This Week: A Bit of Everything Happening in Belmont in the New Year

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Welcome back from the holidays and winter recess.

• On the government side of the week, the Zoning Board of Appeals will approve the specifications for the pump and force main required in the comprehensive permit for the proposed housing development at Belmont Uplands on Monday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Gallery of Arts located on the third floor of the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex. On the same day and at the same time, the Belmont Board of Selectmen will be at Town Hall to have a really short meeting with the Belmont Police presenting its new “Smart 911” program. On Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m., the Planning Board is meeting at Town Hall where it will discuss potential zoning by-law amendments while the School Committee (at the Chenery Middle School) will present a preliminary budget along with program changes at the High School. The Municipal Light Advisory Board will discuss the substation project and carbon reduction at the Light Department Headquarters at 40 Prince St. at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.

• Music & Movement with Rubi, a movement and music program recommended for ages 3 to 5 (but 2 year olds are welcome) will be held in the Flett Room on Monday, Jan. 5. There will be two sessions: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• The 7th-8th Grade Book Club will discuss “Jackaby” by William Ritter, on Monday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Young Adult Room of the Belmont Public Library. Enjoy some snacks and choose February’s book.

• Tuesday, Jan. 6 is story time at both of Belmont libraries. Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer run library, at 10:30 a.m. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is located at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex. Over at the Belmont Public Library on Concord Avenue will be holding two sessions of Story Time for 2’s and 3’s, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 

• State Rep. Dave Rogers will be holding office hours in Belmont at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 9:30 p.m. 

• Head over to the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1:15 p.m. for a sing-along with Arnie Rosen. A Belmont resident, Rosen has become one of the favorite musical performers at the Center. A multi-instrumentalist, he has played guitar for more than 50 years and has a nice repertoire of songs.

• Yoga for everyone at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, Jan 6, 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: join Susan Harris, a registered yoga teacher and associate professor of Nutrition at Tufts University for this Iyengar-inspired class which practices yoga postures slowly and with attention to alignment and safety, adapted to the abilities and needs of individual students. Practice is done with bare feet; mats and props are provided. Cost: $15/class. This is a non-Council on Aging class held at the Beech Street Center. For more information, call Susan at 617-407-0816.

• There will be a sing-along with Julie Goetze in the Children’s Room of the Belmont Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

• The Belmont Public School invites Chenery Middle School students on early release Wednesday to come over to the library’s Assembly Room today, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., to do your homework while enjoying some hot chocolate. This is for middleschoolers only so high schoolers are on their own. This event is provided for free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library.

• The Belmont Public Library LEGO Club is for kids in kindergarten through second grade who want to meet and create their own unique structures. All LEGOs will be provided so just bring your imagination to the Assembly Room from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.

• The Book Discussion Group for 3rd and 4th grades will take place on Thursday, Jan. 8, 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• The Belmont League of Women Voters meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• The Senior Book Discussion Group at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. will discuss “Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen on Friday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. 

• Belmont’s Powers Music School will be giving a concert for the community at the Beech Street Center on Friday, Jan. 9, at 1:15 p.m. Dubbed “Characters and Conversations,” the concert will feature faculty members Ben Fox (oboe), Meghan Jacoby (flute), and guest Ellie Parrone (piano). The concert is supported in part by East Boston Savings Bank. All residents are welcome to attend.

This Weekend: ‘Touch The Wall’ with BATs, Farmers Market Meeting Sunday

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• BATs can swim, at least in Belmont. And this Sunday, Jan. 4 at 1:30 p.m., the Belmont Aquatic Team is having its very own day at the movies holding a fundraiser screening the just-released documentary, “Touch the Wall,” at the West Newton Cinema.

The documentary highlights 17-year-old swimming phenom and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Missy Franklin who was destined for greatness at an early age, but it wasn’t until the arrival of three time Olympic veteran Kara Lynn Joyce did those sky-high expectations began to take shape. As training partners, competitors, and friends, Missy and Kara redefine what it means to win.

Due to some facilities problems, the first venue for the movie, the Belmont Studio Cinema, was unable to show the film. The West Newton Cinema is located at 1296 Washington St. in Newton (617-964-8074.)

Tickets are $10 and you can obtain them online here.

• Belmont Food Collaborative/Belmont Farmers Market is meeting Sunday, Jan. 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.

 

New Year’s Eve: MBTA (Very Late) Schedule, First Night and the Library Closing Early

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It’s New Year’s Eve and Belmont residents are preparing for the celebration by stocking up for house parties, heading to Boston for performances and fireworks or just staying home.

Here’s some information you can use before heading out (or in) tonight.

