What to Do Today: How Cambridge Built Their Library, Playoff Tennis, 6th Grade Concert

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• Never say die. “A New Library: An Impossible Dream Realized” is a talk by Susan Flannery, director of libraries for Cambridge, about the dream of a new public library realized in Cambridge; how it impacts the functions the library serves and what it means to the community. The talk, hosted by the Friends of the Belmont Public Library will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• The post-season comes to Belmont as the 12-4 Belmont High School Girls’ Tennis team hosts Tewksbury High in a first-round match of the Div. 2 North sectionals at the High School tennis courts beginning at 3:30 p.m.

• The Chenery Middle School 6th Grade Band, Chorus and Orchestra Concert is taking place at 7 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School auditorium.

Belmont’s Gun Buyback Event This Saturday, May 31

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In the wake of increasing incidents, nationally and locally, of accidental injuries and deaths from guns, the Belmont Religious Council, faith communities in town, the Belmont Police Department and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office have joined for a community Gun Buyback event on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Belmont DPW Yard, 37 C St.

The Belmont event is modeled on recent successful gun buyback events held in other towns across Massachusetts and in other parts of the country, including one held in Arlington in September 2013.

Belmont Police officers and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to accept any and all hand guns, rifles, shotguns, assault weapons, BB guns and air guns, working or non-working, antique or modern, registered or not, and ammunition for safe storage, followed by disposal in accordance with state law.

A key aspect of the event is the “No questions asked! No identification required!” policy. Amnesty will be extended for gun law violations by residents traveling to the event. Firearms must be brought to the event with empty chambers, clips or magazines unattached, safeties on and in a carrying case, box or other container.

Those who bring in firearms will receive gift cards to local grocery stores, in the following amounts:

  • $25 for BB or pellet gun or inoperable firearm
  • $50 for a revolver, semi-automatic, shotgun, or rifle.
  • $100 for an assault weapon.

The Belmont Police Department has set up a special phone line to receive questions and requests for assistance in transporting firearms to the event: 617-993-2529.

Aided by the Religious Council, seven faith communities – All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Belmont, Belmont- Watertown United Methodist Church, Beth-El Temple, First Baptist Church of Belmont, The First Church in Belmont, UU, Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC, and the St. Joseph and St. Luke Collaborative parishes – banded together to push for the program, which is supported by Belmont’s state legislators, State Sen. Will Brownsberger and State Rep. Dave Rogers.

“In addition to removing unwanted firearms from homes, another benefit of the gun buyback is the dialogue that has developed among community members on how we can all work together to reduce gun violence in Belmont and beyond,” said Jean Dickinson, a member of the First Church in Belmont UU, who led the initiative.

Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin said, “Personally, I feel that it is a very worthwhile voluntary program and an opportunity for our residents to dispose of unwanted firearms and ammunition, especially in light of some of the tragic situations we have seen throughout Massachusetts, the country and the world.”

“On average, more than 34,000 people are accidentally shot or commit suicide using a firearm each year. I believe that providing residents with a safe way to dispose of firearms they no longer want can help reduce these numbers,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian.

“These buybacks also encourage dialogue among those involved about ways to make our communities safer.”

Several Belmont businesses have already stepped forward to make donations in support of the event. The Belmont Gun Buyback Committee invites other businesses and individuals to do the same. The Committee hopes to raise $5,000 to purchase grocery gift cards to be provided in exchange for firearms. Any leftover grocery gift cards will be donated to the Belmont Food Pantry.

Donations may be made by sending a check or money order payable to: Belmont UMC/Gun Buyback Program and mailed to: Belmont United Methodist Church, 421 Common Street, Belmont, MA 02478, or via pay pal on www.belmontgunbuyback.org 

Things to Do Today: Schools Art Show Reception, Community Path Meets, Quintuplets Birthday

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• The reception for the first K-12 Art Show featuring student work from the six Belmont public schools will take place at 6 p.m. Please join the artists and their families for this Opening Reception in the Belmont Gallery of Art, third floor of the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex.

• The Community Path Advisory Committee will be meeting at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Gallery of Art on the third floor of the Homer Building which is located in the Town Hall complex. They will be discussing releasing the committee’s final report on June 6 and the June 18 public forum.

• Graduating seniors are going on their annual cruise this afternoon. A three-hour cruise!

• Eighty years ago today,  the Dionne quintuplets – Yvonne, Annette, Cécile, Émilie and Marie – were born in Quebec, the first quintuplets to survive infancy. In the 1930s, their popularity rivaled the biggest movie stars. Annette and Cécile are celebrating their 80th birthday today.

