WALTHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY, State fiscal fsituation orum
The state Administration and Finance Secretary Jay Gonzalez will host a forum at Waltham Public Library Lecture Hall, 735 Main St., on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6 to 8 p.m. He will give residents insight into the status of the state’s fiscal situation. There will also be a question and answer period.
For more information, e-mai;l Cyndi.Roy@state.ma.us.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, December office hours
The Waltham Historical Society will have its satellite office at 760 Main St., on Saturday, Dec. 5, Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Wednesday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a docent there to discuss our work and current exhibits about the Waltham Watch factory, and future meetuings and events.
For further details or information, contact waltham.historical.society@gmail.com
GARDEN CLUB, Holiday design show
The Waltham Garden Club presents its annual holiday design show Sunday, Dec. 6, noon to 3 p.m., at the Paine Estate, 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive, featuring longtime florist, judge and horticulturist, Paul Split. Refreshments will be served along with some fantastic raffle prizes. Cost is $20, which includes refreshments.
For more information, visit www.gardencentral.org/gcfm/walthamgardenclub or e-mail gibbonsKacher@yahoo.com. Call Jane Gibbons at 781-893-4867 for tickets.
KIWANIS CLUB, Nursing and senior centers visits
Waltham Kiwanis announces its Christmas visits to area nursing homes and senior centers: Marist Hill Nursing Home, 66 Newton St., Monday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.; Waltham Crossing, 126 Smith St., Thursday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m.; Meadow Green Nursing Home, 45 Woburn St., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m.; Stanley Senior Center, 488 Main St., Friday, Dec. 18, 1 p.m.; Leland Home, 21 Newton St., Friday, Dec. 18, 2:15 p.m.
For more information, contact Bill Walsh at 781-899-1349.
ARTS COUNCIL, Community Sing
Waltham Arts Council annual Community Sing is Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Waltham City Hall, 610 Main St. The Fun Factor, Inc. and create your own ornament is at 6:30 p.m.; caroling, 7 p.m.; and reception at 7:30 p.m. Santa will stopping for a visit and pictures.
For further information, call 781-893-ARTS (2787) or e-mail info@walthamarts.org.
COLLEGE FINANCING, Informational meeting
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority's free comprehensive presentation on college financing is Monday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m., at Waltham High School, 617 Lexington St. The seminar will teach parents how to apply for financial aid, compare financial aid award letters, and seek available financing options. Families will receive a seminar booklet which serves as a year-round resource. Time is allowed for questions and answers.
For more information, call Migdalia Gomez, MEFA, at 617-224 4861, or Marcia Munday, Waltham High School, Student Support Services, at 781-314-5511.
WALTHAM COMMUNITY FARM, Benefit concert at Johnny D's
Johnny D's, 17 Holland St., Somerville, will be hosting a benefit concert for Waltham Fields Community Farm, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m. Featured will be Kris Delmhorst, Tim Gearan, Barry Rothman, Dan Roberts, Eric Royer & Sean Staples. All proceeds will go to supporting the Farm's education and food access programs. Tickets are $15. 21+.
Advance tickets are available at www.communityfarms.org.
SPECIAL EDUCATION, Parent Advisory Council
The Waltham Special Education Parent Advisory Council will host its third meeting of the school year for parents, teachers and school administrators, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m., at Waltham High School, Room 118, 617 Lexington St. Presentation by David P. Riley, executive director of the Urban Special Education Leadership Collaborative will look into the latest information on Inclusive Schools in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, Dec. 7-11.
For more information, visit www.walthampac.org.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES, Free workshop
The National Archives, 380 Trapelo Road, will feature a workshop, Census, Passenger Lists, & Naturalization Records, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. The presentation is intended for novice and experienced family historians. Tours of the archives at 1:15 p.m. and resources available after.
To register for the workshop, call 866-406-2379 or 781-663-0121, or e-mail waltham.archives@nara.gov.
HOLIDAY PRELUDE, Decorating encouraged
The 2nd annual Waltham Holiday Prelude is Dec. 4-6. The planning committee encourages downtown businesses to participate in the window decorating competition and the gingerbread house building contest.
For more information and to register, contact Sally Collura at scollura@juno.com or 781-838-1130.
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY, Jewish Women and Work
Jewish Women and Work: A Panel Discussion, on Thursday, Dec. 3, 7 to 9 p.m., at Liberman-Miller Lecture Hall, Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University, will highlight the landmark research in ``Gender and American Jews: Patterns in Work, Education & Family in Contemporary Life.'' The panel discussion will address how Jewish women juggle work, family, and Jewishness. Sylvia Barack Fishman will moderate.
For questions or to RSVP, contact the HBI by e-mail at hbi@brandeis.edu or call 781-736-2064. For more information, visit www.brandeis.edu/hbi.
