[Shadow_Group] Send a letter of thanks to veterans
shadowgroup-l at lists.resist.ca
shadowgroup-l at lists.resist.ca
Tue Nov 23 03:48:00 PST 2004
Send a letter of thanks to veterans
Thursday, November 11, 2004
FROM:
http://www2.townonline.com/needham/opinion/view.bg?articleid=122493<http://www2.townonline.com/needham/opinion/view.bg?articleid=122493>
In November, veterans are remembered. A way the
community can say thanks is to support all veterans
who are serving their country. One way is to send them
a letter of thanks to let them know, we as a
community, appreciate their efforts in securing peace
through the world.
The veterans office would like to have a
letter-writing program. Envelopes with the names of
veterans who are now serving their country will be
distributed to Needham locations, including stores and
businesses, so that the people in town can pick them
up and write a letter of thanks.
The veterans office is asking the citizens of
Needham to send to the names and addresses of any
husband, wife, son, daughter, nephew, niece, friend or
loved one who is now serving the country so the names
can be put on the envelopes. People would then be able
to pick up a named envelope and write a letter.
The envelope then could be returned to where it
was picked up or at the Town Hall, and the veterans
office will see to it that the letters are mailed to
the veteran. Those serving do not have to come from
Needham.
Send the names to Veterans Agent John Logan, 1471
Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02492 or Lt. Tom Leary, 99
School St., Needham, MA 02492 on or before Nov. 18.
Names can also be e-mailed to
jlogan at town.needham.ma.us
Needham Times submission deadlines
The Needham Times welcomes press releases,
calendar listings and other submissions for inclusion
in the newspaper. However, due to the nature of the
business, deadlines must be observed.
In general, the earlier an item is received, the
better the chance that it will be printed at the
appropriate time. The following specific deadlines
apply:
Press releases and calendar entries must be received
in our Needham office by 5 p.m. on Thursday to have
the best chance for publication in the following
week's edition.
Obituaries are due by Monday at 4 p.m. for that week's
publication.
Letters to the editor are due by Monday at 5 p.m. for
that week's edition.
Wedding, engagement and birth announcements are
published as space becomes available, and can
sometimes take several weeks to appear from the time
they are submitted. The same applies to items for the
Neighbors or Professionals listings.
Items can be mailed to the Needham Times, 254
Second Avenue, Needham, MA 02494; faxed to
781-433-8202; or e-mailed to needham at cnc.com.
Obituaries submitted via fax should be sent to
781-433-7836.
Origami group to meet
Paperfolders in New England will meet Saturday,
Nov. 13, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., in the Parish Hall
of First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist, 23
Dedham Ave., to enjoy the art of origami. Everyone is
welcome, and instruction is provided, with elementary
instruction from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
For more information, call John Smith at
781-444-1276 or e-mail saltsmith at rcn com.
Glaucoma clinic on Nov. 20
A free glaucoma clinic takes place Saturday, Nov.
20, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Beth Israel Deaconess
Hospital - Needham, in the Medical Day Care Suite on
the first floor. For an appointment, call the Needham
Health Department at 781-455-7523.
Teen band program seeks class space
Plugged In, the charitable non-profit teen band
program in Needham, is looking for a new location at
which to hold its classes. Due to the popularity of
Plugged In, enrollment has been growing and the
program is outgrowing its current location.
If anyone is interested in renting a location to
Plugged In, or knows of anyone who might be, call
Sandra Rizkallah at 781-956-4281, or e-mail
srizkallah at comcast.net. For more information about
Plugged In, visit www.pluggedinband.org.
Plugged In is a program for kids who want to
start a rock band. Each group of about five students
chooses a name for the band and what songs they are
going to play. They also write and perform original
music. Through the creative and nurturing environment
provided by the Plugged In program, students are
encouraged to take risks in both musical performance
and songwriting, which results in artistic growth and
increased self-confidence.
At the end of each session, the Plugged In teen
bands perform in a live benefit concert. As the music
industry is dominated by business, money, success and
fame, Plugged In hopes to infuse their students'
experience of music with some social consciousness. At
the beginning of each session, students are asked if
there are organizations or causes that are important
to them which they would like to support with their
music.
Based on their ideas, the final concert becomes a
benefit event to raise money for one of these
causes/organizations. The June 2004 Plugged In benefit
concert raised $1,000 for the I Love Music Foundation,
started by Walter McCarty of the Boston Celtics to
promote music opportunities, resources and education
for Boston youth, and Bring Back the Music, a program
providing weekly instrumental instruction to fourth
and fifth grade students at Boston Public Schools.
Walter McCarty attended the concert, as well as
football star, Doug Flutie, who performed with his
band.
Senior Bowlers meet Mondays
Needham Senior Bowlers bowl Mondays, at 10 a.m.,
at the Needham Bowlaway on Chestnut Street. All
seniors are welcome.
For information, call Louise at 781-444-8590.
Avery to hold craft fair
Avery Crossings will sponsor a Holiday Craft Fair
Dec. 4, and it's looking for vendors interested in
setting up their own tables. For more information,
call Barb at 781-444-6655.
NHS Class of 1984 collecting donations
It's the 20-year reunion for NHS Class of 1984.
The class is collecting donations in memory of the
1984 NHS graduates who have died - Michael Beckman,
Susan Blair, Craig Dawson, Jamie McKeown and Doug
Pinta. Proceeds from business sponsors will be given
directly to these scholarship and memorial funds. The
scholarships include The Dana Farber Institute, YMCA
Special Needs Programs, Needham High School Graduation
Scholarships and the University of Vermont Memorial
Gift Program.
The Class of 1984 is asking businesses in the
community to sponsor this event by making a donation.
There are three levels of sponsorship although any
level of donation will be appreciated: Gold - $250
business sponsor; Silver - $100 business sponsor; or
Bronze - $50 business sponsor.
Make checks payable to NHS Class of 1984 and mail
to: NHS Class of 1984, c/o Kim Barr Rutherford, 28
Lincoln St., Dedham, MA 02026. For more information,
call Kim at 781-461-1361.
Public schools conducting child search
In accordance with federal and state regulations,
the Needham Public Schools provides special education
programs designed to meet the needs of children
attending not only public schools but also those
attending private school at private expense and whose
parents reside in Needham.
Needham provides all children with an opportunity
to participate in the public school programs using a
continuous and systematic effort to identify children
in need of special education services.
The Needham schools will arrange for screening
and evaluation of those students ages 16 through 21
who have not graduated from high school and who are
not now attending school; or children ages 3 through
21 who are unable to progress effectively in a regular
education program due to a suspected disability
consisting of a developmental delay or an
intellectual, sensory, neurological, emotional,
communication, physical, specific learning, or health
impairment or combination thereof.
All programs and services are offered without
regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin,
sexual orientation and disability. Call Valerie Flynn
or Phyllis Uhl at 781-455-0400, ext. 233 for more
information.
