BILLERICAGREEN
Fall Youth Football Preview Get Ready for Gridiron
Summer’s Still Here
Billerica’s Beautiful Gardens
Step into Backyard Getaways
Discover the Benefits of Enterprise Investment Advisors
Our Experienced Advisors Answer to You
The Billerica Green is now accepting nominations for Focused On You.
Your financial questions reflect the unique challenges you face. Here, a team of expert advisors can answer your questions and provide unbiased financial planning and investment management focused on you. We design strategies to meet individual goals and objectives for:
• Individuals and Families
• Endowments and Foundations
• Non profits
Culture of Transparency and Accountability
As fee-based financial advisors, objective advice is the cornerstone of our business. This culture of transparency is backed by the strength and stability of Enterprise Bank.
Local Access to World-Class Resources
Enterprise Investment Advisors hand selects managers that match your personal investment goals. Our Manager of Managers approach to due diligence identifies the most appropriate investment opportunities among a broad range of world-class investments and across all asset classes.
The Second Annual Heart of Billerica Awards
Last year, we gave out ten awards, honoring remarkable unsung heroes. Help us recognize those with heart once more.
Do you know someone like this? Someone who truly has heart? A neighbor? A student? A mentor? Who do you know that enriches our lives just by living theirs? We Want to Know!
Here’s how to tell us: Please describe in 200 words or less how this person demonstrates true heart. They should be a citizen or someone who works in Billerica doing something for Billerica.
Although you can’t nominate yourself, you can nominate someone else. Adults can nominate children and children can nominate adults. Parents can’t nominate their own children. No public figures, political leaders, etc. will be considered.
Mail nominations to The Billerica Green, PO Box 492, Billerica, MA 01821, or email an attached text document to publisher@thebillericagreen.com. Nominations must be received by midnight August 10, 2011. All nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee. Recipients will be chosen, notified and announced in the August edition. Their stories will be published in the September edition. An awards ceremony will be held in early September to celebrate those with heart. Location to be announced. Inquiries can be sent to the email address above or by calling The Billerica Green at 978-808-2361.
Letters to the Editor
To the Editor,
Billerica School Lunch has lots of news for the next school year. We are proud to have Meal Magic POS in all schools. POS (point of sale) allows students and parents to view and manage student lunch accounts from the comfort of their home by creating an on line account at www.sendmoneytoschool.com.
Also as a time saver, free/reduced lunch applications are available online for the 2011-2012 school year at www. lunchapp.com in mid- August. All families must fill out one new household application each year or when there is a change in income. Student’s eligible in June will continue their free/reduced status until the end of September or when a new application is submitted.
Through www.sendmoneytoschool. com, online prepayments can be made to your child’s School Lunch account by credit card with a S2.99 per transaction (a transaction could be one child or several children) charge. There is no charge for sending in cash or check or using the site to check the available balance or the purchases made by your children. Call the office if you do not have your child’s unique account # (different than a PIN) for the online system.
Lastly, First Lady Michelle Obama introduced a new online resource www. ChooseMyPlate.gov in June 2011. This site provides practical information to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutrition education, and other user-friendly nutrition information. As Americans are experiencing epidemic rates of overweight and obesity, the online resources can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves and their families.
For more information, check out our website at Lunch.Billerica.k12.ma.us or contact the Billerica Public School’s Food Service Office at 978-528-8782.
April M. Laskey, SNS Food Service Director
Billerica Public Schools
day it is $20. For seniors (65+) the cost is $10, and for kids the fee is $5. There will be a BBQ with entertainment after the race. Proceeds benefit ALS, as well as scholarships in memory of Lt. William C. West Jr. Please call Officers Dale Sarno or William West at 978-667-1212 for more in formation, or download a registration form at www.billericapal.org. Hope you will be running or walking with us!!!
Thanks,
Nancy Higgins
Billerica Police Department
Hi Liana,
The Hajjar School was grateful to receive a generous donation of ice cream from Orchard Hill Ice Cream for their 5th Grade Ice Cream social in June.
Samantha Boucher and Joseph Dinsmore were on hand to happily receive the ice cream donation from Orchard Hill.
Thank you, Heather Dinsmore Hajjar 5th Grade Committee Coordinator
Hi Liana,
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Billerica is going to be taking advantage of a generous rebate program offered by National Grid to retrofit the lights in the clubs swimming pool. In the program, new energy efficient lights will be installed increasing the lighting in the pool while reducing annual energy costs. The cost for the program is almost $5000 but the club only needs to pay $3000 with the rebate from National Grid absorbing the balance.
Jerry O’Connor, a member of the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, generously volunteered to fund the clubs contribution to the program as a donation.
Thanks,
Roy Nagy, Executive Director
The Boys and Girls of Greater Billerica
Hi Liana,
To The Editor,
The Billerica Police Athletic League (PAL), in association with ALS Massachusetts Chapter, is sponsoring the Lt. William C. West Jr. ALS Memorial Road Race on Sunday, September 25, 2011, at the Billerica Irish American Club at 616 Middlesex Turnpike.
The Kids Mini-Fun Run (ages 10 and under) begins at 10 am, while the 5K Road Race/5K Walk begins at 11 am. Awards will be given to the top male and female runners. Registration on race day will take place from 8:30 am to 10 am.