JOSE MATEO BALLET, `Nutcracker' at Brandeis
Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre will be performing The Nutcracker Dec. 4-20 at The Spingold Theatre at Brandeis University, 415 South St. Tickets are $15-50.
For more information, call 781-736-3400 www.BalletTheatre.oeg.
GORE PLACE, Jane Austen tea
Gore Place, 52 Gore St., offers, A Jane Austen Holiday Tea and Tour, Fridays, Dec. 4 and 11, and Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19. The Great Hall of the mansion will be transformed into a 19th century tea room offering an authentic English tea of scones, sweets and savory sandwiches. Following the tea, guests will tour the mansion led by a guide in period costume using English author Jane Austen's wonderful words to describe romance in the early 19th century. In addition, there will be a Children's Tea with Santa on Dec. 5 and 19. The Santa's tea will feature a special children's menu and visit from Santa. Admission is $40, $35 for members, $30 fo Children's Tea. Tickets must be purchased at least one week prior to event.
To order, call 781-894-2798. For more information, go to www.goreplace.org
PINE STREET IN, Craft show benefit
Holiday Artisan & Crafter Expo to benefit Pine Street Inn, presented by Heirloom Artisan Expos, is Sarturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Conference Center at Bentley, 175 Forest St. Cost is $3.
For more information, visit www.heirloomartisanexpos.com.
ST. MARY'S, Health insurance info
There is a Health Insurance Information Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, 3 to 5 p.m., at St. Mary's Church, 133 School St. Information regarding the upcoming availability for dental insurance and free health screening tests among the highlights.
For more information, call 781-891-1730.
TRINITY CHURCH, Dinner, auction
Mamma Mia! Italian Dinner and live auction to benefit Trinity Church will be held at Trinity Church, 730 Main St., on Saturday, Dec. 5, 5 p.m. Tickets are $6.
For tickets, call the church office at 781-899-3891, Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon, or by calling Betsy Bailey at 781-899-7605 or Dennis Bernhardt at 781-330-3880.
PAINE ESTATE, Holiday Open House
Stonehurst, the Robert Treat Paine Estate, 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive, will have a Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 5, 1 to 4 p.m. There will be free tours and refreshments, along with children's activities. See the sleigh that was found in the basement of Stonehurst and listen to Waltham High School's award winning show choir, Music Unlimited.
Robert Treat Paine devoted much of his life to the public service of founding and running philanthropic organizations. In this spirit of giving, Stonehurst encourages a donation of non-perishable food, infant clothing, disposable diapers, or women's hats and gloves, which will be donated to local families in need.
For more information, you can call 781-314-3237.
MRS. CLAUS, Visits Tea Leaf
Mrs. Jessica Claus will make her annual visit to The Tea Leaf Tearoom, 487 Moody St., on Saturday, Dec. 5, noon to 2 p.m., as part of Holiday Prelude. Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet children and take their letters to Santa. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera. Candy canes will be given to children and there will be hot tea sampling for parents.
For more information, call 781-891-1900.
AMERICAN LEGION, Holiday Bazaar
The American Legion, Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of the Legion will be holding a Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Legion, 215 Waverley Oaks Road. All proceeds to benefit Christmas for the Veterans at the Veteran's Hospital in Bedford. There will be pictures with Santa, raffle prizes, gift and concession tables with holiday ornaments, macrame items, handmade jewelry and homemade candies. There will also be baked goods and activities for children. Free admission.
For more information, call Pam O'Brien or Nancy Hancock at 781-647-0156
GREEN DECADE, Urban Ark tour
Start this winter with a seminar at the Urban Ark on Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to noon, or Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 to 3 p.m., and learn how you can have higher quality of life at a lower cost of living. David Del Porto and his wife, Elva, have spent 25 years turning this vision into a reality. Their Newton Centre home is a model of sustainable design. You'll tour their ``Urban Ark'' and discover how they've integrated space heat, food production, air purification, and wastewater treatment within an amazing two-story greenhouse. They'll share the successes and failures of their quest for green living, and show you how to invest your time and money to get the most benefit from the least effort. And with rising fuel and water prices and dwindling resources, now is the time to learn methods that can provide environmental and economic security for you and your family. Cost is $20, $15 for students and Green Decade members.
To register or for more information, go to www.greendecade.org or contact Urban Ark coordinator Fran Seasholes at 617-969-5927.
