Community Briefs

By Globe Staff, Globe Correspondent, 11/29/2001

NEWTON

Final flu clinic of the season

The final flu clinic of the season will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Newton Library. Flu shots will be available for Newton residents age 65 or older and for those with chronic illness. For more information, call 617-552-7789.

NEWTON

Library lineup of events

December at the Newton Free Library is filled with interesting and varied events. On Monday, the library will host a program on ''Grief and Loss Around the Holidays'' at 7:30 p.m. Social worker Heath Hightower and Rabbi Karen Landy will discuss helpful and creative ways to cope with loss, stress, and uncertainty at this time of year. Music and readings will be included in this program, jointly sponsored by the Jewish Family and Children's Service/Jewish Healing Connections, the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Heritage and Vernon Court, and the library.

Newton author Arthur Dimond will speak on his new novel, ''Blurred Images,'' at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Dimond's first novel tells the story of a man's decision made during an anti-Vietnam War demonstration and how that decision changes his life forever.

The Center for Italian Culture will present a talk on ''Verdi: Truth and Theater'' by Laura Saunders at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. This workshop will explore some of the beliefs about Verdi and examine a selection of his works.

For more information on any of these free events, call the Newton Free Library at 617-552-7145.

NEWTON

Homestead holds open house

The Jackson Homestead Museum opens it doors to all Newton residents, free, from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday for a December Open House. Programs include a magic lantern show and musician Natalie Palme. For more information, call 617-552-7238.

NEWTON

Artist holds an open studio

For Newton artist Miriam Gilman, shoes express a woman's mood and the different aspects of her life. And so through her still lifes - of high heels and work boots - she honors those moods.

Visitors can view (and purchase) her shoe monotypes and her other works - monotype series of landscapes, waterlilies, and the Japanese carp, or koi - at her Open Studio exhibit from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday or by appointment at 24 Shuman Circle, Newton Centre. Call 617-969-6623 or visit www.gilmangallery.com.

Gilman, 55, has been painting since age 10. Her paintings and prints will be marked half-price for her annual open studio holiday sale.

WESTON

Regis College holds concert

The traditional candlelight singing of ''Silent Night'' will close Regis College's annual Christmas concert, ''Christmas Around the World,'' scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the school's Eleanor Welch Casey Theater in the Fine Arts Center.

Regis's glee club, alumnae chorus, and chamber singers - a combined chorus of 90 singers, along with the college's handbell and flute choirs - will perform Christmas carols from around the world as well as individual programs. Sheila Grace Prichard and Andrea Minyard Mori will direct while Peter Gharibian will play piano.

General admission is $10 for the public; students and Regis staff, $8; and Regis students, $5. For tickets, call 781-769-7070. Regis College is at 235 Wellesley St.

WALTHAM

Bus rides to Burlington Mall

CitiBus is implementing a trial shuttle service Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to the Burlington Mall during the holiday season. Pickup locations are at Waltham Center, on Carter Street, and Wal-Lex Annex on the corner of Lake and Lexington streets.

For more information or for CitiBus schedules, call 781-890-0093.

WALTHAM

Disturbance at Westin Hotel

Police arrested a man and a woman from Lowell after a domestic dispute at the Westin Hotel early Sunday morning. Officers arrived at the scene at 3:37 a.m. for a disturbance at the hotel. The man and woman had previously attended a high school reunion there and were staying in a room.

According to reports from both parties, the two traded verbal barbs and physically assaulted each other. Both sustained scratches and cuts. They were arraigned Monday at Waltham District Court.

WALTHAM

Mayor holds office hours

Looking to talk to Mayor David Gately about city issues? His office door is open at 5 p.m. Friday.

Residents with viewpoints on local government or neighborhood issues are invited to stop by City Hall at 610 Main St. Citizens unable to attend may call the mayor at 781-314-3100.

NEWTON

Help donate Toys for Tots

The Fire and Police departments have joined forces to assist the Marine Corps holiday Toys for Tots drive.

Through the donation of toys and money, the program provides new, nonviolent toys for needy Massachusetts children. This is the fifth year both departments have worked together for the Marine cause.

Acting Newton Police Chief Robert MacDonald and Fire Chief Edward Murphy are asking community members to help by dropping off a new unwrapped toy at any police or fire station in the city before Dec. 21. For more information, call the Newton Police Community Services Bureau at 617-552-7251.

WESTON

Committees set meeting times

The Weston Historical Commission meets this evening at 7 at the library on School Street. The Finance Committee meets at town offices at 8 tonight with an unspecified agenda.

Two town organizations meet today to discuss renovations being made to their respective buildings.

The Elderly Housing Committee will discuss its budget for the proposed addition to the Brook School Apartment complex. Members will meet next Thursday to review requests for proposals from builders.

The Committee to Renovate Town Hall will meet at the old library on Boston Post Road to review progress made at the old headquarters. Town offices moved to the old library last winter and are expected to return to the brick Colonial house in late spring or early summer, town officials said.

The community briefs were compiled by Globe correspondents D enise Dube ( dube@globe.com), Gail Spector (spector@globe.com), Rebecca Coleman, Naomi Kooker, and Kenneth Rapoza.

This story ran on page W4 of the Boston Globe on 11/29/2001.
© Copyright 2001 Globe Newspaper Company.