From the Desk of the Town Manager The weekly newsletter from James McKenna highlighting some of the positive things happening around town. March 20, 2014 In the best-selling book entitled The Power of Habit, author Charles Duhigg states that families who habitually eat dinner together tend to raise children with better homework skills, higher intelligence, stronger emotional control and more confidence. The habit of eating family dinner is correlated with better production and a sense of well-being, not only for children but for families as a whole. I would submit that stronger families make stronger communities and I suggest that Winthrop would be stronger if families spent more time together around the dinner table. Prego! ______________________________________________________ Winthrop Public Schools is conducting the annual Preschool Screening for 3 and 4 year old children born prior to June 1, 2011. The screenings will be held April 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the William P. Gorman Fort Banks School. The purpose of the screening is to identify those children in need of special education services. Additionally, children who will be 4 years of age prior to September 1, 2014, not identified as a student in need of special education service (s) will be eligible for lottery openings in the integrated preschool program. All students must participate in the screening process to be considered for placement. To schedule an appointment and obtain the required application, please contact the main office at the William P. Gorman Fort Banks School at 617-846-5509, during school hours, 8:00am-2:00pm on or before March 28, 2014. Screenings are held by appointment only. ______________________________________________________ There will be a public hearing scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2014 from 4:00PM– 6:00PM (longer if necessary) at the Revere High School Auditorium (101 School Street), which is intended to provide the Mass Gaming Commission with the opportunity to hear comments or concerns relative to the proposal of Mohegan Sun Massachusetts LLC’s to build a casino/resort establishment in Revere, including but not limited to the scope and quality of the gaming area and amenities, the integration of the gaming establishment into the surrounding community and the extent of required mitigation plans and to receive input from members of the public from an impacted community. If you have any questions regarding the public hearing, please e-mail Commission Ombudsman John Ziemba at [email protected] or call him at 617-979-8423. ______________________________________________________ Those Who Can, For Those In Need will be hosting a Buffet Dinner and Comedy show FUNdraiser “Uplift Yourself with Laughter” on Saturday, April 26th from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. This event will be held at Casa Lucia, 61 Lucia Ave in Revere. There will be great raffles and a 50/50. This fundraiser will benefit the Winthrop based, grassroots, non-profit organization whose mission is to connect the Boston and North Shore area with community resources and volunteer opportunities in the areas of: services for the elderly, losing a loved one, children, low income and homeless. Tickets are just $40 and can be purchased at the Winthrop Book Depot, 11 Somerset Ave or Winthrop Market Place, 35 Revere Street. You can also call Judie VanKooiman at 617-462-5719. Tickets must be purchased in advance! No ticket sales at the door. ______________________________________________________ Beginning March 31st, dogs can be fined by Animal Control if not properly licensed per MGL Chapter 140 Section 137. A License Form was included at the bottom of your annual Census this winter. To avoid long lines at our counter, residents are strongly encouraged to mail in the form along with proof of rabies, a check and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the tag will be mailed back to you. Tags must be purchased before March 31, 2014 to avoid late fees. Citizens are encouraged to subscribe to get dog notices via email. Please visit the Town Clerk’s page at: town.winthrop.ma.us/Pages/WinthropMA_Clerk/doglicense and click on Subscribe To Dog Notices. You will receive a confirmation email and in the future receive emails from the Town Clerk regarding Dog Licensing and Rabies Clinic information. ______________________________________________________ The Winthrop Art Association’s Spring Art Festival 2014 Saturday, April 26th from 12:00-6:00PM Sunday, April 27th from 11:00AM-4:00PM Reception is Friday, April 25th from 7:00-9:00PM Original art and original crafts for viewing and for sale. E.B. Newton Cultural Center 45 Pauline Street For more information, contact Dawn at 617-846-2644. ______________________________________________________ The Winthrop Public in conjunction with the Winthrop Council on Aging is proud to present: BOOKS ON WHEELS Books on Wheels is a program for free book delivery to homebound patrons! Access our vast collection and obtain obscure titles through Interlibrary loan. Delivery will be on every 1st and 3rd Wednesda of the month from 1:30 - 3:30 For