In response to the recent suicides that have impacted the Needham community, the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention and Needham Youth Services are offering QPR trainings, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer.

The program helps participants examine the myths surrounding suicide, explore the signs of suicide, discover the differences between suicide and self injury, and learn how to help to a person in distress, according to a program announcement.

Needham Youth Services director Jon Mattleman said the program is one of the most popular and important that his department offers. He said he has heard feedback from community members that his program has potentially saved lives.

A flier for the program with registration details is available at www.needhamma.gov/youth/qpr.

By Abbie Ruzicka, Globe Correspondent

Four police officers and one resident were injured Friday afternoon in a fire in Scituate, officials said.

The state fire marshal's office is investigating the blaze at 24 Egypt Beach Road, said fire marshal's spokeswoman Jennifer Mieth. She had no further information.

Dispatchers at the town police and fire department had no comment on the fire.

By L.E. Crowley, Town correspondent

Paul G. Kirk visited the Inly School in Scituate Friday and brought a message of lifelong commitment to community and public service that culminated in his recent appointment to the US Senate.

Some controversy swirled around the process of temporarily filling the seat of Kirk's friend and former boss, Edward M. Kennedy, but Kirk said it was difficult to turn down the job, especially since he and Kennedy has talked about Kirk's filling the seat.

Newton Aldermen will vote Monday on whether to shrink the disparity in the tax rate for residences and businesses.

Currently, local businesses are taxed at 175 percent of the residential tax rate. Aldermen voted 11 to 7 to reduce that number to 173 percent on Thursday, and the board will likely make its final vote on Monday.

Under the new structure, residences would be taxed at $10.44 per $1,000 in valuation, and businesses would be taxed at $19.71 per $1,000 in valuation.

-- Calvin Hennick, Globe Correspondent

By Andreae Downs Globe Correspondent

A special opening of the John F. Kennedy National Historic Site in Brookline Nov. 22 will commemorate the 46th anniversary of his assassination, at age 46.

The site of the 35th president’s birth closed for the season Nov. 1, but this year marks the 40th anniversary of its opening. The Nov. 22 opening will be from 10 am to 3 pm, with a ceremony outside the house at noon, according to Mark Swartz, park ranger.

A Festival of Trees, the seasonal display of decorated trees donated by local businesses, civic organizations, and individuals, is set to open at Elm Bank on Nov. 21.

Each tree is decorated differently and has a special theme, according to an event announcement. This year's themes include teddy bears, the Red Sox, and nature.

The trees will also be stocked with bonus prizes like gift certificates and merchandise, and the entire packages will be raffled off. Visitors are encouraged to enter to win the tree of their choice, as separate raffle boxes will be placed in front of each tree.

Admission is $7 for adults and free for children under 12. The Festival of Trees closes on Dec. 4. For festival hours, visit www.MassHortFestivalofTrees.org.

Associated Press and Globe staff reports

A skydiver who grew up in Wellesley and lived in Boston was killed during a jump in California this week after trying earlier in the day to set a parachuting record at a charity event, friends and officials said.

Stephen Millard Harrington, 40, a graduate of Wellesley High School, was pronounced dead Wednesday after landing in a driveway in Murrieta, Calif., about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

‘‘Steve was an experienced skydiver and wingsuiter, with over 3000 jumps,’’ said his husband, Adam Wright. ‘‘He was a wonderful, caring, loving husband. We are completely devastated by the loss of Steve.’’

As many know from the recent dust up over his biography, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg grew up in Medford, but, the book says, longed to run off to the big city.

Well, he's back. Or at least his presence is back, courtesy of a release from US Senate candidate Alan Khazei touting Bloomberg's endorsement in Massachusetts' US Senate race.

By Brock Parker, Globe Correspondent

It’s been almost 80 years since Brookline Police lost an officer in the line of duty, but Detective Kenneth McHugh is doing what he can to keep alive the stories of the town’s fallen cops.

