Butler Students Fun Run-ing with a Super Hero on Friday

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If you are going by the Daniel Butler School in Waverley Square this Friday morning, Nov. 7, you’ll be able to see the entire school’s students running with a Super Hero to promote health and fitness while raising money for the school.

Beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting the entire morning, each class in the school, from kindergarten to 4th grade, will participate in a one-mile Fun Run. Family and friends are encouraged to attend and run with the students or cheer them on. Ted Trodden, the school’s physical education teacher, will set up the course and will be leading the event. Every child will get a pedometer to track the number of steps they take. Students will each run a mile or 2,500 steps.

With help from The Original Get Movin’ Crew, a fun-run company based in Milford, Michigan, Butler students have been busy collecting online pledges from family members, friends, and neighbors.

And as of today, Monday, Nov. 3, the school reached their financial goal of $10,000. Funds are still being raised as all the proceeds go to field trips, in-school enrichment, library books, teacher supplies and professional development for the Butler staff.

Because the school raised the $10,000 benchmark, Butler Principal Michael McAllister will be running with each class wearing a superhero costume. Which one will it be? Come by and find out.

Here’s the schedule for the event on Friday, Nov. 7

  • 9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.: Fourth grade.
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Third grade.
  • 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Kindergarten
  • 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Second grade.
  • 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.: First grade.

 

Helping Gerry: Benefit Tonight for Belmont Business Owner in Need

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It’s where your swimmer selected their first goggles and “racing” suit for the Belmont Aquatic Team. Your children’s hockey and figure skates are sharpened downstairs. The beginner’s lacrosse set, soccer cleats size children’s 4 and gloves and bats for minor league youth baseball players were all bought there.

If you’re from Belmont, you got them at Champions Sports Goods in Belmont Center.

And it’s not just a place to outfit your kids: where else can you obtain a “Belmont” cap and T-shirt, a box of baseballs, running shoes and a million other sporting goods? It’s where generations of high schoolers worked their first job, a place to pick up tickets for Belmont High theater productions and the store of the Lucky-size Sneaker Sale.
And who hasn’t used the store as the “official thru way” from the municipal parking lot to Leonard Street?

Champions is not just a sporting goods store but a community amenity; a service and benefit to residents that is becoming an anomaly in the world of retail.

And the face of Champions is Gerry Dickhaut. Easy going, affirmable and a little bit funny, Dickhaut is the business, opening the store in 1988 in his parent’s hometown. He patiently advises customers on the most appropriate equipment, knows where the most obscure items are located and will just stand by the cash register and talk with you about his love of golf – he shots in the 70s on a good day – until a customer comes in.

As president of the Belmont Center Business Association, he fosters events such as Belmont Town Day, Midnight Madness Sales and Belmont Turn on the Town and promotes locally-owned businesses because, as he is fond to point out, two-thirds of every dollar spent at an independent-owned store stays in the local community as opposed to a quarter for national chains.

Last week, Dickhaut lost his home to an electrical fire.

Dickhaut’s friends throughout Belmont have organized a benefit tonight, Monday, Nov.3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Belmont’s favorite hangout, Conley’s Pub & Grille in Watertown at 164 Belmont St.

Gift card donations (Visa/Mastercard) are welcomed. Every donation will make a difference. In addition, a web donation site is being organized by Belmont Second Soccer.

This Week: Election, Incinerator Discussion and ‘Twelfth Night’ for 3 Nights

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On the government side of things this week: The Board of Selectmen will be meeting at the Chenery Middle School on Monday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. for a precinct meeting to discuss the future of the former incinerator site on the Lexington town line. Also on Monday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., the future of the former Macy’s site will be discussed as the site’s landlord will come before the Zoning Board of Appeals, meeting in the Gallery of Art on the third floor of the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex. There will be a Warrant Briefing on Thursday, Nov 6 at 7 p.m. at the Beech Street Center. It’s an opportunity to ask questions about Warrant Article – there’s only one and it’s about the funding for the Belmont Center Reconstruction project – prior to Nov. 17 Special Town Meeting.