Volunteers needed at Charles River Arc
Charles River Arc is looking for volunteers to
help in its day programs, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., assisting
individuals with arts and crafts, music activities,
reading, community trips, etc. Consider volunteering,
even for a few hours.
Call Doreen Cummings at 781-972-1018 if
interested.
NHS Class of 1984 reunion
Needham High School Class of 1984's 20th high
school reunion takes place Saturday, Nov. 27, at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in Natick. The reunion will feature
music and dancing, a buffet dinner, a raffle and an
'80s trivia contest.
Tickets are $50 per person in advance, or $75 at
the door. Mail checks payable to NHS Class of 1984 to
Jodi Baker Shair, P.O. Box 202, Needham Heights, MA
02494.
For more information, call Jen Gordon Silverio at
508-845-3148 or e-mail jsilverio at townisp.com.
Domestic violence group meets monthly
The Needham Domestic Violence Action Committee is
beginning its eighth year raising awareness in the
Needham community. It is a community-based interagency
and interdisciplinary team formed to provide community
education and outreach, including schools and the
workplace, with information, resources and referral
services.
The group meets once a month. Residents
interested in joining this committee can call
781-455-7523.
JCC announces new program
Senior Health at Beth Israel Deaconess of Needham
will sponsor a monthly series called Healthy Aging for
the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center's Senior
Adult Program. Talks will take place Wednesdays, 11
a.m. to noon, on the second Wednesday of the month,
October through June.
Topics include:
Dec. 8 - "Coping with Loss" with Sharon Bober,
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; and Jan. 12 -
"Living with Osteoarthritis" with Suzanne Salamon,
associate director of clinical geriatrics, Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center.
For more information about this educational
series, call Emily at 617-558-6443.
Temple Tots music class
Calling all infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers
to gather at Temple Aliyah for "Music and More with
Margie," a fun-filled hour of Jewish and secular song
and dance.
Margie Brodsky, well-known music educator and
pianist, leads the little ones (who are accompanied by
a parent or other adult) in new songs and old
favorites. Each session will conclude with snacks.
This is an opportunity to connect with other new
parents and have a first visit with Temple Aliyah.
The first session of this popular class will run
each Tuesday in October from 10 to 11 a.m. Anyone
interested should call 781-444-8522.
DAR to sponsor essay contest
The Colonel William McIntosh Chapter, National
Society Daughters of the American Revolution, sponsors
an American History essay contest each fall for
grade-five students in the Needham Public Schools, St.
Joseph's Elementary School and home-schoolers.
This year's topic is "Along the Trail with Lewis
& Clark and the Corps of Discovery, May 1804-September
1806." The student may take on the role of Sacagawea,
her husband, Toussiant Charbonneau, their son, Jean
Baptiste Charbonneau, York (Clark's manservant),
Seaman the dog or any other member of the Corps of
Discovery other than Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark. The essay should describe what would have seen
and experienced while on the expedition.
The judges will select several finalists and a
town winner. The town winner is automatically entered
in the Massachusetts state contest. State winners
compete at the division level, then at the national
level. The chapter is proud that for three years in a
row, it has sponsored a town winner who has gone on to
win the state contest. Three years ago, the town
winner was from the Eliot School; for the past two
years, the town winner has been from the Mitchell
School.
Flyers announcing the contest, with complete
rules and the due date (usually in early December)
will be distributed to the public elementary schools
and St. Joseph's School by the end of September.
Winners will read their essays at an awards
ceremony in February at the Needham Historical
Society. For more information or to receive a flyer,
call history contest chairwoman Carol Boulris at
781-444-4028.
First Parish launches new speaker series
The Meetinghouse of the First Parish in Needham
was built in 1836. The congregation was organized
along with the founding of the town in 1711. It's a
long New England tradition for the Meetinghouse to be
used for public discussions on timely topics.
This fall, First Parish has launched a speaker
series it has named "The Needham Lyceum: A Forum on
Public Affairs, Spirituality, Culture, and Science."
It brings to contemporary life the wide-ranging Lyceum
programs that nearly every New England town had in the
19th century. And it brings important speakers and
programs to the community.
The Needham Lyceum is open and free to the
public. It takes place nearly every Sunday morning at
9:15 a.m., from September to May, except holiday
weekends, in the historic First Parish Meetinghouse at
23 Dedham Ave., just across from the Town Common.
Childcare is available. Programs are videotaped for
later community access cablecast. Most Lyceum programs
include dialogue with the public. The Rev. John
Buehrens, minister of First Parish, acts as the host
and moderator of the Lyceum.
Professor David Little, Professor of Religion,
Ethnicity, and Conflict at Harvard Divinity School,
was the guest on Sept. 12. He discussed the sources of
so-called Islamic fundamentalism (or revivalism), the
United States response to Sept. 11, 2001, and the
effects of the Iraq War.
"Church State Separation: The Erosion of Good
Boundaries" was the theme on Sept. 19, addressed by
Dr. Ellery Schempp. As a high school student of 16,
Schempp protested the custom of morning Bible readings
in his school by reading from the Koran. His protest
led to a case that went all the way to the U.S.
Supreme Court, banning the schools from imposing
religious devotions on students while allowing
voluntary religious exercises.
Denise Taft Davidoff, national president of the
Interfaith Alliance Foundation, spoke on Sept. 26 on a
related theme: what religious organizations should and
should not be doing in relation to public issues and
elections.
Human rights activist and singer-songwriter Holly
Near was the guest on Oct. 3, speaking and singing
about the spiritual qualities that sustain a longterm
commitment to social justice.
Needham Cable TV will initially carry the Needham
Lyceum programs Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at
1 p.m. Videotapes of the programs are available to
other area groups that would like to sponsor them for
local community access programming.
For more information, e-mail The Rev. John
Buehrens, minister, First Parish in Needham, Unitarian
Universalist at jbuehrens at comcast.net or call him at
781-444-0823.
Luncheon program for seniors planned at Carter
A series of luncheons geared especially for
seniors 60 and older is the centerpiece of a ministry
program at Carter Memorial United Methodist Church.
For the last several years this ministry program has
been hosting four to five senior luncheons a year, and
seen an increase in attendance, participation and
enthusiasm from people throughout the church itself,
and into the community.
Upcoming luncheons include a seasonal celebration
titled "Silver Bells" Thursday, Dec. 2, featuring a
sampling of traditional foods and entertainment
popular during the yuletide. A Communion Service will
be hosted at 11:30 a.m., with the luncheon beginning
at noon.
The individual luncheons have their own theme
whereby menu, flavors and the program are all tied
into one another and complement the particular season
or holiday within which it is hosted. At the present
time anywhere between 40 to 60 people attend on a
regular basis. This has allowed the luncheon to
develop into a time of fellowship and support, and an
opportunity to share common concerns and reflections
on the experience of being a senior in today's world.
