Town Clerk Sends Winn Brook Girl Scouts … To Jail!

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Photo: Adam Dash, Ellen Cushman and Patrice Garvin with Brownies Troop 72470.

Descending the backstairs from the Town Hall auditorium, Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman walked slowly in front of the youngsters, leading them all to … jail! Carrying the big brass key to open the cell’s heavy metal door, Cushman was about to introduce the group to Belmont’s cooler, pen, slammer, poky and Sing Sing.

While the moderate-sized room was once the town’s Hoosegow, the Winn Brook Brownies Troop 72470 weren’t being incarcerated but now visiting what today is the location of files and office equipment kept by the town.

The nearly two dozen girls along with a half dozen parents paid a call to the Town Hall as part of a badge requirement on government. Belmont Board of Selectmen Chair Adam Dash discussed how Belmont is run, the differences of a town and city and other interesting facts while Town Administrator Patrice Garvin spoke on how just a few years previously, there weren’t that many women in her position and how today’s Brownies will help change that.

Besides throwing the kids into the town’s “clink”, Cushman showed them the town auditorium – once the home of Town Meeting – and described how her office is the local record keeper, showing them documents of 100 years ago.

Now There Are Two: Warrant Committee’s Epstein Pulls Selectman Papers

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Photo: Roy Epstein

It didn’t take long for the race to fill the open seat on the Board of Selectmen to became a real contest.

Warrant Committee Chair Roy Epstein picked up nomination papers at the Town Clerk’s Office on Friday morning, Jan. 11, two days after Town Meeting member Jessica Bennett obtained hers, setting up a particularly interesting town election with two – for now – possible candidates with strong views on the direction the town should take.

A well-known member of numerous boards, working groups and committees – he currently serves on four and sat on five others in the past – the 24 year resident touts his extensive knowledge working on the financial and policy nuts and bolts of Belmont’s town government.

“Why me?  I have the professional background and actual town experience that has an unmatched record of solving the hardest problems and saving the town millions of dollars,” said the adjunct professor of finance at Boston College who earned a PhD in Economics for Yale after matriculating at Wesleyan University.

“I think I will do the best job for the town as a whole. I will continue to be an independent, reliable voice and will always welcome public input from everyone; left, right, or center,” said Epstein who lives with his family on Cushing Avenue.

(The Belmontonian will conduct detailed interviews with all candidates after nominations close on Feb. 12).

Kindergarten Parent Information Night Set For Thursday, Jan. 24

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Photo: Kindergarten Parent Information Night.

The Belmont Public Schools is holding its Kindergarten Parent Information Night on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Chenery Middle School auditorium located at 95 Washington St. Parking in the school’s lot is off Orchard Street.

(Snow date is Thursday, Jan. 31).

This is a general information night for parents and guardians of students entering kindergarten at Belmont Public Schools in the 2019-2020 school term with the four elementary schools represented; Mary Lee Burbank, Daniel Butler, Roger Wellington, and Winn Brook. Presenting will be Belmont Superintendent John Phelan along with school and central office personnel.

New in March is Kindergarten Central Registration for families with kindergarten students entering in 2019-2020. More details will be presented at Kindergarten Information Night and information is also available on the Belmont Public Schools website .

Please note: Kindergarten Parent Information Night is for adults only.

 

Belmont Police Collecting Coats And Clothes For Cradles To Crayons Starting Friday

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Photo: The Cradles to Crayons warehouse. 

The Belmont Police Department along with the non-profit Cradles to Crayons will be holding a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service collection drive.

We will be collecting new or like new warm winter essentials for children up to age 12. Items most needed are:

  • Winter Coats: boys and girls size newborn to adult medium.
  • Winter Boots: boys and girls size child 0-13 and adult 1-10.
  • Winter clothing: boys and girls sizes newborn to child 18/20 or adult medium.

A collection bin will be in the Belmont Police Department lobby. Items can be dropped off starting on Friday, Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. through Monday, Jan. 21 at 1 p.m.