First Night Boston 2015 takes place all day in Boston with artistic events and fun stuff for kids and adults. The Grand Procession along Boylston Street will begin at 5:30 p.m., the Family Fireworks will be held on the Common at 7 p.m. with the grand fireworks at midnight over Boston Harbor.

First_Night_2015_Program_Guide

The best way into the city is via public transportation; the MBTA has extended schedules through the day and night:

• Buses and trackless trolleys to Waverley Square (73) and Belmont Center (74 and 75) will operate a regular weekday schedule. 

• If you are picking up the subway at Alewife or Harvard Square, the Red Line will operate a modified weekday schedule with additional trains operating at rush-hour levels of service throughout the evening from 3 p.m. until approximately 2 a.m.

• The Fitchburg/South Acton Line of Commuter Rail will operate a modified weekday schedule with additional service provided, including 12:10 a.m. and 2 a.m. trains back to Belmont and Waverley while the scheduled 12:10 a.m. train will be delayed until 1 a.m.

Don’t wait to get your books and DVDs; the Belmont Public Library will be closing at 5 p.m. today.

Town offices will remain open until 4 p.m.

For those seeking adult beverages to welcome in 2015, the Craft Beer Cellar is closing early at 8 p.m. And don’t wait too long to get your sparkling wine or champagne at Vintages in Belmont Center or The Spirited Gourmet in Cushing Square.

This Week: Funny Magic Show, an Old-Fashioned Mixer Tuesday With Sensibility Friday

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• The Belmont Board of Selectmen will be meeting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at Town Hall for some executive sessions and end-of-the-year approvals.

• The Benton Library, Belmont’s independent- and volunteer-run library, will hold Story Time at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is located at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.

• Ed Popielarczyk’s Comedy Magic Show, a wonderful program of kids, will be held on esday, Dec. 30 from 2 p.m to 2:30 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. 

• An old-fashioned mixer is being held at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Start the New Year by meeting someone new. So show off your party clothes and enjoy good company, tasty desserts and a complementary 30-minute dance lesson with teacher Paul Hughes at 6 p.m.

• The Academy Award-winning film, Sense and Sensibility, will be screened at the Beech Street Center on Friday, Jan. 2, at 1 p.m. This 1995 adaptation of the Jane Austen novel – which will be discussed at our book group on Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. – follows the Dashwood sisters, members of a wealthy English family, whose circumstances result in their sudden destitution, forcing them to seek financial security through marriage. The version stars Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman. 

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Town Offices and One Library Closed on Boxing Day in Belmont

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Town offices and the Belmont Public Library will be closed today, Boxing Day, in Belmont.

Belmont’s other library, the independent and volunteer-run Benton Library at the corner of Oakley and Old Middlesex, will be open today, Friday, Dec. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for families and individuals to use and enjoy.

Thursday’s trash collection will occur today due to Christmas. 

The MBTA is running regular weekday service.

Cats LOVE Boxing Day.

You all should know by now that Boxing Day is not the annual organizing of rounds of fisticuffs to settle scores – you are likely thinking of the “Airing of Grievances” that is part of the Festivus Celebrations – but commemorating the custom in which tradespeople and servants received “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. 

A paid holiday in the UK and most Commonwealth countries – the day is spent fox hunting, recovering from “making merry” the day before and watching “football on the telly” – the tradition was popular in Boston until the 1920s as my grandmother recalled receiving on the 26th a small, gold-colored wooden box with her yearly bonus in cash. She didn’t get to keep the box.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Services in Belmont

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All Saints’ Church (Episcopal)
17 Clark St. (on Common Street)
617-484-2228

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24

5 p.m.: Festival Holy Eucharist, children’s homily and children’s procession to the Creche. Seasonal music by the church’s choirs.

Christmas, Thursday, Dec. 25

10 a.m.: Quiet Contemplative Holy Eucharist

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church
421 Common St. (Cushing Square)
617-489- 0730

Christ Lutheran Church
597 Belmont Street (on Common Street)
617-484-4352

Cornerstone Baptist Church
54 Brighton St.
617-489-2498

Crossroads Evangelical Church

51 Lexington St.
617-489-4959

First Armenian Church
380 Concord Ave.
617-484-4779

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24

7 p.m.: Joint Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Armenian Memorial Church at in Watertown.

First Baptist Church of Belmont
129 Lexington Street
(617) 484-1310

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24

5:30 p.m.: Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols.

First Church in Belmont, Unitarian-Universalist
404 Concord Ave.
617 484-1054

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 11 p.m.

