Arlington
The Arlington Education Foundation and Arlington FY11 are planning two concerts as part of their joint efforts to raise $1 million to lessen the impact of budget cuts on the local schools. The first concert will feature the Tom Ferrante Swing Band on June 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Arlington High School. The second concert, June 6 at 4 p.m. in Town Hall, will feature students from the Ottoson Middle School and a quartet composed of Selectman Kevin Greeley, School Committee chairman Joe Curro, Ottoson Middle School principal Tim Ruggere, and Arlington High principal Charlie Skidmore. The nonprofit groups last week announced their campaign had topped $171,000. The proceeds will be turned over to the School Committee to ease the impact of budget cuts that are expected to require dozens of layoffs and cuts in programs. Donations for the FY11 School Gap Fund will be collected at the concerts in lieu of an admission fee, organizers said.
BELMONT
WELLINGTON SCHOOL BRICKS — The Wellington School Parent Teacher Organization is selling bricks that will be part of the “Walkway to Wellington,’’ the entry leading up to the rebuilt elementary school. The money raised in the walkway fund-raiser supports the parent-teacher organization, which provides enrichment opportunities for the school’s students as well as professional development for its teachers. The 2-inch-by-8-inch bricks, which will be laser-engraved with the names of donors or someone they wish to honor, can be purchased for a $50 donation online at
www.belmont.k12.ma.us/wellington.
Brookline
NEW PILOT CONTRIBUTION — Another small nonprofit organization has added its name to the list of local institutions ponying up a voluntary payment in lieu of taxes to help the town cover its expenses. The Larz Anderson Auto Museum has agreed to a payment of $1,100 during the fiscal year starting July 1, and then increase the amount each year until it reaches $7,000 by the 2016 fiscal year, according to the town’s finance director, Stephen Cirillo. The final figure represents about 15 percent of the assessed value of the museum’s building, which sits on town-owned land in Larz Anderson Park. The so-called PILOT agreement is the eighth or ninth that Cirillo has negotiated since the town devised a policy to approach all local tax-exempt properties, including churches, hospitals and private schools, to request a contribution for the services they receive from Brookline, such as roads, police, and fire, he said. Like Larz Anderson, fellow PILOT participants Brookline Arts Center and Brookline Music School are situated on town land, and were asked to contribute a smaller percentage than entities sitting on private properties worth more than $5 million, Cirillo said. “You can’t exempt some’’ from the policy, “or you won’t get the big players to the table,’’ he said, noting the relatively small size of the museum and the arts institutions.
GREEN ON THE BIG SCREEN — Launching a series of at least five ecology-themed films, the Coolidge Corner Theatre will show “What’s on Your Plate?’’ at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The documentary follows two urban 11-year-olds as they explore their place on the food chain. Sadie and Safiya talk to food activists, farmers, storekeepers, their families and each other to understand the origin and politics of their meals each day. Sponsored by Wainwright Bank, the Green Screen film series will look at such environmental issues as water conservation and green architecture. Tickets to “What’s on Your Plate?’’ will be $9.75, free for Coolidge members. Details at www.coolidge.org or 617-734-2501. — Andreae Downs
TOWN DEMS NET GOV, BARNEY — US Representative Barney Frank and Governor Deval Patrick will address the Brookline Democratic Town Committee at the group’s spring fund-raising luncheon, 1:30-4 p.m. on June 13. Tickets are $25, and besides face time with local officials and Town Committee members will include a full Chinese buffet lunch at newly opened Sichuan Gourmet, 1006 Beacon St.
