Waltham & Newton community briefs 7/6

SMITH HEALTH CENTER, July services
The Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center, 564 Main St., offers comprehensive medical and dental services to all individuals and families regardless of circumstance. For more information on any service, call 781-693-3800.
A representative will be available to answer questions on health services, health care coverage, service discounts and special programs at the following locations: Waltham Free Clinic, 545 Moody St., July 13, 6 to 8 p.m.; Sacred Heart Food Pantry, 311 River St., July 16, 4 to 5 p.m.; Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen, 545 Moody St., July 27, 4 to 5 p.m. The Center has health benefits counselors available to help you enroll in coverage programs. The Mobile Enrollment Center will be a t WATCH, 517 Moody St., July 7 and 21, 1 to 4 p.m.
The Waltham Assessors Office is accepting applications for statutory exemptions for fiscal year 2010 as of July 1 . If you received an
exemption last year, we have mailed an application to you.

ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, Tax exemptions
The City of Waltham offers the following exemptions: 1. Veterans who have at least a 10 percent service connected disability; 2. 17-C for widows/widowers who have lost a spouse before July 1, and meet whole worth guidelines; 3. Residents who have been verified legally blind by the Mass. Commission for the Blind as of July 1; 4. 41C 1/2- Senior exemption for residents who were 65 as of July 1, and meet income and whole worth guidelines; 5. Community Preservation Act exemption applications for low income residents or residents who are 60 as of Jan. 1, and meet the income guidelines.
Real estate tax deferral exemptions are available to seniors age 65 as of July 1. You must meet income, estate and residency requirements.
Applications are available at the Assessors Office, 610 Main St., or by calling 781-314-3200.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Office open in July
The Waltham Historical Society will be opening its office at 760 Main St. during July on Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, and Saturdays, July 11 and 25, all 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a Society member there to speak to people about the Society and its missions in Waltham, as well as discussing The Nurses School history.
For more information, e-mail cwrtmass@comcast.net.

GORE PLACE, Tenant Advocacy clinic
Need help with housing? WATCH's Tenant Advocacy clinic can give you free and confidential help from trained advocates at 517 Moody St. on Mondays and Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Discuss landlord issues, threats of eviction, rent increases, housing searches, or other general housing concerns.
For more information, call 781-891-6689, Ext. 203. All information is confidential.

WALK AND TALK, Program begins July 6
Healthy Waltham presents, Walk and Talk with Elected Officials, returning to Leary Field track, off Bacon Street, on Mondays, July 6-Aug. 24, 6 to 7:15 p.m. Aug. 3 is a special night when all candidates for public office will walk. Here is your chance to spend time with our elected officials while getting in shape.
Healthy Waltham is a community health initiative sponsored by Mount Auburn Hospital and the Regional Center for Healthy Communities in partnership with over 25 Waltham organizations.
For more information, contact Nadene Stein at 781-314-5745 or steinn@k12.waltham.ma.us.

WIDE HORIZONS, Adoption info meeting
Wide Horizons For Children, 38 Edge Hill Road, is having a free adoption information meeting Tuesday, July 7, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn about Wide Horizons For Children's programs and meet families and staff.
Advance registration is required at www.whfc.org/onlinereg/AdoptionInfo.htm or by contacting Jessica Ellison at 781-644-2353 or jellison@whfc.org.

OUR LADY'S, Blood drive
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted School Cafeteria, 880 Trapelo Road, on Tuesday, July 7, 2 to 7 p.m. The Blood drive is being co-sponsored by Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Knights of Columbus Councils #14710, St. Francis of the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus Council #14091 and Friendly's Restaurant. A free gift from Friendly's will be given to all donors.
For an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.givelife.org. Positive ID is required.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES, Records event
The National Archives and Records Administration Northeast Region, 380 Trapelo Road, presents, Census, Passenger Lists, and Naturalization Records on Tuesday, July 7, 2 p.m. The presentation is intended for novice family historians, and is one of the most popular workshops. After the lecture, the public is invited to utilize the resources of the National Archives, and they will be assisted by the archives staff and volunteers.
To register, call 866-406-2379 or 781-663-0144, or e-mail waltham.archives@nara.gov.

WALTHAM YMCA, Try out Y in July
Waltham YMCA, 725 Lexington St., invites residents at least 18 years old to try the fitness center, pools, gym and much more for free on Tuesdays in July. If you join on those days you will also get 50 percent off the joining fee. Bring a picture ID.
For more information, contact the YMCA at 781-894-5295, Ext. 105, or visit www.ymcaboston.org/waltham.

WALK AND TALK, Program begins July 6
Healthy Waltham presents, Walk and Talk with Elected Officials, returning to Leary Field track, off Bacon Street, on Mondays, July 6-Aug. 24, 6 to 7:15 p.m. Aug. 3 is a special night when all candidates for public office will walk. Here is your chance to spend time with our elected officials while getting in shape.
Healthy Waltham is a community health initiative sponsored by Mount Auburn Hospital and the Regional Center for Healthy Communities in partnership with over 25 Waltham organizations.
For more information, contact Nadene Stein at 781-314-5745 or steinn@k12.waltham.ma.us.

MINUTEMAN, Technology programs
Minuteman Community Education announces a new partnership with RoboTech Center to offer technology programs on Video Game Creation, Artificial Intelligence Robotics and 3D Animation, July 6-31, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Minuteman Career and Technical High, 758 Marrett Road (Rte. 2A), Lexington. Offered to 7-17 year olds.
For registration or schedule of classes, call 781-861-7150, e-mail summerschool@minuteman.org, or visit www.solutionwhere.com/mmss/cw/CourseByAlpha.asp.

