Yom Kippur Begins Friday at Sunset

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The painting is a detail of “Jews Praying in the Synagogue on Yom Kippur” by the 22-year-old Maurycy Gottlieb c. 1878.

By Len Abram

At sundown today, Friday, Oct. 3, Jews across the world and at the Beth El Temple Center on Concord Avenue will begin observing the holy day of Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.

According to tradition, the Day of Atonement marks the end of 10 days of reflection and repentance, imagined in the liturgy as a Day of Judgment for each person before the Supreme Judge, whose final decisions are written in a heavenly book.

The Hebrew greeting, “Gemar chatimah tovah,” translated as “May you be inscribed for good in the Book of Life,” captures the metaphor and meaning of the day.

Abstaining from food and drink fulfills the Biblical commandments of self-denial and solemnity. Physical desires are denied to concentrate on spiritual needs through prayer and self-improvement.

At Yom Kippur, Jews often seek out those whom they have wronged to ask forgiveness.

Although the central prayers and confessionals are collective, emphasizing “we,” not “I,” Yom Kippur means something special to each person following the ancient tradition going back six millennia.

Road Closures, No Parking Areas For Sunday’s Scharfman Run

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While it’s nothing to the extent of what Newton residents deal with on Marathon Monday, this coming Sunday morning, Oct. 5 beginning at 9:30 a.m., several Belmont roads will be briefly closed while runners take over the streets for the second annual Dan Scharfman Memorial Run.

The Memorial Run takes a scenic route from the Belmont High School track at Harris Field past the town’s schools, Payson Park Reservoir and Clay Pond.

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The following road closings will occur on October 5 to ensure the safety of participants:

  • 6 a.m. – 12 p.m.: No Parking on east/west side of Concord Avenue between Cottage and Bright avenues;
  • 6 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: No Parking on Goden Street between School Street and Concord Avenue;
  • 9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.: School Street closed between Orchard and Philip Road;
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: No exit onto Oakley from Selwyn and Hurd;
  • 10:45 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Concord Ave West Bound closed between Underwood and Goden – two-way traffic on Concord Ave East Bound;
  • Between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.: Drivers should be aware of runners on the 5K course (Concord Ave / Orchard Road / Stone Road / School Street / Philip / Elisabeth Road / Jacob / Payson / Oakley / Goden / Concord / Underwood); and
  • Between 10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.: Concord Ave East bound will have two-way traffic between Underwood and Goden. Concord Ave West bound is shut for the 1-mile race.

The Foundation for Belmont Education thanks the residents of Belmont and the Belmont Police Department for their support of the Scharfman Memorial Run and appreciates the community’s understanding of the disruption in normal traffic patterns.

Online registration is available at the FBE website, www.fbe-belmont.org/race through Sunday. Interested participants can also register the day of the race.

In 2013, the Memorial Run raised $20,000. Those proceeds allowed the FBE to fund new programs across all six schools in the Belmont Public School system to give educators and students the best tools, technology and training that foster innovation and love of learning.

Open Space? Solar Farm? Marijuana Grove? What to Do With Belmont’s Former Incinerator Site Meeting Nov. 3

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New recreational playing fields.

A new home for the Department of Public Works.

A solar photovoltaic farm.

Open space.

A grove for growing medical marijuana.

Those are just a few of the suggestions citizens and town officials put forward for the future use of the former town incinerator located off Concord Avenue near the Lexington town line with Belmont.

With the state prepared to sell the nearly 16 acre parcel to the town, the Belmont Board of Selectmen will be updating Town Meeting members and the public on possible uses for the former incinerator at a presentation and discussion set for Monday, Nov. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School auditorium.

The public and Town Meeting members are encouraged to provide their ideas for the best use for the land, according to a press release for the board.

The town is moving forward on a new use after Gov. Deval Patrick in January signed legislation pushed by State Rep. Dave Rogers that authorizes 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.

An important provision of the law is the land is limited to recreational or municipal use; it can not be sold or leased for commercial or business operations.

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.

Questions and ideas can be submitted prior to the meeting at selectmen@belmont-ma.gov . More information on the meeting can be found by contacting the Board of Selectmen/Town Administrator’s office at 617-993-2610.

Final Four: Last Month of Thursdays at the Belmont Farmers Market

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It’s the final month of market days in Belmont as the Farmers Market’s last day is Oct. 30, so take advantage of the bounty while you can. Stock up on apples, and make and freeze pies that you can pull out and bake mid-winter.