Honoring The 101 Who Laid Down Their Lives for Us

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One hundred and one.

That is the number of Belmont men who have died in the nation’s wars since the First World War that began 100 years ago this August.

“They were sons, brothers and fathers. They had dreams and aspirations but their lives were cut short and their families saddened,” said retired US Army Col. and Belmont resident Leonid Kondratiuk at Belmont’s Memorial Day ceremony held at Belmont Cemetery.

“Several are buried here in this cemetery,” said Kondratiuk, who is director of the Massachusetts National Guard Military Museum in Worcester which keeps the military records of all from the Bay State who served the country. 

“None wanted to die but were willing to die in defense of the nation,” he said on Monday, May 26.

This year’s ceremony kicked off with the annual parade this year graced with a pretty Miss Bay State, Siobhan O’Keefe, four Harleys lead by veteran and Town Meeting mainstay Joe White, the Selectmen along with state Sen. Will Brownsberger, contingencies of the Police and Fire departments, a slew of scouts, the combined marching band of the High and Middle schools, a US Marine color guard and the big trucks from the DPW.

Leading the way was a small group of resident veterans with their own color guard, with some of the older “soldiers” given a ride from Cushing Square to Grove Street.

Along the route, families gathered as children cheered the groups, covering their ears when the fire trucks blew their horns. Many older men and women either removed their hats or saluted when Old Glory passed by.

At the cemetery, the names of the 101 residents who died in defense of the country were read, taps was played and a rifle salute was given.

“We often live our daily lives is blissful ignorance of the sacrifices that are the foundation of our freedoms,” said Andy Rojas, chair of the Belmont Board of Selectmen.

“Today, to affirm that we never forget, we honor all and thank you for all you have given,” Rojas said.

The day’s first keynote speaker, US Air Force Col. Thomas J. Killeen, chief of the Airspace Mission Electronics System Center at Hanscom AFB in Bedford, said that while Memorial Day is for remembering those who died in past wars, the nation continues to lose military personnel in Afghanistan and in missions around the world.

“We are also proud to the families that sacrificed so much. Long after the battlefield guns are silenced, the children of our fallen warriors will still be missing a parent, spouses will still be without their life partners and parents will continue to grieve for their heroic sons and daughters who died way too early,” Killeen said.

“Let’s not forget the focus what Memorial Day means. It’s the day to remember.”

Things to Do Today: Meet Belmont’s New Vets Officer, Mosaic Work, Benton Stories

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• Due to the Memorial Day holiday, garbage and recycling pickups are a day delayed. So if you thought you missed your “Tuesday” trash day, you can breath again.

• Join the new Belmont Veterans’ Services Officer Hsiu-Ann Tom at the Beech Street Center at 1:15 p.m. for an informational meeting about benefits for veterans, surviving spouses and dependents.

• Pre-School Storytime will be held 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.

• Learn the timeless craft of mosaics at the Intergenerational Mosaic Workshop being held today, Wednesday and Friday at the Beech Street Center at 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. For residents 6 and older; a $5 fee for each class which is limited to 14 participants. Assemble small pieces of colored glass, stone, ceramics and shells to create decorative tiles, mirrors, picture frames. No experience necessary. Attend one or a series of three classes.

• Drop-in Vinyasa-style yoga classes, taught by professional instructors, at the Plymouth Congregational Church, 582 Pleasant St. starting at 9:30 a.m. All levels welcome. Bring your own mat. Free parking on Pleasant, Leonard, and in the Claflin Street Parking Lot behind Belmont Center. The classes take place in Gardner Hall, at the back of the church; enter the hall from Alexander Street entrance. $10 for the session. Child care available for $6 per child. All proceeds benefit Plymouth Nursery School. Also check out the Friday morning session.

• Today is the birthday of Julia Ward Howe in 1819 in New York City. In 1861, Howe – who was married to Samuel Gridley Howe, the founder of the Perkins School for the Blind – was inspired after visiting the new President Abraham Lincoln to write new words to the melody of “Ol’ John Brown’s Body.” The result was “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” She is buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

Belmont’s Memorial Day Parade Kicks Off at 11 AM

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Bands, marchers and veterans will all take part in the 2014 edition of Belmont’s Memorial Day parade and ceremony beginning at 11 a.m., Monday, May 26, on Trapelo Road adjacent to the municipal parking lot and Starbucks in Cushing Square.

Lining the route – up Trapelo Road before making a left at Grove Street and continuing to the Belmont Cemetery – will be families and residents cheering on the participants.

