June 2014 - brothers who care

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY
SPEAK UP!
JUNE 2014
“Serving in the Four-State area since 2001”
Speak Up Community News promotes the Culture, Health and Success of the community. Subscription is free. Articles and remarks
are welcomed. Contact: Brothers Who Care, 131 W. North Avenue, Martin Luther King Community Center, Hagerstown, Maryland
21740. Phone (301) 393-9290. Download a full-color copy of this news publication at: www.brotherswhocare.org
WORD ON THE STREET
Can You Say?
DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR IS
NOT FOR ME
DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR Includes…
Using Tobacco
Not Eating Right
Inactive Lifestyles
Unsafe/Unprotected Sex
Violence, Bullying & Suicide
Brothers Who Care, with funding from the Washington County Health Department and the Maryland
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, will be helping to eliminate the destructive behaviors listed
by encouraging active living, healthy eating and tobacco-free living using the NOT FOR ME project
and other activities. You can stop destructive behaviors or get help with destructive behaviors.
Contact us at (301) 393-9290 for Non-judgmental help and assistance. Please share this message.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
FREE Outdoor Movie for Families!
Disney’s Frozen is scheduled to be shown at the Hagerstown City Park Band Shell on Friday June 6, 2014 at 8pm
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(raindate is Tuesday June 17 ). Bring blankets and lawn chairs or enjoy the new band shell seats. Connie’s in the Park
will have candy, snow balls, popcorn, beverages and ice cream sundaes available for purchase. Sponsored by the Parks &
Recreation (City of Hagerstown) and Arts in the Park. This idea has become a reality through Engage Hagerstown
www.engagehagerstown.mindmixer.com
A Pedestrian Mall for Downtown Hagerstown.
A Permanent Pedestrian Mall in Downtown Hagerstown could help business and give people a place for positive and
diverse gatherings. Most nearby cities that are experiencing successful gatherings of people have permanent Pedestrian
Malls that contain shops, restaurants and galleries that people like to frequent. Browsing, mingling, dining and supporting
local vendors/artists is common in these area pedestrian centers. The City of Hagerstown experiences likewise success
when it sets up temporary pedestrian gatherings at the University Systems Plaza, The City Center parking lots and the
street closures on sections of Potomac Street. Why not maintain a permanent pedestrian mall and retain an area to foster
diverse gatherings of people? You could have local businesses and agencies hold engagement activities to show what
they offer to the community. Activities such as the Police K-9 demonstration given at the 2014 Neighborhood Day of Hope
showed that local Law Enforcement has the tactical ability to keep our community safe and allowed the public to meet law
enforcement in a friendly and positive engaging opportunity. Let the City of Hagerstown know if you support this idea.
The K-9 demonstration was given by Hagerstown Police Officer Bartles and Officer Brashers at the 2014 Neighborhood Day of Hope.
Worksite Wellness
Employers are you: Disturbed about increased spending for health care expense? Concerned about absenteeism and
presenteeism? Considering workplace health promotion? Questioning whether workplace wellness works? Then register
today for “Worksite Wellness 201 An Integrated Model” on June 12, 2014 at 11:15am to 12noon at the Washington County
Board of Education on 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown. Registration is limited so contact Tammy Thornton
(Washington County Health Department) for more information or to register. Phone: (240) 313-3302; email:
tammy.thornton@maryland.gov.
Paws for Hope rescue event
Dogfoot Band will be playing at the “Paws for Hope” (celebrating 4 years of rescuing)Red Heifer Winery on June 21, 2014
from 12noon to 4pm located at 24606 Raven Rock Rd, Smithsburg, Maryland 21783. Phone (301) 824-5210. $25.00
Admittance Fee to hear the band ; have a light picnic meal (feel free to pack your own) and wine tasting. All to benefit
rescuing animals.
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Off The Block (OTB) Band will be playing Saturday June 14 from 9pm to 1am at the Elks Lodge #278 on Jonathan
Street in Hagerstown, Maryland for a small cover charge of $10. Food and beverages available on site.
Are you a young person in need of a little extra help? Check out: http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/Pages/default.aspx
You can Chat or Email at the website. Or call the Boys Town Hotline 1-800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121
THANK YOU ALL FOR A “GREAT” DAY OF HOPE!
Join us on: www.facebook.com/brotherswhocare to see more photos of the “2014 Neighborhood Day of Hope”
where our guests were greeted by our Local and National Leaders following a blessing from Pastor Brett McKoy
for a beautiful and fun filled day that about 400 people enjoyed: 150 FREE lunches given away; lots of FREE gifts
and information from our community groups, local agencies and businesses; Interactive Zumba dancing with
Diana Reyes; Healthy activities and games were provided by the Robert W. Johnson Community Center; Cultural
Dance presentations from the Etnika Foundation; a Safety and Law Enforcement demonstration from the
Hagerstown Police Department; FREE live music from Dogfoot Band and the Off The Block (OTB) Band; Poetry
from Spit UR Peace artist John “JC” Claybon and visiting artist “13 of Nazareth”; Guests won over $150 in Cash
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Prizes from Brother Andy. This event was made possible by the City of Hagerstown Neighborhoods 1 Medal of
Honor Group. Join us for at the next Neighborhood Day of Hope on Saturday May 16, 2015!
SPEAK UP PHOTO GALLERY
NEWS Crew photos by Brother Andy & John Williams
2014 WESTERN MARYLAND BLUES FEST
FRIDAY: Lotta Blues Kickoff
Friday’s performances on the Blue Moon Stage were given by Scott Ainslie; Carolyn Wonderland; the Lee Boys (Gospel Blues) and a
phenomenal headlining performance from the Eric Steckel Band. The Lotta Blues kickoff included the Blues Fest opening ceremonies
SATURDAY: Downtown House Party
The Downtown House Party included: The Rhythm Kings, the amazing Homemade Jamz’ Blues Band; Indigenous; Ian Siegal Band;
Old Man Brown; the fiery Samantha Fish; Mingo Fishtrap; and headliner and returning favorite Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters.
SUNDAY: Family Blues Picnic
The Family Blues Picnic filled the park with activities for children (Magic Shows, Storytelling, Music workshops) performances by the
Boonsboro High School Jazz Band, The Tonehounds, Lower Case Blues, Doug MacLeod and Hagerstown’s Moondog Medicine Show