The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

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News acorns – 4/9/15

Film series about “odd jobs”

Job, profession, vocation, career—what we do or did to “earn our living” is who we were or are or will become. Does it then follow that the “oddest” jobs just might attract the oddest people, who might then provide the most peculiar and engaging stories, true or fictitious? Find out in the “Odd Jobs” film series presented this month by the Lincoln Library Film Society:

  • Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. — Kitchen Stories (Salmer fra kjøkkenet), 2003. In Norwegian and Swedish with English subtitles. 95 minutes.
  • Tuesday, April 21 at 7 p.m  — Watchtower (Gözetleme kulesi), 2012. In Turkish with English subtitles. 96 minutes.
  • Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m — Pickpocket, 1959. In French with English subtitles. 75 minutes.
Marimekko's Unikko fabric by Maija Isola.

Marimekko’s Unikko fabric by Maija Isola.

Talk on Design Research store on April 26

Put on your new or vintage Marimekko dress and dig out your beloved Sarpaneva casserole pot and bring them to “Remembering Design Research,” a modern design program in Lincoln on Sunday, April 26 at 3 p.m. in Bemis Hall.Former Design Research (D/R) co-owner Jane Thompson’s slide show will describe the heydays of the pioneering modern design store in Harvard Square (1953-1979), and textile historian Susan Ward will illustrate the history of the Finnish Marimekko fabric and fashion company, whose brightly colored fabrics and dresses were one of D/R’s mainstays. There’ll also be groovy ’60s music, a Marimekko fashion show, a show-and-tell, book signing, silent auction, raffle prizes and fabulous Finnish treats. Tickets are $27. More information is available on the Friends of Modern Architecture/Lincoln’s website.

Registration open for Minuteman postgrad, community programs

Minuteman Technical Institute (MTI), part of part of Minuteman High School, is now accepting applications for September 2015 admission into nine different postgraduate programs: advanced automotive technology, building construction technology, cosmetology, culinary arts/baking, dental assisting, early education and care, electrical wiring, hospitality management and plumbing. Minuteman Community Education also offers April vacation and summer programs for children up to grade 12 as well as continuing education for adults.

Adults may apply to an MTI program to hone their skills in a technical area, retrain for new employment or learn new skills. MTI offers interest-free payment plans for all of its programs, and students who live in one of Minuteman’s 16 district towns receive a 50 percent tuition discount. Open houses with more information about postgraduate programs and the application process will be held on May 12 and June 9 at 6 p.m. at the school (758 Marrett Rd., Lexington). For more information and to apply, go to www.MinutemanTI.org or call 781-861-7151.

Spring Fling features a capella group, puppets

Celebrate the end of a long winter at the Lincoln Public Library’s Spring Fling on Saturday, May 2 from 1–4 p.m. At 1 p.m., Tufts University’s co-ed a cappella group the Amalgamates will perform. The group has released 13 CDs and has performed at venues including Fenway Park and the National Portrait Gallery in London. At 3 p.m., the Toe Jam Puppet Band will be on hand to perform interactive songs, stories and& puppets, including a barn dance and a car wash song where kids get sprayed. Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon.

News acorns – 4/3/15

acornBunny Bonanza at Pierce House this Saturday

All Lincoln School families are invited to hop on over to the Pierce House on Saturday, April 4 at 10 a.m. for the Lincoln Family Association‘s Bunny Bonanza. Welcome springtime with musicians, refreshments, and of course a massive egg hunt for all ages (please bring your own basket). Festivities begin promptly at 10 a.m. LFA members are free; non-members are $10 per child.

Meetings to discuss special education issues

[Read more…] about News acorns – 4/3/15

Letter to the editor: Glass thanks residents for school votes

letter

(Editor’s note: The salutation in this letter originally read “Dear Lincoln.”)

