This Weekend: Arts and Craft Fairs, A Comedy from the Dramatic Club, Small Business Saturday

Residents will have a pair of craft and arts fairs to find the perfect holiday gift.

• The 13th Annual Crafts Fair at the Beech Street Center will take place on Saturday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 40 vendors will be selling gifts, toys, cards, holiday ornaments, dolls, jewelry, scarves, sweaters, quilts, knitted goods, and other hand-crafted items, many of them one-of-a-kind. Sponsored by the Friends of the Belmont Council on Aging, the proceeds from table rentals and sale of donated goods go to support the Council on Aging’s programs, services, and scholarships. Cost is $1 – children under 12, free. Public invited.

• The Belmont VFW at 310 Trapelo Road – across from the Belmont Fire Department – is holding the Winter Light Arts Festival on Sunday, Nov. 30 from noon to 4 p.m. Put together by Joanna Brooks and Sharon Nahill of Oak Hill Pottery, there will be works by sculptors, potters, jewelers, fabric artists, painters, photographers and graphic artists.

• The Belmont Dramatic Club presents “Old Acquaintance,” a comedy in three acts by John Van Druten, today, Saturday and Sunday. Directed by Michael Trabucco, the play involves old friends and literary rivals who discover that love can lead to some surprising conclusions. Performances. in the historic auditorium of Belmont Town Hall, are Friday, Nov. 28 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. and a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Nov. 30. Founded in 1903, the Belmont Dramatic Club is the second oldest continuously operating and performing community theatre group in the United States.

• Belmont is a great small business town. This Saturday, it’s time to give back. Since 2010, Small Business Saturday has been helping small businesses do more business a day after Black Friday. Don’t forget that twice as much of each dollar spent at a local shop or restaurant stays within the town in wages, taxes and money spent on goods. 

The Game: Belmont Seeks Great Finish With Victory Over Watertown

Make it four.

With a three-game winning streak and playing the annual Thanksgiving Game on its home field, the Belmont High School Football team and its young, energetic coaching staff are seeking to end the season with a win over a talented, playoff toughened Watertown High School team today, Thursday, Nov. 27.

The game, at Harris Field, will kick off at 10:15 a.m. Tickets are $8 at the gate.

Led by first-year head coach Yann Kumin, the Marauders (3-7) will take its strong running game behind senior running back Max Jones (10 TDs, more than 500 yards in the final three games) against the Red Raiders, who is led running backs senior Austin Farry and sophomore Zachary Rimsa. 

Hear a great interview with Kumin by Belmont Marauder Media.

 

Pep Rally Peps Up Pupils Before Belmont’s Gridiron Tussle with H2O-Town

How can you have a Thanksgiving Day football game without a Pep Rally?

And while not on the level of the near gladiatorial rallies seen in West Texas or other football hotbeds, Belmont High’s allowed for a great deal of school and class spirit to shine on a rainy, dreary day before the annual Belmont/Watertown game on Thursday, Nov. 27.

The Marching Band played, the cheerleaders cheered, the fall sports teams were honored and there were a series of races and challenges with musical chairs and tug of war (which literally became a clash of entire classes) being the most popular.

This year, the school honored its first group of Model Marauders, students who excel in areas of education at the High School.

Kolya Illarionov (scholarship) for outstanding commitment to his academics and the creative flair he has with projects and presentations.

Anna Handte-Reinecker (art) for excellence in photography and the machining of her own dolly system for time-lapse camera shots.

Devan O’Toole and Tess Hayner (citizenship). O’Toole created, advertised, planned and ran a haunted house fundraiser for BHS students and the Belmont community, raising $1,100 for the Make a Wish Foundation. Hayner created, planned and ran the first “Speed Dating Career Night,” where seniors and juniors were able to interact with young career professionals.

Teacher Dan Moresco (staff) for his creative teaching, involvement, and caring approach to students and facility at Belmont High School.

Belmont Savings’ Pilgrim Bob Deposited Turkeys at Local Branches

Photo: Belmont Savings’ CEO and “Pilgrim” Bob Mahoney presenting a turkey to Pam Karalis, Belmont Center Branch Manager, on Monday, Nov. 24. 

