Recently, Arlington Public Schools (APS) have received three grants  totaling $72,000 from the Arlington Education Foundation (AEF), whose mission is to support innovative projects and enhance teaching and learning in Arlington Public Schools.

 According to AEF President Elizabeth Goodsell, the $15k “Innovation in Education Grant” for performing arts was approved in September 2023. An important objective is to make the learning process in orchestra and jazz band more accessible and efficient by using modern digital means to display music.

The call went out: pedestrian down: Just after 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, 2023, a car making a left turn onto Water Street from Mass. Ave. in the Arlington Center neighborhood struck and injured a female pedestrian in the crosswalk.

The driver, a 72-year-old Arlington resident, stated to police that he hadn't seen anyone crossing and that he was going no more than 5 miles per hour. The woman, also from Arlington, after asking for help getting to her feet, told officers that she hadn't seen any vehicle coming her way before being hit. The responding officers issued the driver a citation for crosswalk violation, judging him clearly at fault because the woman had obviously made entry into the crosswalk. The woman's identity age and medical condition have not been released.

Captain Richard Flynn, spokesman for the Arlington Police Department, emphasizes that the moment a pedestrian steps off a curb into a crosswalk, the approaching driver becomes the responsible party -- and that all Arlingtonians should take this matter very seriously. He said that all drivers must assume that anyone on a curb at a crossing may suddenly step into a crosswalk -- and that, for their part, pedestrians should not assume that their first step off the curb will be immediately registered by the driver of a vehicle turning their way.

This was the second vehicle/pedestrian crosswalk collision in the second half of this month.

Food, beer, music and art works of many sorts are what the Roasted Granola Café, in cooperation with Arlington Brewing Company and Arts Arlington, is planning to provide starting this Thursday, Nov. 30,  through Dec. 30.

With the Select Board having approved the necessary licensing earlier this month, ABC says it will have the following each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4 to 9:30 p.m. for buyers 21 and older: "We'll be pouring town favorites including Spy-P-A, Jedermann and Zwolfand will be introducing new brews to the lineup such as Marley's Ghost Christmas Ale. We are excited to bring the community together this holiday season and look forward to seeing friends and family as they enjoy a pint or two." 

The Town of Arlington recently created a Sustainable Landscape Handbook -- a comprehensive guide to shaping and maintaining an environmentally friendly landscape. Town officials say that whether the reader is a seasoned gardener or novice homeowner, this handbook provides valuable tips and strategies for transforming property into a beautiful and sustainable haven.

It can be be downloaded for free from the Planning Department website.

A town news release states that "The Sustainable Landscape Handbook caters to a wide range of landscaping projects, from small garden updates to large-scale transformations. Detailed instructions, practical advice and inspirational designs are presented in a clear and easy-to-follow format, making it an indispensable resource for both beginners and experienced landscapers."

Arlington's newest Jiu-Jitsu gym, NESF Boston, opened at 965 Mass. Ave. on Oct. 23; its managers say that they are now offering a seven-day free trial to first-time local visitors.

NESF Boston says that it offers classes in Jiu-Jitsu for everyone from martial arts beginners to seasoned practitioners and that classes are designed to accommodate all fitness levels, providing a challenging yet rewarding workout that contributes to overall health and well-being.

A message from the proprietors says that classes are available to suit any skill level, that the curriculum promotes effective fundamental techniques as a foundation for both novice and advanced practitioners and that the curriculum teaches practical self-defense skills that empower individuals with the confidence to navigate real-world situations.

'Worst offender: Somerville’s SOM01A combined sewer overflow.

The Nov. 20 meeting covered many subjects.

UPDATED Nov. 29: The town’s veterans official, temporary permission for beer at a local café, stronger demands on coping with Alewife Brook flooding, semiquincentennial plans, Conservation Commission members, road improvements, bond issuance and other matters occupied the Select Board at its most recent meeting.

Town Manager Jim Feeney began the Nov. 20 proceedings by introducing Philip McGovern, director of veterans services, who briefly sketched his career as “hybrid of civilian and military service” as a lawyer. He mentioned his service in the National Guard and in Iraq; board member Steve DeCourcey, welcoming McGovern, mentioned his Purple Heart award and tour in Afghanistan. YourArlington earlier announced his appointment.

