You Can Say ‘I Ran The Dan’: Sign Up For Scharfman Memorial Run Sunday, Sept. 30

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Photo: Poster for the sixth annual Dan Scharfman Memorial Run.

The Foundation for Belmont Education, which is celebrating a quarter century of providing funds to improve educational opportunities for Belmont’s children and teachers, invites runner and all others to participate in the sixth annual Dan Scharfman Memorial Run being held on Sunday, Sept. 30.

The Run takes place from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Both the 5K (3.1 mile) and 2K race options begin at the Belmont High School Track, 221 Concord Ave., and take runners on a scenic route through Belmont.

To register for the race, volunteer on race day, or donate to the FBE, visit www.fbe-belmont.org/run.

The annual race is held in memory of the late Dan Scharfman, a dedicated advocate of technology and innovation in education. More than 850 runners from towns throughout Massachusetts participated in last year’s Run, raising more than $25,000 for the Belmont public schools. 

“In six, short years the Dan Scharfman Memorial Run has grown from an idea to becoming a Belmont ‘fall classic’ and a must-do event on the town’s crowded calendar. Thanks to the support of the community and amazing sponsors like CitySide Subaru and many others, the Run has become a vital source of funding for the Foundation for Belmont Education and our public schools. In total, the Scharfman Run raised more than $125,000 in its first five years,” said race co-director and FBE Board Member Paul Roberts.

“Most importantly, the Dan Scharfman Memorial Run has become an occasion for the community to celebrate the life of an amazing man. As a friend and running partner of Dan’s, I know this aspect of the race–the coming together and celebrating community—is what Dan would take the most pride in. We’re looking forward to a great turnout this year, with proceeds from the event supporting the adoption of innovative teaching tools and methodologies. So, on Sept. 30, lace up those running shoes, come out, and earn the right to say, ‘I ran the Dan!’” said Roberts.

This year, the FBE is celebrating its 25th year of making a difference in the Belmont Public Schools. The FBE funds a wide array of projects—from small grants that benefit a single classroom to large programs designed to benefit students in an entire grade or school. Grants are awarded in all curriculum areas and include professional development for teachers and educational technology.

Thanks to community volunteers and donations from Belmont residents and businesses, the FBE gives an average of $225,000 to the Belmont Public Schools each year, awarding more than $3.6 million to date. 

Shanah Tovah: Rosh Hashanah Begins Sunset Sunday

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Photo: Shanah Tovah!

Is it already 5779? How time has flown! The Jewish New Year known as Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset (a few minutes after 7 p.m.), Sunday, Sept. 9 and lasts until Tuesday evening.

Rosh Hashanah – which in Hebrew translates to “head of the year” – is a time of inner renewal and divine atonement. It begins the period of the High Holidays culminating with Yom Kippur on Tuesday evening, Sept. 18. It is a time for observant people to acknowledge their sins of the previous year and are judged for their transgressions by God.

The holiday will affect after-school activities and athletic events in Belmont’s public schools. Under current district rules, teachers should be aware of the holiday when assigning homework and tests as some students will be attending religious services. 

Meals include apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year and at least one brisket dinner. Other traditions include participating in tashlich, Hebrew for “casting off” in which people go to a nearby body of water and throw in pieces of bread, which signifies the washing away of sin.

Yard Sales In Belmont; Sept. 8 – Cleaning Out Agassiz

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Photo: Yard sales in Belmont.

After Labor Day yard sales in the Town of Homes.

60 AGASSIZ Ave. Saturday, Sept. 8  8:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m.
64 AGASSIZ Ave. Saturday, Sept. 8   8:30 a.m. 1 p.m.
52 AGASSIZ Ave. Saturday, Sept. 8 8:30 a.m. 1 p.m.
95 AGASSIZ Ave. Saturday, Sept. 8 8:30 a.m. 2 p.m.
67 AGASSIZ Ave. Saturday, Sept. 8 8:30 a.m. 1 p.m.

Extended Opening For Belmont Gallery’s ‘Rhythm and Hues’

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Photo: “New Orleans Band by Woody Giessman

The Belmont Gallery of Art’s latest exhibition, “Rhythm and Hues: Art Inspired by Music” opens today, Friday, Sept. 7 with special extended hours, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nearly 42 artists are taking part in this show that celebrates art inspired by music. 
The opening reception takes places on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring a talk and singing by artist Woody Giessman, the original drummer of the 80’s Boston pop group, the Del Fuegos. Wine and light refreshments will be served.
A special gallery pop-up show featuring African crafts will show on Sunday, Sept. 10.
The Belmont Gallery of Art is located in the Homer Building, 19 Moore St., in the Town Hall complex. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. 
Questions? Contact Rebecca Richards at admin@belmontgallery.org

Sorry, Vladimir: Belmont’s Ballot Boxes Pass State Test For Election

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Photo: Staff personnel Dan Cane check the towns’ voting machines.

If Russian president Vladimir Putin was thinking about tinkering with another US election, he should stay clear of Belmont. On Monday, Aug. 27, the town’s eight precinct ballot boxes were found to be secure and working correctly during the state-required inspection before each and every town election.

Monday’s Election machine testing was conducted before the Sept. 4, state party primary election. Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman and her staff inspected the machines and ran draft ballots for each of the three parties that voters can obtain ballots; that would be Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties. The machines then tally the “results” and the data is sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office to verify the devices are state certified. 

Because the town uses paper ballots, the only way Putin (or anyone else) can tamper with election results is by showing up and try to vote in person. But as Cushman informed the Belmontonian, most of the election officials work in the precinct where they live, so it’s unlikely “Putie” would be able to slide by the first level of security. 

Town Clerk Ellen Cushman and staff member Dan Cane making sure the Belmont voting machines are Putin-proof.

 

16th Meet Belmont Set For Tuesday, Aug. 28 At The Chenery

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Photo: Poster for Meet Belmont

Learn about town departments, local government, schools, nonprofits, registering to vote and volunteer opportunities at the 16th annual Meet Belmont Community Information Fair, which will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School, 95 Washington St.

The event, which is free of charge and fully accessible, is presented by the Meet Belmont Planning Committee and is co-sponsored by Belmont Public Schools with support from Belmont Light and Belmont Car Wash.

More than 90 exhibitors will be on hand, along with local government representatives and others. Everyone is asked to support the Belmont Food Pantry with a non-perishable food or toiletry item. 

Meet Belmont is free of charge and is fully accessible. For additional information about Belmont Light’s participation in the event, call 617-933-2800 or head over to Facebook at facebook.com/meetbelmont or email meetbelmont@gmail.com.

Belmont To Honor Purple Heart Recipients Tuesday, Aug. 7

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Photo: Saluting the flag from the 2016 observation.

The Town of Belmont will honor and observe National Purple Heart Day on Tuesday, August 7 at 10 a.m. at the main entrance of the Belmont Public Library, 336 Concord Ave.

Residents of Belmont, veterans and their family members and in particular all of those who are Purple Heart recipients are invited to attend this special event. 

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the United States armed forces who are wounded by an enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action.

Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Military Order of the Purple Heart is composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat. Although membership is restricted to the combat wounded, the organization supports all veterans and their families with a myriad of nation-wide programs by Chapters and National Service Officers.