I guess the turkey costume was just a bit encumbering.

This year, Belmont Savings Bank President and CEO Bob Mahoney took his annual in-holiday-costume Thanksgiving tour of the bank’s branches in Belmont, Waltham, Watertown, Cambridge and Newton as a Plymouth Pilgrim as he delivered turkeys to employees for the holiday.

This year the bank partnered with the “Turkey Brigade,” a sub-committee of Thom Child & Family Services in Waltham. The Turkey Brigade will be receiving 20 turkeys donated from our Bank colleagues and our grocery store partners at Star Market/Shaws, providing Thanksgiving meals to families in need.

Belmont Fire: Don’t Get Burned on Thanksgiving

Several times in the past month, Belmont Fire Department crews have been sent to homes to put out smokey fires that started from a homeowner who took their eyes off the stovetop or oven as they prepared a meal. Nationwide, cooking caused 43 percent of reported home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

On Thanksgiving, a cooking fire is three times more likely to occur than on any other day of the year

“Most fires on Thanksgiving occur between noon and 4 p.m.; the peak cooking hours,” says Belmont Fire Chief David Frizzell.

“A lot of those fires can be easily avoided by staying alert and in the kitchen while cooking,” he said.

Here are some common sense take aways about Thanksgiving Day fires:

  • Many home cooking fires are caused by unattended equipment, abandoned material, a heat source left too close to flammable materials, product misuse and cooking equipment that is not properly turned off.
  • The use of turkey fryers – which use a large amount of cooking oil at high temperatures – also poses a significant danger and can lead to devastating burns, other injuries and the destruction of property.
  • If you have a cooking fire, go outside and call 9-1-1 for help. Do not try to fight the fire yourself.
  • Thanksgiving is also a high time for cooking related burns. To prevent scalds and burns, cook on back burners and make sure all pot handles are turned inward so children don’t come into contact with them. Appliances that get hot, such as toaster ovens, should also be well out of a child’s reach. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.

Public Meeting on Logan Noise Set for Dec. 3

A public meeting to update residents of Belmont and Watertown on the increase in noise over the communities from aircraft departing Logan Airport will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at  Belmont Town Hall.

Representatives from both communities on the Logan Airport Community Advisory Committee (Logan CAC) will host a public meeting to discuss the activities being taken in response to the changes in runway usage and resulting increase in noise over Belmont and Watertown.

In the summer of 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration allowed changes to the flight pattern of aircraft departing from runway 33L which have led to significant increases in noise complaints from Belmont and Watertown residents.

This will be an informational meeting so community members with specific noise complaints should direct them to the Massachusetts Port Authority Noise Abatement Hotline online or by calling 617-561-3333 on weekday days from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

The meeting is expected to be attended by state Reps Jonathan Hecht (Watertown) and David Rogers (Belmont) state Sen. William Brownsberger as well as a member of U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark’s staff. Clark has been working with other Congressional Representatives as part of the Quiet Skies Caucus to advocate with the FAA on noise-related issues.

Nor’easter on Thanksgiving Eve. That’s All You Need to Know

To hear and read the forecasts being bandied about for tomorrow, Thanksgiving Eve, one would believe the Boston region is teetering on the edge of the apocalypse due to the anticipation of the dreaded Nor’easter.

“Nor’easter Likely To Bring Thanksgiving Travel Chaos to Northeast” shouts the headline from a national broadcasting corporation.

“Expectations for an approaching nor’easter have shifted, threatening up to 4 inches of snow accumulation as far east as Boston” warned a big Boston daily newspaper.

“Thanksgiving storm: Hour-by-hour snowfall!” announced a local television station.

Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate!

With so much information being dispensed on this weather “event” – check out your twitter account to see how all encompassing the storm has become – it appears that, yes, it will be stormy Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service, as of 3:14 p.m., today, Tuesday, Nov. 25, issued a winter weather advisory from 7 a.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thanksgiving as snow is coming into the area.

But an advisory is issued when the accumulation is expected to be “light.” And the latest information is that Belmont can expect to receive between three to six inches with a trace of ice.