In season are pumpkins, winter squash, and apples as well as the bounty of the late summer harvest: acorn squash, amaranth, apples, broccoli, carrots, chard, collards, cucumbers, delicata squash, eggplant, garlic, green beans, kale, mint, onions, parsley, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin greens, radishes, raspberries, scallions, summer squash, tomatoes, turnips, and zucchini.

This week’s occasional vendors are Belmont Municipal Light Department, Sugar + Grain and Seasoned and Spiced which join the market’s regular vendors.

There is no food truck this week.

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

October Farm Share Event

The Belmont Food Collaborative (parent organization of the Belmont Farmers’ Market) is hosting its Second Annual Fall & Winter Farm Share Fair in Watertown on Thursday, Oct. 16.

You can share in fresh produce throughout the winter months. There is a wide variety of produce available and a farm share is a great way to take advantage of getting it “fresh from the farm.” The Fair will be held at the Watertown Public Library, 123 Main Street, Watertown, from 5:30–7:30. Among this year’s vendors are: Boston Organics, C&C Lobsters and Fish, Farmers to You, The Food Project, Pioneer Valley Grain CSA, Red Fire Farm, Shared Harvest CSA, and Something GUD. Visit belmontfarmersmarket.org for updates on this year’s line-up.

In the Events Tent:

The Hoot Owls, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: This old-time string band is back for its third appearance this season, with Ruth Rappaport on guitar, Celeste Frey on banjo and Don Stratton on fiddle.

Eight Thumbs Sax Quartet, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Members Andy Didonato on baritone sax, Phil Norris on alto sax, Murray Burnstine on tenor sax, and Ed Biggs on soprano sax have played together for decades in various musical groups, forming “Eight Thumbs” in 2005.

Storytime 4:00 – 4:30 pm
All tots welcome to hear stories about farms and food.

SNAP Benefits and Belmont Food Pantry

The Market accepts and doubles SNAP benefits up to $25, so spread the word so that more can take advantage of fresh food. Also, bring nonperishables to the Farmers’ Market tent to benefit the Belmont Food Pantry. Check the Food Pantry’s web site (https://sites.google.com/site/thebelmontfoodpantry/) for what’s needed. Collection at the Market tent is weekly.

 

Belmont High Students Making Strides This Sunday

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It’s October, and the Belmontian Community Service Club at Belmont High School has been planning for Breast Cancer Month.

As a first step, many members are walking in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer this Sunday, Oct. 5, where representatives from the club will be on the stage at the Hatch Shell in recognition of our third-place finish in last year’s High School Challenge. 

If you would like to support the team – and the American Cancer Society’s efforts in breast cancer research, education, treatment, and patient support – the team would be delighted to accept those donations by going online to the team’s website: 

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/belmonths 

and clicking on “Donate Now” or by sending a check, made out to “American Cancer Society,” to Alice Melnikoff, Belmont High School, 221 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.   

The team will be collecting donations from now until the end of November. In 2013, the team raised $15,000 from all its breast cancer fundraising activities and it is hoping to exceed that figure this year. 

Hot Chocolate Homework Wednesday at the Library

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Rainy autumn days and hot chocolate is one the best examples of a complimentary pair. The Belmont Public School invites Chenery Middle School students on early release Wednesday to come over to the library’s Assembly Room today, Wednesday. Oct. 1 from 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.

Just drop in, no registration required.

Volunteers Needed for Scharfman Run on Sunday

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Organizers of the Dan Scharfman Memorial Run are seeking volunteers to help manage the race this Sunday morning, Oct.  5.

Here are a few details:

  • The shifts are about two hours long and you can pick the time that works for you.
  • The jobs are easy, the people are great and the race is fun.
  • You’re helping to raise money for Belmont schools.
  • There is a real need for volunteers to set up (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and course monitors (8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.), but really all of the jobs need to be filled.
  • Even if you are running, you can volunteer for the set up or clean up.

Please the organizers if you can help. You can sign up at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090845ACAC2E5-20141

More information about the run at www.fbe-belmont.org/race

And if you could encourage a friend to sign up with you, that would be even better.

