Freedom Is Focus Of 2025 Belmont World Film’s International Series Beginning March 31

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Photo: DJ Ahmet is the opening feature of Belmont World Film’s 23rd International Film Series that starts March 31.

The focus of Belmont World Film’s 23rd International Film Series is “Freedom on Film,” beginning Monday, March 31, and running weekly through June 16 at Apple Cinemas in Cambridge and the West Newton Cinema.

The series presents eleven films that were screened at the biggest international film festivals in which three were their countries’ submission for the Academy Award’s Best International Feature film.

The powerful lineup explores the many dimensions of freedom, from personal liberation to political resistance, showcasing compelling stories from around the globe and shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of those who dare to break barriers. The series invites audiences to engage with diverse perspectives on what it truly means to be free.

Opening night features the East Coast premiere of DJ Ahmet, winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award and the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The film depicts a sweet, coming-of-age drama about 15-year-old Ahmet, who finds solace in music while navigating tradition, family expectations, and first love in a remote Macedonian village. The screening at Apple Cinema in Fresh Pond will be preceded by a dinner reception at the theater featuring North Macedonian cuisine from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Other highlights include: 

  • Reading Lolita in Tehran, based on the best-selling memoir by Azar Nafisi on April 28. 
  • Under the Volcano, about the trials of a Ukrainian family on vacation in Tenerife, Spain on the eve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The film was Poland’s submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar.
  • The closing night film of the main series is Four Mothers. A heartfelt Irish comedy starring James McArdle is about a gay Young Adult novelist on the cusp of literary success, who’s unexpectedly tasked with caring for his ailing mother and three of his friends’ mothers over a chaotic weekend. Tickets includes an optional closing night dinner featuring Irish cuisine.

Funding for the International Film Series is provided by Juliet Jenkins/Leading Edge Realty and the Quebec Delegation of Boston. The Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance is a community partner.

Individual tickets are $14 in advance (no fees) and $16 at the door with cash or check. “Passports,” which can be shared with one other person, offer eight films for $95. Memberships, for which individuals receive tickets or passports and other benefits, are also available. EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholder tickets and passes are half-price. The opening and closing dinners have separate admissions.

For tickets, passes, or for more information visit www.belmontworldfilm.org or call 617-484-3980. Like us at www.Facebook.com/BelmontWorldFilm or follow us on Instagram @Belmont_World_Film or X at @BelmntWorldFilm.

Hair Metal Returns! BHS Performing Arts Company Rocks Out Spring Musical With ‘Rock Of Ages’

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Photo: Poster of the BHS PAC spring musical Rock of Ages

It’s a story about just a small town girl who took the midnight train going … to Los Angeles. It’s a story about a city boy born and raised in South Detroit who took the midnight train going … to Los Angeles. Both with stars in their eyes and a song in their heart.

That’s the set up for the musical “Rock of Ages,” (Teen Edition) this school year’s spring musical produced and performed by the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company.

“Nominated for five Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Rock of Ages will take you back into the iconic music era of the 80s, where rock-n-roll dreamers line up to turn their fantasies into reality — and you can be in the front row to watch it all come to life.” – Playbill

“Set in L.A.’s “infamous” Sunset Strip in 1987, Rock of Ages tells the story of Drew, a city-boy from South Detroit and Sherrie, a small-town girl, both in L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. Rock of Ages​ takes you back to the times of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair!” – BHS PAC

ROCK OF AGES
​Book By Chris D’Arienzo, Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp Including music by a bunch of Sweet 80’s bands including Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more groups you’ll can ask your parents about.

  • ​PERFORMANCES
  • Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
  • Friday, March 14 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m​.
  • TICKET INFO
  • ADULTS: $15 in advance, $18 at the door
  • STUDENTS/CHILDREN: $10
  • BHS Students: $5 Thursday and Saturday Matinee, $10 Friday and Saturday 7pm performances.

State Rep Rogers Announces March Office Hours

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Photo: State Rep. Dave Rogers

State Rep Dave Rogers has announce his March office hours in and around Belmont. They will be:

  • Tuesday, March 11, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.
  • Friday, March 21, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bellmont Caffe, 80 Leonard St.
  • Monday, March 24, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Robbins Library, 700 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA, 02476
  • Thursday, March 27, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Tilde Coffee, 3476 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge, MA, 02140

Feel free to contact Rep. Rogers’ office at any time with questions by phone at 617-722-2263 or by email at dave.rogers@mahouse.gov

Join League Of Women Voters’ ‘Brown Bag’ Lunch On Senior Tax Relief Friday

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Photo: Join the Zoom meeting on Senior Tax Relief on Friday, Feb. 28 at noon

Join the Belmont chapter of the League of Women Voters for a virtual “Brown Bag” lunch on Friday, Feb. 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. for an information session on Senior Tax Relief.

