By Terri Ogan, Globe Correspondent

In celebration of Mother's Day, Simon Malls is hosting "Mom's Nite Out" with various activities focused on rewarding moms, and a silent auction component with proceeds going to the OneFund Boston to support those affected by the tragic Boston Marathon bombings.

The festivities will be held on Thursday May 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Northshore Mall in Peabody, as well as 14 other malls in the area.

Burlington mall's event will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Attendees can enjoy refreshments, entertainment, fashion and beauty services.

Prior to the silent auction, Simon Property Group’s Simon Malls and Premium Outlets in New England announced their support of the OneFund Boston with a “kickoff” contribution of $100,000.

“Simon Property Group has a large presence in Boston and the surrounding communities. We are proud to be assisting in the donation process for the families affected by the unfortunate events on Marathon Monday,” said Brian Jenkins, vice president, Simon Property Group in New England. “We are a part of the great city of Boston and proud of our commitment to the city and that of our shoppers, and know Boston will continue to demonstrate its strength and resilience."

Below is a complete list of the malls hosting the event:

Arsenal Mall
Bangor Mall (Maine)
Burlington Mall
Cape Cod Mall
Crystal Mall (Conn)
Emerald Square
Fox Run Mall (New Hampshire)
Mall at Chestnut Hill
Mall at Rockingham Park (New Hampshire)
Mall of New Hampshire (New Hampshire)
Northshore Mall
Pheasant Lane Mall (New Hampshire)
Solomon Pond Mall
South Shore Plaza
Square One Mall

Items in the silent auction vary from mall to mall, and the donated items are from both mall retailers and local businesses.

Categories of prizes include home improvement, entertainment, health and beauty, travel and more, and winners must be present to accept prizes.

Terri can be reached at oganglobe@gmail.com, or follow her on Twitter.

By Terri Ogan, Globe Correspondent

The Peabody fire department will start hydrant testing that may result in discolored water in homes located in the designated areas.

The testing will begin on May 1 in Ward 4, Precinct 2 and Ward 5, Precinct 3.

Depending on fire inspections and emergencies that occur, the testing typically happens in two rounds; the first between 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. and the second between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Fire officials cannot determine how long the discolored water will last, but suggest refraining from washing white clothes. If residents are not doing laundry, they are recommend to run the dishwasher once in order to flush out the water.

For more information call the Fire Department at 978-531-3444.

Terri Ogan can be reached at oganglobe@gmail.com, or follow her on Twitter.

By Terri Ogan, Globe Correspondent

The Enterprise Center at Salem State University has announced the finalists in the 2013 North of Boston Business Plan Competition.

One of the following will take home the $5,000 first prize; second and third place winners will receive $3,000 and $2,000, respectively:

- Apptomics LLC is a digital health firm developing mobile applications and devices for neurological conditions.

- North Shore Speech Therapy LLC is a therapist-owned pediatric speech therapy practice.

- The Bridge LLC is a social media website where Cape Ann businesses, nonprofits and community groups can raise awareness and share each other’s audience and network.

The three finalists will present their business plans on Monday May 6 to an audience of regional business leaders and interested observers in the Recital Hall on the Salem State central campus at 3 p.m. The public is welcome to attend both the presentations and the reception that follows.

The competition is designed to encourage companies to start and grow their businesses on the North Shore by offering cash prizes and, more important for most entrants, the opportunity to meet and get feedback from the judging panel of local business leaders, some of whom may be potential investors. Past winners have cited the competition as being a key factor in their success.

This year’s gold sponsors are East Boston Savings Bank, People’s United Bank and TD Bank.

Silver sponsors include North Shore Technology Council, Salem Five, Speaking of Leadership and West Hill Technology Council, along with over a dozen co-sponsors.

For more detailed information about the 2013 North of Boston Business Plan Competition, visit enterprisectr.org/bpc or call 978-542-7528.

Terri Ogan can be reached at oganglobe@gmail.com, or follow her on Twitter.