A longtime Woburn resident, McGovern said that in Arlington he looks forward to “getting integrated into a place where I actually work with individuals and help them get the benefits that they deserve, as well as with a community.” Board member Diane Mahon recognized McGovern’s “strong suit” in mental-health services, adding, “There are a lot of things that you do that we probably won’t know about, so I want to thank you in advance."

Alewife Brook some time before summer flooding. / David Stoff photo

UPDATED Nov. 28: Save the Alewife Brook, based in Arlington, is pleased that the state Legislature and governor have allocated $100,000 toward studying the Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) problem that has been sporadically affecting residents for decades. Meanwhile, the Arlington Select Board is finalizing a document to send to the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) today, expressing its own concerns about the CSO issue.

"The Mystic River Watershed Association will receive the funds from the state, and they will be responsible for the hydraulic study that looks at dredging," said Kristin Anderson, Arlington resident, founder of Save the Alewife Brook and a Precinct 11 Town Meeting member. "We're quite thankful for the awesome work of the Mystic River Watershed Association," she told YourArlington via email Monday, Nov. 27.

According to Anderson's group, a CSO of more than 8 million gallons of raw untreated sewage went into Alewife Brook, a body of water near the Cambridge town line, on Aug. 8.  The overflowing brook then flooded onto the adjacent Alewife Greenway, and, the group says, some people unknowingly thus were put at possible risk as they walked and jogged on the path in the days following.

UPDATED Nov. 24: Cinema fans can easily find out what films are showing at the nearly century-old Capitol Theatre, 204 Mass. Ave. in East Arlington. According to the website, on view as of Friday, Nov. 24, were "Trolls Band Together," "Wish," "Napoleon," "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes," "The Marvels" and "Disasterpiece Theater." 

Film fans can check the website at any time for screening times and other information. According to general manager Jamie Mattchen, new movies at the theatre generally premiere on Fridays, with occasional Thursday or Wednesday evening screenings in the event of a holiday. New schedules for upcoming showings are routinely posted to the site Tuesday evenings, with some larger films advertised in advance for early ticket purchasing.

UPDATED Nov. 27: The third annual winter-themed window-painting event in Arlington Heights is scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 2. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants plan to decorate the windows of the participating storefronts, painting alone or in small  groups: registration was required for all >> 

The rain date, should one be needed, is scheduled to be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, according to the event sponsor, the Arlington Heights Community Association.

Wintry design elements such as snowmen, polar bears or people playing in the snow have been seen in years before.

The town plans to have the decorated windows displayed throughout the month of January — and they are expected to be a feature in the Heights Holiday Stroll set for Saturday, Dec. 9. 

The Arlington International Film Festival (AIFF) is auctioning off three drawings from the late Karen Aqua's animated 1997 film "Ground Zero/Sacred Ground" as a fundraiser.

"Ground Zero/Sacred Ground" comprises nearly 13,000 individual hand-drawn frames. Over the years, AIFF has screened several of her films, including "Ground Zero/Sacred Ground."

AIFF now is presenting a group of three of these frames, executed in pastel, for auction. Ken Field, long-time AIFF supporter and husband of Aqua (1954-2011), donated this package of art works to AIFF, a nonprofit organization.

Film lovers may watch the film itself at aiffest.org. To learn more about Karen and Ken’s connection to AIFF in the video at the bottom of the page at https://aiffest.org/auction. Bidding is open until 11:59 p.m. Dec. 19, according to AIFF.

After completing a rigorous 12-week basic training academy, 34 new corrections officers were  sworn into the Middlesex Sheriff's Office on Nov. 17 at Melrose Memorial Hall, a news release said. The new officers heard remarks by Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur, the local police chief and the basic training academy class president.

49th Basic Training Academy Class, Middlesex Sheriff's Office.“We are proud to welcome them to our family and look forward to the tremendous contributions we know they will make to the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office in the years to come," said Koutoujian according to the release.

During the academy, these officers completed training classroom and hands-on work. Some topics covered in this training were implicit bias, mental health, first responder training, suicide prevention and defensive tactics among others. 

According to the press release, this 49th basic training academy class is one of the most diverse in MSO history, with eight of the officers having been born outside the U.S.  In addition to English, members of the class also speak 12 languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Swahili.