State program advances day-care careers
Teacher training helps fill shortage
(By Caroline Louise Cole, Globe Correspondent)
METHUEN - A multimillion-dollar state initiative is helping low-income mothers like Caribel Torres improve their job skills at the same time it reduces the state's day-care worker shortage.

Retraining program needs federal funds
Money supply tight even as layoffs rise
(By Davis Bushnell, Globe Correspondent)
WOBURN - The Career Place of Woburn is dealing with a tough new problem: While more people are being laid off, there is no funding for federal retraining programs.

Merrimack cleanup could swell sewer bills
Communities must separate storm runoff, waste water
(By Caroline Louise Cole, Globe Correspondent)
Residential sewer bills in communities along the Merrimack River could jump as much as $150 a year in the near future as local officials begin to implement major system overhauls to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.

Clock glows over city again
(By Mark Sullivan, Globe Correspondent)
''Then came one knock! A note unruffled

NATURE WATCH
In December, hawks change hunt method
(By Tom Long, Globe Staff)
December is a month of short days and cold nights, and red-tailed hawks have adjusted their hunting technique accordingly.

SPECIAL EVENT
Piano performance to benefit Littleton school music grant
(By Globe Staff)
A graduate of Juilliard School of Music and classmate of Van Cliburn, classically trained pianist Alfred Watson has performed throughout the world.

Calendar
(By Globe Staff)
The following activities will take place in the area this week; future events are included as space allows.

PEOPLE & PLACES
A space for the arts
Stoneham cultural center finds home in old church
(By Prat Thakkar, Globe Correspondent)
STONEHAM - The large cast-iron bell outside the old First Unitarian Church in downtown Stoneham sits silent these days and the brilliant stained-glass windows can't be seen from the street.

Happening today
(By Globe Staff)
Andover The Phillips Academy Department of Dance will present ''The Nutcracker'' at 2 p.m. at Tang Theater on the academy campus, 180 Main St. $10; $5 with academy ID. Call 978-749-4433.

Dining out
(By Alice Hinkle, Globe Staff)
Legal Sea Foods Burlington Mall

Liberian native has more on his mind than football
(By Jeff Sullivan, Globe Correspondent)
LOWELL - For some Lowell football players, the 14-0 loss on Thanksgiving to Haverhill was devastating. The coin flip later that afternoon was even worse, as Lowell again lost to Haverhill. Its dream season had ended without the program's first-ever playoff berth.

NorthWest Notebook
(By Diana Brown)
REGIONAL Teddy bears ready for special delivery

Lexington board sticks with Benton
Search ends with acting school chief
(By Caroline Louise Cole, Globe Correspondent)
The Lexington School Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to forgo a national search to replace its superintendent and instead decided to enter into contract negotiations with a local candidate, Joanne Benton.

Pearl Harbor, Sept. 11 attacks topic of forum
(By Wendy Killeen)
Four World War II veterans will share their war experiences and thoughts on the recent attack on the United States at a forum to be held at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill on Friday, the 60th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Town questions cost to preserve fire stations
(By Leslie Anderson, Globe Correspondent)
BELMONT - As the Board of Selectmen debates phasing out the town's three antiquated fire stations, historic preservationists are launching efforts to save the buildings for other uses.

Santiago finds opposition coming from Latino activists
State House seat in Lawrence may draw spirited fight
(By John Laidler, Globe Correspondent)
LAWRENCE - Just weeks after the finale of a mayor's race that featured three Latino candidates, another contest featuring multiple Latino contenders is gaining attention in this multiethnic city.

Teen coffeehouse goes on the record
Performers press first compact disc
(By Denise Dube, Globe Correspondent)
WESTFORD - No, it's not Aerosmith - but in time it could be. Last week the Westford Teen Arts Council released its new compact disc, which was envisioned, assembled, and recorded by the teenage members.

THE POLITICAL TRAIL
Lawrence senator files insurance bill
(By John Laidler)
State Senator Susan C. Tucker scored a notable advance recently in her quest to attack the problem of high auto insurance rates in Lawrence.

Chemicals found near Acton wells
(By Davis Bushnell, Globe Correspondent)
ACTON - A recent disclosure that a plume of vinylidene chloride and other chemicals has been discovered near town wells on W.R. Grace & Co.'s 200-acre Superfund site here is reigniting concerns among some residents.