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

News acorns from the Lincoln Squirrel

news+squirrelClassroom heating system malfunctions

Following is an email sent to Lincoln School parents on Thursday morning, Jan. 9 by Mary Sterling, Assistant Superintendent for the Lincoln Public Schools.

“I am contacting families of Lincoln School students to let you know about a minor incident that has been resolved. We experienced a malfunction with the heating system in Cheri Wing-Jones’s second grade classroom this morning.  This caused some smoke in the heating unit. The system was shut down, the class was cleared immediately and the building was evacuated. Students and staff followed all fire drill procedures. The fire department responded quickly and determined that the building was fully safe for occupancy. There remains a slight odor in Cheri’s classroom and we have decided to relocate them to the library for the day.  We expect the classroom to be fully functional tomorrow. All students are responding well.  We will continue to monitor them throughout the day. Please contact Steve McKenna or Sharon Hobbs if you have any questions or concerns.”

Codman Farm meat CSA shares on sale

Codman Community Farms is now selling six-month shares in its meat CSA (community-supported agriculture) program. From January to June, those who pay who pay $600 will get 10 pounds per month of Codman-raised grass-fed beef and naturally fed pork packed for you each month. Sign up on the Codman Community Farms website or call 781-259-0456.

Visitors can also buy a 10-pound bag of mixed cuts of Codman beef for $120. Limited quantities available; visit the farm office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and purchase from Barbara Rhines or Eric Robichaud.

Bemis Hall available for functions

Are you looking for a place to hold a large meeting? Do you want to have a party but your space is too small? Consider renting Bemis Hall, which has a 2,000-square-foot space with a stage and piano that’s appropriate for lectures, concerts, performances, private receptions and parties, business functions, memorial services, and recitals. The hall available for rental weekday evenings after 5 p.m., Saturday all day, and Sunday after noon.

The upstairs hall has 129 metal folding chairs without arms, 14 white stackable chairs with arms, two 5-foot tables, seven 6-foot tables, and six 8-foot tables for use by renters at no additional charge. In addition, renters are welcome to use the hall’s audiovisual system, including speakers, microphones, projector, computer, and Blu-Ray player.

For information, availability and rental application, go to the Bemis Hall page on the town website (www.lincolntown.org –> Community Services –> Facilities). Questions? Contact Bemis Hall coordinator Barbara Low 781-259-8341 or barbara_low@hotmail.com.

Police warn residents to beware of phone scam

The Lincoln Police Department has issued the following warning to residents about phone scammers:

In Lincoln and in surrounding cities and towns, residents have been receiving phone calls where the suspect tries to have the victim wire money through such means as Western Union or purchasing Green Dot Money Paks. Suspects use different tactics to appeal to the victims emotions in order to exploit the victim. Some of the tactics used are:

  • the money is needed to pay off the taxes from your (the victim’s) lottery winnings from another country
  • a relative needs bail money
  • the money is needed to make a criminal case disappear by paying off the officials in another country
  • a relative was involved in car accident and the money is needed to settle the claim
  • a relative will be kidnapped and hurt if the money is not wired

Also, the suspects will warn the victim not to contact the police.  Many of these scams are based out of the country with the elderly being targeted. Residents are urged not to send any money and to call the police at 781-259-8111.

Improv and stories for kids at library

bookwormThe Lincoln Public Library is hosting an improv group for kids in grades 4-6 as well as weekly storytimes for children in various age groups.

Improv sessions

Improv for kids in grades 4-6 takes place on Tuesday afternoons starting on January 14 and running through February 11 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. During improv exercises, participants create characters and stories and act them out. Learn acting games and skills. There are no lines to learn, no staging—just lots of fun, laughter and creativity. No previous experience needed.

The class will be taught by actor/teacher Sally Kindleberger. To register, visit or call the library at 781-259-8465.

Story times

Register now for Lapsit and Terrific Twos winter storytimes for children at the Lincoln Public Library by emailing Jane at jflanders@minlib.net or calling 781-259-8465 (note that story times are not held during school vacations or snow days):

Lapsit Storytime (infants to age 24 months)
Thursdays at 10 a.m. — January 16 to March 6

Terrific Twos Storytime
Fridays at 10:30 a.m. — January 17 to March 7

Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5) — no advance signup required
Tuesdays at 11 a.m.

Lincoln Dems to host governor candidate forum

democrat_donkey_logoThe Lincoln Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will host a gubernatorial candidate forum on Saturday, January 18 as well as two other meetings on January 11 and February 8

All five Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates are scheduled to appear at a forum on Saturday, January 18 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the Bemis Hall Auditorium. Candidates for governor include Joe Avellone, Don Berwick, Martha Coakley, Steve Grossman, and Juliette Kayyem.