Pre-Registration fee is $15, but on race
Two Buoys Lobster is excited to be able to offer Fresh Fish and Scallops, in addition to Lobster, starting at the July 18th Billerica Farmers Market. We have just received word that Fred and Donna Penney, Billerica residents, have received permission to sell fish. Fred and his son are 2nd and 3rd generation lobster men. Fred works with the Mass. Dept. of Fisheries on studying the life cycle of lobsters. He’s a very knowledgeable person to talk to about the health of our marine life off the coast of Massachusetts.
Thanks, Kay Johnson
Manager
Farmer’s Market
Business Expo Brings Marketing to Life
By Danielle Bergeron President, Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce
On Sept. 22, the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce will host our 16th Annual Business Expo. This is the perfect opportunity for businesses to take their marketing efforts and bring them to life for over 1,000 people that are in attendance.
Over 80 booths and businesses are represented at the Expo every year and it’s always exciting to see what exhibitors do to make their booth stand out. Some simple ways to attract consumers to your booth include offering product demonstrations, giveaways, raffles and something to tantalize their taste buds.
A raffle is an effective way to capture email addresses for future promotions, along with giving out coupons and discounts for attendees to redeem at a later date. Another great reason to showcase your business at the Expo is the opportunity to stop by 980 WCAP’s live Expo broadcast. And for those of you who aren’t camera shy, Lowell Telecommunications will be capturing the event to replay on cable access television throughout Greater Lowell for several months following the Expo.
Drawing people to your booth doesn’t have to start at the Expo. Invite people in advance to visit you and the other exhibitors. Create a marketing piece that can be posted on Facebook and Twitter and shared via email. Also, target specific people and personally call to invite them to stop by. If every exhibitor asked 5 people to come we’d have almost 500 more people at the Expo.
The Greater Lowell Chamber expands our outreach efforts every year to ensure that the Expo continues to grow and benefit our members. In addition to print media, we also use radio, television and social media to get the word out and invite the public to attend. We’ve also begun to target neighborhood groups and other untapped groups and organizations to strength our relationships and enhance B2C opportunities for our members.
We cordially invite you to come and see what the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce’s 16th Annual Business Expo is all about. Everyone is welcome to come to this free event to stroll from booth to booth to sample delicious local bites, talk to local businesses and maybe even pick up a pen or a reusable bag along the way. If we make a conscious effort to shop, eat and conduct business locally we’ll collectively reap the benefits!
A signature landscape and waterfall design by The Fudge team at Affordable Landscaping. Typical of the Affordable, these landscapers blend man-made beauty with natural elements to come up with the perfect backyard get away. For more info, contact Affordable Landscaping at 978-663-6271 or visit www.AffordableLandscaping.info.
Steps to a Water-Saving Garden
Contributed By the Department of Public Works, Water Works Division [Edited by
Liana Measmer]
• Consider such things as soil and light conditions when planning and designing.
• Mix compost or peat moss into the soil to improve it before planting.
• Limit the amount of lawn area devoted to grass.
• Choose from the many types of lowwater-using trees, shrubs and flowers.
• Install drip and trickle irrigation systems for areas needing water.
• Effectively use mulch like pine needles, shredded bark or leaves in a three inch deep layer.
• Regularly maintain
and
Chucking It All
By Dave Gagliardi
When I first got into vegetable gardening, I never imagined that one day it would turn into a battle between me and Mother Nature herself.
I got into gardening when I was around ten years old. My grandfather had a large vegetable garden in our back yard and one day, as I was watching him spread a truckload of cow manure, I asked him if I could plant something myself. He handed me a handful of what looked like pumpkin seeds and told me to plant them a couple of inches deep along the edge of the garden and told me that I could keep anything that grew from those plants. The seeds turned out to be Blue Hubbard Squash seeds and I ended up growing some of the biggest squash I had ever seen. After that I was hooked.
When I bought a home of my own, one of the first things I did was to start a vegetable garden. Everything went great until about ten years ago when a family of woodchucks moved in under my shed which sits right next to my garden. When one day, I came out to find my garden decimated, from that moment the battle between us was on.
I tried just about every kind of trick in the book to keep them out. I sunk a fence two feet deep and I spread dog hair around the perimeter of the fence but neither worked. I even bought (believe it or not) coyote urine that was “guaranteed” to keep them away but it just made the backyard smell like a subway station. I also tried moth balls but that made the back yard smell like my aunt’s closet. Friends suggested all kinds of things, from using a .22 to trapping them. I can’t shoot animals and with my luck if I put out a trap, I would end up catching a skunk. (A couple of years back a skunk DID get under the shed and died, but that didn’t stop them either.)
I ended up trying to smoke them out with something I bought at an Agway store. The smoke was supposed to chase them out and keep them out. Genius that I am, it wasn’t until after I had lit it that I realized I had just put a burning flare under my wooden shed with gas powered equipment inside. Luckily, nothing happened to the shed and it didn’t keep them away.
I finally gave up and moved my garden closer to the house where the woodchucks won’t come. It was small and didn’t get the kind of sun it needed so this year I finally gave up. The woodchucks now come out occasionally to mock me and I’m sure my grandfather must be laughing from heaven.
Billerica Pop Artist Ria Hosts Benefit for Bella
By Jeffrey Bernoth, Correspondent
Use your talent and strength for the good of others. That’s what local Billerica teen pop artist Ria Eaton is doing for Bella Tucker, an eight year old gymnast from Londonderry, NH who contracted a life threatening virus, resulting in the amputation of all of her limbs.
