Hank Manz

By Hank Manz  |  Shortly after I was elected as a selectman in Lexington, my outlook on snow began to change.   No longer was it that attractive blanket which made the town look like a Norman Rockwell painting and which, thankfully, covered the leaves I hadn’t raked in the fall.  Snow costs money.  Not only must the town pay overtime for DPW workers, but they must also contract with private plowers to augment town equipment and personnel.  The town must pay for salt and sand and then, after the salt and sand has eaten away and abraded the road surface, the town must pay again for early maintenance.  Plowing sometimes rips up curbing and tears out patches in the road.  More money for repairs.  When budget time comes around as it inevitably does, then the realization hits that, once again, taxes are going to go up if we wish to maintain services.

Fall came and went this year without much in the way of brilliant colors and also without much bad weather except for a hurricane and a winter storm which cost us some trees, but did little in the way of damage to buildings.  I stopped in at Ranc’s for some ice cream on one of the few cold days in January and found Joe less than enthusiastic about the temporarily freezing weather. For the most part, however, the weather has been mild.  At home, with a new, more efficient, heating system installed last summer, we have been much more comfortable, both physically and fiscally than we were last winter. Even with the price of oil up, consumption is far below that of last year—a combination of a better boiler and better weather. The woodpile which feeds our woodstove is getting a bit low so I will have to split some more wood soon. This is a lot easier job that usual given the lack of snow. I suspect that Curt, an owner of a local insurance company, is happier because with no snow and ice, the claims rate has not yet taken the usual seasonal jump. The weather is so warm that the family cat has not had to take up his winter place under the woodstove where I am sure he passes the time wondering why humans insist on making it cold and wet outside. If I spoke Cat, I would probably find out that what he is saying when snow is falling is “Do I have to draw you doltish humans a diagram?”

So it was with a light heart that I broached the topic of no snow with Susan who was until recently the manager of the local branch of Brookline Bank. That led to an extended conversation while she filled me in on the other side of the coin.  No snow means no plowing which is how the private plowers, most of them landscapers or contractors in the building trades, pay for the trucks they use all year round.  No cold weather means fewer oil deliveries which has a heavy impact on oil dealers because they have contracted to buy a minimum number of gallons of fuel from the distributors and now they might not be able to meet those minimums so they could be in trouble.  No cold weather means that even if the local shoe stores avoid getting stuck with a huge inventory of boots which will be out of style by next year, there is a good chance that somebody will lose money on that inventory somewhere.  Of course no snow means that people like me will make their boots last another year even though the pair I wear most often has several hot-glue patches on them. No snow means many local stores are carrying large inventories of shovels, scrapers, sand, salt, and windshield washer fluid.  They should have sold at least half of the stock by now, but now they may be stuck twice—they are paying for storage and eventually they may have to fire sale the leftovers. Susan had at least two dozen examples and I could think of even more as we talked.  It means, for instance, that I might have trouble getting donations for the youth hockey league I help run because local businesses are the main source of those donations.

This was an amazing revelation—snow is an economic engine for the economy of the small town in which I live.  Could it be that the half a million dollars or more the town spends in most years for removal is nothing compared to the economic boost it gives many of the citizens who pay for that removal with their tax dollars? Then they, in turn, can afford to pay their taxes which helps keep the town solvent.

Bursting with my new-found knowledge, I started the task of convincing the citizenry by talking to my spouse.  She wasn’t buying it, even after I pointed out that her own windshield scraper, broken last winter, has not had to be replaced.  Sad to say, only a very small number immediately bought my explanation, including guys like Mike who runs a landscaping business and plows in the winter.  Fortunately, with the Super Bowl over, a weekend snowstorm may excite more interest in plowing than it would have just a few weeks ago.