ST. MARY, Rescheduled concert
St. Mary Parish, 133 School St., will host a free concert Monday, July 6, 6 to 8 p.m., featuring Dick Donovan's Big Band. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the concert on the front lawn. The concert is rescheduled from June 15.
For more information, call 781-891-1730.

GORE PLACE, $3,000 grant
Gore Place was awarded a $3,000 matching grant by the National Trust for Historic Preservation from its Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors. The seed grant funds will be used to help conduct an archaeological investigation of a household kitchen area in the Gore mansion.
In 1997, a generous gift from George P. Mitchell established the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors in honor of his wife. The fund provides assistance in the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of historic interiors. Once a year, Mitchell Fund grants are awarded to non-profit groups and public agencies. Grants must be matched at least dollar for dollar with public or private funds.
For more information on the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors, visit: www.PreservationNation.org/resources/find-funding/grants.

VERA MEYER, Plays glass harmonica
Most weekends folks can hear Vera Meyer playing her glass harmonica in Harvard Square. Now Newton Free Library patrons will have the unique opportunity to hear her perform on Thursday, July 9, 7 p.m. when, dressed in period costume, she will perform on her unusual instrument in the air conditioned Druker Auditorium, 330 Homer St.
For more information, call 617-796-1360.

NEWTON LIBRARY, Newton at Night
Eric Mauro's Newton at Night series was inspired by his night time bike rides through the city while pedaling to his studio to paint. Noticing what a pretty but funny place Newton is, he started painting night time scenes and discovered how they fit into what he was trying to figure out in his painting. Two houses; light is on in one, off the other, the rooflines make a certain shape; how do they relate? The institutional view of landscape as art that can be raised to the level of notice by abandoning place, and concentrating only on forms, is empty for Mauro. Newton at Night will be on view in the Newton Free Library Main Hall from July 2-30.
For more information, call 617-796-1360.

COMMUNITY FARM, Upcoming classes
Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton St., is offering the following gardening classes: Farm Sprouts: July 7, Busy as a Honey Bee; Aug. 4, Five (Edible) Colors a Day Scavengers, Farmers in Training, program for middle school students, six sessions beginning July 13, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Weeds on the Menu! (Edible Weeds), Saturday, July 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Build an Abobe Bread Oven, Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch and Learn from the Garden, July 22 and Aug. 13, noon to 1:30 p.m.
For full details, visit www.newtoncommunityfarm.org. To register for any of these classes, e-mail education@newtoncommunityfarm.org.

EPOCH, Ward and la Mark
Singer Mary Catherine Ward and pianist Tom la Mark return to perform at EPOCH Assisted Living at Boylston Place, 615 Heath St., on Tuesday, July 7, 3 p.m. Their program, Never Out of Fashion: Love Songs, Old and New, will feature timeless favorites by Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Burt Bacharach and the Beatles.
For more information or to reserve a seat, call Brizida Koci at 617-244-6400.

NEWTON LIBRARY, `Return to Norumbega'
Many Newton residents remember Norumbega Park as one of New England's prime recreational sites. Located in the village of Auburndale on the banks of Charles River, the park opened in 1897 and closed for good on Labor Day 1963. During its heyday Norumbega Park drew thousands of visitors each weekend, in season. Beginning in 1930, the park was also the home of the Totem Pole Ballroom, known to big band and swing music lovers everywhere as "America's most beautiful ballroom."
Relive the history of this important Newton landmark on Tuesday, July 7, 7 p.m., at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., during a screening of the documentary, ``Return to Norumbega.'' The film presents a history of the park that is based on the work of the late Bob Pollock. Mr. Pollock grew up in the area and worked at Norumbega Park as a teenager. He spent many years collecting Norumbega photographs and information, wrote the script for the documentary and provided direction on how the park's history should be presented. The film was produced by Joe Hunter who will take questions at the conclusion of the film.
For more information, call 617-796-1360.

ALZHEIMER'S, Support group
Individuals and families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or other memory impairments are invited to participate in a free monthly caregiver support group at Evans Park at Newton Corner, 430 Centre St. The group meets on the third Wednesday of the month, noon, with lunch served, and the fourth Tuesday, 6 p.m., with dinner served. Complimentary respite care in the community's Harbor Program will be provided for participants needing to bring their loved ones with them.
For additional information, contact John Montgomery at 617-965-9400.

CULTURAL CENTER, New Web site
The Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada St., announces through The Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs that its Web site is up at www.newtonculturalcenter.org. Sharing the Cultural Center are The Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs, Newton Civic Pride Committee, Suzuki School of Newton, Warmlines, New Philharmonia Orchestra, The Green Decade Coalition, Mother's Milk Bank, Newton Childcare Commission and Fund, Newton Cultural Council, Newton History Museum, and Newton Country Players.

NEWTON LIBRARY, `Return to Norumbega'
Many Newton residents remember Norumbega Park as one of New England's prime recreational sites. Located in the village of Auburndale on the banks of Charles River, the park opened in 1897 and closed for good on Labor Day 1963. During its heyday Norumbega Park drew thousands of visitors each weekend, in season. Beginning in 1930, the park was also the home of the Totem Pole Ballroom, known to big band and swing music lovers everywhere as "America's most beautiful ballroom."
Relive the history of this important Newton landmark on Tuesday, July 7, 7 p.m., at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., during a screening of the documentary, ``Return to Norumbega.'' The film presents a history of the park that is based on the work of the late Bob Pollock. Mr. Pollock grew up in the area and worked at Norumbega Park as a teenager. He spent many years collecting Norumbega photographs and information, wrote the script for the documentary and provided direction on how the park's history should be presented. The film was produced by Joe Hunter who will take questions at the conclusion of the film.
For more information, call 617-796-1360.