Christmas, Thursday, Dec. 25

10:30 a.m.: Worship Service and Brunch with Rev. David M. Bryce

Payson Park Congregational Church
365 Belmont St.
617-484-1542

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24

5:30 p.m.: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Plymouth Congregational Church
582 Pleasant St.
617-484-5257

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24

5 p.m.: Family Christmas Service

11 p.m.: Candlelight Christmas Service

Saints Joseph and Luke Collaborative
130 Common St. and 132 Lexington St. 
617-484-0279

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24

4 p.m.: St. Joseph (Church)

4 p.m.: St. Joseph (Hall)

4 p.m.: St. Luke

6 p.m.: St. Luke

Christmas Eve Midnight Mass
Midnight: St. Joseph

Christmas, Thursday, Dec. 25

8:30 a.m. St. Luke 

10:00 a.m. St. Joseph

11:00 a.m. St. Luke

This Week: Piano Recital Tuesday, Beech Holiday Concert, Zoning on Ambulances

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• Only one government meeting this Christmas week: Monday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m., the Zoning Board of Appeals will discuss a special permit to allow the Armstrong Ambulance Service to run ambulances from a satellite office at 1010 Pleasant St. The meeting will take place at the Belmont Gallery of Art on the third floor of the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex. 

• Belmont High School junior Rahul Ramakrishnan will give a piano recital at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 4 p.m. The works to be performed include:

  • “Invention 3 in D Major” by Bach
  • “Sicilienne” by Maria-Theresa Von Paradis
  • “Three Waltzes, Op.171, No. 2” by Schubert
  • “Prelude, Op.43, No.1” by Reinhold M. Gliere
  • “Minute Waltz, Op.64, No.1” by Chopin

Ramakrishnan – who is a member of the school’s WGBH’s High School Quiz Show team and a tennis player – will be followed by his sister, Anjali, who will play several pieces to round out the program. The concert is free of charge.

• The Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. will be holding a Holiday Concert with David Polansky on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 1:15 p.m. One of the most popular musicians to entertain at the Center, Polansky will present seasonal and holiday music, including three original Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza tunes. David sings and plays keyboard and trumpet. Come and enjoy; it’s free.

• Trash and recycling collection will take place on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24. For those homes on a Thursday pickup, you’ll only need to wait one day as curbside collection will take place on Boxing Day, Friday, Dec. 26.

 

This Hanukkah: Remembering an Ancient Fight for Freedom

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This article is by Len Abram

American service men and women in Africa (AFRICOM) are not only fighting terrorism on the continent, not only training local police and militias in equipment and tactics, and not only protecting American interests and facilities, but they are also dealing with the scourge of Ebola. This last mission means building hospitals and treatment centers and providing doctors and nurses to help the ill and prevent more infection.

The responsibilities of the American military clearly go beyond bearing arms, to containing a local epidemic and giving victims a chance to survive. As in the battlefield, serving in a zone of contagion has its own dangers. As with jihadist terrorism, the American military is fighting the threat abroad, before it can threaten more Americans here.

The Jewish military men and women of AFRICOM are far from home, but not necessarily far from their traditions, such as the holiday of Hanukkah. Each year, the Beth El Temple Center Brotherhood and congregation have sent Hanukkah celebration kits to Jews serving abroad, this year to Africa, including Djibouti, at the strategic Horn of Africa. The Brotherhood joins other organizations (one is called “Kosher Troops”; another, “Jews in Green”) shipping Hanukkah candles and special candle holders (a menorah or hanukkiah) to Jews serving in the military overseas.

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The eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins December 16 at sundown. With the lighting of candles, the holiday celebrates the victory of Jewish forces, 2200 years ago,  over Greek-Syrian armies and a king determined to eradicate Jewish culture. The Seleucids inherited the empire of Alexander the Great, these Greek-Syrians tried to Hellenize the Jewish people in what is now present day Israel, even forbidding under penalty of death, the teaching of Jewish texts and traditions.

Mattathias and  his five sons from the village of Mod’in, still on the map, started a revolt against the formidable Seleucid armies, professionals and mercenaries, up against farmers, artisans and shepherds, with no standing army, no armor and few weapons, beyond their bows. It was one of the most successful guerilla wars in history. Against a superior force, the Jews harassed, ambushed, and whittled away at the professionals, who at one point brought elephants to battle.

Using terrain to advantage, controlling the heights of the Judean hills through the armies had to march, proved critical to the victory, although many died, including Mattathias and most of his sons. When Jewish forces took the Temple in Jerusalem, they had to clean and rededicate the holy site after the Seleucids had defiled it. Legend says that only one day of olive oil was left untainted. That small amount somehow burned for eight days; hence, the eight day holiday.