But I still believe in the economic engine theory and should it snow, I will be sad that the town’s financial problems will be worse in the short term, but glad that Dick will sell some boots, that Mike might get some plowing time in, and that Lexington Ace Hardware will sell at least a few shovels.  To prepare for what must surely come, I will buy my wife a new windshield brush and scraper for her car, but while I am on that errand, I will stop at Joe’s for an ice cream sundae and I will drive very carefully so Curt will not suffer. You know—my boots are looking a bit the worse for wear so just maybe I will be paying a visit to Michelson’s very soon. It has to snow eventually, right? But please, not in April …

Craig LeClair, Barbara “Ozzie” Pelsue, Len Nason, Shawna Johnston, Ken Gordon, Ed Bauman, Peter Hay, Judson Pierce. Bob Sweeney not shown.

By Digney Fignus  |

It’s almost spring so if you’re stuck in the winter doldrums polish up your dancing shoes and circle this date on your calendar. The Fifth Annual “Go Green Charity Dance Party” featuring local favorite, “Trial Run”, is ready to kick-start the season, Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Knights of Columbus Heritage Hall. Last year they raised the roof with their big sound, horns, and harmonies, and promise more of the same this year. This nine-piece powerhouse is ready to rock the rafters and add another chapter to their continuing legacy of charitable performances.

“Trial Run” is a loose-knit musical family founded in 2007 by two college buddies who along with their “charitable corporate citizens” have been getting together and making positive contributions to the community ever since, raising tens of thousands of dollars for various deserving causes. The current lineup includes: band co-founders Lexingtonian Len Nason and fellow Tufts alumni Ed Bauman on guitars and vocals. Also from Lexington are Craig LeClair on keyboards and lead singer Shawna Johnston. The band rounds out its lineup with Lexington Police Officer Bob Sweeney on percussion and vocals; Jud Pierce from Arlington on sax and vocals; another Tufts alumni, Barbara Pelsue from Newburyport, on vocals; Ken Gordon from Acton, on drums and vocals; and all the way from Australia, Peter Hay on bass and vocals.

This year’s “Go Green” beneficiary will be the ALS Association, Massachusetts Chapter. Len talks about the bands deep connection to the charity, “We have chosen to join the battle to eradicate ALS because it has personally affected members of our band, friends, and family. In addition, this horrendous disease affects many individuals and their families.”

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a degenerative disease that affects the voluntary nervous system and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. As the disease progresses it systematically destroys the nerves that control muscle movement, eventually totally paralyzing the patient, although in most cases the mind remains alert. According to the national ALS Association website, at any given time nearly 30,000 Americans are afflicted by ALS, with approximately 5600 new cases diagnosed every year. It’s a malady that crosses all boundaries — ethnicity and gender. Anyone can be attacked by ALS. Former Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci is one of the more well-known public figures currently fighting the disease.

Ed Bauman’s brother Neil Selinger was also a victim of ALS, who after a long battle, passed away on July 9th, 2011 at age 57. Neil was a retired lawyer and writer who eloquently described his struggle with the disease in a New York Times article. His words touched the hearts of thousands, including actress and activist, Jane Fonda, who recently quoted Neil in a speech at the TEDxWomen’s conference, “As my muscles weakened, my writing became stronger. As I slowly lost my speech, I gained my voice. As I diminished, I grew. As I lost so much, I finally started to find myself. So who am I? Call me Neil.”

While the “Go Green” event has morphed into a Lexington annual rite of spring, when Len and Ed first decided to get together they had no idea that their little “hobby” could be the harbinger of so much good. Len explains, “While the band plays mainly for fun we specialize in fund-raising performances.” Past events have raised money for a number of worthy causes including: the Lexington Global Warming Action Committee (LexGWAC), the Massachusetts Climate Action Network, the American Bar Association’s TIPS (Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section) Event at Fenway Park, Arlington’s “Bridge the Gap” for public Schools, Sustainable Harvest International, and a special event to help pay medical expenses for Stephen Hill, a Massachusetts father of three, who suffered a stroke in the Caribbean, had been abandoned by his insurance company and was stranded in Florida without money to return home.