Come learn about the programs that are currently available and possible future programs to help defray residential property taxes for those over 65. Find out if you are eligible to reduce your tax burden. Note that the annual senior tax relief application deadline is April 1.

With nearly one-in-five Belmont homeowners having reached senior status, this is a subject that will hold a great deal of interest for many citizens.

Leading the session will be the town’s Senior Tax Relief Working Group: Aaron Pikcilingis, Geoff Lubien, Kathy Keohane, and Mark Paolillo. Also in attendence will be Marsha Semuels from the Town Staff, Assessing Administrator Dan Dargon, and Assistant Town Administrator/Finance Director Jennifer Hewitt.

There will be plenty of time for questions.

Enjoy your own brown bag lunch in the comfort of your home while we gather together on Zoom.

The Zoom session can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/LWVBrownBag

Zoom Meeting ID: 880 3835 5536. The sessions passcode: LWV

What’s Open/Closed On Presidents’ Day 2025 In Belmont; Trash/Recycling Delayed A Day

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Photo: Presidents’ Day in Belmont, 2025 (credit: USPS)

Two for the price of one. Living in Massachusetts allows residents to have your choice of who we are celebrating on the third Monday of February.

Presidents’ Day is a commemoration of George Washington’s Feb. 22 birthday. And since it fell near the Feb. 12 birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the federal government in 1971 included the two birthdays under one holiday.

And here is a bit of trivia: The Bay State officially celebrates “Washington’s Birthday” on the same day as the federal holiday. So take your pick.

Trash and recycling curbside pick up is delayed by a day.

Closed

  • Belmont Town offices – Town Hall, Homer Building – and Belmont Light.
  • Belmont Public Schools are on winter recess.
  • Belmont Public Library at the Beech Street Center and the Benton Library.
  • US Postal Service offices on Concord Avenue and Trapelo Road: No deliveries.
  • Banks; although some branches will be open in supermarkets.
  • MBTA: Operating on a Saturday schedule. See www.mbta.com for details.

Open

• Retail stores

• Coffee shops; Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts are open

• Supermarkets

• Convenience stores, and

• Establishments that sell beer and wine are also allowed to be open.

Belmont World Film’s 22nd Annual Family Festival This Holiday Weekend Jan. 18-21, and Jan. 26

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Photo: Robin and the Hoods (2024) is one of the feature films presented by Belmont World Film’s Family Festival

One of Belmont’s most cherished annual cultural events is back as the German International School of Boston presents Belmont World Film’s 22nd Family Festival which takes place from Jan. 18-20 and 26.

This year’s lineup, which features numerous North American and US premieres and cinematic gems geared to children from 3-12, will he screened in West Newton, Arlington and Cambridge.

  • Saturday, Jan. 18: West Newton Cinema
  • Sunday, Jan. 19: Regent Theatre, Arlington
  • Monday, Jan. 20: Brattle Theatre, Cambridge
  • Sunday, Jan. 26: Regent Theatre, Arlington

Pick up a broucher of the films being screened here.

Two examples of long form films at this year’s festival:

Films inspired by beloved classic and contemporary children’s books are a festival hallmark. More than half of this year’s selections are adapted or re-imagined from literature. These films ignite a love for books and reading, and also complement the Massachusetts Public School Curriculum Frameworks. They will be shown on Sunday, Jan. 19 and Monday, Jan. 20; films devoted to reclaiming green spaces will screen on Sunday, Jan. 26.

The festival also welcomes renowned animator David Feiss, director of the recent animated hit, Hitpig!, who will participate in a Q&A after the screening of his fim. He will also lead a workshop where kids can learn to draw characters from the Minions and Hotel Transylvania films.

Tickets & Passes:
Feature length films: $12
Shorts programs: $8
Films Only Pass: $35 Includes admission for one person to all 15 screenings (best if you plan to watch at least 3 films)
VIP Film Pass: $100, includes admission for one person to all 15 screenings and the workshop, a Family Festival t-shirts, recognition in our programs for a year, and our appreciation.