TOWN MEETING OPENS TUESDAY — The issues facing Town Meeting members when the annual session convenes Tuesday include a Heath School expansion study aimed at addressing its booming enrollments; whether to adopt a “stretch energy code’’ covering building requirements that would put the town on the road to a state Green Community designation; whether to adopt additional sanctions for loud parties; whether to rezone part of Boylston Street (Route 9) to prevent future structures overshadowing White Place; banning texting while driving; and, of course, the budget. — Andreae Downs
YOUNG ARTISTS AT WORK — Gadsby Award-winning works by Brookline scholars in grades 4-7 will be displayed June 1-8, at the Brookline Arts Center, 86 Monmouth St. The awards ceremony will be June 8, 6-8 p.m. Hours and details at www.brooklineartscenter.com, or call 617-566-5715. — Andreae Downs
Lexington
SESSION ON BOWMAN SIDEWALK, BIKES — State officials will be holding a public hearing tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Bowman School cafeteria to discuss a “Safe Routes to School” project, a proposal for 2,700 feet of new sidewalk around the school, and a new pedestrian flashing light and warning sign on Pleasant Street. The project would include new wheelchair-accessible ramps, pavement markings, and pedestrian warning signs near the Philip Road elementary school. According to the state Department of Transportation’s Highway Division, plans will be on display 30 minutes before the hearing begins, and an engineer will be at the meeting to answer questions about the project. Bowman School families have created a petition supporting the project, citing benefits to the school’s neighborhood and student safety.
Newton
JUNE TIME FOR FAMILIES — There’s still time to sign up for a morning music and arts program for parents and children ages 18 months through 4 years. The June Time for Families program will begin June 1 at the Newton Cultural Center, 22 Nevada St. “This is the same programming we have at our very popular yearly Time for Partners event; the difference is in this program, we welcome whole families for the same price,’’ said Jeannie Smith, associate director of the Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs. “It’s a really great way for young parents to meet other parents with kids the same age.’’ The Tuesday programs will be led by art teacher Kim Jacques and music instructor David Polansky. On Thursdays, Polansky will be joined by art teacher Mary Bruno. The program costs $85 for four sessions, on June 1, 3, 8, and 10. For more information, contact the Newton Cultural Center at 617-796-1540. —
Sarah Thomas READING FROM “LARRY’S KIDNEY’’ — On Wednesday at 10 a.m., author Daniel Asa Rose will be speaking about his new book, “Larry’s Kidney,’’ at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton St. in Newton Center. A dark comedy, “Larry’s Kidney’’ tells the true story of the author’s travels in China with his cousin, navigating the ins and outs of the black market organ trade. An excerpt of the book, which is available in paperback and digital forms, has been posted on the author’s website, www.danielasarose.com. The free reading Wednesday is part of the JCC’s Distinguished Author Series. For more information, visit www.lsjcc.org.
WATERTOWN
ARMENIAN DUO IN CONCERT — The Armenian Library and Museum of America will present a benefit concert by two acclaimed Armenian-American musicians June 4. Singer Eva Medzorian and pianist Gegham Markarian will play a selection of Armenian and American musical standards in the museum’s contemporary art gallery in the 8 p.m. concert. “Medzorian currently lives in Winchester, and is well-known for her commitment to Armenian culture,’’ said Christie Hardiman, a museum spokeswoman. “She and Markarian have collaborated before, and this should be a very entertaining evening.’’ Proceeds from the $10 tickets for the concert will benefit the museum, while sales of Medzorian’s CDs will benefit Ajakits/Helping Hands, a nonprofit organization that provides safe housing for women in jeopardy in Gyumri, Armenia. “Our organization works to create exhibits and programs that highlight Armenian arts and culture,’’ Hardiman said, noting that a current show features “the largest collection of Armenian costumes in North America.’’ For more information, visit
www.almainc.org. —
Sarah ThomasWELLESLEY
SPEAK WELL, STAND OUT — When it comes to presenting themselves to the world of coaches, teachers, and potential employers, many teenagers, and their parents, are at a loss. How to speak? How to dress? How involved should parents be? Theresa Campbell, founder of a personal marketing organization, Speak Well Stand Out, will deliver a free talk on the subject at the Wellesley Free Library at 7 p.m. Thursday. “We still have a number of slots left for parents and teenagers wanting to learn more about how teens should present themselves and improve communication with adults,’’ said Elise MacLennan, assistant director for library services. “The goal is to empower teens to present themselves confidently and, if they’re looking for a summer or after-school job, to interview well.’’ With the session limited to 25 teen/parent pairs, registration is required. Contact Maura Renzella at the town’s Youth Commission at
mrenzella@wellesleyma.gov or 781-446-5274. For details, visit
www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org. —
Sarah ThomasBERLIN
GARDEN TOUR — Tickets are available for the Berlin Garden Tour on June 19. The tour, a fund-raising event sponsored by Berlin’s 1870 Town Hall and the Friends of the Berlin Public Library, features four local gardens in town. For more information, contact Pat Smith at
psmith10@charter.net.