To the editor:

At Saturday’s Town Meeting, the citizens of Lincoln voted overwhelmingly to support both a school renovation project and the School Committee and Board of Selectmen’s joint submission of a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The success of these votes is due to the many, many hours of hard work and tireless public outreach by the members of the School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC).

Led by Doug Adams and Superintendent Becky McFall, and comprised of a diverse group of volunteers, the SBAC was so effective in its work because of the transparent process it fostered. The outreach, capably led by our consultants from Dore & Whittier, involved a wide spectrum of citizens. No matter their views of the project as presented in 2012, citizens believed that we as a town must come together to move forward and find a solution to the facility needs of the Lincoln School.

I would like to make special note of the leadership of Dr. McFall, who, as part of the SBAC’s outreach, articulated an educational vision that drew a clear connection between educational theory and the physical environment of the school.

Finally, Saturday’s outcome would not have happened without the input and support that the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Capital Planning Committee offered the School Committee.

On behalf of the School Committee, I want to express our deep gratitude. The votes on Saturday were a victory for volunteerism, good process, and thoughtful collaboration.

There is much work left to do, and there are many decisions yet to be made. We look forward to your continued engagement as we embark on the next phase of the journey.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Glass
Chair, Lincoln School Committee

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Town Meeting reminders, and an addition

The eighth-grade warrant article group, left to right: Amalia Munn, Allie Dwyer, Colin Christian, Greer Harnden and Elena Christenfeld.

ADDITION: The Lincoln Squirrel received this photo too late to include with the March 26 story on the Lincoln School eighth-graders’ warrant article. Left to right: Amalia Munn, Allie Dwyer, Colin Christian, Greer Harnden and Elena Christenfeld.

Shuttle service offered

Due to the expected turnout for Town Meeting and the limited parking spaces available at the school complex, the town is asking residents to carpool. Also, the town is offering a shuttle service from the Lincoln commuter lot (non-resident paved lot) to the school complex from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shuttle will run continuously throughout Town Meeting.

Overflow seating in Reed Gym

In the event that attendance at Town Meeting exceeds the capacity of the Brooks auditorium, overflow seating will be available in the Reed Gym, with audio feeds and other accommodations to allow full participation.

Town Meeting may continue Tuesday night

If necessary, Town Meeting will be paused on Saturday and resume on Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Brooks auditorium.

Food and beverages for sale

Lincoln’s third-grade Girl Scouts will be selling hot coffee, tea and a limited supply of homemade baked goods at Town Meeting from 9-11 a.m. Everything is $1. The sixth-grade Girl Scouts also will be selling boxed lunches for $10 apiece.

Polls open at 7:30 on Monday

Don’t forget to vote in the town election on Monday, March 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Smith gym (not starting at 7 a.m. as previously reported). Voters will be asked to approve spending for a school renovation feasibility study and a school campus master plan. Many town offices are also on the ballot, including contested races for Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee and Planning Board. See this Lincoln Squirrel article for a sample ballot and summary of letters to the editor about the contested races.

Babysitting available during Town Meeting

Lincoln’s eighth-grade Girl Scouts are offering babysitting in Hartwell Pod B from 12:45-5 p.m. These hours were chosen to coincide with discussion of the school building and community center issues in which many young families have expressed interest. The Girl Scouts are Red Cross trained in babysitting, and adults will also be on duty to help supervise. The children will be located in two rooms, one for the preschoolers and another for elementary school children. Advance registration is preferred; please email Linda Hammett Ory at LHamme@aol.com. Babysitting is offered at no charge, but donations are encouraged to help support the eighth-grade Cadettes’ service projects.

Summary of “warrant pieces”

Here are links to Lincoln Squirrel news stories about some of the warrant articles.

Town boards come together on revised school warrant article

A diagram of the choices facing Lincoln voters in Town Meeting warrant articles 30, 31 and 32 (click to enlarge).

A diagram of the choices facing Lincoln voters in Town Meeting warrant articles 30, 31 and 32 (click to enlarge).