Imagine being med-flown to a hospital, only hours after an Easter Egg hunt, and learning you had come down with a very serious infection. This was Bella’s reality.
On Easter Sunday 2010, she contracted Streptococcus Pneumonia Sepsis, and although she recovered from a five-day coma, the infection caused extensive tissue damage requiring a series of surgeries.
Eaton got wind of Bella’s story and performed at a benefit show for the child last July. “It just wasn’t enough,” says Eaton. “I wanted to do more to help the little angel.”
After recently performing at the Sad Café in Plaistow, NH, she decided that the venue would be a great place to hold a benefit concert for Bella. “Benefit for Bella” will take place on Sun., Aug. 14 at the Sad Café from 2-6 PM, and Eaton hopes to “pack the place.”
Bella has the love and support of her siblings, parents, and townspeople, and with a positive attitude, has been able to make strides in adjusting to her new life. After seven months at Children’s Hospital Boston and Spaulding Rehabilitation, Bella returned to find her family’s house, thanks in part to the people of Londonderry, renovated with a welcoming crowd gathered for her arrival.
She has returned to her old friends at South Elementary School and texts and plays games with friends like any other child might, in large part due to her association with Next Step Orthotics and Prosthetics, where she receives her new prosthetic legs and arms.
It is due to her strength and resilience that she grows, and as she does, her prosthetic limbs need to be replaced. This is an expensive process, only partly covered by her mother’s insurance. This is why Eaton wants to help by hosting this benefit.
Tickets are $15 and Eaton has packed the bill with talent. Among those confirmed are Joey Grieve, Charadeface, Pacifists at War, Amanda McCarthy, Rachel Neves, Ernie Maurissant, and Eaton herself. There will also be a raffle with all of the proceeds going to Bella.
For those who can’t make it to the event, donations can be made to Friends of Bella (www.friendsofbella.org), since every dollar counts. Eaton figures if everyone could give up one Dunkin Donut stop or McDonald’s stop, and donate this to Bella’s fund, it would make quite the difference.
CHILD CARE PROGRAMS
FUTURES PRE-K
Celebrating Art
6:30
NEW THIS FALL!
& Girls Club 2, 3 & 5 Days Available AM
By Colleen Sgroi
I am coming up on my tenth anniversary of the opening of Colleen Sgroi Gallery & Art Classes. In September 2001, we had our grand opening, beginning of what would prove to be some of the happiest career days of my life.
We have classes for children Kindergarten thru twelfth grade as well as adult, senior discount and home schooling focused classes, too. This year, I am excited to say I have teamed up with the Karyn Button Memorial Foundation to start a “YES to Art” Scholarship fund for those who need a bit of financial help.
Hundreds of creatively gifted students have come through our doors. Some have come for one session and moved on while others have come and grown with us for years. One such student is Siobhan O’Connor. Siobhan is the young lady who did the beautiful cover painting of the Doberman for last month’s Billerica Green.
Siobhan has been a student with us since 2006. She was in the fifth grade then and a joy to have in my class. She showed talent from the very beginning, advanced into the teen class with Michael Vieira, and is now in his adult evening class.
When Liana Measmer, Billerica Green publisher, informed me the Green wanted to feature a teen’s art on the cover for the July issue, I immediately thought of Siobhan. When I asked Michael if he had anyone else in mind, he agreed with me.
On Sept. 22, at the Billerica Public Library, Hynes will host two free college savings workshops, morning and afternoon. He will discuss the complexities of financial aid; setting up systematic savings plans; different assets vs. the financial aid formula; a cost analysis; and available resources to parents. Visit www.billericalibrary.org for more information. Or Call Frank M. Hynes and Associates, a MetLife Office, at 978-528-6046 to rsvp. GREAT
This past year she was painting a portrait of her friend that was just stunning. When her friend’s dad saw the painting, he asked to buy it. Both Michael and I are very proud of her and hope she continues to use her gift to bless the world with art and beauty.
As for my tenth anniversary, I am planning a big celebration at the end of September with amazing sales, give-a-ways, student bonus discount cards and the unveiling of my latest painting! Watch for upcoming information, since I would love for you to come celebrate with me ten years of creative service and beauty to our community.
Sign up for our new fall classes at Colleen Sgroi Gallery & Art Classes, 12 Andover Road, Billerica, MA at www.colleensgroi.com or call 978-667-1009.
Managing the College Price Tag
Free Workshop Makes Saving Simple
By Liana Measmer
With college costs still climbing despite the economy’s slow upturn, saving for your child’s education can feel overwhelming so some take no action. Some think this will make more financial aid and grants available.
Not necessarily so, said MetLife Financial Planner Frank Hynes. For most people, funding college is a combination of grants, loans, out of pocket payments and savings. Some college loans are based on financial need so if a family has assets and a good income, this decreases their eligibility for low interest loans and grants. With no savings, a larger part of the bill might be funded by higher interest loans which don’t usually offer any deferred payment options. This could result in your child leaving school with a larger debt which could take years to repay.
Hynes said that it’s never too late to start saving and a systematic plan is the best way. By having college savings for your child, you will need fewer loans. One of the most popular savings vehicles available is the 529 plan.