The band is made up of a group of like-minded full-time professionals. Len is a self-proclaimed “gutter rat” who grew up on the streets of New York City during a time when the Filmore East was the mecca of rock and roll. Ed, a successful psychologist, hails from the Jersey Shore and grew up hanging out at clubs like the Stone Pony, home of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. Back in the mid-seventies they both ended up studying at Tufts University and began playing together in a band called “Joint Effort”. Barbara and Len’s sister were best friends. They had been going to school in Maryland but after their first year they both transferred to Tufts where Barbara sometimes sang with Len and Ed’s band at college parties and the frat houses that line the streets around the campus. Fast forward twenty years: Len and his wife were enjoying Barbara’s hospitality at a party in Newburyport where a local band was playing. Barbara was friends with the band and when she was invited to sing a few tunes, she asked Len to sit in and play the guitar and perform a song with her that they used to do together in college.

It was a little spark that lit a fire. Barbara says, “After that Lenny turned to me and said, I think we can get the band back together.”

Over the next year or so the pieces started to fall into place. One of the band’s lead singers Shawna, a hard-working real estate agent, was asked to join the group because her daughter Ariana was an outstanding singer in an a cappella group with one of the other band member’s daughter. Figuring that the “fruit didn’t fall far from the tree” Shawna seemed like a natural choice when Len and Ed were looking for a powerful voice to feature on songs like “Midnight Train to Georgia”. Shawna, who lived on Winchester Street when she was a child, also prides herself on being the only band member who grew up in Lexington.

Len met Craig, the band’s keyboard player and a high Tech engineer, at a fourth grade “Parent’s Talent Show” at the Estabrook School. Len was on guitar and Craig on the keyboard for “Circle of Life,” a song from the Lion King. It was the big finale of the talent show and the two musicians hit it off during rehearsal. Craig then brought in his golf buddy Peter, another high-tech professional, to play bass for the band. Peter is a former Aussie native and friend of the famous Australian band from the ‘80’s “Men at Work.”

Len and long-time sax player Jud met through work. They are both successful attorneys who specialize in workman’s compensation cases, often on opposite sides. Jud jokes, “I work for the good guys.” (I should have known, he was wearing a white Patriots cap). Jud is already grooming the next generation of musical philanthropists. His seven-year-old son Ben has become an honorary member of the band. Ben is often at rehearsal strumming the guitar and singing along with the rest of the crew.

At one point, there were four lawyers playing in the band, so it’s not hard to imagine how they came up with the name “Trial Run.” Over the years they have accumulated a huge catalog of material. When I was hanging out with them at rehearsal, Barbara and Shawna proudly held up two huge binders filled with nearly 300 songs that the band can perform. The band’s favorite song? What else: “Rock and Roll Lawyer” by the Austin Lounge Lizards.

Once the band was formed they were soon approached to perform at their first fundraiser. Len’s law practice was one of the first five law firms in Massachusetts to “Go Green” so it was no surprise when they teamed up with Lexington Global Warming Action Committee (LexGWAC), and the Massachusetts Climate Action Network to raise money and awareness for their cause. Organizing a successful fundraiser is no easy task. It takes a lot of hard work and a concerted effort to manage all the promotion, production, and other details. One of the keys to success is developing corporate sponsors to help defray expenses or donate services so that the maximum amount of the money raised through ticket sales can go directly to the selected charity.

Ed reflects, “At the first ‘Go Green’ dance party in February 2008, we performed to a sold-out crowd to promote the importance of fighting Global Warming, and how to do it. For the show, John Cini of High Output contributed scores of low energy dazzling LED ‘green’ lights to add ambiance to the event. That party raised a lot of money for LexGWAC & MCAN and made us feel really good.” In fact, the band’s effort raised more money than the charity had ever raised at a single event. Word started to get out about the band’s success as an income generator for charity and since then the whole thing has snowballed.

