Belmont Health Dept’s Covid-19, Flu, And Vaccine Clinic Set For Wed., Oct. 11

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Vaccine clinic run by the Belmont Health Department will occur on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

With infection rates for both COVID-19 and the flu outpacing last year’s numbers, the Belmont Health Department has announced its next vaccine clinic for the fall season.

This week’s clinic will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is now open. Click here to register.

The clinic will occur at the Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Ave., with vaccines available for Covid, flu, pneumonia, RSV, shingles, and tetanus.

If anyone has trouble registering or isn’t comfortable going online, they are welcome to call the Health Department at 617-993-2720, and we can register them over the phone. At this clinic, we will most likely only have Pfizer available for COVID-19 boosters, but if Moderna becomes available, it will also be offered as a choice at the time of the clinic.

Other clinic dates include:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 18: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 1: 10 a.m – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 8: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Is Monday, Oct. 9: What’s Open/Closed In Belmont

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Indigenous People’s Day in Monday, Oct. 9 at 2023

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrated annually on the second Monday of October – this year Oct. 9 – is a new federal holiday observed by the Town of Belmont to celebrate Native American peoples and commemorate their histories and cultures.

Curb side trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day due to the holiday.

What’s Closed:

  • Belmont Town offices, Belmont Public Library, and Belmont Light are closed.
  • The US Postal Service will not deliver mail, and post offices are closed.
  • Most banks, although branches will be open in some supermarkets.

What’s Opened:

  • Retail stores
  • Coffee shops
  • Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts
  • Supermarkets and convenience stores
  • Establishments that sell beer and wine are also allowed to be open.

MBTA: Holidays such as Juneteenth, Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, and Veterans Day do not have modified schedules; all services will operate on a regular schedule on these days.

Flu, COVID-19 Vaccines Available In Belmont: Registration for Oct. 4 Now Open

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Dates for Fall Vaccine Clinics have been announced

With infection rates for both COVID-19 and the flu outpacing last year’s numbers, the Belmont Health Department has announced its 2023 Vaccine Clinic schedule.

The clinics will take place at the Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Ave. with vaccines for COVID, Flu, Pneumonia, RSV, Shingles, and Tetanus.

The first clinic will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is now open for the Wednesday, Oct. 4 date. Click here to register.

If anyone has trouble registering or isn’t comfortable going online, they are welcome to call the Health Department at 617-993-2720, and we can register them over the phone. At this clinic, we will most likely only have Pfizer available for COVID-19 boosters, but if Moderna becomes available, it will also be offered as a choice at the time of the clinic.

Other clinic dates include:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 11: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 18: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 1: 10 a.m – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 8: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Is The Town Budget Baffling? Residents Can Have Their Say At Public Input Session, Thurs., Sept. 28

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The poster for the public input session

At times it seems like the annual budget process can a bit overwhelming and at times baffling: What’s the difference between one-time and recurring revenue? What is a structural deficit? How could fiscal constraints affect schools and other critical town services?

The Belmont Select Board invites residents to a meeting focused on the short- and long-term forecast for the town budget.

“FY25 and Beyond: Understanding the Town Budget” will take place on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall. Residents can also participate virtually via Zoom by going to the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84775397948

Members of the public will hear brief presentations about critical factors related to the town’s revenue and expenses and have an opportunity to ask questions, provide input, and share ideas.

Still Time To Register For Becca Pizzi 5K On Sunday, Aug. 27 At 9:30 AM

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont’s Becca Pizzi with former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chára with their medals after finishing the 127th B.A.A. Marathon (credit: Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

Runners, don’t miss joining Belmont’s own World Champion for a last of the “summer” road race this Sunday, Aug. 27, as Becca Pizzi holds her annual Becca Pizzi 5K road race at Harris Field on the grounds of Belmont High School.

The race celebrates Becca, a two-time World Marathon Challenge Champion in which athletes ran seven marathons on seven continents all in seven days. Repeating her 2016 victory in 2018, Becca impressively crossed the finish line, setting another World Record, putting her in the Guinness Book of World Records. Pizzi is also an inspirational runner, finishing a marathon in each of the 50 states in the calendar year. At this year’s Boston Marathon, she helped train and ran with former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chára to help him finish his first marathon.

Becca is a lifelong Belmontian who attributes her success to the love and support of her community. She proudly remembers her early running days at Belmont High. As a result, Becca is dedicated to giving back to the community that supported and influenced her throughout her running career.