Peabody Mayor Edward Bettencourt addresses the congregation at Tuesday night's interfaith service honoring the victims of the Boston Marathon terrorist attacks.

By Terri Ogan, Globe Correspondent

Over 200 Peabody residents united Tuesday night to honor the lives lost and affected by the Boston Marathon terrorist bombings.

The interfaith service, which was held at Peabody's St. John the Baptist Church, drew local officials and residents alike to come together as one.

Voices echoed throughout the hall singing lyrics to "America the Beautiful" and tears swelled up as members of the congregation reflected upon the tragic attacks that resulted in the death of four and injured over 200 others.

"Our hearts ache for those who were lost and for the loved ones now and forever shadowed by grief," said Mayor Edward Bettencourt as he addressed the congregation. "How do we explain such evil? How can we fathom such brutality? How can we begin to comprehend the thought process of those who would bring death upon such innocent souls? The fact is that we cannot. What we can do however is to pay tribute to the lives of those that were lost."

The service featured speeches from various religious officials including Rabbi Emily Mathis from Temple Beth Shalom and Pastor Joel Anderle of the Community Covenant Church. All of them delivered words of wisdom and reflected upon the tragic events.

Volunteers gathered donations from attendees for the One Fund Boston to help those that were affected by the tragic event, as the choir of St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church sang "Kontakion of Great Lent."

"It's wonderful that the community came together to pay our respects to those that have passed and reflect on the tragedy," said Peabody City Councilor Anne Manning-Martin. "And also come together as a community to be one in that."

Since Peabody is a neighboring city to Boston, Manning-Martin said, it's important to stand strong with the leaders and residents across the state and country.

"In the face of this tragedy, there's been loss of life, there's been fear, and there's been a lot of financial loss as well," Manning-Martin said. "We as a community, if we come together and focus on all of those things in support of our neighbors in Boston, I think we'll all be better off to help those businesses get back on track."

Peabody residents show their support in attending an interfaith service honoring the victims from the Boston Marathon attacks.

Following the service, those that attended funneled down to the lower hall of the church to enjoy chocolate chip cookies, coffee and various other desserts; a way to add some sweetness during a bitter time.

Peabody residents Miles Harkins, 49, and Sharon Harkins, 51, said it seemed right to be there after a frantic scare of their own on Marathon Monday.

The Boston Marathon was the first 26.2-mile race for Miles. He was fortunate enough to finish, but after he got his medal from his niece who was voluntarily handing them out, he heard the two blasts.

His wife was with two of their children and panicked. Cell-phone service was down making it difficult to get in touch, but they were eventually able to meet up near the Clarendon Hotel, the "family meeting area," Miles said.

"It was mind boggling to go 26 miles and there were people lined up the whole way," Miles said. "That's the tragedy of it. It wasn't an attack on a building, a monument. It was an attack on people."

The church in which the interfaith service was held had deeper meaning to the Harkins than most. It is where the couple got married 27 years ago, and where two of their three children were baptized.

Being there Tuesday night had added value for Miles and Sharon.

"I don't know it seemed right," Sharon said.

Miles added that despite the tragedy that has rocked not only this state, but country as well, Boston and its surrounding cities and towns have been able to come together.

"Yeah it's made us not 'Boston strong,' but 'Boston stronger,'" Miles said. "We're going to be even stronger because of this. It's things like this that pulls the community together. It makes the fire burn deeper and brighter inside to give us more resolve. We're not Peabody-ites. At this time, we're all Bostonians."

Terri Ogan can be reached at oganglobe@gmail.com, or follow her on Twitter.

By Terri Ogan, Globe Correspondent

Peabody officials have rescheduled a meeting with the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Municipal Affairs Coordinating Cabinet, which was scheduled for this morning.

The postponing comes after a conflict with the memorial service to honor MIT police officer Sean Collier, which was attended by Gov. Deval Patrick, , Lt. Governor Timothy Murray, and other administration officials who were scheduled to attend the cabinet meeting this morning.

Collier was killed after being ambushed by the two Boston Marathon bombing suspects late last Thursday evening.