Items can also be dropped off at Belmont High School from Monday, Jan. 14, thru Friday, Jan. 17, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 21 at 9 a.m.

Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income with the essential items they need to thrive at home, at school, and at play.

If you have questions about the drive please call Lt. Kristin Daley at 617-993-2554.

 

New Rules And Times For Leaving Your X-Mas Tree For Pickup

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Photo: New rule on X-Mas tree pickup.

As Christmas is fading into the distance, the annual “de-dressing” of o’ Tannenbaum has begun and it’s off to the sidewalk for the family Christmas tree. 

And the Department of Public Works has a message to all residents:

Starting this year, Christmas trees will only be picked up during the two weeks from:

Jan. 7 to Jan. 17. So residents will have two opportunities to have trees picked up.

Please plan accordingly, according to the DPW, or you will have to hold on to your tree for a year (!) or you’ll need to have it hauled away by a private contractor. (Or you can recycle your tree yourself. They make a great covering for flower or vegetable gardens.)

Since the trees are being chipped and composted, they must not have any ornaments, tinsel or lights on them.

Also, the trees can’t be in a bag.

Finally, per the DPW, make sure that your tree is not covered by snow and ice, to facilitate putting it in the truck.

The trees will be recycled this year and will be diverted from the Waste to Energy plant.

Ho-ho-ho: What’s Open and Closed on Christmas Day in Belmont

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Merry Christmas, Belmont. If after unwrapping all your presents and watching the latest holiday movie on the Hallmark Channel you have a “need” to get out of the house, here are a few places around town open on Christmas.

Dunkin’ Donuts

• The Dunkin’ Donuts at 353 Trapelo Rd. near Beech Street will be open from 5 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.

• The store located on Church Street in Waveley Square is closed today.

Starbucks

• The Belmont Center store at 47 Leonard St. is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CVS Pharmacy

• The stores at 264 Trapelo Rd. and 60 Leonard St. in Belmont Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas, although the pharmacy at both locations will is closed.

What would Christmas be if the local movie theater was closed? Thankfully, Belmont’s Studio Cinema at Trapelo and Beech will be open and screening “Mary Poppin Returns” (rated PG) at 7:30 p.m.

If you are looking to get around on the MBTA:

• The Fitchburg/South Acton Commuter Line will operate a Sunday schedule while buses and trackless trolleys that operate in Belmont are likewise running on a Sunday schedule.

Join Belmont Open Sings’ Holiday Tradition Performing Handel’s ‘Messiah’

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Photo:
 
One of the great musical traditions in Belmont will take place Sunday as Powers Music School’s Belmont Open Sings will perform the holiday-favorite, Handel’s “Messiah.” All singers and community members are welcome to join Powers Music on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St.

The performance is conducted by Belmont Open Sings Artistic Director Mary Beekman who will lead the musicians and the chorus made up of the audience in the great work. All ages are welcome, and the school encourage singers to bring your family and friends to enjoy these masterpieces together.

Tickets: $10 per person; No reservations needed. 

Belmont Open Sings next performance will take place on Sunday, March 31, with Handel’s “Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate”

Performing Arts Company’s Coffeehouse Fundraiser Set For Friday, Dec. 14

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Photo: Poster of the Winter Coffeehouse Fundraiser.

End the week with is an evening of entertainment, good food and festive celebration at the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company’s Winter Coffeehouse Fundraiser on Friday, Dec. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join the company as they transform the High School’s cafeteria into a cozy performance hall for this favorite annual tradition. Enjoy musical acts performed by Belmont High students, dinner and drink from local restaurants, along with tasty desserts. 

Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for students. Cost of food not included in admission price.

All proceeds go to support scholarships for students participating in the PAC’s Broadway Experience New York Trip in February.

Opening Reception Friday For Belmont Gallery Of Art’s Annual Holiday Small Works Show

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Photo: Poster of the 11th annual Small Works Holiday Show and Sale.