529 investment plans are named after section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. There are two types of 529 plans: prepaid and savings. Prepaid plans allow one to purchase tuition credits, at today’s rates, and Savings plans grow at the rate of the market’s performance. Most 529 savings plans offer a variety of age-based asset allocation options where the investments become more conservative as the beneficiary gets closer to college age.
“529 has the most tax benefits,” said Hynes.
Money from a 529 plan can be used for tuition, fees, books, etc. required for study at any accredited college, university or vocational school. The appeal to the 529 plans is they are affordable, with a range of a little as a $15/month contribution, all the way up to $13,000/year/ child saved.
Caregiving When Sick
In the everyday living, it is easy for me as the caregiver to become forgotten. My mom has everything provided for her. She is well taken care of, having her every need met. The bills are paid. There is food on the table. Mom is surrounded by people at her day program who interact and challenge her. She laughs easily. It is I who instead of going out with friends is off running to another doctors’ consult.
I wish when medical crises arise, I could be affected or she affected but not the both of us at the same time. It makes the medical needs juggling very draining.
At a recent caregivers’ support group meeting, I voiced my concerns of not doing enough. I spoke of a night where I was sick, hearing aids off, and I could hear mom coughing. I got up to check on her and sure enough, mom was asleep but coughing.
I told Carol, “This is illogical. With my poor hearing, how on earth am I hearing her?”
Carol smiled when she said, “It’s like being a mother; you hear your child coughing. In this case, you hear your mom. When the need is there, an instinct, a sense is what hears.” The gift of encouraging words and the feedback of others dealing with similar experiences is such a great relief. A common thread of caregiving is: you have to take care of yourself. I’ve heard this and I know I have talked of its importance here; still the value of being healthy, I cannot stress enough.
One of the best pieces of advice I have received is to keep a notebook of appointments. In this notebook, I write comments made by doctors regarding medications, notes to myself about the diagnosis, and anything I think is important about the follow up needed. In closing, my learned by experience advice: don’t expect your memory to keep every detail on instant recall, reassuringly, with a few pages turned, the most important details are at your fingertips.
An informative book I found presented in an easy to read manner: Caring for the Caregiver, sponsored by Parke-Davis. And a gift for the caregiver is to join a caregiver’s support group and surround yourself by others who will help keep you laughing.
COA and RMV Partner for Senior Driver Safety
By Jared Smith
The safety of senior citizens driving can be a sensitive subject. Luckily, there are many ways to educate drivers and their families on how to keep safe behind the wheel. Right here in town, the Billerica Council on Aging (COA) provides various educational programs and transportation services.
“Maintaining one’s independence is so important, and being able to drive is a key factor in maintaining ones independence,” said Donna Popkin, COA Director. “As we age, driving abilities change and we need to pay attention to driving safely.”
The COA has done a lot to help senior citizen transportation. Not only have they partnered with the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) to get a van, but also work with volunteers drive seniors to medical appointments in adjacent towns. The LRTA also comes to the COA annually to process Senior “Charlie Cards”, which can be used to ride the LRTA and MBTA at a reduced fare.
“For any age, driver fitness plays a big role in driver safety,” said Michelle Ellicks, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Community Outreach Coordinator. “Stay physically fit and mentally fit.”
Annually, the RMV offers free trainings in driver safety run by Ellicks. This program teaches the warning signs of unsafe driving, something important for friends and family to know as well.
“Driving seems to be a very personal subject for all ages, not just seniors,” said Ellicks. “Many people, regardless of age, feel that the privilege of driving means more than just getting from ‘Point A’ to ‘Point B’.”
Response to the COA programs and services for senior citizen drivers have been very positive. As of July 1, there will be additional van service hours due to high demand from this increasing population. The 2010 U.S. Census showed an increase of 49% in the senior population 60 and over since 2000.
When assessing their driving ability, seniors and their families should consult a doctor about medical conditions. In some cases, certain medical conditions or medications may cause drowsiness or slowed reactions.
Families and friends of seniors can encourage them take advantage of refresher courses such as the RMV’s safe driving program, AAA’s mature driver program, or AARP’s driver safety programs. For more information about these programs, visit: http://www.mass.gov/ rmv/seniors.
Get Ready for Summer!
• Are my “toys” already covered by my auto or home insurance?
• Are there any mandatory insurance requirements for my boat, jet ski, or motorcycle?
• Do I really need physical damage insurance on that old motorcycle or boat?
• Are discounts available for insuring my boat and jet ski with the same company?
• What insurance do I need if I park my camper trailer for the entire season at a campground? We all love our “Toys”... Boats, RV’s or Motorcycles often rank highest among the most prized possessions. Unfortunately, not knowing how, when and where to use a bike, boat or jet ski could leave the owner responsible for physical damage of their boat or bike or for someone who is injured while riding. Some questions: Call us. We can answer all of these questions, and more.
Monday until October 24th 3 – 7 pm
From The Sidelines President Shares Pop Warner Updates
By Robert Burns
by George and Gail Lucozzi, ASA Photographic
Billerica Pop Warner, a staple for youth football players in the town, is now in its 44th year of operation and has seen some big changes in recent history.
Playing in Pop Warner’s Eastern Massachusetts Conference, Billerica children ages 5-15 can participate in football and cheerleading in a travel league against towns within the Merrimack Valley. Practices are several times per week, with games being played on weekends.