The war won the Jews over a hundred years of autonomy until the Roman Empire intervened (there were two unsuccessful Jewish revolts against the Romans). Of the five Maccabean brothers, Judas was the most famous, celebrated in song and legend. Jews sponsor athletic competitions  in Israel, Europe and America, called Maccabean in their honor.

The Hanukkah celebration kits from the Brotherhood  include enough candles for the eight days; a candle holder or hanukkiah; a dreidl to play games of chance (by legend, to deceive the  Seleucids while Jews were studying their Bible); chocolate coins to wager; bubble gum from Israel; a camouflage kippah or head covering; greeting cards from the Temple fourth graders; a CD of Jewish music; and a letter from the congregation.

Here in Belmont, Beth El Temple Center will have a candle lighting ceremony outside of the building on Concord Ave at 6 p.m., following which the Brotherhood is sponsoring a Hanukkah party for parents and children, with music led by Rabbi Jonathan Kraus. Foods fried in oil, such as potato pancakes or latkes, will be served, a reminder of a miracle during an ancient  fight for freedom.

This Week: BHS Winter Concert Wednesday, Hanukah Menorah and Holiday Sing Tuesday

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• On the government side of the week, the Belmont Board of Selectmen will meet on Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. to hear about the future of the former Macy’s site and make the appointments to the Community Path Implementation Advisory Committee; the Planning Board will review and vote on the proposed Cushing Village design modifications and future housing production for Belmont Housing at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and the School Committee also meets on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. (starting a half-hour earlier than its usual time).

• Pre-School Story Time will be held at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer run library, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is located at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.

• Staff from the office of U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark will be meeting with residents at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. They bring coffee!

• Beth El Temple Center will be lighting the outdoor Hanukah menorah at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16 on the first night of the “Festival of Lights.” Afterwards, there will be the annual Latke Party with singing and eating. $10 per person or $20 per family at the door. A portion of the proceeds donated for Tikkun Olam.

• Evening Yoga at the Beech Street Center is held every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at 266 Beech St. Non-seniors, seniors, beginners and experienced are welcome.  You don’t need to be flexible. Practice is done with bare feet; mats and props are provided. Cost is $15 a class. For more information, call Susan at 617-407-0816.

• A Holiday Town Sing with faculty from Powers Music School is being hosted by the Belmont Public Library in the Assembly Room on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Making music together will surely warm your heart on a cold New England winter’s night. Bring your friends, bring your family, and bring lots of holiday cheer for a song-filled evening that will brighten your holiday season. Everyone is welcome. Sponsored by the Friends of the Belmont Public Library.

• The annual Belmont High School Winter Concert takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The Winter Concert will showcase more than 400 student musicians performing in bands, orchestras and choruses. Here is the program with a list of all the performers.

• The Book Discussion Group for Chenery Middle School students from the lower school in 5tha and 6th grades will take place Thursday, Dec. 18 from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Flett Room.

• Hot Topics, the current events group at the Beech Street Center, will be holding its next meeting at the center on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m.

• Well-loved local musician Liz Buchanan performs original songs and traditional favorites (with Christmas only six days away expect a few songs about the coming holiday) on Friday, Dec. 19, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Assembly Room of Belmont Public Library.
• State Sen. Will Brownsberger will be holding office hours on Friday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.
• The Belmont High School’s Performing Arts Company is holding a Holiday Coffeehouse on Friday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Performers will include Belmont High School students showcasing their talents in bands, solos, a capella, duets and more. There will be food for sale, including pizza and other ‘dinner’ foods; home made holiday treats of ALL varieties, cold drinks, coffee, hot chocolate and ice cream sundaes. All  proceeds will fund the PAC’s January trip to New York City, where 46 students will attend two Broadway shows and take part in a workshop with Broadway actors.

Eric Garner Vigil at First Church, Belmont Sunday at 6:30 PM

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The Social Action Committee at First Church, Belmont Unitarian Universalist will be holding an hour-long candlelight vigil in front of the church on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. “to join our brothers and sisters in Staten Island, NY, and all around the country, seeking justice for the death of Eric Garner.”

Hundreds of vigils, marches and civil disobedience – some turning violent – have been held across the country after grand juries in St. Louis and New York City declined to indict police officers who many believe were responsible for the deaths of Garner and Michael Brown.

“Many of us feel that the NYC Grand Jury’s failure to indict the NYPD on chokehold death is unconscionable. We really needed to do something as a community – in solidarity, out of desperation for sanity. We feel we have a responsibility as a congregation to affirm that all lives matter,” wrote the committee in a press release.

The vigil will be followed by a group discussion in the Parish Hall at 7:30 p.m.