In a classic demonstration of “think globally, act locally” the sponsors for the first event began to come together on a softball field. Len and Craig both play in the Lexington Over Forty Men’s Softball League. Craig is on a team called “Foul Play” and according to Ed is a “tremendous hitter.” Ed is a switch-hitter and plays the corners (first and third base) on team “Good Times”. He is teammates with “Good Times” second baseman Ray Ciccolo, President of The Village Automotive Group that has ten dealerships in the Boston area, and “Good Times” team manager and co-founder of the softball league Bob Burbidge, President of Genesis Consolidated Services Inc., New England’s largest Professional Employer Organization (PEO). When Ray and Bob found out about the band’s charitable efforts they generously volunteered to help out.

Ed practices at Watertown Harvard Vanguard Medical Association, so they came on board as a sponsor as well. To complete the picture another Lexington “corporate good citizen” Arlex Oil also stepped up to the plate and continued its quiet policy of neighborhood philanthropy.

It’s heartening to see that something as simple as making music can still bring out the good in people and make a real difference in the community.

Here’s to paying it forward!

The Go Green Charity Dance Party

Heritage Hall, Knights of Columbus
177 Bedford Street (across from Alexander’s Pizza), Lexington, MA
Date: Friday, March 2, 2012
From: 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM

For information and resources:
Massachusetts Chapter ALS
315 Norwood Park South, 1st Floor
Norwood, MA 02062
781-255-8884
1-888-CURE-ALS
website: info@als-ma.org

Colonial Times Contributor DIGNEY FIGNUS performs at Nourish Restaurant, 1727 Mass Ave, Lexington Center Thursday, February 23, 2012, 7:00-9:30 PM, NO COVER

Ana Hebra Flaster

That morning, my husband and I had been trying to scare each other with plans for strict diets when we realized one of us needed to drive our daughter back to her college in western Mass. I thought I saw his eyes tear up a bit as we stared each other down by the garage door. I blinked, and before I could say “Framingham” I was in a bumper-to-bumper quagmire on I-90. The Pike before or after a long weekend is no place for a lady, or a gentleman, really.

My daughter and I passed the time arguing about which music to listen to, and imagining all sorts of life stories for our fellow travelers as they zoomed and inched by us—depending on the mood of the Beast that had us in its grip. In the left lane, a banged up, formerly white Camry full of sleepy college students revved up and screeched to a stop every minute or so. The driver always woke up in time to avoid what had seemed to be, until moments before, a sure collision. On our right, an older couple crept up beside us at precise intervals. The husband held the steering wheel in a deadly embrace while his wife rocked loosely side-to-side in the passenger’s seat, snug in her seat belt, fast asleep, head lolling around, mouth wide open. The old man shot her worried looks now and then but never let go of the wheel. One SUV after another carried New York and New Jersey families back home after the long weekend at Grandma’s. A kid stuck his tongue out at us and we all laughed like idiots. Cars sliced in and out of lanes whenever an extra foot of space opened up, each driver sure this lane was better. I think we hit 30 a few times. Hours passed. We grew tired of music and conversation. My hands felt numb on the wheel.

Finally, the lady inside my GPS announced we’d arrived at our destination. I helped my daughter unpack, enjoyed two really powerful hugs, and, after studying a real map, belted myself in. “Text me when you get home,” my daughter said, and I smiled at the sound of my words in her mouth.

I felt renewed after those hugs. Plus, on the way in, the last section of the Pike had cleared up a bit in both directions. Besides, I had a Plan B for the ride home that involved Rte 20, even though it dipped in the wrong direction at one point. I’d have to be alert for my exit —this stretch of the Pike is unforgiving, the exits light-years apart. But I felt hopeful when I rolled onto the highway.

At first, traffic flowed sweetly along, but soon the headless Beast reared up again, tangling every car, bus and 18-wheeler into a crunched knot of exhausted metal and rubber. My sciatic nerve woke up just then and hammered its way from my lower back, down my right leg and into my foot. Where was that exit for 20? I searched for new music, something inspiring.