For Rocco Magliozzi, Pop Warner has been a part of his life for many years. Starting out as a player, he has worked his way up the ladder, from a coach to Vice President of the league to his current position of league President.
“There have been several improvements to the league both on and off the field,” Magliozzi said.
Home games are played at Billerica’s Lampson Field, which in the last 5 years has seen some renovations.
“We put down a new field and last year added a new announcer’s booth,” said Magliozzi. “This year, we plan on adding a new snack booth.”
The league now offers an event to give more kids the opportunity to see if Pop Warner football is for them. For three years now, the league has run a spring clinic during the last week of school. The clinic is free and open to everyone, and takes place right at the Lampson Field.
As for fundraisers, Pop Warner holds many events over a year’s time.
“Each fundraiser helps us to keep our registration costs low, and they help with the cost of running the league” said Magliozzi.
Events include a Bingo each Wednesday night at the
Billerica Elks, cash calendars, raffles, catalog fundraisers, and an annual golf tournament. This year’s golf tournament, open to everyone, will take place Sept. 16 at the Billerica Country Club.
All in all, Billerica Pop Warner is striving to make youth football a better experience for everyone, by keeping costs down, renovating Lampson Field and offering a variety of clinics. This fall, they will look towards another successful season.
Registrations for the league are still open. For cheerleading, they close after the second week in August. For football, they close after Labor Day. For more information, please visit Pop Warner’s website www.billericapopwarner.org
It’s not easy being told you can’t play a sport because you’re too big or too small, but The Billerica Junior High Football League has no weight restrictions so any student in grades six, seven and eight can join. Kids play alongside other kids who are the same age as opposed to the same size and that combination equals success, said Coach Bob Innis.
Innis said sometimes parents express concern that players will get hurt because they are not separated by weight, but through research on this topic and from his extensive coaching experience, he has found that there are no more injuries in leagues without weight restrictions than those where there are.
Innis and fellow coach, John Talutis,
both feel that playing football according to age group is better because players are in the same bracket of physical development and same level of maturity.
“We needed a program where everybody could play regardless of size,” said Innis. “If they sign up, they can play. We don’t refuse anybody.”
When Chad Dellaporta was in middle school, he played on Innis’ team for two years and is now a sophomore at Billerica High, playing varsity football.
“It was a great experience,” said Chad. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Billerica Junior High Football. I loved it.”
Innis and Talutis, who grew up in Billerica and have been best friends since childhood, connected with fellow coach John
By Angie Orenstein
Barbarosa and went on to make Billerica a member of the Northeast Junior High Football League in 2007. This fall will be their fifth season coaching and they are strict on age limits, requiring players on the league to be younger than 14 but not starting before the sixth grade.
Each year they have about 38 players, many of whom go on to play at the high school level. The Northeast Junior High League recently merged with the Seacoast League, with 19 teams competing from September through November. There will be nine games played this year and practices begin in August.
The goal of the league is to get junior high students prepared to play high school football so they spend a lot of time teaching
fundamentals and individual techniques. This ensures the kids really understand the game itself and each of the positions.
A banquet is held at the end of each season where they give out trophies and letters, and feature a former NFL player as a guest speaker. They also give an award to the most improved student athlete, a player who has worked hard to bring up his grades.
“It’s time for us to give back,” said Talutis. “What’s rewarding to us is to see a kid who never played before play with us and start out in varsity as a sophomore.”
For more information about Billerica Junior High Football, call John Talutis (978479-5021) or Bob Innis (508-572-8224) or visit www.billericafootball.com
Junior High Football for All
Photos
Iceland is Hot
Passport Possibilities
By John Salemme
March leaves us yearning for summer, but by August we grow tired of the heat. Iceland isn’t the frigid place its name would have you believe. In fact, Reykjavik, the capital, has warmer winters and receives less snow than Boston.
During summer it may be the perfect place to escape our scorching humidity. The weather is mild and dry, like those perfect late-September days we all love, and the sun barely sets. It’s only four hours away by plane, and due to misfortunes the island country has been experiencing – economic and natural – it’s hungry for tourist dollars, so it’s less expensive to go now than ever.
Reykjavik is the largest city in Iceland, but is by no means large. It’s more like a small town, with pleasant clean streets and bright colorful homes decorating the hills. There are boutique hotels to stay at, and along Laugavegur, there are numerous shops and cafes that can keep your attention for days. If you’re into Viking history, there is much to see, including a huge statue of Eric the Red. The club scene is insane. And if you’d like to eat whale, you can have it, freeze-dried and preserved since the ban.
Outside the capital there are endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, whether it’s hiking, horseback riding, cycling, or drinking beer under the midnight sun. The countryside is beautiful, mountainous, and so green. There are few trees, but the pastures and fields of wild flowers make up for it.
The North American and European tectonic plates split the country in two, with a clean divide between the continents in the form of a deep trench. The massive Golfoss waterfall tumbles through a sharp ravine plus there are gushing geysers (an Icelandic word) and natural pools of bubbling mud and boiling water, which leaves visitors questioning the country’s name. And don’t forget to take a dip in the Blue Lagoon – a lake of hot, cream-blue water resting in a lunar landscape of black volcanic rocks.
Iceland isn’t the place I thought it was. It’s very different from what I imagined. And I think you’ll be surprised, too.
