In the spirit of political cooperation and public service, local elected officials and candidates are participating in “The Port Follies: A Politically Incorrect Variety Show,’’ tomorrow at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport.
The event benefits Roof Over Head Collaborative Inc., which provides supportive housing for homeless and at-risk families in the Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury area.
“Follies’’ participants present a lesser-seen side of their public selves through singing, dancing, and acting. Local notables serve as emcees and special guests during the multimedia evening.
The event begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35. Call 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org and www.roofoverhead.org.
FELINE FUND-RAISER: As the economy continues to be challenging for many pet owners, the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society is reporting more surrenders of cats and requests for financial help.
The 17th annual Fur Ball Auction, a fund-raiser to support the work of the society, is Saturday at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury.
Organized by a small group of citizens 19 years ago in response to sick and starving cats on Newburyport and Salisbury waterfronts, the Feline Society has grown to serve 150 communities throughout Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.
It has provided care, shelter, and permanent homes to more than 45,000 cats and kittens. It also now operates a mobile veterinary clinic, the Catmobile, which provides low-cost spaying and neutering services.
“Proceeds from the Fur Ball allow us to directly underwrite the veterinary care we provide cats and kittens,’’ said Stacy LeBaron, president of the rescue society.
“We combine all of our donations with the dedicated work of our 350 volunteers to ensure that each cat or kitten in our care receives the high quality medical care and the hands-on affection and support it needs to survive and thrive.’’
The event is sponsored by the Institution for Savings and features guest auctioneer Randy Price of WCVB-TV Boston. It includes silent and live auctions, gourmet appetizers, cash bar, and DJ.
Online preview and bidding through Bidding for Good can be done at www.mrfrs.org. The live auction includes a safari package, an Apple iPad2, Bruins and Patriots tickets, trips to Italy, Boston, and Vermont, as well as jewelry, dining, shopping, and photography packages.
The event is from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance or $45 at the door.
GOING GREEN: North Shore Community College hosts a sustainability fair, Renewable Energy Technology, at its Danvers campus Saturday.
The fair features tours of the college’s new Health Professions and Student Services Building - the state’s first zero net energy building - highlighting the geothermal heating and cooling, chilled beams, photovoltaic panels for electricity generation, passive solar heat dispersion shelves, green lighting and smart sensors, and its green roof.
There also are exhibits and environmental vendors.
“NSCC is committed to sustainability, green initiatives, and being a good environmental steward,’’ said Wayne Burton, president of North Shore. “The college is pleased to be on the cutting edge of the green movement in Massachusetts. It dovetails perfectly with our internal culture and commitment to create an environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially responsible future by advocating for the study of sustainability and the application of green principles such as conservation, environmental justice, and green education in our college, communities, and individual lives.’’
The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 978-762-4000, ext. 5560.
WHO’S WHAT WHERE: Dan Grabauskas of Ipswich, former general manager of the MBTA, has been appointed to the New England Region board of the Anti-Defamation League New England. The league said that in his more than 20 years working in transportation management, Grabauskas has fostered respect within the agencies he managed. He currently is consultant, strategic adviser, and chairman of the Chicago-based Bronner Center for Transportation Management. . . . Cambridge Health Alliance hosts a cooking workshop on breast cancer prevention at Whidden Hospital in Everett at noon tomorrow. Meghan Ostrander, dietician at Community Servings in Jamaica Plain, demonstrates some healthy recipes. The workshop is free.
Items can be sent to wdkilleen@gmail.com. 
© Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company.