Each luncheon offers a chance to participate in a
short communion service, which is optional according
to individual need. Related entertainment is also
provided that fits in with the basic theme of menu and
season. This can range anywhere from a Celtic
celebration at St. Patrick's Day complete with a
bagpiper to a Christmas concert compliments of the
Retired Men's Glee Club. Programs are provided at no
charge. No reservations are necessary.
For more information, call the church office at
781-444-2460.
New job listings at Youth Commission
The Needham Youth Commission has received several
new job postings for various opportunities. Looking
for an after school or weekend job? Interested in
babysitting a couple of afternoons a week to help out
working parents? Certified lifeguard looking for
weekend work? Come into the commission's office in the
basement of Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave., any Tuesday
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to check out job opportunities
for teens.
If Tuesdays are not convenient, call the office
to set up an appointment. The employment program is
opened to youth 12 years of age and older.
Visit the Web site at
www.town.needham.ma.us/Youth/YouthCommissionEmployment
Program.htm for more information including a Parental
Permission Form and information sheet that has to be
filled out at registration.
Call Carol at 781-455-7518, ext. 267 for more
information or to set up an appointment to look
through the Job Posting Book.
Brown co-sponsors bill to create Guard and
Reserve relief fund
State Sen. Scott Brown has announced that in
continuing his commitment to the commonwealth's
citizen soldiers, he will co-sponsor a bill to create
the Massachusetts Family Relief Fund. The fund aims to
provide assistance to the families of Massachusetts
National Guard members and reservists facing financial
strain during a member's active duty service.
"As a member of the Massachusetts National Guard,
I see firsthand the hardship for the families of those
called up to active duty," said Brown. "I co-sponsored
this bill to lend my support for these hardworking men
and women, and their families."
According to the pending legislation, the fund
would be financed by a voluntary checkoff box on the
state income tax form, similar to the option for
campaign matching funds on the federal form. The
Friends of the Massachusetts National Guard and
Reserve Families, an established nonprofit
organization, would administer the fund. According to
bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Pamela Resor, there will be
no cost to the commonwealth associated with the fund.
The fund would provide for assistance with items
such as rent, utility bills and day care for the
families of those called up to active duty. These
everyday costs can become a problem for Guard and
Reserve families because active duty often pays less -
sometimes considerably less - than a member's civilian
job. While some employers offer to make up the
difference between a military and civilian paycheck,
many do not. This sudden drop in income can have a
devastating financial affect on Guard and Reserve
families.
"The fund will provide citizens with an
opportunity to help those in need while providing
Guard and Reserve families with a safety net," said
Brown. "In this time of increased pressure on our
military's families, this is a great opportunity for
all of us to help out. When it becomes available, I
encourage everyone to check off the box and donate to
the fund."
Highland Jazz opens season with Paul Broadnax
Quintet
Jazz lovers young and old will find something to
savor in the 22nd season of Highland Jazz. The
four-concert lineup will include music ranging from
composers Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington to the
Birth of the Cool. The series also will celebrate
Boston's Musician of the Year and feature the trumpet
of one of jazz's ascending stars. All concerts begin
at 8 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland
Ave., Needham.
Detroit-born jazz man Greg Hopkins and his
nine-piece orchestra take the stage Saturday, Nov. 20,
for "Rebirth of the Cool," a concert recreating the
melodic sound shaped by the seminal Miles Davis-Gil
Evans collaboration and popularized by musicians such
as Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker. Hopkins has amassed
an impressive list of music credentials, including
trumpet soloist and arranger/composer for the Buddy
Rich Band and appearances with artists including Dizzy
Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and the
Supremes. Seldom without his horn, Hopkins has even
played when stuck in traffic on his way to Berklee
College of Music, where he has taught for 30 years.
Highland Jazz welcomes the Ron Gill Quintet
Saturday, March 12, for "Duke and Strays." Gill,
Boston's pre-eminent male jazz vocalist, performs the
works of composers Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
in a concert celebrating the music of two jazz
masters. He will be joined by pianist Manny Williams,
guitarist John Stein, bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa and
drummer Reid Jorgensen.
Trumpeter Jason Palmer, a finalist in the 2003
Carmine Caruso International Jazz Solo Trumpet
Competition, will perform in Highland Jazz's series
finale, "Horn of Plenty," Saturday, April 16. One of
the genre's most exciting young performers, Palmer
jams regularly at famed Wally's Cafe in the South End
and has performed at venues including the Newport Jazz
Festival, Tanglewood Jazz Festival and jazz festivals
in Paris and Coulommiers, France. At Highland Jazz,
Palmer will play alongside saxophonist Eric Plume,
pianist David Bryant, bassist Peter Slavov and
percussionist Warren Wolf.
Subscriptions to the 2004-2005 Highland Jazz
season are $52 per person. Individual concert tickets
are $16 for adults and $10 for students. To order by
mail, send payment and self-addressed stamped envelope
to Highland Jazz, P.O. Box 610037, Newton, MA 02461.
Series and individual tickets also can be purchased
online via the Highland Jazz Web site,
www.highlandjazz.org. The box office opens at 7 p.m.
on concert nights. Call 781-237-1917 for information.
Sunday hours resume at public library
Sunday hours have resumed at the Needham Public
Library. The library will be open from 1 to 5 p.m.,
Sundays through May 22. At the beginning of the
summer, the library moved from its Highland Avenue
location to the High Rock School at 77 Ferndale Road.
All library services, with the exception of Community
Room rental, are available at the library's temporary
location.
All the adult and children's audiovisual
collections (DVDs, CDs, books on tape and CD, videos)
were moved to the High Rock School and are available
for borrowing. All new books and young adult books are
also available, along with 75 percent of the remainder
of the adult and children's book collections.
The books that have been placed in storage are
available on a delayed basis. Depending on how busy
the library is, the delay may be only five minutes.
Parking is available in a small parking lot off
Ferndale Road or in a secondary parking lot by the
playing field.
The main entrance is handicapped accessible;
there are stairs at the secondary entrance. The book
return box is located by the main entrance, and it is
open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Service, hours and the phone numbers are the same
as before.
Relay for Life volunteer needed
The American Cancer Society is looking to fill a
volunteer position as the chairperson of the 2005
Relay For Life event in Needham. Relay For Life is the
American Cancer Society's signature activity. It is an
event that offers communities an opportunity to
participate in the fight against cancer.
The volunteer would serve as a volunteer leader
for those taking part in the event and must have the
ability to donate time and talent to advance the fight
against cancer. Because Relay For Life is a community
gathering rather than an athletic event, anyone and
everyone can participate. Teams from the Needham
community share a common purpose supporting the
American Cancer Society's mission of eliminating
cancer.
For more information, call Mary Davis at
508-652-4333 or e-mail mary.davis at cancer.org.