By Alice Waugh

With a last-minute change to the wording of a Town Meeting motion, town officials are doubling down on their support for seeking state funding for a comprehensive school renovation project in the hope that a large majority of voters feel the same way.

[Read more…] about Town boards come together on revised school warrant article

Students’ Town Meeting article seeks funds for field work

The eighth-grade warrant article group, left to right: Amalia Munn, Allie Dwyer, Colin Christian, Greer Harnden and Elena Christenfeld.

The eighth-grade warrant article group, left to right: Amalia Munn, Allie Dwyer, Colin Christian, Greer Harnden and Elena Christenfeld.

Six Lincoln School eighth-graders are hoping voters at Saturday’s Town Meeting approve a citizens’ petition for funding to clear the edges of one of the school playing fields.

Elena Christenfeld, Colin Christian, Allie Dwyer, Greer Harden, Amalia Munn and Irene Terpstra have been meeting every Monday since September withTown Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden and Town Clerk Susan Brooks to experience the process for getting an issue before Lincoln’s Annual Town Meeting.

After conversations with the Parks and Recreation Department, the students first came up with the idea to clear the edges of the playing fields next to Codman Pool, the Smith school building and the Town Office Building where brush is growing into the playing area. They eventually settled for just the Smith field as well as an adjacent student emergency evacuation area.

[Read more…] about Students’ Town Meeting article seeks funds for field work

Community center on Hartwell campus would cost $13 million, panel says

The Community Center Study Committee's "preferred option." Click on the image for more options and interior design ideas.

The Community Center Study Committee’s “preferred option.” Click on the image for more exterior and interior design ideas.

By Alice Waugh

Residents on Saturday will have the chance to hear the final report of the Community Center Study Committee (CCSC), which proposes a community center to be built on the Hartwell campus at a total cost of about $13 million, including roads and other site work.

[Read more…] about Community center on Hartwell campus would cost $13 million, panel says

Letter to the editor: vote on Monday for Marshall and Quirk

letter

To the editor:

As someone who served seven years as a member of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School School Committee, I am writing in support of Nancy Marshall’s candidacy for reelection.

Nancy was elected to the committee at a very difficult time when economic circumstances led to reductions in funding and the political climate in Sudbury had substantially deteriorated. Nancy led the effort to successfully stabilize the financial situation and to preserve both the high educational standards that the school has achieved over the years and, perhaps more importantly, the culture of close student-teacher relationships that so nurtured my two children during their tenure at the school (if I can remember that accurately).

I would also like to strongly support the candidacy of incumbent member Gerald Quirk, whose work on the committee has been exemplary. There have been times that Lincoln voters have been encouraged to bullet-vote for the Lincoln resident candidate to preserve Lincoln’s seat by overcoming the disparity in numbers which favors Sudbury candidates. This is not such an election. In my opinion, based on my experience in serving on the committee, the other Sudbury candidate, Robert Stein, is one of the main instigators of the incivility that has characterized Sudbury politics for some time and has led to an effort by the Sudbury selectmen to formally address the deteriorated climate. A vote for Marshall and Quirk will send a strong message that Lincoln values the high school and values the efforts of its teachers, staff and volunteer political representatives.

Remember, the election is on Monday, March 30—not on Tuesday, as we are all used to Tuesday elections.

Sincerely,

Eric Harris
138 Bedford Rd.

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Letter to the editor: vote for state-assisted school building project

letter

Editor’s note: Town Meeting Warrant Articles 30 and 31 are explained in this letter to the editor by School Committee chair Jennifer Glass.

To the editor:

I am concerned that many residents of Lincoln are unaware that the vote to determine how Lincoln will address the needs of its school building will take place on March 28. If those of us who believe it important to do more for our school building than just fix the most urgently needed repairs don’t show up at Town Meeting and vote “yes” on Articles 30 and 31, those improvements won’t happen.

[Read more…] about Letter to the editor: vote for state-assisted school building project