At the cemetery, speeches will be read, the names of Belmont citizens who died for this country will be honored, “Taps” played and a final salute will be given.

Veterans and current military personnel are invited and welcome to join the other vets at the head of the parade.

Yard Sales in Belmont, May 24, 25 and Memorial Day

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Here’s a quick list of yard, garage and estate sales going on in Belmont this weekend.

• 34 Falmouth St., Saturday, May 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rain or shine.

• 71 Bartlett Ave., Sunday, May 25, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Scott Road off Pleasant Street, Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), 9-ish into the afternoon.

• 265 Grove St., Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 259 School St., Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What to Do Today: Memorial Day Exercises, Belmont Flower Show, Bonnie and Clyde

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• The Belmont Public Schools start off the Memorial Day Weekend by honoring veterans with a breakfast at Belmont High School at 8 a.m. before holding a ceremony in front of the school at 8:30 a.m. The vets will then travel to Wellington Elementary (9:15 a.m.) and then Burbank Elementary (10 a.m.) for exercises before a luncheon at the VFW Post at 310 Trapelo Rd. at 11:30 p.m.

• “A World of Celebrations” comes alive with floral arrangements at the Belmont Garden Club’s Flower Show taking place today, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. Featuring  designs for France’s Bastille Day, China’s New Year, Italy’s Carnival of Venice, the show will also include a horticulture division.

• Eighty years ago today, in 1934, the bank robbers Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were ambushed by lawmen and killed along a road in Black Lake, Louisana, marking the end of the romanticized “public enemy” era of celebrity criminals.

What to Do Today: Warrant Briefing at the Beech, Chenery Concert, K-12 Art Show

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• The Warrant Committee and the Belmont League of Women Voters Education Fund invites Town Meeting members and the public to a warrant briefing on financial and budgetary articles (both town and schools) prior to the reconvening of the annual Town Meeting on June 2. Town officials and department heads will be present to provide information at the meeting, starting at 7 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. Michael Libenson, chairman of the Warrant Committee, will lead the discussion.

• The 7th & 8th Grade Chorus and Orchestra Concert will take place at 7 p.m. in the Chenery Middle School’s auditorium.

• In its first combined kindergarten through 12th grade show, the annual Belmont Public Schools Art Show gets underway today at the Belmont Gallery of Art located on the third floor of the Homer Municipal Building in the Town Hall complex.

• Infant Lapsit Storytime at the Belmont Public Library is for infants and pre-walkers. Come enjoy songs, finger plays and rhymes chosen especially for our littlest readers. The fun starts in the Flett Room at 10:30 a.m.

What to Do Today: Early Release Wednesday, Discuss ‘Blindness’, Historical Society Meeting

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• It’s an Early Release Wednesday for all of Belmont’s six schools. 10:30 a.m. for High School, 11 a.m. for Chenery Middle School and 11:40 a.m. for the elementary schools with the exception of the Winn Brook which releases at 10 minutes until noon.

• The Belmont Book Discussion Group will discuss “Blindness” by Jose Saramago at its meeting at 3 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room. Everyone is welcome to attend. Copies of the book can be requested through the library catalog or call the library Reference staff at 617-993-2870.

• The Belmont Historical Society is holding its monthly meeting from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Claflin Room at the Belmont Public Library.

• Belmont’s financial “watchdog”, the Warrant Committee, will be discussing the Capital Budget Committee’s budget (those long-range “big” ticket items) as well as the proposed new Minuteman Career and Technical High School regional agreement with the town and proposed changes to the town’s bylaws in response to a citizens petitioned moratorium on the demolition of single-family homes which would be replaced with two-family homes within the General Residence Zoning Districts at its 7:30 p.m. meeting at the Chenery Middle School. 

• On this day in 1927,  Charles Lindbergh landed the Spirit of St. Louis near Paris, completing the first solo airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Here is the New York Times report:

Paris, May 21 — Lindbergh did it. Twenty minutes after 10 o’clock tonight suddenly and softly there slipped out of the darkness a gray-white airplane as 25,000 pairs of eyes strained toward it. At 10:24 the Spirit of St. Louis landed and lines of soldiers, ranks of policemen and stout steel fences went down before a mad rush as irresistible as the tides of ocean.

“Well, I made it,” smiled Lindbergh, as the little white monoplane came to a halt in the middle of the field and the first vanguard reached the plane. Lindbergh made a move to jump out. Twenty hands reached for him and lifted him out as if he were a baby. Several thousands in a minute were around the plane. Thousands more broke the barriers of iron, rails round the field, cheering wildly.