Women's Club Power Cards available
The Needham Women's Club Power Cards for
2004-2005 are now available. They can be purchased for
$5 from club members or at the following locations:
Taylor's, Roche Bros., Sudbury Farm, Peacock Feather,
All Season Cleaners, The Grey Goose, Perennial
Designs, Learning Express and the Park and Recreation
Department in Town Hall.
The Power Card states the specific offer of each
15 participating Needham businesses. The card must be
presented at the time of purchase. The new card can be
used repeatedly until Sept. 30, 2005.
The Needham Women's Club appreciates the support
of the following businesses that are on the Power
Card: Motophoto, Vicki Lee Boyajian, All Season
Cleaners, Dunkin' Donuts, Perennial Designs, Scorby's
Camera, Sherwin Williams, Taylor's, Needham Bowlaway,
Peacock Feather, Prelude Gift Expressions, The Grey
Goose, Owen's Poultry Farm, All About Nails and Midas
Auto Service Experts.
The proceeds from this fund-raiser will be used
for various endeavors of the Needham Women's Club such
as scholarships, town beautification projects and
helping the Community Council.
Beth Shalom Temple Tots
Housed at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham is a
program of creative Jewish learning designed to enrich
the lives of preschool children and their families.
The program is offered monthly on Sunday mornings
September through June for hour-long sessions.
Through music, storytelling and crafts, children
explore special Jewish holidays, themes and
traditions. For information, call 781-444-0077.
League of Women Voters launches Web site
The League of Women Voters launches its new Web
site to aide individuals looking for information on
how to contact local elected officials, and what the
LWV does and why.
Check out the new LWVN Web site at
www.lwv-needham.org. The new site provides
comprehensive information related to voter
registration; a calendar of upcoming elections and
meetings; information about the League's grassroots
organization and why someone should join; and links to
several voter-related sites to encourage and educate
young voters.
Recognizing that a healthy democracy depends on
the active participation of its citizens, the LWVN
urges all residents to vote.
For further information about the LWVN and how to
become a member, visit the new Web site, or call
either Susan Abbott, 781-444-8275, or Bobbi Demers,
781-444-4086, LWVN membership coordinators.
Library construction grant received
The Trustees of the Needham Free Public Library
have announced that the town of Needham has received
the first installment payment for the library
construction grant which was awarded to the town by
the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
The installment, in the amount of $913,050.90,
represents 30 percent of the total grant of $3,043,503
that the town will receive.
Postcomers' Club starts season
The Postcomers' Club of Needham kicked off its
2004-2005 season recently with a champagne reception
at the home of Maxine Thwing. This is an annual event
for club members when the program and activities for
the year are announced.
The Postcomers' Club is a philanthropic
organization that combines social activities with a
commitment to benefit the community. Each year, since
1974, the club has donated a scholarship to a
graduating Needham High School senior. Membership is
open to all Needham women. For more information, call
Inza Dippert at 781-449-3374.
Youth Center begins 19th year
The Needham Youth Center looks forward to
beginning its 19th year of providing a safe,
supervised environment for middle school youth. The
Youth Center is open most Fridays, from 7:30 to 10
p.m. Admission is $6 per event, which typically take
place at the Pollard Middle School.
The Youth Center is run by a paid staff with
experience in working with young teens. Director Peter
Sylvester and all the staff are returning this year. A
volunteer board, made up of parents and
representatives from the community, plans the
activities with input from students. Activities
include dances, sports nights, carnivals and
game/movie nights.
All middle school-age children from Needham are
welcome to attend. All youth attending the program
must have a permission slip signed by a
parent/guardian. These are available at the door. In
addition, students must present their school
identification card.
Certain nights are grade-specific, and only
students in that grade level will be admitted. In
response to parent feedback, the grade 6 open house
will take place in January to allow the students more
time to transition to middle school.
September schedule: Sept. 17, Seventh Grade-Only
Dance; and Sept. 24, Eighth Grade-Only Dance. All
events in September take place at the Pollard Middle
School.
Call Erna Place at 449-3464 for more information.
Learn about property tax reduction program
Needham residents over age 60 can work to have
part of their tax bills reduced as part of the ongoing
"Senior Corps" program, under which residents work for
various town departments doing various jobs, earning
$6.99 per hour up to 100 hours. The funds are then
applied against the residents' real estate tax bill.
According to program guidelines, residents with
assets not exceeding $20,000 per year (individual) or
$40,000 per year (joint) are eligible to enroll.
Interested residents can call the Personnel
Department at Town Hall at 781-455-7530.
Residents can also access the application online
and get more details at
www.town.needham.ma.us/personnel.
Reduce, re-use, recycle
The Needham Recycling and Transfer Station on
Central Avenue has one of the most extensive and
aggressive recycling programs in the commonwealth.
This is attributed to the diligent efforts of the
residents of this community.
The amount of material that is diverted from the
solid waste stream is 40 percent annually, not
including yard waste. The present disposal cost for
trash, including transportation, is approximately
$100.64 per ton. However the disposal cost for
recycling cardboard, paper and commingle, including
transportation, is $00.00 per ton. It is evidently
clear, the more we recycle, the more we save.
Conversely, the more we throw (dispose of trash), the
more we owe.
In fiscal 2003, the Recycling & Transfer Station
recycled 5,290 tons, (paper, cardboard, commingle,
metal, etc.) 3,991 tons of yard waste which is
processed for resale as screened compost and screened
loam, and 8,148 tons of Public Works Waste (material
generated from infrastructure repair and maintenance
projects such as asphalt, concrete, soil, gravel and
other fill materials which are processed for reuse and
resale) saving the town well over $100,000 in avoided
disposal and transportation cost.
This year, the town of Needham's recycling
vendor, North Shore Recycled Fibers, will be paying
the town $10 per ton, for every ton of paper and
cardboard collected at the RTS.
During these times of budgetary shortfalls, the
town is looking at all areas to reduce cost. One area
in which residents can contribute and make a
difference is to maximize recycling efforts. Sixty
percent of most household trash is paper. Although
many recycle on a regular basis, some may be able to
put forth a little more effort in reducing trash
disposal cost.
Simple rule of thumb: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,
then, if all else fails, dispose. For information,
call the RTS at 781-455-7568, Tuesday through
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or visit the RTS on the
Web at www.town.needham.ma.us/dpw/dpwrtshomepage.htm.
Sen. Brown announces internship opportunities
State Sen. Scott Brown is accepting applications
for internship opportunities in his State House
office.
Interns will gain experience in areas including
legislative research, constituent services and
communications. Intern tasks will vary but may include
attending legislative briefings on issues affecting
the district, researching pending legislation,
drafting correspondence and monitoring news. College
juniors and seniors from Brown's district are
preferred, but anyone who is interested is encouraged
to apply. Flexible scheduling is available.