Rain will start around daybreak and change over to a wintry mix of snow and sleet by mid-day and into the afternoon before changing to snow in the evening. It will be heavy at times and windy – from the north averaging 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph –before tapering off on Thanksgiving morning, just in time for the annual Belmont-Watertown football match at 10 a.m., this year at Harris Field.

So be careful when driving on untreated roadways or on suspended roads – like bridges and overpasses – and sidewalks.

If the lights go out, call Belmont Light at 617-993-2800. 

So here is your take away for tomorrow’s nor’easter:

  • It will be snowy tomorrow especially in the evening and at night.
  • It will take much longer to travel on Wednesday so you’ll be on the smartphone to hear the latest from your family member/friend as they are stuck in an airport or on the Mass Pike.
  • You’ll need something essential for the Thanksgiving meal and will be driving through the storm anyway.
  • Where are the snow shovels?

Selectmen Extends Deadline for Path Implementation Committee to Dec. 8

The Belmont Board of Selectmen has extended the deadline for applications to the newly-established Community Path Implementation Advisory Committee until Monday, Dec. 8.

The temporary committee, which will consist of five members, will be selected at the Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, Dec. 15. Under the selectmen’s direction, the committee will develop recommended strategies for the design, construction and implementation of Community Path route options selected by the Selectmen back in the spring.

The charge of the Committee will also include identifying funding sources for a feasibility study of the route options, which will include a technical evaluation. The feasibility study will allow the town to establish a cost estimate to be used in the development of capital budget planning and to solicit grant funds to fund the Community Path Project.

Interested individuals with experience in the design, construction and implementation of similar type projects are highly encouraged to apply. Applications should include a completed Community Volunteer Interest Form and Resume. Community Volunteer Interest Forms are available in the Office of the Board of Selectmen or online. Please submit all applications to the Selectmen’s Office or e-mail: selectmen@belmont-ma.gov by Monday, Dec. 8.

Letter to the Editor: Belmont is Raising Visibility for Pancreatic Cancer

To the editor:

On Nov. 17, the Board of Selectman of Belmont signed a proclamation to designate the month of November as “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month” in the Town of Belmont.

The proclamation will help raise awareness about this devastating disease and encourage our elected officials to make fighting pancreatic cancer a priority. We must support our fellow citizens who have been afflicted by this disease and advocate for greater awareness and more resources to fight pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer patients and their loved ones cannot wait any longer. It is essential that we make research into pancreatic cancer a priority in this country so that real progress can be made toward better treatment options, early detection, and a cure. The relative five-year survival rate is still in the single digits at just six percent. Even more alarming, pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. by 2020. This year alone this terrible disease will claim the lives of 920 people who live in the state of Massachusetts.

I am a volunteer for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and am grateful to Belmont for issuing an Awareness Proclamation that recognizes November as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.   

Mary Hayden

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network volunteer

Around the World on a Friday Evening at Burbank’s Multicultural Fair

Photo: Three Burbank 2nd-grade students sing a Chinese song at the recent Burbank Multicultural Fair. (All photos by Glenn Wong.)

With passports in their hands, students from the Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School took a whirlwind journey around the world … all on a Friday evening without having the leave their School Street building.

On Friday, Nov. 21, the school hosted the Burbank Multicultural Fair, organized by the Burbank PTA and supported by a grant from the Belmont Cultural Council to allow the community to learn about the several cultures and countries that makes up the population who attend the school. 

Children and parents visited more than 16 countries and many cultures on display in the cafeteria. A series of colorful exhibits included pictures, maps, crafts, language, literature, and foods presented by participating Burbank families.

Then came the parade of students dressed in the traditional clothing of their ancestral culture. There were performances of Chinese song by second grade students, a Nepali folk dance, a classical Indian dance by the Aakriti School of Indian Dance as well as songs from Finland and Switzerland curtesy of a Burbank family.

Wellesley College’s Yanvalou Drum and Dance Ensemble gave an energetic performance of native music from Haiti and Ghana, complete with a variety of authentic drums and other instruments.  Yanvalou’s Director Kera Washington led the audience in singing and clapping, while children played instruments to the dance beat.

Burbank Principal Tricia Clifford thanked all the participants and applauded the learning and community building inspired by celebrating the school’s different cultures.