DISCOVERING WHAT'S NEXT, Graduate certificate info
Are you deciding what your next career might be? Or looking to apply your skills to a new purpose? If so, earning a graduate certificate may be a step toward achieving your goal. Discovering What's Next presents a Discover Work Meeting-Up with Adrienne Franciosi, director, Graduate Admission, Lasell College, on Monday, Dec. 7, 3:30 p.m., at Waban Library Center, 1608 Beacon St. She will lead a discussion about the strategies that experienced people and working professionals can use to plan their next career (or life mission). Topics will include the process of getting started, how to choose a new field of study, the value of a graduate certificate, and the multiple ways that earning one can set you on the path right for you.
Register for this free program at info@discoveringwhatsnext.com. For more information, visit www.discoveringwhatsnext.com.
WATERTOWN SAVINGS, Vote for favorite non-profit
Each year Watertown Savings Bank customers have an opportunity to vote for their favorite local, non-profit organization in the bank's Customer Choice Awards. The bank sets aside $50,000 that is distributed according to the voting results. Every qualified non-profit that earns at least one percent of the total votes received is awarded funds. To qualify the organization must serve the local community in some way and have 501c(3) status. Religious and political organizations are ineligible. Charitable organizations within a church community are eligible.
Anyone with a Watertown Savings Bank account can vote once at www.watertownsavings.com. The online voting system lists several different organizations from each of the six towns where there are bank branches: Watertown, Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Newton, and Waltham. There is also a place to write in an organization's name, if it is not already listed.
The deadline is Jan. 16. Those without access to a computer can pick up paper ballots at any WSB branch location, beginning in early December. The maximum amount distributed to any one organization is $2,500. For further information, call 617-928-2336.
TEMPLE REYIM, Final adult class
Temple Reyim's Limud (Adult Jewish Learning) Program presents a series of classes, Meanings of Torah: Study of Texts, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 8, 15, and Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 7:30 p.m., at the temple, 1860 Washington St. Foundational Judaic texts have been understood in many ways throughout history, and their study still yields new insights today. These sessions will examine what the texts say and what they can mean. The course will be suitable both as a first encounter with text analysis or a deepening of previous experience in such study. Class leaders will present and discuss sample texts from Torah, Talmud and Midrash. Text samples to be studied will be provided. Cost is $50 for non-members.
Further information or registration is available at office@reyim.org or 617-527-2410, Ext 11.
CIRCLE OF CARING, Free educational series
Circle of Caring at Hospice of the Good Shepherd concludes its free fall educational series by hosting, Patient Empowerment: From Good Health to Hospice, presented by Gail Gazelle, MD, Medical director at Circle of Caring at Hospice of the Good Shepherd. The event is Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St. Registration begins at 6:45 p.,m. Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP to Jennifer at jsax@hospicegoodshepherd.org.
ROBERT W. TENNANT, Good Scout Award
Newton attorney Robert W. Tennant will be the recipient of the 2009 Newton Good Scout Award at a reception in his honor at the Newton Marriott on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. The Good Scout Award is presented annually by the Knox Trail Council Boy Scouts of America to an individual who has demonstrated integrity and genuine concern for others in both his/her professional and personal life.
For more information, contact Margaret Casey, Knox Trail Council, Senior Exploring executive, at 508-872-6511, Ext. 220, or at margaret.casey@scouting.org.
JCC OF BOSTON, Lights & Spice gala
The Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston, a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening measures of Jewish identity, will host the 2009 Lights & Spice gala on Saturday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m., at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC, 333 Nahanton St. The event will celebrate the JCC family through dramatic readings and entertainment by Elliot Norton Award-winning actress Annette Miller and Tony Award-nominated singer/songwriter Jeff Blumenkrantz. Lights & Spice will honor Jeffrey Savit and A. Raymond Tye, and supports the mission-driven work of the JCC, which serves more than 50,000 children and adults in the Boston area each year.
For more information or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, contact Joan Astor at 617-558-6519 or www.jccgb.org/lights.
AREA DAY SCHOOLS, Music Festival at Gann
Students will raise their voices to promote healing in the world at Kol HaNeshama, the Day School Music Festival, on Sunday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m., at Gann Academy, 333 Forest St., Waltham. Hosted by Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston, the event will also include performances by students from Gann Academy, Jewish Community Day School, Rashi School and South Area Solomon Schechter Day School. Available at all participating schools, tickets for the concert are $10 adults, $5 students. Proceeds will benefit the trauma unit of the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.
For information, call 617-928-9100.
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY, Handbell concert
Back Bay Ringers, an advanced, auditioned, community handbell ensemble, will give a concert at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. The ensemble will play a selection of pieces, including ``Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Riu, Riu Chiu'' (a traditional Spanish carol), ``The Holly and the Ivy'' (Mannheim Steamroller arrangement) and ``Ukranian Bell Carol'' (better known as the Carol of the Bells).
For more information call the Newton Free Library at 617-796-1360. All programs are free and open to the public, parking is free. The Newton Free Library is handicap accessible.