Forward resumes to Brown's office at the State
House, Room 520, Boston, MA 02133 or contact Greg
Casey at 617-722-1555 or e-mail
gcasey at senate.state.ma.us.
Pottery classes offered
Fall pottery classes for children, teens and
adults are offered at the Potters School, 31 Thorpe
Road, Needham. Registration is open for courses
starting mid-September. Individualized instruction in
wheel throwing, hand-building and glazing techniques
are offered. Classes meet daily. Fees vary according
to the course.
For more information, call 781-449-7687.
Newcomers Club membership drive
It is time for members to renew their membership
in Newcomers Club. Membership runs from Sept. 1
through Aug. 31. Newcomers is also seeking new
members.
For information about becoming a member, call
Lynn Yogel at 781-444-1053.
Police officers attend seminar on eyewitness
identification procedures
Mistaken eyewitness identification is the leading
cause of wrongful convictions, and local police are
joining Norfolk District Attorney Bill Keating's
first-in-the-state initiative to keep such mistakes
from happening in Norfolk County.
Five Needham police officers were among more than
80 members of regional law enforcement at District
Attorney Keating's seminar on implementing new
eyewitness identification procedures shown to decrease
the kind of false identifications that have sent
innocent men to prison in Massachusetts and across the
country.
"The people of Needham should be pleased with
their police department's participation in this
initiative," District Attorney Keating said. Needham's
attendees were Tom Leary, Phil Droney, Paul Droney,
Joe O'Brien and Kathy Mullins.
District Attorney Keating is asking all Norfolk
County police departments to present suspects, or
pictures of suspects, to witnesses one at a time -
rather than simultaneous presentations which studies
have shown can lead to a "best guess" responses. He is
also asking that, whenever possible, departments use
blind presentations. That is when the officer
presenting suspects does not know which photo, or
individual in a lineup, is under suspicion; this
precludes the communication of even subliminal cues.
"These new procedures will save police the wasted
effort of chasing false leads, build stronger cases
for prosecutors and keep victims from making unwitting
mistakes," Keating said. "Perhaps most importantly,
with these new procedures the chances of an innocent
person being accused drops precipitously."
NHS Class of 1984 holds reunion
The Needham High School Class of 1984 20th high
school reunion takes place Saturday, Nov. 27, at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in Natick.
The reunion will feature music and dancing, a
buffet dinner, as well as a raffle and '80s trivia
contest. Tickets are $50 in advance or $75 at the
door. Invitations will be mailed soon.
For more information or to provide current
addresses for invitation mailing, call reunion
organizer Jen (Gordon) Silverio at 508-845-3148, or
e-mail jsilverio at townisp.com.
Nominate a youth
The Youth Commission, in conjunction with the
Needham Business Association, is accepting nominations
for their RAY of Hope program (Recognize A Youth).
Every month the award is given to one young
person who has distinguished himself/herself through
service in the community or who has acted as an
outstanding role model.
The youth receives a gift from the participating
NBA business, a certificate from the Youth Commission,
and recognition in the newspaper and on the local
cable news.
Nomination forms are available at the Youth
Commission, located at Town Hall, and at the Peacock
Feather.
Young Widowed Group meets
The Young Widowed Group of Greater Boston, a
support group for young widows and widowers in the
Greater Boston area, meets the second and fourth
Tuesdays of each month, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., September
to June, at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital,
Needham Campus Administration Building Coffee Shop,
148 Chestnut St., Needham Center.
Recent and longtime widowed individuals who could
still benefit from interaction with others in the same
situation, are invited to join the group.
This informal support group is open to all men
and women, regardless of length of time widowed, aged
55 and younger, with the focus on those in their 20s,
30s, and 40s.
The discussions will cover topics such as family,
work, financial and social changes, grieving through
the holidays, and finding the day-to-day strength to
move forward.
For more information, call Chris Clancy at
c2sclancy at aol.com.
In-home after-school care
The Needham Youth Commission announces that it
has several teens looking for baby sitting jobs after
school.
Residents looking for after school care for their
children for the upcoming year may call Carol
Rosenstock at 781-455-7518, ext. 267 for more
information.
Information is also found at
www.town.needham.ma.us/youth; click on "Employment
Programs," and download the "Job Posting Request
Form." Fill out the form and either mail it to
Rosenstock, Needham Youth Commission, 1471 Highland
Ave., Needham, MA 02492; or fax 781-449-4569, Attn.
Carol Rosenstock.
Residents reminded to maintain property
With the school year beginning, students will be
walking the sidewalks to and from school.
Residents are reminded that under Chapter 87,
Section 5 of the General Laws, it is their
responsibility to keep their bushes, shrubs and trees
from overhanging the streets and sidewalks, impeding
the passage of pedestrians, vehicular traffic, and
particularly persons with disabilities.
Article 2, Section 2.2.4.2.7 of the town's
General By-Laws requires that residents of corner lots
keep their shrubbery, foliage, hedges and trees at a
height which will not interfere with the sightline
across the intersection thereby keeping visibility at
its maximum. The Department of Public Works
anticipates residents' continued cooperation in
helping to keep sidewalks and roadways safe.
For more information, call DPW Parks & Forestry
Division at 781-455-7534.
Youth Commission employment program
The Needham Youth Commission offers an employment
program to help businesses in need of part time help
after school or weekends.
The commission maintains a listing of job
opportunities for teens, ages 12 and older, who live
in Needham and are seeking employment.
Businesses are invited to come to the Youth
Commission Office and check out how they can be listed
in the Business Employment Book. Call Carol at
781-455-7518, ext. 267 for full details. Forms can
also be obtained by faxing the Youth Commission Office
at 781-449-4569, or online at
needhamyouth at town.needham.ma.us. Go to the Web site
and click on "Programs," then on "Employment Program"
to read about business employment programming and
download the "Job Posting Request Form" which can be
filled out, mailed or faxed back to the office.
Businesses are invited to come into the office
any Tuesday, from 9 to 4 p.m. to learn more about the
Employment Program, in the basement of Town Hall at
1471 Highland Ave. Needham.
Things you can do to pre-plan
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning.
It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or
confine you to your home. The Needham Emergency
Management Agency suggests that you keep enough
supplies in your home and automobile to meet your
needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster
supplies kit with items you may need in case of an
emergency.
Include:
a three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per
day) and food that will not spoil.
one change of clothing and footwear per person, one
blanket or sleeping bag per person.
a first aid kit that includes your family's
prescription medications.
emergency tools including a battery powered radio,
flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
sanitation supplies.
special items for infant, elderly or disabled family
members.
create a disaster plan.
Complete a checklist.
Practice and maintain your plan.
Remember your pets.
Neighbors helping neighbors. Working with neighbors
can save lives and property.
Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood
could work together after a disaster until help
arrives.