State Sen. Will Brownsberger‘s staff will be holding office hours on Monday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Boston Public Library.

The State General Election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 4. See the Belmontonian Tuesday morning for all the information on where to vote and what’s on the ballot.

The Beech Street Center is holding a six-week course in “Writing Stories From Your Life,” beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Delve into your past and be guided in writing your life story in poetry, essay, narrative, or any form that suits you. Bring your work to class and read it aloud for feedback. The teacher, Lynette Benton, will provide useful lessons and lists of resources to aid in writing engaging stories. The cost is $55.

It’s early release Wednesday and for Chenery Middle School students, the Belmont Public library is hosting a “Homework & Hot Chocolate” after school get together in the Assembly Room on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from noon to 2:30 p.m. Work on your homework, enjoy some hot chocolate, and try out an activity!  This is for middleschoolers only so High Schoolers can head off the Starbucks and bother the patrons there!  The hanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Just drop in, no registration required.

The LEGO Club is meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The LEGO Club is for Kindergarten through second grade students. Drop in anytime. Members will be creating their own unique LEGO structures.  All LEGOs will be provided. Just bring your imagination.

It’s never too late to learn to play the piano: A Beginner’s Piano Class has being formed at the Beech Street Center that begins on Thursday, Nov. 6, a 11:30 a.m. Cost is $160 for 8 lessons.

On Friday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m., Daniel Butler Elementary students are going to exercise for their own cause by participating in a one-mile Fun Run. It’s to promote a healthy life style while raising money for the school. 

This is one of those “don’t miss” events of the entire year: The Performing Arts Company of Belmont High School will be presenting Shakespeare’s comedy “Twelfth Night,” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6, 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. at the Belmont High School auditorium. Tickets are on sale NOW at Champions Sports in Belmont Center and online here. Adults tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Students are $10. Chenery Middle School 8th Grade students can reserve a free ticket when you order online using coupon code CMS8. Belmont Schools Staff can reserve a free ticket online with coupon code BPSSTAFF or by e-mailing at tickets@bhs-pac.org 

With Wind Advisory in Effect, Outages In the Mix

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With the National Weather Service issuing a wind advisory for Belmont and eastern Massachusetts that will last until 6 p.m. on Sunday, the chances climb a branch or tree will fall across the power wires that supplies your abode.

If the power does go out, those effected should call Belmont Light at 617-993-2800.

Belmont Police and Fire departments said residents should only call 911 for true emergencies.

Never Too Early for Cushing Square to Start Halloween

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Trick or treating got off to an early start in Belmont as the Cushing Square Business Association sponsored the annual Cushing Square Halloween spook-tacular. It was an opportunity for all to get into costume and receive only treats from the retailers in one of Belmont’s business centers. Here are a few photos from this community-building event.

 

 

Fall Back: Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday at 2 AM

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It’s fairly simple: turn your watches and clocks back one hour before you go to sleep tonight as Daylight Savings Time ends early tomorrow morning, Sunday, Nov. 2.

If you want to do it properly, stay up until 2 a.m. when DST officials ends and clocks are pushed backward one hour to 1 a.m. local standard time.

For most younger residents, smart phones and computers have been programed for the change. But if you grew up in a jewelers or watch repair family (me), changing hundred of clocks and watches was something of a drudgery.

Here’s a little history of Daylight Saving Time from the The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

Credit for Daylight Saving Time belongs to Benjamin Franklin, who first suggested the idea in 1784. The idea was revived in 1907, when William Willett, an Englishman, proposed a similar system in the pamphlet The Waste of Daylight.

The Germans were the first to officially adopt the light-extending system in 1915 as a fuel-saving measure during World War I. The British switched one year later, and the United States followed in 1918, when Congress passed the Standard Time Act, which established our time zones. This experiment lasted only until 1920, when the law was repealed due to opposition from dairy farmers (cows don’t pay attention to clocks).