The Belmont Gallery of Art’s 11th annual Small Works Holiday Show and Sale will open its doors with a Festive Holiday Reception on Friday, Dec. 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring spirits from Belmont’s Craft Beer Cellar and live music performed by John Fitzsimmons of Concord’s Colonial Inn. Events are free and open to the public.

The show and sale, which runs from Dec. 7 to Dec. 16, will feature special guest exhibitors Indigo Fire Pottery Studio on the weekend of Dec. 7 to Dec. 9. The sale offers original art by 30 local artists in a variety of media including affordably priced original paintings, ceramics, prints, photographs, collage, textiles, and wearable art – as well as jewelry and cards — with gift purchasing in mind.

The gallery will be open special extended shopping hours on Thursday and Friday nights through Dec. 15 and open on Saturday and Sundays through Dec. 16:

  • Mon./Thurs./Fri. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
  • Sun. Noon to 5 p.m.

And just a reminder: Shoppers will need to bring cash or checks, since the gallery is unable to accept credit cards.

At this special time of year, many of us focus on finding the perfect gift for family, friends and loved ones. It can often be a challenge to discover something unique and not mass-produced. In response, a number of shoppers seek out holiday fairs, small shops and other places where gifts may be more unusual than those typically found in the malls and large box stores.

For residents of Belmont and neighboring towns, the search for special handmade gifts, including original pieces of art and other treasures, can be found right off Leonard Street in the Homer Building at the Gallery’s Small Works Holiday Show and Sale, offering original art by 30 local artists in a variety of media including affordably priced original paintings, ceramics, prints, photographs, collage, textiles, and wearable art – as well as jewelry and cards — all made by area artists with gift purchasing in mind.

Small Works Special Guests Exhibitor – Indigo Fire Pottery Studio

This year’s Special guest artists from Belmont’s Indigo Fire Pottery Studio. Located at 60 Concord Ave. is a full service pottery studio offering classes for beginners to professionals in a friendly, welcoming environment. Indigo Fire owner and artist Ned Levering was interested in partnering with the BGA on the exhibit to not only showcase work made by its fourteen featured artists, but to also make the community more aware of the clay art being made in Belmont.

Indigo Fire’s artists will be selling a wide range of stylistically, unique pottery at its special Holiday exhibit and sale at the Belmont Gallery of Art. “Buyers of all tastes and preference will be able to find a piece of pottery that’s just right for them,” says Levering.

The Belmont Gallery of Art is located in the Homer Municipal Building, third floor, which is part of the Town Hall Complex, just off Leonard Street at 19 Moore St., Belmont Center — behind Belmont Savings Bank — and across from the Commuter Rail stop. Wheelchair accessible.

For more info on Small Works and other shows, please visit the BGA’s website at www.belmontgallery.org or email director Rebecca Richards at: admin@belmontgallery.org

 

Santa Is On His Way To ‘Turn On The Town’ Thursday, Nov. 29

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Photo: Santa and Mrs. Claus in Belmont!

The Belmont Center Business Association will host its 28th annual ‘Turn on the Town” holiday tree lighting on Thursday, Nov. 29.

The night’s events – including the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on a Belmont Fire truck, food, singing by the Belmont High School’s  Madrigal Singers and a petting zoo – will take place on Leonard Street between Channing Road and Alexander Avenue from 5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Santa will arrive and light the tree – located adjacent to the Bellmont Cafe – at 6:20 p.m. He will then ride his sleigh to the Belmont Saving Bank main branch located at 2 Leonard Street to pose for free photos from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Inside the branch, attendees will also have the opportunity to win holiday prize stockings stuffed with goodies provided by local businesses.

Outside the branch, Bank employees will be handing out hot chocolate and offering free train rides on Moore Street. There will also be a petting zoo inside the bank’s garage.

Residents are encouraged to celebrate the season of giving and bring non-perishable food items or unwrapped toys to be donated to the Belmont Food Pantry.