If disaster strikes, remain calm be patient put
your plan into action. Prepare as you would for storm
related emergency's and become aware of the world
changing events that are taking place.
Riverside announces new Community Education
Program
Riverside Community Care has announced its newest
initiative, the Community Education Program. This new
program is designed to provide education and
information to organizations and groups on a variety
of topics that are timely and affect all generations.
Presentations will be provided by Riverside staff,
which is comprised of professionals with a range of
clinical specialties and experience including
psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.
"Riverside has always been about helping people
in their communities. Through our new Community
Education Program, we'll be able to reach people in
their own surroundings, where they'll be more
comfortable receiving information," said Scott M.
Bock, president/chief executive officer.
Presentations can be made on a variety of topics
such as:
"Sticks and stones can break my bones, and names CAN
hurt me too." Bullying in schools: solutions for
helping the victim and the bully.
"My child has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Now what
do I do?"
"Easing the teasing: How parents can help their
children deal with teasing."
"Self-esteem in teens: Tools for helping teenagers
maintain a positive image of themselves."
"The mind/body connection in wellness and mental
health."
"Signs that someone you love may have a drug or
alcohol problem."
"Managing anxiety and stress in an uncertain world."
''Caregiver burnout: Taking care of yourself while
taking care of a loved one."
"Who will be here when I'm gone?" Planning for your
disabled family member.
Programs located in Needham include Riverside
Early Intervention at Needham, Riverside Alternative
Youth Services, Riverside Family Partnership - South &
West Suburban, and Riverside Life Skills Center.
Riverside staff is available for single
educational events or for a speaker series. For more
information on the Community Education Program, call
Margaret Carr, Community Education coordinator, at
781-329-0909, ext. 198.
Springwell expands senior lunch program
Needham residents discover a fresh new lunch menu
with choices as part of Springwell's senior lunch
program at the Stephen Palmer Senior Center.
Meals are served to seniors 60 years and older at
noon, Monday through Friday. More than 20 residents
currently participate in the Senior Lunch Program to
enjoy a hot cooked meal and companionship with
conversation.
Seniors may choose their lunch three times a
week. In addition to the standard meals served on the
other two days. Menu options will include a
traditional hot lunch entree or a sandwich and salad.
All meals are nutritionally balanced by a registered
dietitian and include hot soup, one percent milk and
dessert.
For example, a senior will now have a choice
between pot roast with gravy, whipped sweet potatoes,
whole wheat roll, a fresh orange, beef barley soup and
milk, or a seafood salad sandwich on rye bread with
rice vegetable salad, Rivera blend salad, a fresh
orange, beef barley soup and milk.
Springwell has added menu options to its Senior
Lunch Program to reach more seniors. Jennifer Pereira,
operations manager of nutrition at Springwell, feels
"by offering options, the Senior Lunch Program will
appeal to more seniors. Some people prefer a lighter
lunch meal. The new menu offers this option."
Springwell hopes that seniors who have never
considered attending the senior lunch program will now
have every reason to try it out. The new menu will be
posted at the Stephen Palmer Senior Center, printed in
the Council on Aging's newsletter and in the Needham
Times. Residents may also call Springwell at
617-972-5700 for more information.
The Stephen Palmer Senior Center is located at 83
Pickering St., and lunch is open to all seniors
regardless of income. Though meals are offered at no
charge, participants are encouraged to make an
anonymous donation of $1.75 per meal. All donations
help defray the cost of meals and support elders who
may not have the means to contribute.
To reserve a meal, residents should place their
order a day in advance by directly calling the Stephen
Palmer Senior Center at 781-455-7555.
NEF accepting grant applications
The Needham Education Foundation is accepting
applications for its Autumn Grant program for the
2004-05 school year. NEF is a nonprofit community
foundation chartered to fund innovative educational
programs that are outside normal public funding. Each
year, NEF awards dozens of grants that make learning
come alive for hundreds of public school students.
Applications for NEF grants may be made by
teachers, staff and administrators in the Needham
Public Schools, or by any organization or individual
including students, parents and other members of the
community.
Applications are available at the Needham Public
Schools Administrative Building, 1330 Highland Ave.,
as well as through all Needham public schools, the
Needham Town Hall and the Needham Public Library.
Applications may also be found at www.nefneedham.org,
along with a list of prior grants.
The completed applications are due in
superintendent Stephen Theall's office by Friday, Oct.
15. Questions about the NEF annual Grant Program may
be directed to NEF Grant Committee co-chairwomen Mary
Piltch (781-444-0383 or mpiltch at comcast.net) or Linda
Bauer (781-449-2048 or lbauer at massbbo.org).
The NEF is an independent, community-based,
not-for-profit organization raising funds for the
enrichment of public school children in Needham. Its
fundraising programs include the annual Spelling Bee,
teacher recognition cards and the year-end appeal,
among others. NEF's purpose is to stimulate innovation
and excellence by supporting educational programs that
are outside normal public funding and to maintain a
permanent fund to implement such programs and
activities.
For more information about NEF, visit
www.nefneedham.org.
Presbyterian Church dedicates labyrinth
The Presbyterian Church in Needham recently
dedicated its new labyrinth. Built to fulfill a
requirement for a Boy Scout Eagle Project for Bob
Frantz and to honor a former member of the church, the
labyrinth is available to the community as well as to
church members as a place for quiet meditation.
Unlike a maze, a labyrinth is typically a single
path that winds back and forth, moving toward and away
from the center as it progresses through all quadrants
of a circle, and leading to a central circle. Walking
a labyrinth provides an opportunity to leave behind
one's normal activities and preoccupations, be open to
a possibly transforming encounter, and then bring that
experience back to one's everyday life. Some find
walking to the center of the labyrinth to be a healing
experience; others use it as a form of prayer or
meditation.
The community is invited to walk the labyrinth at
any time. It is located on the front lawn of the
Presbyterian Church in Needham at the corner of Great
Plain and Central Avenue.
VNA needs volunteers to assist terminally ill
VNA Care Hospice, an affiliate of VNA Care
Network, needs volunteers to provide practical and
emotional support to terminally ill patients and their
families in eastern and central Massachusetts.
Training, supervision and support are provided. Call
Nancy Barcelo, volunteer coordinator, at 888-663-3688,
ext. 3471, or 781-455-6661, ext. 3471.
Mothers of Twins
The West Suburban Chapter of the Massachusetts
Mothers of Twins Association meets the second Thursday
of each month at 6:30 p.m., at St. John The Evangelist
Church, 9 Glen Road at Route 16 in Wellesley.
There are no meetings in December, June, July or
August. Meetings include discussion rooms grouped by
age of twins and a guest speaker or social activity.
New members are welcome. For more information or to
join, visit www.wscmmota.org.