In the darkness, just past Springfield, I crested a hill and looked east into the night. The ruby taillights of a million stopped cars sprinkled over the long black road ahead. On my left, the diamond lights of the oncoming cars were thick, but at least moving. Somehow, those moving white lights boosted my hope. And I heard Elvis sing,

“Since my baby left me, I found a new place to dwell. Well it’s down at the end of Lonely Street, it’s the… Heartbreak Hotel…”

I felt something soften inside me as I sang out, loud and ugly, protected by darkness, glad the other drivers couldn’t see me as I surrendered to the Beast, to the lurching trucks and the angry tour busses, to the night and to the unavoidable heartbreak of the road ahead.

Ana Hebra Flaster is a freelance writer and Lexington resident. Ana’s work has been featured on NPR and the Boston Globe.

Installing Insulation

By Heather Aveson  |  The above average temperatures and lack of snow can lull us into thinking winter’s not so bad this year. But as the recent frigid weekend proved, Old Man Winter never really takes a vacation. That cold tingling on the back of your neck as you enter a room? It either means you’ve got a poltergeist or there’s a draft letting in the outside cold and robbing your energy dollars. But there’s help available, at least if it’s a draft.

Last fall the Sustainable Lexington Committee partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Resources (DOER) to encourage residents to take advantage of state funded programs that increase home energy efficiency, saving the homeowner money and making the house more comfortable. Massachusetts offers state rebates of up to $2,000 a year for insulation, air sealing, and other upgrades through the program. So you can spread out upgrades over several years to take full advantage of the program. There are also 0% loans for burner replacement available and some energy suppliers are offering rebates on new systems as well.

Travis Estes of Next Step Living says its important homeowners understand how the program works. “You have to have an energy assessment to take advantage of the program. You can’t get the rebate or the 0% loan without it. People tell me they had work done and they want the rebate, but without the assessment, they end up paying for the whole thing themselves.” You could say without an energy assessment, you’ll be left out in the cold.

Next Step Living is a Mass Save participating Home Performance contractor. They’ll come to your home and do a no cost energy assessment. The 2 ½ hour assessment will identify areas of air leakage, test the efficiency of your furnace, boiler or water heater. They will also check check carbon monoxide levels and from your burner or gas range. Then they’ll make recommendations to improve safety and efficiency.

More than 122 Lexington homeowners have already had an assessment. Many homeowners have completed improvements or are in the process of having upgrades done.

One of those homeowners is Joel Adler. He’s very glad he took advantage of the deal. Joel had been getting letters from the gas company comparing his energy usage to his neighbors, which showed he was using substantially more gas each month. So when he heard about the program he signed up for an assessment. “What they found when they went into the flue from the gas boiler was the carbon monoxide level was over 2000ppm. It should be at or below 100ppm. If anything had happened, my wife and I would have been gone.” Next Step Living suggested bringing in an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) contractor to clean the boiler. They dusted and vacuumed around the cast iron heating tubes and calibrated the air supply. After the work Mr. Adler says the CO readings are now in the mid-80’s. Although there hasn’t been time to analyze energy savings since the work, his health and safety are worth more than any savings. The Adlers will be also be insulating their attic in the next few weeks based on the assessment.

Checking the water heater

Travis Estes says the problems found in the Adler’s home are two of the most important, and common, issues they find. “High levels of CO can be found through the assessment. We check anything with a flame; including burners, water heaters, and gas ovens.” He also reminds everyone to

Make sure your home is equipped with working Carbon Monoxide detectors and

Have your burner checked and cleaned on an annual or bi-annual basis.

Attic insulation and air sealing is another common problem and one of the biggest heat drains. Regardless of a home’s age most attics aren’t adequately sealed or insulated. Travis Estes says attic insulation was never a building code requirement in the past so most contractors skipped the step. But, think back to basic science, heat rises. If the heat in your home is rising into a poorly insulated attic, all that heat is lost. The trick is to keep the heat in the living area of the home. That’s what air sealing and attic insulation accomplish.

