Waltham Citizens Police Academy
 
Applications are now being accepted for the Waltham Citizens Police Academy.  This 12-week FREE program will allow you to get a behind-the-scenes look at police work.  Classes include patrol procedures, narcotics investigation, domestic violence, field exercises, patrol ride alongs, firearm training and much more! 
 
Classes are once a week (Wednesdays), Sept. 23rd until December 9th, 6:30 pm until 9:30 pm at the Waltham Police Department Academy Classroom, 155 Lexington Street. Applications are available at the Main Station at 155 Lexington Street or from the Neighborhood Substation at 11 Carter Street.
 

GRANDMA'S PANTRY - operated out of Christ Church, 750 Main St., Waltham. For Waltham residents 60 years old or older on a fixed income. Open Fridays, 9 to 11 a.m. Food may be left at the church office; call ahead for hours (781-891-6012). Checks may be made out to ``Grandma's Pantry'' and sent to Christ Church.
 
SACRED HEART FOOD PANTRY - operated out of the Church Hall. Donors may leave food in the kitchen daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 781-899-0469 for more information.
 
KIDS F.E.A.S.T. - operated by the Salvation Army provides 55 children with a hot meal every day, and serves 300 families each month. Donors may leave non-perishable food at the office, 33 Myrtle St. Monday through Friday. Checks may be made out to the Salvation Army. Call 781-894-0413 for more information.
 
THE FOOD PANTRY AND SOUP KITCHEN - operated by the Immanuel United Methodist Church at 545 Moody St. is open Wednesday 9 to 11 a.m. Food donations accepted at the church entrance at the corner of Moody and Cherry streets from 2 to 6 p.m. Operated from the Methodist Church, 545 Moody St. under the direction of Dick Rogers of Middlesex Human Services. Rogers may be reached at 781-883-2050.

 

Tenant Advocacy Clinic at WATCH
 
The Tenant Advocacy Clinic provides one-on-one training and personalized assistance to any tenant with a housing related issue or question.  Tenants can drop in to receive assistance at WATCH (517 Moody Street) every Monday from 7 - 8:30 pm and every Thursday from 7 - 8:30pm.  Those who cannot come in person may leave a message on the Tenant Clinic Hotline and someone will return their call during Clinic hours: 781-891-6689 x203. The clinic is provided through a partnership between Brandeis University and WATCH.

"Quack for Education" Duck Race
 
On Saturday, September 19, 2009, the Waltham Education & Beyond Foundation (WEBF) a non-profit organization is planning a "Quack for Education" duck race to raise funds to benefit the foundation's Excellence in Education Grant Program.  The grant program provides teachers with funding to incorporate new learning programs that will enhance the educational opportunities of students of the Waltham Public Schools.  The event will take place on the Charles River by Margarita's Restaurant at 2pm.
 
For just $5.00, a duck can be "adopted". The raffle ticket number you purchase will correspond to a numbered plastic duck that will be dumped into the Charles River on race day.   If your duck crosses the finish line first, you will win $1,000!   The WEBF has set a goal of having a thousand or more ducks enter the race.
 
Several local businesses have lined up to help "sell" ducks during the summer months.  Ducks can be "adopted" at Citibank, Marcou Jewelers, Waltham Park & Recreation, Glendale Package Store, Pizzi Farms, Waltham Vision Care-Lee Lerner, Hair's Evelyn, RTN Credit Union and Watertown Savings Bank-Main St. in Waltham.
 
The WEBF's Excellence in Education Grant Program is in its second year of providing $17,000 in grant funding.  Please help us reach our goal by adopting a duck and joining us on race day!

Waltham Partnership for Youth Sponsors Free Lunch Program for Kids
 
From June 29th through August 28th, free lunches for youth (children 18 and younger) will be offered from Monday through Friday at TheWaltham Boys & Girls Club (12:15pm-12:45pm) on Exchange St., Chesterbrook Gardens (12:45pm-1:30pm) on Lexington St., Lowell Spray Park on Grove St. (12:45pm - 1:45pm) , MacDonald Park (11:30am-12:30pm) on Newton St. and Whittemore Elementary School (12:00pm-12:30pm) on Parmenter St.  Meals will only be served at Whittemore from July 6th through July 31st.   For more information or if you'd like to volunteer, please contact Mario Pena at the Waltham Boys & Girls Club (781)893-6620 ext. 20.
 
Waltham Democratic City Committee BBQ & Picnic 
 
The 4th Annual Waltham Democratic City Committee BBQ & Picnic will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2009, at Prospect Hill Park in Waltham. Over 40 members and guests attended this event last year, which has grown in size each of the last two years. The evening will feature hamburgers (& veggie burgers), hot dogs, tonic, socializing, fun and, of course, lots of political discussion. For more information, contact the Waltham Democratic City Committee at walthamdemocrats@yahoo.com.
 
Nonprofit Spotlight: Waltham Family School
 
The WFS is an Even Start Literacy Program which provides educational opportunities for children and their parents by integrating early childhood education, adult education and parenting activities in a comprehensive family literacy program.  WFS serves Waltham's families who have a preschool age child, age 3-5, and who want to work on improving their English language skills and strengthening their parenting and life skills.   
 
Waltham is one of seven communities in MA awarded a federal grant, funded through the Massachusetts Department of Education, for an Even Start Literacy Program. WFS is a partnership of the Waltham Public Schools and four key community agencies located in Waltham, including Breaking Barriers, Inc., the Parent Child Home Program, the Power Program and the Waltham Partnership for Youth (PFY).  For more information about the WFS or to learn if your family might qualify, please click here.

Rep. Stanley is a board member of the WPY and Advisory Board member of the Waltham Family School.