Obtain tickets here

Celebrate Chanukah With Menorah Lighting at Belmont Center, Thursday Dec. 26

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Photo: The poster of the Belmont Center Menorah Lighting

Join your neighbors at this year’s Belmont Center Menorah Lighting taking place on Thursday, Dec.26 at 6 p.m. The ceremony featuring music, songs, and Chanukah treats will take place at the delta (Concord Avenue and Leonard Street} in front of the M&T Bank branch.

The annual event is coordinated by the Center for Jewish Life Arlington-Belmont which provides synagogue services, spiritual guidance, community outreach and education to inspire all Jewish people to discover a common bond of faith and observance.

What’s Opened, Closed In Belmont On A Wet Thanksgiving 2024

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Photo: Thanksgiving (c. 1935) by Doris Lee (1905–1983), Art Institute of Chicago

It’s going to be one wet and cold Thanksgiving.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Belmont and eastern Massachusetts will be drenched with nearly an inch of cold rain with the expected high temperature reaching only the mid-40s. While snow could coat the ground in the Worcester hills and out west in Franklin county and there is some possibility of brief freezing rain statewide, the National Weather Service said as of 4 a.m. on Thanksgiving that it doesn’t have enough confidence in widespread icing occurring in eastern Mass. to issue a Winter Weather Advisory.

Despite the forecast, football is on the early morning menu as the 102nd edition of the Thanksgiving Day rivalry between neighbors Belmont and Watertown high schools will take place on Harris Field at (around) 10:15 a.m.

One of only ten recognized by the federal government, Thanksgiving is both a national and state holiday, so most businesses along with federal, state and town offices are closed shut.

In Belmont, town offices, the Senior Center at the Beech Street Center (which currently houses the Belmont Public Library) and the Benton Library will also be closed on the holiday and Black Friday, Nov 29.

But there are a few places where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen to pick up a coffee or hot chocolate or hit at least one drug store to pickup your prescription you forgot about.

What’s open:

  • Starbucks in Cushing Square (Trapelo and Common) is open from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving and 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Black Friday.
  • Dunkin’ at Trapelo Road and Beech Street will be operating from 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The location on Church Street in Waverley Square will be open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. (go see the newly-remodeled interior that was renovated overnight!) The store at 350 Pleasant St. will be open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • CVS at 264 Trapelo Rd. is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the pharmacy is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • CVS in Belmont Center on Leonard Street is operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pharmacy is closed.
  • Star Market in Waverley Square is closed.

Belmont High Football Thanksgiving Day Game vs Watertown (v.102) At Home

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Photo: Belmont will host Watertown for the 102nd time on Thanksgiving.

Belmont High continues its century-long Thanksgiving Day rivalry with neighboring Watertown as the two sides meet at Belmont’s Harris Field, Thursday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m.

It’s a game Watertown has circled on the calendar after suffering the most lopsided result in the 101 games played when the Marauders beat up the Raiders, 47-0, at Watertown’s Victory Field. Watertown leads the series, 50-46-5.

It’s been a rebuilding year for both teams as the Raiders come into the match at 3-7 while the Marauders – who lost their two varsity quarterback within the first 15 minutes of the opening game against Shawsheen Tech – come in at 2-8.

Tickets for the game will be online only – in fact, your phone will be used to enter the stands. Go to https://gofan.co/event/2331689 to purchase your tickets. Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Town Sets Holiday Hours Through New Year’s

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Photo: Town Hall in Belmont

Belmont Town Administrator Patrice Garvin has released the holiday schedule for town employees and offices.

Thanksgiving holiday hours

  • Wednesday, Nov. 27: 1 p.m. Town Hall and town offices Early Closure.
  • Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving), and Friday, Nov. 29: Town Hall and town offices are closed.

Winter holiday hours

  • Tuesday, Dec. 24: Noon Early Closure
  • Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas): Town Hall Closed
  • Tuesday, Dec. 31: 2 p.m. Early Closure
  • Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day): Town Hall Closed

Due to the holidays, no building, plumber or electrical inspection will be performed on Wed., Nov. 27, Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29. All inspection requests for these dates will be performed on Monday, Dec. 2.

In a meeting with the Select Board before the first night of Special Town Meeting, Garvin said while she doesn’t want to set precedent of providing early release before an official holiday, she did note that it is just “a few hours” that the staff will appreciate the gesture,