Insulating a floored attic can be a bit more difficult. But Mr. Estes says it can still be done using a compressed cellulose insulation. Plan ahead—if you’re building a house or ready to renovate, make sure you insulate and air seal the attic from the start.

Sustainable Lexington and Next Step Living are working with Sagewell, Inc. as part of the DOER program. Sagewell is conducting and analyzing thermal scans of houses in Lexington and several other towns through out the state. About half the houses in Lexington have been imaged so far. If you’d like to see a visual representation of your home’s heat loss, go to Sagewell.com/Lexington. If your home has already been scanned you can log in to see an analysis of where your home is losing heat and steps to correct it. Pasi Miettinen of Sagewell says they’ll be out in the next few weeks scanning more houses. They’ll also be re-scanning homes that have been upgraded so owners can see the difference in heat loss. The warmer winter hasn’t slowed down their work and Pasi says every time Old Man Winter roars things pick up, “We see an increase in our website traffic on cold and windy days when people feel uncomfortable in their homes. We can almost measure the visitor count using wind speed indicators.”

Mark Sandeen of the Sustainable Lexington is happy to hear homeowners are taking the first step. “The people who have done the assessment and upgrades are very happy with the process and the results they’re getting. What we’d like to see is more people participating.” That’s something that Joel Adler would like to see as well. “I’d had prior checks on my burner and they didn’t find anything. They’d just kind of eyeball it. These guy were really experienced. It’s an important story that should get out there.”

“Off the Blotter” is an opportunity to share what is happening here in Lexington and in your neighborhood. New Year’s Day is always a good time to make a resolution to change a habit or do something different. Please consider adding one or more of the following to your list of resolutions:

#1 – I will lock my car doors. In 2011, Lexington had 131 cars entered unlawfully with approximately 90% of these vehicles unlocked. The reported loss of property in 2011 from cars was nearly $10,000. Locked doors discourage thieves.

#1A – I will not leave valuables in my car. Do not tempt a thief by leaving in plain view a laptop, briefcase, purse or other electronic devices.

#2 – I will not drive a car while impaired. Alcohol, unlawful and prescription drugs can significantly impair your ability to drive safely. Drive sober, save a life.

#3 – I will put my phone down. Motorists and pedestrians, while preoccupied with mobile phones or texting, endanger themselves and others. Massachusetts law prohibits texting while driving. Although not prohibited by law, cell phone use is a distraction. If you must make a call, pull to the side of the road and do so safely.

#4 – I will buy a shredder and use it often. Pre-approved credit card applications, old receipts and tax records should be destroyed. Credit card fraud and ID theft is more likely to happen if you don’t protect your private information.

#5 –I will learn to use the internet safely. The internet is a terrific asset to many who use it for on-line banking, shopping and entertainment. Unfortunately, the internet is used by hackers and those who specialize in scams. There is no Doctor Ngunu seeking to transfer $5 million USD to a bank near you.

#6 – I will take time to be patient. Each day, police officers respond to crash scenes, customer disputes and family disturbances. These are often avoidable if one or more individuals were a little more patient, yielded the right of way, or took a moment to avoid saying something inflammatory.

#7 – I will use my seat belt and I will always use a car seat for small children and infants. Let 2012 bring good luck, good cheer and good health to our community.

 

Saturday,

February 11

7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

at Cary Library

Cary’s Cupids: An Evening of Desserts, Drinks and Dancing to Support the Library. Join your friends and show your love for Cary Library at this festive Valentine’s weekend event. Enjoy music (dance if you wish!), a silent auction with items available for preview on our web site, “the Giving Heart” game where everyone’s a winner, and a cash bar for wine, champagne, beer and soft drinks.