Billerica Arts Council Brings Ideas to Fruition
By Ashley Martelli
With their vision for healthier and more vital communities square on the radar, The Billerica Arts Council (BAC) wants everyone to know they don’t just fund art. The BAC, a branch of the Massachusetts Arts Council (MAC), brings enrichment programs to schools as well as funds projects around Billerica. They seek to create a central place for the arts, sciences, and humanities, thus making communities more livable as well.
“It is a lot of fun working with the council members and learning how this worthy program works,” stated Billerica Arts Council President Sharon Lapham. “The BAC has been with the MAC’s grant program since 1995 and at least 30 Billerica citizens have served on the council throughout the years.”
Lapham pointed out that funding stretches out to cultural activities, senior programs, science exhibits, and even Yankee Doodle Homecoming.
The importance of art education is pivotal. When the ‘No Child Left Behind Act’ was passed, they listed the arts as one of the “core academic subjects” of public education. Research shows art education is associated with improving math, reading, critical thinking, and verbal skills and is beneficial for children, teens, adults, as well as the elderly.
Some exciting and fun school programs have been previously funded by the BAC. In March 2010 at the Hajjar Elementary School, the Historical Perspectives Program brought in an actor depicting Abe Lincoln. He had third graders square dancing and discussing reading, chores, and leadership.
In October of 2009 Mark Kistler—popular cartoonist and nationally renowned author/ illustrator, visited the Kennedy Elementary School, advising, “stretch your imagination!”
To be considered eligible to receive funding, the organization should be non-profit 501(c)3 incorporated by the state of Massachusetts. Yet, some elementary schools, libraries or community groups could be eligible as well. These grants are then determined by a competitive panel review.
“Since I have been a member, each year the council has given approximately 26 to 30 applicants enough money to at least partially fund their grant projects,” Lapham mentioned. “We have many creative individuals that just need help with some of the costs.” The Billerica Arts Council meets the third Wednesday of every month, at BATV on 430 Boston Road and are open to the public. For more information, please visit www.massculturalcouncil.org.
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G’SEPPE’S
Under New Ownership! Soon to be PEPPERCORNS
279 Boston Road, Billerica peppercorns-restaurant.com 978-262-1414
Time for Vacation?
Enjoy it with Peace of Mind knowing your pet is safe and happy at home!
Bonded and Insured professional pet care in your home.
Call today for your free consultation 978-835-2269
www.peaceofmindpetcare.net
Jennifer Chubb, ABCDT Member of PetSitter’s Intl and Association of Pet Dog Trainers References available upon request
Peace of Mind Personalized Pet Care Solutions
Socializing Your Puppy
By Jennifer Chubb, Owner Peace of Mind Pet Care Solutions
Puppies and dogs need to be socialized to the big wide world so that they won’t be afraid of new situations, objects, sounds, people and other animals. Dogs should be socialized when they are puppies — it’s critical to their lifelong emotional wellbeing and their ability to be comfortable in the world.
Do not let your puppy be around other unvaccinated animals until he is vaccinated as he may pick up diseases (such as parvo, distemper, and hepatitis) that can be fatal to puppies. Puppies can safely be around other vaccinated animals in your home. You can introduce him to your family by having a small party where he can become accustomed to different types of people (loud/quiet, young /old, tall/ short) as well as people wearing hats, glasses/ sunglasses, helmets, coats, gloves, etc. You should take the puppy on short car rides, so she’ll be a good traveler from an early age.
Be careful to make all of your puppy’s socialization experiences positive. If something or someone seems to frighten your pet, introduce that object or person more slowly, and associate the object or person with positive things. For example, if your puppy is afraid of someone wearing a big hat, have that person offer treats to the puppy so she associates the hat with something good.
You should also gradually introduce your puppy to a variety of household items and sounds, such as the vacuum cleaner, the TV and radio, the sound of children’s toys, and electrical appliances.
Start early with getting your puppy comfortable with handling and grooming. Touch all her body parts: Open her mouth, look in her ears, hold her tail for a moment, handle her feet, toes and nails. Friends and family should handle the puppy too. Use positive reinforcement such as treats and praise to introduce a brush, comb and nail clippers.
Finally, to enhance your dog’s socialization skills, attend a basic training class where you will learn how to communicate with your new family member. If you are conscientious about socializing and training your puppy, he will be happier and more comfortable in our busy, often chaotic human world. For more information about pet care, contact Jennifer Chubb, Owner of Peace of Mind Personalized Pet Care Solutions at www.peaceofmindpetcare.net or 978-835-2269.
Editor’s Take: Pro-Nails Shellac Nails
Long Lasting Manicure without Acrylic
By Liana Measmer
After sending my team to get manicures in February, I wanted to know what the hoopla was around the gel manicures. I did not know what it was but once I got one, I was hooked.
I spend a lot of time typing (big surprise as an Editor, right?) so I can’t get a traditional manicure because I will chip my polish quickly.
Gel nails are a form of artificial nail application. Gel can be applied directly to the nail bed then are cured under a special UV light to harden the gel. This method is great for strengthening your natural nail, while allowing your nails to grow.
I compared gels and acrylics online and learned gels are smoother because of no applied glues. Plus they can be more flexible and leave no impressions on the nail like acrylics. However, if your nails are splitting, peeling, or damaged, acrylics are a better alternative.