During World War II, Daylight Saving Time was imposed once again (this time year-round) to save fuel. Since then, Daylight Saving Time has been used on and off, with different start and end dates. Currently, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March and ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.

Halloween in Cushing Square, Fill UNICEF Boxes, Skeleton Army on HELLcrest

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It’s Halloween and tonight, Friday, Oct. 31, little ones will be coming up to your door with the call of “Trick or treat!” Unlike many towns, there are no restrictions on when and where “tricks or treats” can occur as town officials and Belmont Police continue to rely on the good common sense of residents to restrain hijinks around the “Town of Homes.”

• The treats start early as some of the youngest kids will get the chance to practice as the Cushing Square Business Association holds its annual Cushing Square Halloween on Friday, Oct. 31 with the trick or treating begins at 3 p.m.

• Along with your bowl of candy at the front door, set aside some spare change as the Chenery Middle School is giving 6th graders a community service hour if they collect for UNICEF tonight. 

• If you have the chance tonight, head over to Hillcrest Road – which runs from Goden to Common streets midway between the Wellington and Chenery Middle schools – to see the skeleton army that has overrun the street. They are riding bikes, hanging onto trees, wearing interesting costumes, all under the control of the LARGEST BLACK CAT EVER SEEN!

Belmont resident and commercial photographer Clytie Sadler has done an outstanding photo essay of the undead on HELLcrest Road which can be seen on her web site: http://clytiesadlerphotography.com/blog/

Be safe tonight.

Get Spooked At a Pair of Halloween Events at Belmont High Today

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And you thought just going to high school was scary!

Two big terrifying events will be held at Belmont High School today, Thursday, Oct. 30, to get the whole family into a Halloween state of mind.

For the first time, there will be a Halloween Haunted House at Belmont High School from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All profits made from this event will go to the Make a Wish Foundation. There will be a range of spooky activities for people of all ages. For younger guests, there will a face painting station and a pumpkin painting station. There will be a very small suggested donation for participants who want to be “boo-ed.”

After being frightened, head over to the fourth annual “Masquerade Concert” performed by the Belmont High Wind Ensemble and Concert Orchestra will begin at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. The two ensembles will perform a family-friendly variety of seasonal selections, including creepy classics like the Tocatta and Fugue in D minor by Bach, selections from The Dark Knight Rises and FROZEN! Audience members should arrive in costume to maximize the fun. As always, the concert is free.

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Final Farmers Market of the Season Today; Have an Apple! Sharpen Your Knives

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The Belmont Farmers Market bids adieu to its ninth season as it holds its final market day today, Thursday, Oct. 30.

Come down and say goodbye to your favorite vendors. Stock up for the winter. Stop by the Manager’s Tent for a free apple and fill out an survey card: Tell the organizers what you like about the Market, write a note for a vendor and say what changes you’d like to see at the market next season.

The Belmont Farmers Market is located in the Belmont Center parking lot at Cross Street at Channing Road.

The market is open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This week’s guest vendors include Sugar + Grain, Fille de Ferme, The Amazing Smokehouse and Seasoned and Spiced. Find all the weekly vendors here.  

Siraco Sharpening Service returns for a final visit. If you’re going to be cooking or carving pumpkins, you’ll want sharp knives! And you can put your gardening tools away sharp for next year. But, please, don’t bring lawnmowers. For big items, go to Siraco’s drop off sites which includes the quilt shop on Brighton Street.

The food truck is Benny’s Crepe Cafe.

IN THE EVENTS TENT

• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Face Painting with Amber Espar.

• 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Story time thanks to the Children’s Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• 4:30 p.m to 5:45 p.m.: Joe Zarro, Belmont resident and pastor of the Plymouth Congregational Church, will be singing and playing the guitar.

Help the Belmont Food Pantry by bringing non-perishable items each week. Find out about the Belmont Food Pantry, and see how the Market supports it.