Second Annual Scharfman Memorial Road Race this Saturday, Oct. 5

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Belmont and area runners who are looking for a great race to participate this fall need only look as far as their nearest town street as the second annual Dan Scharfman Memorial Road Race will take place this Sunday, Oct. 5.

The 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) race will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Harris Field track adjacent to Belmont High School. A one-mile run/walk for kids and slower adults will take place at 10:30 a.m.

Race route can be found here.  Screen Shot 2014-09-29 at 1.39.40 PM

“What’s great about this race is this is becoming a new tradition in Belmont; our fall race to go along with Brendan’s Home Run in the spring,” said Paul Roberts, who is the race co-chair.

“Our community support is amazing from the sponsors (CitySide Subaru, Belmont Orthodontics, Lightwire and Belmont Savings Bank are the main backers) to the police and all the volunteers we have,” said Roberts.

Last year, more than 700 runners and walkers registered and the event raised $30,000 to help the Foundation for Belmont Education with its Innovative Teaching Initiative. 

Roberts, a friend and sometimes running partner with Scharfman, said Dan, an IT professional for most of his working life, was passionate on bringing teachers and technology together to help better implement educational subjects.

“While most people think that the money buys technology (the funds helped provide iPads to all ninth grade students last year) for the classroom, that’s just part of it. Actually a big part of it is giving teachers the professional development to learn how to implement and use technology,” said Roberts.

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The Week to Come: Selectmen on Increasing Parking Fees, Football at Home Finally

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• On the government side of the week, the Belmont Board of Selectmen will be meeting on Monday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall will be discussing a recommendation on increasing parking meter (I’m guessing that includes the cost to be in the municipal parking lot as the town has not parking meters) and commuter parking fees along with a discussion concerning the Underwood Pool and a public meeting on storm water and erosion control. The Warrant Committee is meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chenery Middle School with a preview of warrant articles on the Special Town Meeting agenda in November.

• Join Belmont Public Librarian Joanna Breen in the Flett Room on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for an overview of the authoritative Value Line and Morningstar investment research centers. Whether you’re building your first portfolio, or are a long-time investor, Value Line and Morningstar produce trusted independent market research that is available, free, and online, to Belmont Public Library cardholders.
• True Story Theater will perform a magical and inspiring form of improvisational storytelling on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 1:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. Volunteers from the audience share important moments from their lives; the actors bring these instantly to life in word, movement and song. The Arlington Council on Aging gave them rave reviews. See for yourself!

• Receive a free hearing screening test at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mass Audiology offers this service – along with changing hearing aid batteries – free of charge to Center participants. Sign up by stopping by the front desk or by calling 617-993-2970.

• You know summer’s over when the Belmont Public School invites middleschoolers on early release Wednesday to do their homework with hot chocolate and not lemonade. Stop by the library’s Assembly Room on Wednesday. Oct. 1 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., to do your homework and enjoy some hot chocolate.  This is for middleschoolers only! Provided for free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Just drop in, no registration required.
• Sustainable Belmont is holding its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room
• LEGO Club is back! On Thursday, Oct 2 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room, boys and girls in kindergarten through second grade will be creating their own unique LEGO structures. All LEGOs  will be provided. Just bring your imagination.
• Belmont High School Football will have its first home game of the season on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. vs. Arlington. It’s Winchester week on the athletic fields as Field Hockey (Monday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.), Boys’ Soccer (Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.) and Volleyball (Thursday, Oct. 2 at 4 p.m.) all host the Sachems. Cross Country says hello to Arlington on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 3:30 p.m., Lexington visits Belmont golf also on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. and Belmont Girls’ Soccer has a big match with powerhouse Wilmington on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m.
• The Benton Library, Belmont’s independent library, is open the first Friday evening of every month, this month it’s this Friday, Oct. 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Make the Benton a stop on your way home or after dinner. See the latest New York Times Best sellers. Browse the collection. Buy some of our reasonably priced sale books with all proceeds going to the Benton. Use our Wi-Fi.
• Yom Kippur begins at sunset on Friday, Oct. 3.

Belmont Yard Sales on Sept. 27-28

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Here are this weekend’s yard/moving/garage sales happening in the 02478 zip code:

• 54 Elm St., Saturday, Sept. 27, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

• 8 Jeanette Ave., Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Lexington Street at Ripley Road, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 354 Payson Rd., Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 176 Washington St., Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

• 285 Waverley St., Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.