Stand-Up Campaign Hosting ‘Kindness, Decency and Civil Discourse’ Sunday, May 1st

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Photo: The poster for The Stand-up Campaign event.

The Stand-up Campaign, a non-partisan, non-political initiative formed to promote civil discourse and community engagement, is hosting an interactive community conversation titled “Kindness, Decency and Civil Discourse” on Sunday, May 1 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Assembly Room at the Belmont Public Library, 336 Concord Ave. A social time will run from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Adults, teens, educators and school officials, town administrators and elected officials, coaches and sports administrators, public health and safety officers from Belmont and surrounding communities are encouraged to attend and to share experiences and best practices.

“There is increasing polarity in our country, and we have heard from many in the community who are committed to bringing people of differing opinions together to find common ground,” said Donna Ruvolo, the Stand-Up Campaign’s spokesperson and co-founder. 

“This event will be an upbeat, ‘hands-on’ conversation on ideas and plans for future programming and events.”

The Stand-up Campaign has partnered with Belmont Against Racism and the Unitarian Universalist Social Action Committee for this event.

 For more information, please contact Donna Ruvolo at 617-489-5446.  

Celebrate Plymouth Nursery’s 70th Birthday This Saturday

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Photo: The Plymouth Nursery’s playground.
The Plymouth Nursery School is celebrating its 70th year. And all former PNS students and parents are invited to a birthday party celebration on Saturday, April 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the school, located at 582 Pleasant St. 
If you would like to attend please RSVP by email at pnsadmissions@plymouthnurseryschool.com

Since 1946, Plymouth has fostered the intellectual, creative, and social development of thousands of children in the Belmont area. Plymouth’s teachers provide a warm, nurturing environment that is responsive to the developmental needs of each child.

As a co-operative nursery school, parent and teachers are partners in the education and growth of the children and stewards of the school and its mission. Our longevity as an institution would not have been possible without the dedication and generosity of generations of families.

‘The Boston Girls’ Author Anita Diamant Caps One Book One Belmont With Talk

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Photo: Anita Diamant

Best-selling author Anita Diamant, author of “The Red Tent” and “Day After Night,” will read from and talk about her most recent novel, “The Boston Girl,” tonight, Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.

Diamant’s talk is the capstone of a month-long series of events associated with One Book One Belmont, which picked Diamant’s novel as its 2016 selection.

Author Stephen McCauley (“The Object of My Affection,” “Insignificant Others”) will introduce her and her work.

After a question and answer session, books will be available for purchase and signing.

One Book One Belmont 2016 marks the sixth time that the Belmont Public Library has joined with a broad range of co-sponsoring organizations to offer a community-wide reading program.

This year, the programs include an art exhibit, walking tour, programs on women’s suffrage and immigration, an oral history project, book discussion groups and children’s and teen programs

The goal of One Book One Belmont is to build a spirit of community by bringing together individuals and groups through a series of book-related events and discussions and to promote reading as an enjoyable and mind-opening activity. It is patterned after community reads held in hundreds of cities and towns across the country.

Belmont Drug Take-Back Set For Saturday, April 30

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Photo: The Belmont Police will have a collection point Saturday, April 30.

The Belmont Police Department in conjunction with the Belmont Auxiliary Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency will be hosting a Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative to prevent the abuse and theft of old, unused and expired prescription drugs.

The Belmont Police will have a collection point set up at the DPW yard, 37C St., on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Unfortunately, these drugs are highly susceptible to misuse by family and friends. Also, they can be improperly disposed of and end up in our environment, posing a potential health hazard.

Old or unused prescription drugs – no liquids – may be dropped off for free with no questions asked. You won’t even have to get out of your car.

Please take some time to check your medicine cabinet and visit us on Saturday. Unfortunately, these drugs are highly susceptible to misuse by family and friends. Also, they can be improperly disposed of and end up in our environment, posing a potential health hazard.

For more information on the Rx Drug Take Back Initiative or a list of additional collection sites visit the DEA’s website. You may also contact Lt. Daley at kdaley@belmontpd.org. We also have a permanent Rx drug collection kiosk located in the lobby of the police station that is accessible 24/7.

Belmont Recognized as Purple Heart Community

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Photo: Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart saluting the flag during the National Anthem.

Speaking before Purple Heart recipients and residents on Friday, Belmont Asst. Police Chief  James MacIsaac told the story of three young Belmont residents who died in defense of their country. 

James Paul White (whom the White Field House is named after) killed in 1944 and friends Teddy Lee and Donny Ray who died in Vietnam were just three of hundreds of Belmont residents from the Civil War to Afghanistan whose “stories needed to be told to ensure that the residents of Belmont never forget the young people from Belmont who have answered the call to war time and time again,” said MacIsaac.

It was on that theme of sacrifice for the country that on Friday, April 22, in front of Belmont Public Library with the Belmont Hill School’s a capella group The B-flats singing the National Anthem; Belmont was formally recognized as a Purple Heart Community by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Belmont’s Veteran Services Agent, Bob Upton received a plaque from officers of the Order before veterans, town officials, residents and the handful of Belmontians who were honored with the medal in defense of the country. Belmont is now one of 86 municipalities which “shows our appreciation to our combat wounded, Purple Heart recipients.”

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members. 