Volunteers sought
Volunteers are needed to present the Child
Assault Prevention Program curriculum in Needham and
Newton elementary schools. Teams of volunteers teach
children strategies aimed at reducing vulnerability to
verbal, physical and sexual assault. The fall training
will begin Oct. 29.
For more information, call Gail Sommer at
617-969-5906, ext. 143.
Preschool program offered at Newman
Needham Public Schools continues to have openings
in the early childhood center integrated preschool
program located at Newman Elementary School. The focus
of the program is to meet the individual needs of
children, some of whom have been identified as having
disabilities.
A developmental teaching approach is utilized to
meet the child's current level of functioning and
encourage continued growth in all areas of
development. The program has been accredited by the
National Association for the Education of Young
Children.
Applications are being accepted for 3-year-old
children for the 2004-2005 school year. A three-day
program is available on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
mornings at a tuition rate of $2,250 for the year. A
four-day program is held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
and Friday mornings; tuition is $3,000. The preschool
follows the Needham Public Schools' calendar.
For enrollment information, call Phyllis Uhl or
Leslie Hatton at 781-455-0400, ext. 233.
Families can participate in Parent Child Home
Program
Needham families are eligible to participate in
the Parent Child Home Program, a free enrichment
program that helps parents to prepare their children
for kindergarten.
A home visitor visits the family once a week
bringing interesting books and toys. Eligible families
have: a child between 1 1/2 and 5 years of age and are
willing and motivated to keep appointments once a
week. The program is free to low and moderate income
families.
If interested or for more information, call Carol
Rubin at 617-969-5906, ext. 144.
Charles River Arc announces directors
Charles River Arc announces the new and
re-elected members of its board of directors: Peter
Adams, William Day, Edward Pierce, Douglas Tashjian
and Mel Colman, all of Needham; William Kelly of
Newton; and Alice Taylor of Waltham.
Business network to meet
Anyone who would like to be a local business
owner or is looking to market a business should
consider joining the Business Network International
Network Exchange Group in Needham. BNI is an
organization dedicated to building successful
businesses. The group meets every Wednesday, noon to
1:30 p.m., at the Masonic Hall, 1101 Highland Ave.
For more information, call Paul Sullivan at
800-650-4560.
NHS Landscape Group seeks community's help
The Needham High School Landscape Group met June
3 with Steven Popper of the town's Permanent Public
Building Committee and Scott Koestrich of John G.
Crowe Associates which is overseeing the high school
construction. The proposed landscaping was reviewed by
the NHS Landscape Group to the approval of all.
Several issues did arise, and the NHS Landscape
Group seeks the cooperation of the greater high school
community. First, the group seeks the identity of any
plantings that commemorate graduates, faculty or
staff.
Second, Koestrich raised the question of any
memorial plaques located inside the school. Those with
knowledge of memorial plantings are asked to contact
Brooks Goddard at goddard at rcn.com. Those with
knowledge of memorial plaques are asked to contact
Mora MacDonald at 781-455-0800, ext 1200. Third, the
NHS Landscape Group is looking to form a landscape
committee and landscape fund at the high school.
Interested parties can contact Goddard.
The Needham High School Landscape Group was
formed in September 2002 with the blessings of
principal Paul Madden. The founders of the group are
Abbi Canney, Brooks Goddard and Kathy Pinkham. Canney
and Goddard are Needham residents who wish to improve
the landscaping around the school, and Pinkham is an
NHS faculty member with similar goals.
The first contributions of the group are the
plantings in the circle at the top of the school's
Admiral Gracey driveway enhancing the memorial to
Susan Blair, an NHS graduate who died Sept. 11, 2001.
The planting of 20 shrubs and 200 bulbs was done Sept.
9, 2003.
First Baptist offers session on spiritual gifts
discovery
As special opportunity for the Lenten season,
First Baptist Church is offering sessions to help
people discover their spiritual gifts.
"We believe that the Holy Spirit gives to every
believer spiritual gifts to be used to do the work of
the church," says Debora Jackson, associate minister
of the First Baptist Church. She adds, "However, most
people do not know their particular gifts and as such
are not serving to their full potential."
"We want to move from awareness to action by
applying our gifts intentionally," says Minister
Jackson. For more information about the program dates
and location, call the church at 781-444-1179.
Passes available to New England Quilt Museum
Thanks to the generosity of the Quinobequin
Quilters' Guild, the Needham Public Library now has
museum passes to the New England Quilt Museum in
Lowell. The New England Quilt Museum is the only
museum in the region dedicated solely to the
preservation and study of American quilt making, past
and present. To reserve a pass, call the library at
781-455-7559, ext. 4.
Other museum passes available at the library
include: the Children's Museum, the Museum of Fine
Arts, the Science Museum, Garden in the Woods (Open
through Oct. 31, and the Discovery Museums of Acton.
Charles River Arc cookbook for sale
Charles River Arc announces that residents may
now order Arc's cookbook. It includes more than 125
simple recipes, such as prized recipes from popular
local restaurants, family favorites, and healthy
recipes, desserts, and more.
To order a copy, call Charles River Arc at
781-972-1014. All proceeds benefit the programs and
services offered to children and adults with
developmental disabilities.
NEF awards funds for school labs
The Needham Education Foundation announced it has
awarded two grants totaling $30,000, which will enable
the expansion of the Pollard Middle School Music Lab
and will fund a second Science Mobile Technology Lab
at Needham High School.
Both programs were started with funding from NEF.
An NEF Large Grant in 2002 enabled Pollard to replace
aging acoustic pianos with electronic keyboards. This
second year of funding will transform the lab from an
electronic keyboard set-up to a computerized MIDI lab.
The grant, led by music teachers Jenna Davy,
Jonathan VanderWoude and Todd Young will bring an
additional six keyboards along with six Apple Computer
iMac laptop computers, creating 16 keyboard stations,
eight of which have access to MIDI technology.
With the current set-up, students are able to
play the piano with interactive feedback from the
teacher. With the addition of computers and new
keyboards, students will now be able to compose,
record, store and print out music, as well as learn
from music and information downloaded from the
Internet. Approximately 600 students in a three-year
time span will have the opportunity to take advantage
of the music technology lab.
In 2003, NEF funded Needham High School's first
Science Mobile Technology Lab, which allows science
teachers to bring wireless technology to the students,
rather than moving students to computer labs, so they
can spend more time on science learning. This year's
Large Grant, again led by science teachers Jennifer
Woo and Deanna Riseman, will fund 10 additional
wireless iBook student laptops, one teacher laptop,
one remote desktop and one cart, effectively doubling
the capacity of the lab. The science department will
be able to set up two carts, one for data collection
with specialized probes and one for data analysis and
Internet usage. Once up and running, approximately
1,300 students will be able to use the art lab for
biology, physics and chemistry classes as well as some
senior electives.