McHugh, 57, is a 31-year veteran of the department and will be presenting the stories of fallen Brookline Police officers Joseph McMurray and Joseph O’Brien at the Historical Society’s fall meeting Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. at Town Hall at 333 Washington St.

“They were definitely both heroes,” McHugh said.

Josh Reynolds
Melrose High volleyball standout Hannah Brickley.

The Melrose High girls' volleyball team secured a spot in the Division 2 North final by sweeping previously unbeaten Boston English, Thursday night, 3-0.

The Red Raiders (21-1) now face North Reading (21-1) in the North title game Saturday at 4 p.m. at Andover High School. Follow the team on www.melrosevolleyball.blogspot.com.

By Marvin, Globe Correspondent

Babson College head men’s soccer coach Jon Anderson calls Jimmy Stento, his sophomore forward from neighboring Needham, “Mr. November’’ - and with good reason.

Stento netted nine of his 10 points in the last three games for the Beavers, which are heading into the NCAA Division 3 tournament. He had a goal and two assists in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference regular-season finale, a 4-2 victory over MIT; a goal and assist in the Beavers’ 2-1 NEWMAC semifinal win against WPI; and, on Sunday, the winner in the 77th minute in the conference final, a 2-1 victory against Wheaton at home in Wellesley.

“After an up-and-down start to his first season at Babson, Jimmy has come on in the last few weeks to not only score big goals, but set up goals down the stretch,’’ said Anderson, whose team was 8-0 in conference play, including the two tournament wins, and 15-5-1 overall going into Saturday’s NCAA regional semifinal against Western New England College, being played at Wesleyan in Connecticut.

“We’re a close group and we didn’t want our season to be over,’’ said Stento, whose father, James T. Stento, was Babson’s leading scorer as a junior and senior, and led the Beavers to back-to-back Division 3 national championships in 1979 and ’80.

“On the winning goal, Dan Fogarty worked the ball down the left side and crossed it to me, and I got the ball toward the center of the goal and hit the right corner of the net. It was definitely the biggest goal I’ve ever scored.’’

Stento was coached by his father - a member of the Babson Athletic Hall of Fame - in Needham’s youth soccer program, with the focus on always hustling and to keep trying. The advice has been heeded this fall.

“Early this season, I was playing behind some older players, then I came down with bronchitis that set me back, and then I got a contusion on my left leg and missed two more games,’’ said Stento. “But I started playing more, I got healthier, and I felt more like my old self just at the right time. Last year, I was recruited to play, but I told Coach I wanted to just focus on school work, and I hope to play four years here eventually.’’

At Needham High, Stento played freshman baseball, then focused on soccer. As a senior, he was a Bay State Conference all-star and an all-state selection who led the Rockets in scoring.

Marvin Pave can be reached at 508-820-4223 or marvin.pave@ rcn.com.

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

Congressman Edward Markey - whose district includes Medford - says the federal stimulus package will create many new jobs in the state's technology sector, despite a report of inflated job growth claims from organizations that have received grants through the program.

"A lot of this is investment in long-term job growth," Markey said.

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

Congressman Edward Markey - whose district includes Melrose - says the federal stimulus package will create many new jobs in the state's technology sector, despite a report of inflated job growth claims from organizations that have received grants through the program.

"A lot of this is investment in long-term job growth," Markey said.

The Malden High School varsity football game vs Everett scheduled for Saturday has been rescheduled to Sunday at 3 p.m. at Macdonald Stadium in Malden.

Both teams are 2-0 in Greater Boston League play. Malden is 4-4 overall under first-year coach Joe Pappagallo, while Everett is 5-2 behind veteran leader John DiBiaso.

By Kathy McCabe, Globe Staff

The Board of Aldermen on Monday is expected to choose a new tax classification, which will be used to set the tax rate for the current fiscal year.

The board held a public hearing on the options last week, with a presentation from the Board of Assessors. Due to the absence of some aldermen, the board voted to delay choosing a new rate until tomorrow’s meeting.

By Kathy McCabe, Globe Staff

The City of Malden has issued a reminder that use of city parking lots during snow emergencies is limited to Malden residents.