Pro-Nails in Towne Plaza at 700 Boston Road came recommended from customers who liked that there was no wait, plenty of stations and the Shellac Nails brand gels. I wanted to try their gel pedicures which are a specialty plus I heard they use non-acetone polish remover to take off old gels as to not damage nail beds.
According to their website, Shellac, created by Creative Nail Design, are a hybrid of gel manicures. When I arrived at Pro-Nails, my technician took time with me in the massaging pedicure chair, prepping my feet. First, she rubbed alcohol over each one of my nails and applied a UV basecoat. Then I took turns with each foot (and later each hand) under their small white UV dryers, allowing the gel to cure. Then she applied two coats of gel polish followed by a clear gel topcoat. Each coat was cured under the UV dryer before applying the next coat. She did this with each hand and each foot.
The result? Glossy, protected nails that have withstood everything that I’ve dealt them. Keyboard typing. Opening car doors quickly. Lifting a soda can tabs. Zipping and buttoning children’s clothing. No chipping or breaking. Plus my toes still look perfect, weeks later.
Pro-Nails is running a special until September on Shellac Nails: ten percent off with their insert flyer. Stop by Pro-Nails at 700 Boston Road or call 978-262-0001 to schedule an appointment or visit their website at www.pronails.net for more information or services and coupons.
On June 23rd, Holiday Inn Tewksbury-Andover threw a grand re-opening celebration for clients, officials, and management. The hotel, which had been temporarily the Tewksbury Inn, was re-instated by Holiday Inn following the completion of renovations. Marketing Director, Stephen Nass, seen far right here, said he appreciated customer loyalty and he was really proud of their product. Around 200 guests attended and met the owner of Twin Tier Hospitality, Sattish Duggal, who came from Pennsylvania for this party. Duggal said it was all about ensuring guests keep coming back. Also in this photo are Tewksbury Selectman David Gay, State Rep. Jim Miceli, General Manager Don DuPaul, and Senior Vice President of Holiday Inn Operations Vincent Sano.
To get traffic to your business, Green means GO! Advertise with us!
Seeds of our Faith
A Higher Calling
By Frank Lustwerk-Dudás Baha’i Faith
Why do we – essentially spiritual beings – live in a physical world? This is one of the basic questions that religion strives to answer. Simply put, the answer is that the physical world teaches us spiritual truths.
In our physical interactions with parents, spouses, children, the boy or girl next door, we learn the spiritual truths of love, kindness, trustworthiness, justice. Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, put it this way: “Out of the wastes of nothingness, with the clay of my command, I made thee to appear, and have ordained for thy training every atom in existence and the essence of all created things (Hidden Words, 32).”
What training lessons lie hidden in our gardens? Beyond the obvious symbolism of our scriptural gardens — Eden, Paradise, Gethsemane — are there lessons in our own back yard, or in the clumps of flowers down the street? It strikes me that no garden of beauty or plenty comes without an investment: though the product may be intangible, like “beauty” or “pleasure,” the investment of dirt, seeds, and sweat is quite physical. The work of my neighbors, who tend the small garden where the roads meet, brings me joy as I wait at the stop sign.
We can extrapolate this to the rest of our lives: the rewards we value require investment and patience, and our assessment of value is often tied to the effort we make. There is a balance in this, a sense of justice, and a repeated interplay of physical and spiritual realities.
In gardens, we seek design, proportion, a blending of colors, sizes and shapes. In the garden of the world, there is a design that blends people of different colors, sizes, and shapes, and it is the variety of these colors and abilities that makes our world an earthly delight.
How we nurture this garden, how we work to ensure that all of its flowers can express the potential invested by God in their seeds, is a measure of how fully we have lived. That we share a single garden with a myriad of other flowers is a deeply spiritual truth: “Ye are all the fruits of one tree, the leaves of one branch, the flowers of one garden (Bahá’u’lláh).” That truth must inform all of our actions.
The Billerica Clergy Association
Kids Creative Connection
Around The World
By: Aachal Gunda
A puzzle about places and fun facts about them
Across
3. Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain
6. 98% of this place is covered in ice
7. One of the 4 corners in the U.S.A.
8. First Spanish American colony to declare independence in 1811
Let’s Talk about it With Julia
By Julia Measmer
Down
1. The Sydney Opera House
2. Contains the Sahara Desert (2 Words)
4. The city of love
5. Famous for the Taj Mahal
Junior Journalist: Meeting Donna Hansen
Q: What is your job here at the Rec. Department?
A: I am the Recreation Program Coordinator.
Q: What do you do?
A: I work with teachers and staff to offer a lot of fun, exciting things for people of Billerica to do.
Q: What kinds of programs do you look for?
A: We look for things for people to have fun with like games, sports, exercise, music, fishing, or guitar lessons. Some people like to watch things and some people like to do things.
Q: What are popular programs in the summer?
A: Popular programs in the summer are camps, sports camps, Lego camps, tennis, and playing in the water at the beach or Manning State Park. Plus our tickets to Six Flags, Water Country and movie theaters are popular too.
Q: What are popular programs in the fall? Where are programs held?
A: In the fall, people like guitar lessons, exercise classes, cooking classes and different things. We rent the schools, tennis courts and basketball courts.
Q: How can people sign up?
A: We let people know in different ways: the Billerica Green, our website, Facebook, our email newsletter, BATV, newspapers, and our booklet on the town website.