All race proceeds benefit Belmont High student/athlete scholarships and the Belmont High School athletic programs. This event is organized by Becca and Fitness Together of Belmont. The foundation has awarded Belmont High School athletes over $50,000 in scholarships and sports equipment. Last years scholarships were awarded to Molly Plunkett, Gabriella Athanasiou, and Andy Bello

Race day starts with a Kids Run, with youngsters running a mile (four laps) of the Harris Field track at 9 a.m. The 3.1-mile road race course begins on the track, proceeds to the Winn Brook neighborhood, and then turns back to the high school track. Come early to insure a race bib and a lot of fun.

Chenery’s Soap Box Derby Racer In The Spotlight On National News Broadcast

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont’s Myles Heller-Baptista was in the spotlight on a national television network’s feature story on the All-American Soap Box Derby

It was a thrill for Chenery Middle Schooler Myles Heller-Baptista to travel to far-off Ohio to participate in the 85th annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby this past July.

A Chenery Soup Box Derby club member coached by teacher Leon Dyer, the so-to-be sixth grader got his opportunity to participate in the historic by winning a regional competition held in Arlington.

“Dad” Ade Baptista and Myles Heller-Basptista at the All American Soap Box Derby

The trip was even more memorable when a national television network put Myles in the spotlight on its report of the young racers taking part in the historic event in Akron.

The NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids Edition is a digest of the top headlines, broken down for kids to best understand the world today. The weekly newscast presents feature stories in which kids are the subject. Recent segments explored using musical tips to help retain what kids learned in school over summer break, hip-hop sports, and the Barbie re-phenomenon.

It turned out the network heard through news reports that Myles was on his way and decided that an articulate 11-year-old was just the kid to speak about the his experience driving at the derby.

The link to the feature story is below:

https://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news-kids-edition-august-3-2023-189909061795

And Myles wasn’t the only member of the family in the report. “Dad” Ade Baptista, town meeting member and noted electric car enthusiast, was interviewed for the report.

State Rep Dave Rogers’ Office Hours In Belmont For August

By Leave a Comment

Photo: State Rep Dave Rogers (right) with State Sen. Will Brownsberger

State Rep. Dave Rogers has announced his August office hours in Belmont.

Belmont’s Purple Heart Observation At Vets Memorial, Monday, Aug. 7

By Leave a Comment

Photo: A detail of the poster of the Purple Heart Day Observation on Aug. 7

At 7 p.m. on Monday, August 7, the Belmont Veterans Memorial Committee will host the National Purple Heart Day Observations at the Belmont Veterans Memorial on Claypit Pond at the corner of Concord Avenue and Underwood Street.

Belmont residents, veterans, and their family members, particularly those who are Purple Heart recipients, are invited to attend this special event. 

The event commemorates the date of General George Washington’s commissioning of the first Purple Heart Medal during the Revolutionary War and honors recipients of the medal. 

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

Town Sets Up Cooling Centers During Current Heat Wave, Thursday Through Saturday

By Leave a Comment

Photo: It’s gonna be like down south for the next three days

Beat the heat at a pair of Belmont Cooling Center this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; July 27-29.

Due to the upcoming period of high heat and humidity, the Beech Street Center at 266 Beech St. and the Belmont Public Library at 336 Concord Ave. will be open as cooling centers.

The hours will be as follows:

  • Beech Street Center: Thursday, July 27: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, July 28: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Belmont Public Library: Thursday, July 27: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.,  Friday, July 28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 29: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The town encourages everyone to stay cool and hydrated, and check on elderly friends and neighbors who, along with others, may need help during this period of high heat and humidity.

Belmont’s First Town-Wide Yard Sale Set For Sept. 23

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmlont Town-wide Yard Sale ready for the first weekend of the fall

The Belmont Public Library, the Council on Aging, and the Recreation Department are hosting what they hope is an annual Town-wide Yard Sale.

The event is scheduled for the first Saturday of fall, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the rain date will be Sept. 30). Households will register online at BelmontRec.com; the cost is $15 per house address. A map will then be produced with every location of a participating household.

What is a Town-wide Yard Sale? Think of it as Porchfest, but instead of musicians at locations across town, you’ll clean out your garage and basements and sell the contents on a specific day with everyone else in the community. Belmont will join municipalities across Massachusetts and the country hosting these tag sales, including Watertown, Burlington, Wellesley, North Reading, and Wilmington.

“This will be an event focused on the recycling of goods, community fellowship, and highlighting of the local business community,” Peter Struzziero, Belmont Public Library director, told the board. He also said, coincidently, the library will be holding its annual book sale that weekend.