Neighbors Who Care Hosts Fundraiser on 10/19

Neighbors Who Care will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a night of fun and fundraising.  The event will take place on Saturday, October 19 from 6-9:30pm at Heritage Hall, 177 Bedford St.  Veteran Boston TV Reporter Gail Huff will Emcee an evening of exciting silent auction items, hors d'oeuvres to please the palate and laughs galore as Joey Voices entertains with his uncanny impressions and hilarious humor. Tickets to the event are available on-line at www.neighborswhocare.net, by mail at 174 Moody Street, Waltham, MA 02453 or by calling the office at 781-893-1860.

Neighbors Who Care is a Waltham based non-profit that offers free services to homebound seniors and chronically ill adults in the greater Waltham - Lexington area. Neighbors Who Care volunteers provide transportation and companionship to medical and other appointments, help with grocery shopping and errands, and make friendly visits. 

More than Words Receives $50K Grant

The Civil War Round Table of Greater Boston Hosts Awards Dinner

The Civil War Roundtable of Greater Boston and the Mass. Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission will host The Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Awards Dinner on November 9 at 6:00 p.m. The event will be held at Ken's Steak House, 95 Worcester Rd. (Route 9) Framingham, MA (next to Shoppers World).

The honored award recipient, esteemed author and founder of The Lincoln Forum, and The #1 Lincoln Historian is the Honorable Frank J. Williams, (Retired) Chief Justice of The Rhode Island Supreme Court.The exciting story of how this prestigious National Award came to be will once again be told by Lifetime CWRTGB member Bob Hall and the introductory speech of Justice Williams related by another noted Lincoln Historian, Prof. (Emeritus) Thomas Turner of Bridgewater State University.

The cost of this event is $40. There is a group discount rate of six tickets for the price of five (5). Make checks payable to: The CWRT of Greater Boston and mail to David L. Smith, 3 Waverley Oaks Road, # 202, Waltham, MA 02452. For more information, contact David L. Smith at cwrtmass@comcast.net or 781-647-3332.  

Scouts Offer Programs for Youth

The Girl Scouts of America programs are also available for the same age range. In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

http://www.girlscouts.org/join.asp.

WEBF 2013-2014 Grant Cycle is now open!

Since its inception in 2007, the WEBF has been working hard to raise money to improve the educational experience for all Waltham Students.  Over the last five years, it raised over $80,000 and funded 26 grants, including $23,000 through the Sally Elizabeth Peters Enrichment Program.  To apply for an Excellence in Education or a Sally Elizabeth Peters grant, click here.  Deadline is October 4, 2013.

The City of Waltham's procedure for the collection of televisions and computers has changed. Capitol Waste will pick up televisions and computers, VCRs, printers, cables, etc. at curbside on your regular trash day.  The pick-up must be scheduled and called in by 3:30pm on the day before.  Please call 617-569-1718.  Leave a message, if necessary. The driver does not assist with transport to curb.  Items should be placed curbside by 7am. Please report any abandoned computers or TV's with the address to Capitol Waste for pick-up.

Waltham Recycling and Trash Guidelines 2013-14

Waltham collects trash and recycling curbside every week.  To learn more about the city's recycling and trash program and its guidelines, click here. 

Waltham Visions

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League is planning a series of events called Waltham Visions where it will design a framework for the future built from the desires of its citizens.

Over the next year, the League will educate itself and interested community members, reach out to the wider Waltham community, present guest lecturers and collect what members have learned and build a plan to implement.  The League will run a series of discussions on current thoughts in urban design and will present materials providing the philosophical basis for current urban design and talk about how other local communities have set their goals. To learn more, contact Annette Reynolds at 617-306-2906.  

Senior Citizen Grant Opportunity

The Massachusetts Financial Literacy Trust Fund (FLTF) Board announced the Financial Education for Senior Citizens Grant Program. This is an opportunity for eligible organizations which support the senior citizen population and will take creative and innovative approaches to serve seniors in the arena of financial literacy.  Click here to learn more.

One School, One Book Waltham Reads Initiative

This summer Waltham High School students and faculty will participate in a shared reading experience called Waltham Reads. Teachers, students, administrators, parents and members of the Waltham community will all read the same book Left for Dead: A Young Man's Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis by Peter Nelson.   Thanks to the generosity of the Waltham Education and Beyond Foundation, the Sally Peter's Enrichment Program and The Friends of the Waltham Public Library, Waltham High School will be able to purchase books for every student as well as fund an engaging speaker.

The Waltham Reads committee will partner with local businesses, book stores, veterans associations, the Waltham Public Library, and other community organizations to promote the initiative and make the book available to the broader public. Some programming ideas include book discussion groups at the public library, veteran guest speakers, World War II movie fest, food/clothes drive for armed forces, community service with veterans, and an author visit. Donations can also be made to the WEBF to help fund the initiative in order to ensure future success with this community endeavor.  To learn more about the initiative and/or order the book, please click here.       

Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra News

The mission of the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra is to provide the community opportunities to perform in and attend orchestral and chamber concerts of the highest quality.  Please find below a preview of upcoming events. For more information, click here.

Waltham Council on Aging Seeks Volunteers

The Waltham Council on Aging's Meals on Wheels Program needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors.  Volunteering involves 45 minutes one day a week to deliver about 10 meals in a designated neighborhood.  Please contact Debbie Barry at 781-314-3300.

Waltham's School Health Advisory Committee Seeking Members

The Waltham Public Schools School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) meets four times a year, and welcomes new members. The SHAC is open to all parents, community members, school personnel and students.  The goal of the SHAC varies each year.  This school year the goal of the SHAC is to review our current Wellness Policy and concussion data.  We need your input!  Please join the committee.  The SHAC meetings are one hour and we meet at Waltham High School in Room 118 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM.   For more info, email Marie DeSisto, Director of Nurses and District 504 Coordinator at

mariedesisto@k12.waltham.ma.us or call 781-314-5462.

PSW, Inc. Helps Teens Get Jobs in Waltham

Youth employment is at an all-time low.  In the first two months of 2012, youth employment was at 25.6%.  Partnerships for a Skilled Workforce, Inc. (PSW, Inc.) partnered with Waltham High School (WHS) to place youth in jobs with local employers.   With funds from the Department of Education and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, 50 Waltham youth gained valuable work experience this summer.   

Gerard Leone, Middlesex County DA, is a champion for recognizing the importance of youth employment as part of a healthy community and has helped PSW, Inc. to provide summer jobs.  Waltham employers played the key role in our youth employment partnership.  Many Waltham employers have stepped up the plate consistently, investing in our future workforce.  Employers such as Boston Environmental and Engineering Associates, Harrison Transportation, True Value Hardware, Waltham Veterinary Hospital, and Watertown Savings Bank have hired teens through our career specialist Russell Chudnofsky at WHS for summer jobs.  

Young people need to learn to work.  PSW, Inc. is looking for employers who want to invest in student work experiences year round.  Many career goals start with a young adult's first job.  To learn more or partner with PSW, Inc., contact Kelley French, Youth Director at kfrench@pswinc.org or 508-281-6910 x7.  

Non-profit spotlight: Neighbors Who Care

Neighbors Who Care, based in Waltham, provides volunteer services such as companionship and transportation to medical appointments, assistance with grocery shopping and errands, and home visits for homebound elders and chronically ill adults in the greater Waltham community, free of charge.  Neighbors Who Care is looking for volunteers to help enhance the quality of life of homebound elders and have a direct positive impact on a person in the Waltham community. Volunteering just a few hours a week will have a great impact. To learn more about the program, please visit www.neighborswhocare.net or email heather@neighborswhocare.net.

About Waltham Fields Community Farm

Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) promotes local agriculture and food access through its farming operations and educational programs, using practices that are socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable. It encourages healthy relationships between people, their food supply, and the land from which it grows.  To learn more about this valuable resource in our community and view upcoming events, please click here.    

Waltham Women's Club

The Waltham Women's Club has been in existence for over 118 years. At one time there were over 125 members of the Waltham Women's Club whose mission is to "increase among women a spirit of cordial cooperation in addition to educational, philanthropic and civic awareness." The Waltham Women's Club is one of the oldest organizations dedicated to self and community. The club meets monthly from Sept. to April on the first Wednesday of the month. Check out or website for more information: https://sites.google.com/site/walthamwomansclub2/.

PET BEREAVEMENT Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center of New England recognizes the important role pets play in people's lives and will offer a free bereavement support group for children and adults on the first Wednesday of every month, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at VESCONE, 180 Bear Hill Road, Waltham. Information: 781-684-8387.
 
OVEREATERS Overeaters Anonymous, a 12-step program for recovery from over-eating, anorexia and bulimia, meets Wednesdays, 7 p.m., at St. Mary's CCD, 30 Pond St., Waltham. Information: 508-875-0001, select option #1.
 
PARENTAL STRESS, Parents Helping Parents hosts a free and confidential parent support group every Wednesday evening in Waltham. Come share your experiences and gain valuable support, parenting advice and encouragement from other parents in the group. Information: 1-800-632-8188; info@parentshelpingparents.org; www.parentshelpingparents.org.
 
WALTHAM TOASTMASTERS, Toastmasters International meetings are on the first and third Thursday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Meadow Green Rehab & Nursing Center, Trapelo Road. It is open to anyone at least 18 years old. Group works to help get over anxiety in public speaking and work on leadership skills. Call 781-894-7182 or e-mail howardlr@sprintmail.com.   

SERVE MEALS If you are interested in volunteering your time to assist the Middlesex Human Service Agency in serving meals, please contact Dick Rogers at 781-894-6110.
 
HOSPICE Evercare Hospice seeks volunteers for friendly visits with hospice patients 1-4 hrs per week in Waltham. Free training provided. Call Marjie Rochon at 781-472-8641 or e-mail marjorie_rochon@uhc.com.