"The teachers who spearheaded these efforts are
to be commended for their creative and thoughtful
grant applications. More than mere equipment
purchases, these are inspired applications of
technology that allow teachers to teach - and students
to learn - in fundamentally new ways," said Judy
Safian, co-president of NEF.
Now in its fourth year, the NEF Large Grant
program supports one- or two-year projects, either
schoolwide or systemwide, that are innovative,
collaborative and of broad and lasting impact for
Needham schoolchildren. Applications for NEF grants
may be made by teachers, staff and administrators in
the Needham Public Schools, or by any organization or
individual including students, parents and members of
the community. NEF's Large Grants, each of which may
be up $15,000, complement NEF's Autumn and Spring
Grant programs, which may be up to $3,500 each.
For information on NEF's Large Grant program,
contact Jodi Traub at 781-449-0206, or
joditraub at comcast.net. For information about NEF,
visit www.nefneedham.org.
Temple Aliyah introduces Our Jewish Home
Temple Aliyah is introducing, Our Jewish Home, a
new pilot program beginning in March, for young
families of the greater Boston community and
individuals of any background.
This home-based program is for families with
young children ages 3 to 5; older and younger siblings
may also participate. Our Jewish Home brings a
trained, caring Jewish educator into a home with an
individualized curriculum to meet the needs and
interests of the family. Participation is based on the
family's desire to learn, not on the present level of
practice. This program is open to all, both members
and non-members of Temple Aliyah.
The program features four individualized home
visits over the course of eight months, beginning in
March, covering Passover, Shabbat, fall holidays, and
Jewish values. Each hour-long visit includes creative
hands-on activities for the whole family as well as a
variety of written materials, fun activities and ideas
for enriching a Jewish home life.
Although this program is being offered for the
first time in the Boston area, it has been
successfully run for more than five years in St.
Louis, Philadelphia, San Francisco and northern
Israel.
Registration for Our Jewish Home is now under
way. For more information, including program fee and a
registration form, call OJH coordinator Terri Swartz
Russell at 781-444-8522; or e-mail
terri at templealiyah.com.
Hillside cookbook for sale
Artichoke dill dip; grilled potato salad;
Jambalaya; peanut butter creams. These are just a few
of the recipes in the collection of favorites from
Hillside School families and teachers, called
"Hillside Cooks."
The book is now on sale for $12, or $10 each for
two or more. Funds raised from book sales will help
pay for playground equipment for Hillside. To buy
books, call Jennifer Sexton at 781-449-9466.
Parking clerk hours changed
The Needham parking clerk is longer available on
Tuesday mornings. She will now be available for
hearings regarding any parking tickets received in
Needham on Tuesday evenings from 4 to 8 p.m. only.
Hearings will be held in the office of Veteran's
Affairs, Town Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA
02492.
If you have any questions regarding the change in
hours, contact the treasurer/collector's office at
781-455-7504.
Commission on Disabilities offers grants
The Needham Commission On Disabilities is
accepting grant applications from local not-for-profit
organizations. The grant money, received from the
Handicapped Parking Violation Program, is designated
for materials and programs that will benefit those
residents of Needham who have disabilities.
If your organization is interested in this
funding opportunity, write to The Needham Commission
On Disabilities, c/o Office of the Selectmen, Needham
Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02492.
Volunteer opportunities
The Board of Selectmen is seeking volunteers
interested in town government to serve as a member of
a board or committee.
These volunteers work toward solving complex
issues and recommending policy that helps to shape the
community. There are various opportunities available
that may correspond with your expertise and/or
interest.
For more information, contact the town
administrator's office at 781-455-7512 or e-mail
edennis at town.needham.ma.us.
Needham Channel listings
Program listings for the Needham Channel, the
town's local access cable network, are now available
on the station's Web site at www.needhamchannel.org.
Volunteer drivers needed
The Needham Community Council needs volunteer
drivers to transport elderly residents to medical
appointments in the Needham/Wellesley area. You would
be needed for less than one hour a week, and you can
choose your schedule.
To help keep this service available, call the
council at 781-444-2415.
Contact information for Rep. Harkins
Constituents with any concerns, questions or
comments may contact Rep. Harkins in the following
ways:
By mail: Rep. Lida E. Harkins, majority whip,
State House, Room 343, Boston, MA 02133. The phone
number to the representative's office at the State
House is 617-722-2300; and the fax number is
617-722-2750. Also, via e-mail at
Rep.LidaHarkins at hou.state.ma.us.
Free 'Choosing Hospice' booklets available
"Choosing Hospice," a guide to specialized care
for the terminally ill, is available for free from VNA
Care Network Hospice.
The booklet answers common questions about
hospice and gives a list of resources. To receive a
free copy of the guide, call VNA Care Network Hospice
at 1-888-663-3688, ext. 1206 or e-mail
kstrogney at vnacarenetwork.org.
More information about VNA Care Network Hospice
is available at www.vnacarenetwork.org.
Elder services agency seeks volunteers
Help a frail or homebound elder with grocery
shopping or transportation to a medical appointment.
Visit a lonely elder in his or her home and develop a
friendship. Volunteers are needed in Belmont,
Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown,
Wellesley and Weston on a weekly, biweekly or
as-needed basis. Opportunities can accommodate a
working person's schedule. Support and training are
available to volunteers.
For more information about what volunteer
opportunities are available, call Wendy Adlerstein,
volunteer services coordinator at Springwell, at
617-926-4100.
Veterans officer available
The veterans officer of Needham wants to remind
all veterans that his office is available to assist
them in acquiring a copy of their discharge from the
service.
A copy of a discharge is required with all
dealings with the Veterans Administration, state
agencies, and funeral directors. Veterans who don't
have a copy of their discharge and need one in a
hurry, may have to wait weeks to acquire one from St.
Louis, Mo.
The veterans office is also there to assist
families of deceased veterans get a grave marker from
the U.S. Government, or assist widows and veterans in
filling out VA forms for benefits they are entitled
to. For veterans who have served in a war time period
and are out of work, the veterans officer may be able
to give them some assistance.
The Needham veterans officer is located in room
23 in Town Hall. For more information, call the office
at 781-455-7532.
Community Council seeks volunteers
The Needham Community Council is looking for a
volunteer to accompany a group of women that visit a
Needham nursing home Monday afternoons. The group
allows the elderly residents to shop for personal
items and gifts.
For more information, call the Needham Community
Council at 781-444-2415.
Senior SAFTE program available
The Needham Health Department has established the
Senior SAFTE Program, Senior Safety and Food Training
and Education program, a free service in town to help
provide for a safe home environment.
A public health nurse will personally discuss
issues with regards to medication, nutrition and a
safe home environment. She will fill out a
File-of-Life card, an emergency contact card that is
left in the home and provides vital emergency medical
and contact information. Police and fire emergency
personnel are trained to look for this card on the
refrigerator to quickly obtain medical and other
potentially life-saving information.
For more information, call Donna Carmichael at
the Needham H
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