more information please contact Library Director Peter Struzziero 1-617-846-1703, [email protected] ______________________________________________________ Winthrop Art Association Demonstration Join us for a Taste of India Tuesday, April 1st at 7:30pm We will show you how to wrap a Sari, color a Rangoli, receive a Bindi and more. Take a slide show trip through “Incredible & Colorful” India. We will visit Bangalore, the Taj Mahal, At Agra, Jaipur, Deogarh, Udaipur, Varansi and Sarai at Toria. This demonstration is with Brenda and Tom Curry. E.B. newton Cultural Center 45 Pauline Street, Winthrop 617-846-2644 ______________________________________________________ Dalrymple School Housing Applications are now being accepted for elders 62 and older. For information, call Jeff Buono at 617-567-7755 or pick up an application at Metro Management Company, 201 Sumner Street, East Boston, near the Maverick Square T station. ______________________________________________________ The Clock Tower Gallery Revised and Revisited The Art Work of Destiny Palmer and Stephen Hamilton Closing Reception: April 11, 2014 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Gallery Hours: Thurs. 6-8 p.m. and Sat. 2-4 p.m. winthropculturalcouncil.org 45 Pauline St., 1st Floor Winthrop, MA ______________________________________________________ Educatius International is looking for host families in Winthrop! Open your heart and home to an international student. Host families are to provide a warm and supportive home and family environment. Students should become a part of your family. Educatius offers a monthly stipend of $700.00 for each student placed in your home. Each family can host up to 2 students. This can be a positive and rewarding experience for everyone in the family. Hosting a student can provide you with amazing opportunities and lifelong friendships. To learn more and apply to be a host family, please contact Pat Milano at pmilanoeducatius@aol or call 617-733-7073, or Jodi Del Razo at [email protected] or call 617-543-8626. ______________________________________________________ Cupid Splash The Annual Cupid Splash to benefit Save the Harbors programs on area beaches will be held on Saturday, March 29th at noon in front of Kellys on Revere Beach. Splashers from Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop and Constitution Beach will raise money for Save the Harbors support of free beach activities in metropolitan beaches. Wear a funny costume if you wish and come early and enjoy clam chowder from Kellys. Bring a towel and bring friends. So dont walk - run to cupidsplash and register today for the Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash. For more information, call 617-846-7418. _____________________________________________________ SENIOR TAX WORK-OFF PROGRAM The Senior Citizen Volunteer Service/Tax Liability Reduction Program allows seniors (over the age of 60) to volunteer their services in exchange for a reduction in their property tax bill. Participants may earn a maximum reduction of $750.00 per fiscal year based on a rate per hour of service that cannot exceed the Commonwealths minimum wage. Senior volunteer Tax Program Requirements are: You must be a tax payer and 60 years of age or older during the tax year when the volunteering is completed and the tax reduction is credited. To be credited, the volunteer must have an ownership interest and reside in the property year round. Total reduction will not exceed $750.00. 93 hours must be completed by October 15th of the credited year. A CORI Release Form must accompany the application. If you are interested in this program, you can pick-up an application packet at the Senior Center beginning on Wednesday, March 12th. All applications should be returned to the Senior Center and will be accepted until the close of business on Weds. April 16, 2014. Volunteers will be selected by a lottery drawing which will be on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. If you have any questions regarding this program, please call the Senior Center at: 617-846-8538. ______________________________________________________ Support the restoration of Winthrop’s parks and playgrounds! 2nd Annual Family Fun Night Sponsored by the Winthrop Parks Committee Saturday March 29th from 4:00-8:00pm Cottage Park Yacht Club Tickets $20 in advance/ $25 at the door Children under 12 free ***entry ticket is also a raffle for Tampa Bay vs Boston on May1st*** Carnival games, face painting, raffles, and MORE!!! ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL BENEFIT POND STREET AND COUGHLIN PLAYGROUND Tickets can be purchased in advanced at the Parks and Recreation office, 151 Pauline Street, 617-846-8243 or contact the Parks Committee at WinthropParks@gmail ______________________________________________________ Winthrop Youth Hockey is having a fundraiser: PARENTS NIGHT OUT Saturday, April 5th 7:00-12:00pm Winthrop Yacht Club $20 a ticket Dancing and Raffles Each ticket is entered to win a year tuition for Winthrop Youth Hockey ______________________________________________________
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 22:48:40 +0000