Babysitting Safety Workshop for ‘Tweens’ on Nov. 11

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Every parent wants a babysitter who knows more than just caring with their child for a few hours; they want someone who is prepared to handle the rare emergency that might occur.

Professional Ambulance Center for MEDICS is offering a Safe Sitter® program for students 11 to 14 years old on Veterans Day Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Pro EMC training facility at 31 Smith Place in Cambridge.

Proceeds from the workshop will benefit the Foundation for Belmont Education.

The one-day course Safe Sitter® course is a comprehensive program that teaches adolescents everything they need to know to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting.

The course includes CPR certification, basic first aid, childcare essentials and behavior management, as well as information on how to be safe while home alone or babysitting.

The program combines full group activities with small group practice sessions, and includes giving students hands-on CPR experience with manikins. The day ends with an hour of testing to ensure kids learned the skills. Testing includes written exams and a hands-on scenario-based test.

To register for the class, please visit www.centerformedics.com, select “Training – Class Schedule” and scroll to the Safe Sitter class listing. You may also access the registration directly at http://proems.enrollware.com/registration/reg-start.aspx?id=523914.

The class accommodates 60 students. Registration closes on Sunday, Nov. 9. 

The cost of the program is $85 and includes all classroom instruction materials, which may be taken home, CPR certification cards, a Safe Sitter ® program certificate of completion and snacks during the program. Students should bring their own lunches and dress in comfortable clothes suitable for sitting and working on the floor.

Special Town Meeting Warrant Briefing at the Beech Tonight

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The Belmont League of Women Voters and the Warrant Committee is co-sponsoring a warrant briefing tonight, Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Beech Street Center.

This is an opportunity for Town Meeting member as well as the general public to ask questions of town officials and department heads about the single article on the warrant – concerning the funding for the 2.8 million Belmont Center Reconstruction project – prior to Special Town Meeting to be held on Monday, Nov. 17 at the Chenery Middle School.

Raffi Manjikian, vice-chair of the Warrant Committee, will preside.

Curtain Raises on Performing Arts Company’s ‘Twelfth Night’ Tonight

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The curtain goes up tonight, Thursday, Nov. 6 on the Performing Arts Company’s production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” a comedy about a cross-dressing, ship-wreck surviving, poetry-loving girl who finds herself at the center of a not-so-average love triangle.

The production, produced and directed by Ezra Flam, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Belmont High School auditorium.

The play will also be staged on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8, at 7 p.m. 

Tickets are adults: $12 in advance/$15 at the door; students: $10.

Tickets are available online and at Champions Sports in Belmont Center.

Chenery 8th Grade Students: reserve a free ticket when you order online using coupon code: CMS8. Belmont Schools Staff: reserve a free ticket online with coupon code BPSSTAFF or by e-mailing tickets@bhs-pac.org 

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Police HQ Heading for Incinerator Site? Find Out Tonight

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It was just a couple of sentences during a joint meeting held at Belmont Town Hall this past Wednesday, Oct. 29.

But the short statement by Board of Selectmen Chair Andy Rojas introduced a new, and potentially game changing use to the mix of opportunities being proposed for the 16-acre former town incinerator site off upper Concord Avenue.

“There are five to six options including a police station with the capping being discussed,” said Rojas during a meeting with the Selectmen, Capital Budget and Warrant committees, bringing up for the first time a new location for the  Belmont Police Department headquarters.

The state is housed in a threadbare Depression-era building at the corner of Concord Avenue and Pleasant Street across from Belmont Town Hall. The replacement of the headquarters is on the list of capital projects being considered for funding by the Capital Budget Committee and the Board of Selectmen.

On of the last issues facing a revamped headquarters is finding an adequate location. For several years, the Belmont Public Library on Concord Avenue was the likely site for a new station if the town approved contraction of a new library. But three times in the past decades those plans have been scrapped.

The construction of a new headquarters is a high priority of Police Chief Richard McLaughlin.

The possibility of a modern headquarters for the police will be discussed at a precinct meeting tonight, Monday, Nov. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School auditorium.

Constructed in 1959, the incinerator operated until 1975, when it became the town’s transfer station for two decades. It is currently used by the Belmont DPW for equipment storage, leaf composting and placement of debris.

In January, Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation presented by State Rep. Dave Rogers authorizing the sale to the town of the state-owned land. The law allows Belmont to purchase the land after an appraisal determines the fair market value of the property. In addition, the town will be responsible for the site’s costly remediation of environmentally hazardous material.

Some of the possible uses for the site discussed in the past include a solar farm, recreational playing fields, open space, use by the Highway Department and even a marijuana plantation to supply the medical marijuana industry.

 

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.