The newly scheduled meeting will convene at City Hall on Tuesday May 7 at 10:05 a.m. The public is welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.

Murray will lead the meeting, which will highlight new and innovative developments in state and local government, and also promote resources and investments in Peabody and other cities and towns across Massachusetts.

“We are very pleased to host the Municipal Affairs Coordinating Cabinet meeting,” said Mayor Edward Bettencourt in a recent statement. “The Patrick-Murray Administration’s ongoing focus on economic growth at the state and local level continues to pay dividends for Peabody. I look forward to a very productive dialogue.”

The meeting will feature an overview of Gov. Deval Patrick’s Fiscal Year 2014 state budget proposal as well as remarks from a number of key Patrick-Murray Administration officials.

In addition to Murray attending, Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey, Deputy Commissioner of Revenue and Municipal Affairs Chairman Robert G. Nunes, Housing and Economic Development Assistant Secretary Jen Murphy, and Information Technology Division (ITD) Municipal Liaison Tim Sullivan are scheduled to attend, among other administration officials.

To learn more about the Municipal Affairs Coordinating Cabinet visit www.mass.gov/governor/municabinet.

Terri Ogan can be reached at oganglobe@gmail.com, or follow her on Twitter.

By Terri Ogan, Globe Correspondent

Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt will join clergy of Peabody churches and synagogues at a citywide interfaith prayer service for victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy.

The service will be held on on Tuesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church on Church Street.

“As we continue to grieve for those who were killed and injured during the Boston Marathon, we can find comfort together as a community of faith,” Bettencourt said. “I invite all those who wish to honor the victims to join us on Tuesday evening.”

The city is welcoming the public to attend the service, which will feature prayers and readings as well as music by members of the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Choir, and choirs and cantors of local faith communities.

A collection will be taken to benefit the victims through onefundboston.org.

Parking for the service is available at City Hall and at St. John’s Church and School located at 20 Church St.

By Terri Ogan, Globe Correspondent

The South Congregational Church on Prospect Street in Peabody is holding a service tonight to reflect on the Boston Marathon bombings.

The church is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for anyone in the area and a prayer service will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The church is located at 60 Prospect St., directly across from the Northshore Mall.

For more information call 978-531-1964.

Terri Ogan can be reached at oganglobe@gmail.com, or follow her on Twitter.

By Terri Ogan, Globe Correspondent

The Peabody Cultural Council has awarded a total of $10,583 to various artists and organizations in the area working to promote the arts in Peabody.

This year grants were awarded to 14 projects, including music, visual arts, performing arts, and literature.

Funds for the cultural council's annual awards are provided by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which distributes funds to cultural councils across the state to “promote the arts and to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents while contributing to the economic viability of our communities.”

The deadline for submission for the Peabody Cultural Council competitive funding round is Oct, 15 of each year. For additional information, visit the Peabody Cultural Council website at www.mass-culture.org/Peabody.

Below is a full list of this year's grant winners:

Music:
The Threshold Singers, “Singing as Part of Palliative Care for Patients” program, in which singers perform for the severely ill and dying in hospices, hospitals, nursing and private homes; Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Choral Program, “Masterworks Concert” which provided an opportunity for the high school choral program to perform Mandel’s Messiah before an audience at Peabody City Hall Auditorium; The Peabody Institute Library, “Fall Concert Series” free performances held in the Library’s Sutton Room featuring choral ensembles and soloists performing classical works; Soprano Ruth Harcovitz’s “Italian American Month Concert” at the Peabody Council on Aging featuring Neopolitan songs, opera arias, and Italian popular songs; The Peabody Public Schools Performing Arts Program’s “Field Trip to Boston’s Symphony Hall” which is an opportunity for Peabody fifth grade students to attend a Boston Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert; Music at Eden’s Edge for the project “Music in Our Community” which is a program designed to give a deeper understanding of chamber music to a wider audience; and the Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras, Inc., for its “Outreach Chamber Concert” which will present a chamber music outreach concert for residents at a local Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Visual Arts:
Gregory Maichack, “Georgia O’Keefe: How to Paint Pastel Flowers” a class at the Peabody West Branch Library where an award winning pastelist provides instruction, demonstration and encourages hands-on work by participants; The Peabody Art Association, “Non-Profit Artists Workshops,” which provides seven One-day painting workshops in various mediums; The Peabody Council on Aging for “George Sippel’s Model Shipbuilding classes” which allows visitors to the Peabody COA an opportunity to learn to build model ships free of charge in the spirit of the late George Sipple who began the program; and Frank Reichardt’s, “Woodcarving Class” which allows participants to work on a woodcarving of their choice under Mr. Reichard’s supervision.