BOYLSTON
HOPING FOR ROUTE 140 GROWTH — Officials will move ahead this summer with plans to spur more development along Route 140 following the passage of new zoning for the commercial corridor, said Town Administrator Nancy Colbert Puff. Aimed at being more business friendly, the zoning changes were approved by Town Meeting this month, Colbert said. Attention now shifts to encouraging private landowners along Route 140 to pursue economic development projects that would help increase the town’s tax base, she said.
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Matt GundersonLINCOLN
DEADLINE FOR HOUSE BIDS — The deadline to submit bids on a three-bedroom town-owned home at 18 Twin Pond Lane is tomorrow at 1 p.m. Bidders will be announced after the deadline and the Board of Selectmen will pick the winning offer next month. The home, which sits on 5.7 acres, was deeded to the town for $100 in 2007. The Board of Assessors has valued the seven-room property at $1.3 million. To apply, bidders must submit a price proposal form, disclosure statement, certification of nonclosure, tax compliance certificate, statement of beneficial interest, and certificate of authority. Anyone interested should submit the documents to the Board of Selectmen at Lincoln Town Hall, 16 Lincoln Road, PO Box 6353, Lincoln, MA 01773. For details, call 781-259-8850 or go online to
www.lincolntown.org.
NORFOLK
BID FOR ROUTE 109 DESIGN WORK — Town officials are moving forward with plans to reconstruct a local stretch of Route 109 and are seeking an engineer to provide design and planning services. The work will cover the portion of Route 109 called Main Street from its intersection with Holliston Street west to its intersection with Summer Street, where the state highway’s local name is Milford Street. Engineering work will be aimed at improving safety and traffic flow by examining the feasibility of reconstructing the road surface and environs with sidewalks, crosswalks, benches, signals, and possibly bike lanes. Similar improvements have taken place in recent years along Route 109 in Millis and Westwood. The town will pay up to $700,000 for the design services; bids for the work are due June 3 at 11 a.m. For more information, visit
www.townofmedway.org.
STOW
CLEARING LAKE BOON WEEDS — Town Meeting recently approved spending $10,000 to help clear Lake Boon of invasive weeds. Conray Wharff, a member of the Lake Boon Commission, said the project helps preserve real estate values on the lake, which is threatened with being overrun by the weeds. As the weeds on Lake Boon have diminished, so have the environmental concerns about the use of herbicides on the lake, said Wharff. “Once people saw nothing bad happened, they began to support it,’’ he said.
WESTBOROUGH
SENIOR HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY — The Willows at Westborough, a retirement home at 1 Lyman St., will host a special program as part of the 17th annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with events running from 9 a.m. until noon. Pamela Katz Ressler, a nurse and the president of Stress Resources of Concord, will be the keynote speaker. The program will also include health information presentations, blood pressure checks, balance and strength screenings, entertainment, refreshments, raffles, and tours of the facilities. The annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day event is organized by the Mature Market Resource Center, which estimates that more than 100,000 seniors will be participating in more than 10,000 locations across the country. With space at the Willows event limited, officials said, interested participants are asked to reserve a spot by calling 1-508-366-4730, ext. 3577. —
Jennifer Roach 
© Copyright 2010 Globe Newspaper Company.