Parking this winter will be allowed at Beebe School on Pleasant Street, Ferryway School on Cross Street, Forestdale School on Sylvan Street, Linden School on Westcott Street, Salemwood School on Salem Street, and the Early Learning Center on Mountain Avenue.

Danielle Dreilinger
A watermelon, you thought? No, a turnip.

By Danielle Dreilinger, Globe Correspondent

In the nine years since I discovered community-supported agriculture, the distance between me and my farm share has steadily shrunk.

At first, I schlepped out to Sudbury every Saturday. Then it was Lincoln-Route 2 in rush hour. Then farms started offering in-city pickup, so I hiked on over to North Cambridge during, yes, rush hour. Then Central Square, lugging a heavy bag of produce and sneaking carrots on the T.

Globe file photo
A Belgian waffle with fruit shows
the generous portion size.

Ball Square Café
708 Broadway, Somerville
617-623-2233
www.ballsquarecafe.com
Open daily, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Major credit cards accepted
Accessible to the handicapped

By Steve Bradt, Globe Correspondent

I have one gripe with Ball Square Café in Somerville: It’s too far from my home.

This is the sort of place I’d visit almost every weekend if it were in my neighborhood. It’s pleasant and comfortable, the staff is warm and welcoming, and everything I managed to sample was breakfast fare at its best.

That said, maybe it’s for the best that I don’t live closer. The portions are large, and it’s hard to select just one item from the many variations on eggs, Belgian waffles, pancakes, and French toast. Invariably I waddled out the door feeling very happy but also very stuffed.

I gravitate toward protein-rich breakfasts, and especially appreciated the generous omelets, bursting with fresh, flavorful ingredients.

Melrose High School is holding an eighth grade parent information night from 6:30-8 p.m., Dec 7 in the school’s resource center, according to a flyer about the event.

Parents will be able to learn about curriculum, advanced placement classes, special education services, guidance services, extracurricular activities, community service opportunities, and ninth grade orientation.

Beck Schutte (right) and his brother Luke model two of the chemo care caps made by Commonwealth employee Linda Pruett. (Photo provided by Commonwealth)

By Jessica Rudis, Globe Correspondent

Ever since Labor Day, a group of employees at Commonwealth Financial Network in Waltham have been knitting up a storm. They meet every Friday during lunch to knit hats, which they will soon deliver to children at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Mustard's Retreat (image provided by the band).

The band Mustard's Retreat will be playing a show at the Homegrown Coffeehouse on Nov. 21 at 8:00 p.m.

The National Archives in Waltham is offering a free public workshop, "Census, Passenger Lists, & Naturalization Records" on Dec. 1 at 2:00 p.m. The course will teach people how to utilize the free public records at the site to research their family histories.

It is one of the most popular workshops offered by the National Archives, and it is intended for both novice and experienced family historians, according to an event announcement.

The National Archives in Waltham is one of 14 regional facilities where the public has access to Federal archival records. The workshop will teach people how to best use these records to discover documents related to their family stories.

To register for the workshop, send an email to waltham.archives@nara.gov .

(A weekly series chronicling the journey of the defending Division 1 state champion Newton South girls’ cross-country team through the All-State Meet Nov. 21 at Northfield Mountain).

With the All-State meet on the horizon, the Lions fielded a team team of its younger runners at last weekend’s MSTCA Coaches’ Invitational at the Wrentham Development Center.

‘‘This is a strong field of some of the top runners, but is also a comfortable race for some our developing kids,’’ said Newton South coach Steve McChesney. ‘‘I normally do not run any of the kids in this meet that are going to run in [Eastern Mass] and All-State as I feel that is a lot of big meets to get up for in a row. Also, most of my serious runners run all three seasons and I try to limit how many times they go to the well over the entire year.’’

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

Congressman Edward Markey - whose district includes Malden - says the federal stimulus package will create many new jobs in the state's technology sector, despite a report of inflated job growth claims from organizations that have received grants through the program.

"A lot of this is investment in long-term job growth," Markey said.