Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
At the Massachusetts Book Awards, I was given the privilege to recognize Needham resident and award-winning author, Jaqueline Davies. The Massachusetts Book Awards, hosted by the Massachusetts Center for the Book are annual awards recognizing significant works of literature by Massachusetts residents. Jaqueline Davies’ book “Bubbles…Up!” was given honors in the picture books and early readers category. The book, “Bubbles…Up!” is a celebration of the water and the familiar feeling of fear and bravery of diving into the water and learning how to swim. Through playful words and beautiful illustrations, Davies’ book is a reminder that no matter how deep you dive “Always and forever – Bubbles…rise…UP!”.
Yours in Service,
Denise
District Updates
The temperatures are dropping and many of us have turned on the furnace. I share your concern about high heating costs this winter and would like to share with you information that may help ease the financial burden of paying heating costs this winter. For more information and resources, click here.
Interested in serving your community? Several committees in the Town of Dover, Medfield, and Needham are seeking volunteers to serve and contribute to the community. s work towards solving complex issues and recommending policies that help shape their towns. Click your town to see available volunteer opportunities: Dover, Medfield, Needham.
- In Needham, the traveling exhibit about the Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins will be at the Needham Free Public Library during the month of February. Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve in the U.S. presidential cabinet and was the Secretary of Labor for the entire tenure of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. the exhibit can be viewed during the library’s regular hours. To learn more, click here.
- In Needham, the Needham Community Council’s English Language Learner Program has new English lesson classes available. The classes are free and led by experienced volunteers. To sign up for courses, click here or email jtovar@needhamcouncil.org.
- In Dover, the Trustees is hosting a Fire Pit Saturdays event at Powisset Farm on Saturday, February 11th. This event is family-friendly and is one of many outdoor events the Trustees host weekly. To learn more about the event and tickets, click here.
- In Medfield, I will be holding my annual Report to the Community on Tuesday, February 7th at 7 PM at the Medfield Public Safety Building. This event will be held both in-person and streamed virtually. To learn more and to register for the Zoom event stream, click here.
Statewide Updates
- Celebrations of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution will take place across Massachusetts in 2025 and 2026. Municipalities and local organizations who are planning or participating in celebration events are encouraged to share event details with the Commission. The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office shared tips for identifying and avoiding fraudulent scams, click here for tips.
- Phone scammers are targeting residents across the Commonwealth pretending to be law enforcement. County Police are warning citizens to remain vigilant when they receive calls asking for money. To access the interest forms, click here.
- Massachusetts launches free abortion legal hotline for reproductive care providers and patients. Massachusetts-based providers and helpers, as well as patients looking to obtain care in the commonwealth, can utilize this hotline to seek legal advice and resources. This hotline is made possible through a partnership between the Reproductive Equity Now Foundation, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, the Women’s Bar Foundation, the ACLU of Massachusetts, and five big-name law firms. The hotline is available at (833)309-6301. To learn more about the new abortion legal hotline, click here.
- Legalized sports wagering formally began on Tuesday, January 31st at 10 AM. In-person betting will begin on Tuesday with mobile betting options coming in March. Anyone over twenty-one and older can place wages at any of the state’s three casinos. the Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved a catalog of events approved for wagering. To learn more about legalized sports betting, click here.
- On January 1, 2023, the minimum wage has increased to $15 an hour and the tipped minimum wage will be increased to $6.75 an hour. Sunday premium pay and holiday pay are eliminated on January 1, 2023.
- The Center for Disease Control (CDC) expands updated COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 – 11. The updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components which restore protections from previous vaccinations by targeting more transmissible variants. To find locations offering the vaccine, click here.