The event will begin with socializing and registration followed by welcoming remarks by State Senator Mike Barrett at 1:50 p.m. and candidate presentations starting at 2 p.m. Each candidate will speak separately and will briefly entertain questions from moderators and the audience. Moderators will be Mara Dolan, co-chair of the Concord Democratic Town Committee, and Peter Koutoujian, Middlesex County Sheriff.

The forum is co-sponsored by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee and the 3rd Middlesex Area Democrats. For more information or to submit candidate questions in advance, contact DTC chair Gary Davis at garyddavis04@gmail.com or 781-259-0318.

The DTC will also hold meetings on Saturday, January 11 from 2-4 p.m. and February 8 from 2-4 p.m. in the Bemis Hall map room. The Jnauary 11 agenda will include discussion of forums for candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general; caucus and office elections; and the state convention. Lincoln residents, especially those interested in committee membership are welcome to attend.

The February 8  meeting is primarily to elect Lincoln caucus delegates and alternates to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention June 13-14, 2014. Delegates and alternates will vote at the convention on candidates for governor, lieutentant governor, attorney general and treasurer. The meeting is open to all Lincoln residents, but voting is limited to Lincoln Democrats registered as of December 31, 2013.

 

Park and Rec announces winter activities

Winter 2014_Page_01

(click on image to download brochure)

The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department’s Winter 2014 brochure is now available online at www.lincolnrec.com. Classes beginning next week include:

  • Ballroom Dance Drop-in for adults (Friday nights)
  • Latin Dance for adults (Thursday nights)
  • Open Studio for adults (Thursdays)
  • Chess Wizards for school age children (Thursdays)
  • Musical Theater for school age children (Tuesdays)
  • Music Together for preschoolers on (Mondays and Fridays)
  • Gymnastics for preschool and school age children (Wednesdays)

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Office at 781-259-0784.

Get connected—run for local office

Looking for a rewarding if occasionally vexing way to feel more connected? Willing to undertake new challenges? Unafraid to speak up? Then run for local office!

The annual town election will take place on Monday, March 31. Nomination papers are available at the Town Clerk’s Office starting Friday, January 3. Papers must be returned no later than Monday, February 10.

The following offices will appear on the March ballot:

  • Board of Selectmen (three years)
  • Board of Assessors (three years)
  • K-8 School Committee (two seats for three years each)
  • Water Commission (three years)
  • Board of Health (one seat for three years, one seat for two years)
  • Cemetery Commission (three years)
  • Planning Board (two seats for three years each)
  • Commissioner of Trust Funds (three years)
  • deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park board (four years)
  • Housing Commission (three years)
  • Parks and Recreation Committee (three years)
  • Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee (two seats for three years each)
  • Trustees of Bemis (one seat for three years and one for two years)
  • Town  Moderator (three years)

For additional information, please call the Town Clerk’s office at 781-259-2607.

 

Conservation group announces events

Here are films and other events sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust in the coming weeks.

Wednesday, January 15

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will  show The Legend of Pale Male as a part of its winter environmental film series at 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust Office (above the post office at the mall). The Legend of Pale Male is the story of a red- tailed hawk that lived overlooking Central Park in New York City and became a celebrity. This heartwarming tale chronicles how this wild creature captured the curiosity of thousands. Come find out if that can save him from harmful intent of others.

Sunday, January 26

Joan Walsh from Mass Audubon will give an illustrated talk about the recently released “State of the Birds 2013” and the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas II. Come learn about which of our bird species are thriving, which are not, and what we can do about it.

Thursday, February 27

Lincoln resident Julie Dobrow and students from her 2013 Tufts University course “Producing Films for Social Change.” will discuss two of their films, Turning the Tide and USDA Incorporated, as part of the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust’s winter environmental film series.

Turning the Tide looks at how climate change threatens East Boston with the risk of severe flooding. This imminent crisis is overlooked due to apathetic and otherwise preoccupied residents. Chris Marchi is an East Boston resident who aims to raise awareness of this issue. Through his own dedication and the help of local volunteers, Chris develops a project that he hopes will spark discussion in the fight against climate change.

USDA Incorporated shows how the miraculous possibilities of genetic engineering are being methodically ignored, as the argument spurred by the organic food movement, under the banner of health concerns, seeks to undermine some of the world’s largest corporations. The corporations remain unperturbed as they continue their greedy practices. The small farmer, who tries to maintain sustainable practices amidst these conflicting opinions, has to keep one foot in each world in order to survive.

Sunday, March 2
Naturalist and author Mary Holland will give an illustrated program, “Naturally Curious,” taking viewers through the most memorable natural history events occurring in each month of the year. Her books will also be for sale and on display will be collected items from her forays into New England habitats such as skulls, scat, feathers, and antlers. Sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.