Alzheimer’s Walk to Take Place May 13

Join the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod in the Remembery Walk-Dave Birtwell Memorial to fund free services for everyone living with Alzheimer’s and dementia on Cape Cod, this Saturday, May 13 in Brooks Park, Harwich Center.

Dance, eat, and celebrate your community. Everyone is welcome. Registration begins at 11 a.m.
To register in advance, call 508.896.5170 or visit alzheimerscapecod.org.

Vinegrass Announces 3rd Annual Music Scholarship for Cape Cod & The Islands Students 

Vinegrass is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Music Scholarship for high school seniors who are planning on studying music, music production, sound engineering, light design, or music business, and will be attending a four-year, two-year, or specialty vocation program. What is unique about the Vinegrass scholarship is that it follows you through your entire education process, not just a one-year award. The application deadline is May 15, and the scholarship will be awarded May 30.

Since inception in 2014, Vinegrass has awarded $12,000 in music scholarships, and over $5,000 in music lesson subsidies, instruments and equipment, and performance grants.

Vinegrass, is a 100% volunteer based nonprofit founded by local musician Monica Rizzio as a resource for music students on Cape Cod and the Islands for scholarships, instruments, and music grants. Vinegrass provides outreach programs for local schools to promote music as a positive activity for kids and a potential life-long career or hobby.  Vinegrass is also developing a unique program for elementary school music education to be launched in the fall of 2017.

Through the production of concerts and the Annual Vinegrass Music Festival, Vinegrass collaborates with local businesses and vendors to create impactful community events, both economically and socially.

For more info and a scholarship application visit vinegrass.org/scholarship.

The Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center Announces Organizational Changes

The Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC) announced that retired Air Force Major General John. T. Brennan has joined the Executive Board as its newest member. Major Brennan brings 35 years of experience in Air Force and corporate leadership. He was most recently working in private industry as a regional manager in South Korea before returning to Cape Cod. During his 32-year Air Force career, he served as the CIA’s director for military affairs, acting as the principal adviser to the CIA director.

“Major General John Brennan will play an integral role in our organization by guiding us in accessing more and more community and governmental support,” said Lt. Colonel William Burke, USA, (Ret), a fellow board member. “As we look to grow our capacity and raise awareness of both CIVOC services and veterans in need, Brennan’s leadership skills and experience in the Air Force will help direct us.”

Major Brennan is regarded as a proactive, innovative leader with strong interpersonal skills, and a proven track record of motivating teams and managing complex relationships with Congress, foreign governments, the DOD, and Intelligence communities. He will be an active member on the board, offering his insights and guidance to better serve veterans from all eras.

CIVOC hopes to continue bringing to its board members with expertise in various arenas. Already in the past year, CIVOC’s board has grown to include several members with long careers in the military, business, and law. The goal here is to expand the comprehensive services CIVOC already provides with the help of these individuals.

The board also voted to fill the vacancy left by its former executive director, Major Greg Quilty USMC (Ret), who left the organization in December to fulfill his new role as the Director of Veterans Services for Barnstable County. Regina “Gina” Giambusso, who joined CIVOC as the interim director, will be serving as the new executive director of CIVOC. In her new role, she will be responsible for community outreach, strategic management and planning, and all external relations.

CIVOC has also made the decision to put its Hyannis space up for commercial sale. Tim Williams, owner of Williams Building, veteran, and avid supporter of veteran causes, has the vision of multiple veteran service providers in one centralized location at his new Village Marketplace, LLC. In support of this vision, CIVOC will be joining the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic at 233 Stevens St., Hyannis, MA 02601. Both Mr. Williams and CIVOC leaders hope the centralized location allows veterans easier access to their services and facilities.

With the addition of new board members and a new office space, CIVOC is excited to move even further toward increasing its capacity to offer the veteran community the most comprehensive, accessible, and no-cost menu of services available on the Cape.

Founded by The Nam Vets Association in 1983, the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC) has been helping veterans and their families on the Cape and the surrounding area through services such as food pantries, fundraisers, transitional housing, and homelessness prevention supportive services. Its mission is to serve the needs of veterans of all eras living on Cape Cod and the Islands to achieve a successful and effective transition into the community. Currently, there are approximately 23,000 veterans living in Cape Cod. They are “veterans helping veterans” transform their lives. For more information, please visit capeandislandsvoc.org.