You’re Gonna be Big, Kid
You’re gonna be big, kid You’ll be a star, Walking red carpets, You’ll make it far, You’re gonna be famous, You’re gonna be loud, And I’ll be watching, praying from the crowd
Hoping you’re safe and you’ll live on fine, Through years of struggle, You are no longer mine.
I’m slipping away from you,
Though you pursue your dreams
I can’t always be there, Though I wish this was so, All I can do is hope, As I watch you grow.
Go ahead and forget me, In fact you already tried.
But memories live on,
Even when dead in minds
Wishing I’ll stay in your head as you cross the stage
That you’ll feel in your heart, The places we’ve been
‘Cause so many things, Too much to discard, You’re gonna be big, kid...
Just hope it won’t tear you apart.
-Adria Orenstein
THE GAMER’S DEN
Terraria: Land of Adventure
By Jarred Measmer
On rainy days when I’m not fishing, I like to play on my laptop. My favorite game is Terraria. It’s a 2D side scroll computer game that is fairly new. Re-Logic created it and the principle behind Terraria is to be an explorer who creates a character and a world, which you customize.
Know Your Puffle: Disney’s Club Penguin
By Jacob Measmer
What is a puffle? It’s a small round character on www.clubpenguin.com.
Your world is basically where your character is. There is no way to beat the game and it is never ending. You start with copper tools and make a shelter. While travelling in your world, there is a guide character. When you get close to him, you right click for a help menu.
The object of this game is to survive, get armor, and find good items like accessories to your armor. Some things you might do would be mining ore to make better armor and tools. Since it is a constant journey, you will explore during the day and night. In the daytime, you meet harmless animals but night time brings bigger challenges like zombies.
I would suggest watching the trailer on www. terraria.org. You should be at least 13 years old so ask your parents first.
It’s a penguin’s pet. It walks around your igloo and walks around with your penguin. Puffles are kind of magical because they can move with no legs and they can bounce with no hands. In Club Penguin books, they talk but in the game they don’t.
They are different colors too. In the game, the yellow one sings; the red one is shot from a cannon; the purple one dances; the green one flies with a propeller hat; the blue one bounces on a ball; the white one makes snow and skates; the black one skateboards; the orange one has a wagon that turns into a monster truck; the pink one jumps rope and the brown one builds things. On Club Penguin, there is a pet shop where you can buy puffles.
You can sign up for free on club penguin or you can get a membership. Your parents can click on ‘Parents’ on the home screen that tells them all about it so they know kids are being safe.
Summer Garden Dinner
By Norma Cavicchio, from BATV’s Cooking with Norma and Dianne
Here’s a great summer family recipe that my mother used to make when I was little. Considering our local Farmer’s Market, it calls for lettuce, new potatoes and new peas which, in Maine where I grew up, were harvested just in time for July 4.
Cool Tuna Supper
8 new potatoes about 21/2” in diameter
1 large can of water-packed tuna, drained and flaked 1/2 large Vidalia onion, chopped
1 cup of mayonnaise
2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
1 cup of new peas – boil one minute and immediately run under cold water. Salt and pepper to taste
6 lettuce leaves approximately 6” x 6” in size or two smaller ones overlapped
Cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces and boil until tender. While they are cooling, mix all other ingredients except the lettuce in a large bowl. When the potatoes are cool, fold them into the mixture and scoop onto the lettuce leaves. Makes 6 servings.
Substitutions:
Crab meat
Crumbled bacon
Chicken
Capers
Additions:
Shrimp
Dill
Salmon
Chopped scallions
Congratulations to Rakhee Tailor!
(Seen here with her two favorite helpers!) She was our Kindle Winner for July 2011 The correct answer to July’s Riddle was MicKee’s on the Water on Page 5. This month we had 245 entries which were CORRECT! Thanks to everyone for playing!
Billerica loves reading so we’re doing it again in August-Another Kindle! You must get the answer correct to this riddle:
Selling stuff? Need Help? Lost Your Pet? Offering Services— babysitting, plowing? Run a TBG Classified ad and let EVERYONE know!
It’s simple:
1. For $30 per ad of 50 words or less, we’ll run it for a month.
2. For only $5 more, we’ll BOLDFACE your header.
3. Fill out your form online at www.thebillericagreen.com and pay online with secure PayPal.
4. Mail your ad and check— payable to The Billerica Green: The Billerica Green PO Box 492 Billerica, MA 01821
5. Questions? email advertising@thebillericagreen.com or call 978-808-2361.
Hel P WA n T ed
Sales Rep Position: Join fastest growing local sales force. The Billerica Green seeks motivated reliable reps to grow with us. Commission based. Increased income potential. Sell more, make more. email advertising@thebillericagreen.com or 978808-2361.
Writers Needed: The Billerica Green has freelance writer positions available. Competitive pay based on word count. liana@ thebillericagreen.com or 978-808-2361
lOST & FOU nd
Lost Dog: Named Spot. Lost since June. 12 in the Middle School vicinity. White poodle. Curly coat with black/brown markings. Lost tags in escape but has collar. Last seen June. 14 Main/Cross St. area. Family misses him. Info call 978-555-5555.
Email us the ad, your phone number and the page number to billericagreen.ipods@gmail.com. Entries must be received by midnight on August 10 to be eligible. We will ONLY get in touch with the winner and will post the results in the NEXT Billerica Green in September. You will hear from us by August 12 for delivery.