In his keynote speech, MacIsaac told the story of a message that was reportedly found in an old sentry box in Gibraltar.

“God and the soldier all men adore, in a time of trouble and no more. For when war is over and all things righted, God is neglected, and the old soldier is slighted.” 

“It’s a timeless quote that I think we can all agree has some truth to it,” said MacIsaac.

“That’s why I think it is important for the cities and towns that make up this nation to make an effort to remember and recognize those that served and those that were wounded or killed in action in the service of their country,” he said.

“I’m very happy that Belmont has made a step, by being designated a Purple Heart Community, that will help ensure that our old soldiers are not slighted but remembered for their service to our town and country, and I’m honored to partaking in this morning’s ceremony,” said MacIsaac. 

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Trash/Recycling Delayed A Day by Patriots’ Day Holiday

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Photo: Collection delayed a day.

The scheduled curb-side pickup of trash and recycling in Belmont will be pushed back a day due to the Patriots’ Day holiday, Monday, April 18.

As a result, those households, apartments and businesses who have their garbage cans and recycling bins emptied on Monday of this week will need to wait until tomorrow, Tuesday, to drag it to the street.

Becca Pizzi’s Big Year Just Got Better With A Fenway Surprise [VIDEO]

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Photo: The happy moment at Fenway with Becca Pizzi and Joe Stilwell. (FOX25 WFXT)

Joe Stilwell was happy to be a supportive partner in the background while his girlfriend of five years, Belmont’s Becca Pizzi, became a running phenom this year by winning the World Marathon Challenge – seven marathons run on consecutive days in seven continents – in a time that is the gold standard for women to strive to match.

But on Sunday, Stilwell decided that it was his time to take center stage. And what a place to do so, but the pitcher’s mound at Boston’s Fenway Park where Pizzi was given the honor of throwing out the first pitch before the Red Sox/Toronto Blue Jays. 

But before she got that chance, Stilwell strode up to Pizzi, got down on one knee and asked for Pizzi’s hand in marriage. As can be seen in the video, the request was pretty much a surprise to Pizzi.

By the way, she accepted. Pizzi then threw the ball on the fly to the catcher. 

And on Monday, she’s looking to run the BAA Marathon in about three hours and a half. 

(Video from FOX25 WFXT)

Belmont High’s Wind Ensemble Plays Symphony Hall Saturday, And You’re Invited

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Photo:Belmont High School Wind Ensemble

The old vaudeville chestnut goes:

“A stranger asks a New Yorker, ‘How do you get to Carnegie Hall?'”

“Practice!”

But for the Belmont High School Wind Ensemble, its path to the stage of Boston’s historic Symphony Hall was paved with gold … a gold medal.

The Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform at Symphony Hall on Saturday, April 16, as a result of its winning performance at the recently-completed Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association festival. 

And Belmont residents can join in the achievement as its gig is open to the public for free. 

The Wind Ensemble will take the stage at 1:30 p.m. sharp, and its performance will last about 20 to 30 minutes.

“If you are looking for a wonderful way to kick off your April vacation, please consider coming to hear this performance by our Wind Ensemble,” said Arto Asadoorian, director of Fine & Performing Arts for Belmont’s public schools.

Asadoorian said this year’s Wind Ensemble is an unusually wonderful group of kids, most of whom are seniors.

“This will be a fitting capstone to their music years at Belmont High School, and something that they’ll remember forever. Having a large, supportive audience made up of their teachers would make the day even more special,” he said.

“Let’s pack the place!” said Asadoorian.

Authors Springs Into The Chenery for Summer Reading/Book Fest

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Photo: Young Adult authors and Belmont residents Diana Renn (left) and Ammi-Joan Paquette who will participate in the “Spring Into Summer Reading” Author Festival & Book Fair.

The Chenery Middle School is where the action will be this afternoon, Thursday, April 14, as seven Young Adult book authors will meet readers and answer questions at the “Spring Into Summer Reading” Author Festival & Book Fair from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Chenery Middle School cafeteria.

The fair is open to all students, especially those from the town’s four elementary schools.

The authors attending the fair include: 

  • David Yoo, 
  • Erin Dionne, 
  • Josh Funk, 
  • Julie Berry, 
  • Kekla Magoon, 

And a pair of Belmont resident authors 

  • Diana Renn
  • Ammi-Joan Paquette

In addition to meeting the authors and asking them questions, participants can attend workshops and presentations – Dionne will speak about writing a catchy beginning to stories to “hook” the reader – and buy books that the authors will sign. Each book sold will help support the Chenery library!

7 News’ Sports Director Amorosino At Belmont Woman’s Club Wednesday

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Photo: Joe Amorosino of 7 News.
Belmont youth and adults are invited to meet Emmy recipient 7 News WHDH-TV’s Sports Director Joe Amorosino, who will speak at the Belmont Woman’s Club/the 1853 Homer House at 661 Pleasant St. on Wednesday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Amorosino covered all four Patriots Super Bowl wins (2002, 2004, 2005, 2014), all three of the Red Sox recent World Series wins (2004, 2007, 2013), the Celtics’ most recent NBA Championship win (2008) and the Boston Bruins most recent Stanley Cup Championship (2011).

The talk and a reception with Amorosino will last one hour.  

 
Th public is cordially invited with free admission.