Performing Arts:
Passos Avante Preschool is sponsoring a performance for their students called “The Sea Story,” a live marionette performance featuring mermaids, pirates and sea creatures to introduce young children to the theater arts; Denis Cormier presents “Hands-On History of the American Revolutionary War,” which brings the American Revolution to life with a cast of re-enactors and actual equipment, uniforms, and artifacts from that period to Peabody fifth grade students.

Literature:
The Marble Collection, Inc., through its online publication , “The Marble Collection, Massachusetts High School Magazine of the Arts,” featuring student’s literature, music, art, and video works, provides students in grades 8-12 with an opportunity to publish their works, along with mentoring workshops and one-on-one tutoring to help hone their work before publication.

By Terri Ogan, Globe Correspondent

After months of legal dispute, the Peabody City Council has rejected a proposal made by Total Outdoor Corp. to move the large billboard structure on Lowell Street that has continued to infuriate residents and city officials.

The outdoor advertising company proposed to move the 92-foot structure behind the Subway restaurant next to Route 1, as opposed to keeping it where it currently stands directly next to the restaurant.

The City Council, which had eight members in attendance at Wednesday night’s meeting, voted unanimously on two motions: one to deny the plan put forth, and the other to discuss any future discussion in public.

Prior to the regular public meeting, the City Council met behind closed doors with City Solicitor Michael Smerczynski in an executive session to review the proposal.

The council stands by its initial rejection of the structure and wants the pole down.

“I don’t think the council is going to change,” said Councilor at Large James Liacos. “We’ve already made our minds up that we don’t want this and I think the community is behind us.”

Total Outdoor appealed the City Council’s rejection to put the pole up in the first place, and brought the issue to Superior Court in August. Judge Howard Whitehead ruled against the city, allowing the pole to be built.

“The judge seems to think that this is a good thing for Peabody,” Liacos said. “I wish that he would take a look at this pole and realize that this is a hideous addition to Peabody.”

Shocked and frustrated at the sight of the structure, which went up in January, Peabody officials issued a cease-and-desist order to prevent further construction work or the placement of ads on the billboard. The city building inspector also issued a removal order requiring Total Outdoor to take the pole down.

During a hearing on March 18, the company asked Whitehead to allow the pole to remain where it was, saying a clerical error resulted in the wrong plan being submitted to the court in August. Total Outdoor also asked the judge to overturn both the city’s cease-and-desist order and the removal order.

The judge denied both requests and said there was no clerical error in the court’s decision on where to install the pole.

At this point, in order for Total Outdoor to move the pole to the previously approved spot, the company would need a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. This would address any potential issues with nearby abutters because the billboard could infringe on their property.

"The judge will have to make some kind of determination about what to do with it [the pole]," said City Councilor Robert Driscoll. "The neighbors have seen the size of the billboard. They’re not going to be proactive about it."

Total Outdoor’s lawyer, Michael Ford, said in a previous interview that he will file for a motion for relief, but could not comment on when he plans to do so.

The City Council once again conveyed its stance on the issue, but a resolution is out of its control.

“We rejected it the first time around and we’re not happy with it being in either spot so we’ll see what happens,” said Council at Large Tom Gould. “We denied their proposal and we’re putting it back in their hands [Total Outdoor Corp.], or the judge’s hands. “