The ticket price — $25 in advance or $30 at the door — includes complimentary desserts and cheeses. There will also be a cash bar featuring wine, local micro-brews, and soft drinks. Tickets are available at the library and at Wales Copy.

For those in the mood to dance, DJ John Mansfield DJ John Mansfield will spin music spanning the generations.

Additionally, the silent auction will feature 60 items, services and gift certificates guaranteed to offer something special for everyone.

And, during the evening, try your luck at the Giving Heart, an exciting game with more than 50 prizes where everyone is a winner!

All proceeds from this event will benefit

Cary Memorial Library.

www.carylibrary.org

 or call 781-862-6288.

Garden Club welcomes Gloria Lieberman to speak on the Flower Motif in Jewelry Through Time

Garden Club Lecture
Wednesday, February 8 at 9:30 AM
National Heritage Museum

 Gloria Lieberman, Vice President of Skinner Auctioneers & Appraisers, will be the featured speaker for the program portion of the Lexington Field & Garden Club’s February meeting. Her topic will be the use of flowers as a motif in jewelry throughout the ages. Ms. Lieberman is a well- known expert on antique jewelry, and her presentation should be fascinating. Members of the public are invited to attend this program which will take place at the National Heritage Museum on Wednesday, February 8th. There will be refreshments at 9:30 a.m.; the meeting and program will follow at 10:00 a.m.

Further information about the Lexington Field & Garden Club, a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc., can be found at its website: lexgardenclub.org. New members are welcome.

LASCA to Host Third Annual French A Faire The Lexington Antony Sister City Association (LASCA) will host the third annual French A Faire, a French wine, cheese, bread and chocolate tasting to benefit the relationship that Lexington has had with Antony for almost thirty years, through numerous high school and art exchanges. Several delegations of Lexington residents and Minutemen have visited Antony, the most recent in September of 2009 and again in 2011. Antony town dignitaries were hosted in Lexington for the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and again in April 2010 when the Patriot’s Day celebration parade included an Antony fl oat. A number of Lexington residents have now visited Antony, which is just south of Paris, and have been warmly welcomed. In honor of Lexington and its relationship with Antony, the French city has dedicated an area in their town as the Place de Lexington, which includes a monument with a large plaque about Lexington and a charming garden. The Board of has approved a location in Tower Park for a park honoring Antony, and this third annual French A Faire is intended to raise funds to help design and build the park.

In addition to wonderful French wines and cheeses, the French A Faire will include an auction and entertainment with a French theme. Tickets include all tastings and are partially tax deductible. They are available in advance at the Wales Copy Center located at 1810 Mass Ave in Lexington Center, at the Colonial Times and Majestic Cruises and Tours located at 805 Mass Avenue in East Lexington, and at Curves at 76 Bedford Street, Suite 1 or at the door.

The price is $35 person. Credit card payment is possible at the door and for the auction. For more information email lasca@tourlexington.us. Visit the French A Faire Facebook page at http://ti nyurl.com/7o5erqh.

Please come and help us raise money for a park that will add to the beauty and amenities of Lexington.

The 5th Annual Go Green Dance

Friday, March 2nd

7:30PM -11:30PM

Heritage Hall

The Go Green Dance represents an opportunity to get out in the dead of winter to “Beat the Blues”, and to support a good cause at the same time. What a great combination! In addition to raising public awareness associated with “Climate Change”, we have chosen to join the battle to eradicate ALS. We have teamed up with the ALS Association, Ma Chapter, and invite you to view our web page outlining the event, and what we hope to accomplish. Go to: http://web.alsa.org/site/TR?px=3395291&frid=7522&pg=personal

Tickets are $15 per person/$25 for two persons, purchased in advance from band members, or by mail from The Law Offices of Leonard Y. Nason, 113 The Great Road, Bedford, Ma 01730, 781-271- 9296.
Mail in purchases must be received by Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Please make payable to Leonard Nason, F/B/O “ALS Assoc.” Tickets will be held at door. Price at door is $20 per person (cash or check only.)