Wounded Wellesley soldier backs Bush decision on shorter tours of duty

Channel 5 News catches up with wounded Iraq war veteran Sean Bannon of Wellesley this week. Bannon, just back from Iraq, says he is all for shortening tours of duty from 15 to 12 months. Bannon stands behind the U.S. military being in Iraq: "I think the Iraqi people do need our help because they are afraid to stand up against the insurgents because they have no way to defend themselves," he said.

Welcoming Qdoba to town

The Wellesley Townsman interviews Jeff Ackerman, who recently opened the new Qdoba Mexican Grill at 185 Linden St. in Wellesley. The Wellesleyite tells the Townsman: “I think the Wellesley market is very on target for this type of product. It’s made for people whose lives are on the go, but who are tired of sacrificing their diet for speed.”

Help wanted: Wellesley Police Department

The Boston Globe writes today about how Wellesley and other communities are having a tough time finding enough highly qualified police officers. The problem, according to the piece, is that many good candidates seek jobs at bigger departments, where there might be more room for growth. From the story:

Since taking over as chief nine years ago, [Wellesley Police Chief Terrence] Cunningham has hired 31 officers to fill vacancies created by retirements and because of officers leaving to work in other departments, he said. In the last five years, though, Wellesley has lost 14 officers, many of whom took jobs with bigger agencies, such as in Boston, Cambridge, Framingham, or the State Police.

"I don't even have people who want to take the exam," said Cunningham.

Hey, how come they get paid to take tests?

Wellesley High students might ask themselves that question after reading this story about how students in other towns/cities are eligible for cash rewards for taking Advanced Placement courses in math, science and English and pass related tests. The story from The Republican newspaper in Springfield says the program is designed to encourage students and teachers at 11 public high schools in Massachusetts, including a couple in Springfield, to raise their level of effort and performance:

Retired Army Lt. Col. Morton Orlov II, president of the Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative, told students, teachers and administrators from the high-poverty school district that success on Advanced Placement tests can help students transcend socio-economic status.

"A (score of) 5 at Central High School is as good as a 5 in Wellesley or Weston," he said.

Seeing stars at Wellesley College

The school's Whitin Observatory is scheduled to be open to the public on Friday night, April 11 7:30-9pm weather permitting. Unfortunately, it looks like weather could be an issue given the forecast. Check here for updates by 5pm on Friday as to whether the event will in fact be held.

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend agenda taking shape

For a look at the May 17-18 extravaganza, including fireworks, a parade, open houses at town departments, a guided trails walk and a picnic in the park, visit here.

"So many runners, so little time"

That's the message emblazoned on the front of Wellesley College's official Scream Tunnel T-shirts for this year's Boston Marathon. Design courtesy of senior Jenna Mezin. Read about Wellesley College students planning to run the race. 

Santa is coming to town

British author Santa Montefiore (Sea of Lost Love and other romance novels) visits Wellesley Booksmith for tea, talk and book signing at 2pm on Sunday, May 4. Wikipedia tells us that Montefiore is known as a socialite and has been largely overshadowed at least in the press by her sister, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, a one-time "it girl" in England. The Booksmith tells us Montefiore is popular. We'll take their word for it. RSVP requested for the Booksmith event to help with planning. (781) 431-1160.

Wellesley's old country club building gets new life

Town Meeting Monday approved nearly $300K in funds for the Board of Public Works to disassemble, inventory and store elements of the WCC building, also known as the old Town Hall. Also okayed: $100K to BPW to be expended dollar for dollar if private funds are raised to defray the appropriation under motion 1.

Wellesley Girl Scouts cleaning up

Troop 3200 will spearhead a clean-up of Morses Pond on April 26 10am-3pm. The Wellesley Department of Public Works, Natural Resources Commission and Boy Scouts will join forces as well to cut down on bittersweet plants and clean up the beach area. To join in, show up, bring gardening gloves, clippers, long pants, etc. More info: call Emily Lloyd at (781)-237-1749 or e-mail

Save the Date: Pan Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) Wellesley-Weston Kids Ride on June 1

The event comes to Babson College from 10am-noon. Kids ages 3-13 can have a great time pedaling their bikes and at the same time raise money for cancer research. 100% of money raised goes directly to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund. If you are over 13 and want to participate, volunteers are needed at water stops, along the routes and at the party after the ride. Go to www.pmc.org and click on Kids Rides. Then click on Wellesley-Weston 2008 and hit the Rider Registration or Volunteer button. 

Wellesley readies for Red Sox home opener

Thanks to a reader for sending along this slice of life picture from town. At least it's not a red tailed hawk:

A little Give and Take

The Wellesley RDF is hoping to re-open the Give and Take area around April 19, weather and set-up dependent. For those of you new to town, this is a great way to clean out your home and restock it.

Also, be aware that Household Hazardous Products Collection Day takes place May 4 from 9am-3pm.

Also be on the watch for a paper shredding event at the RDF at a time to be determined. It will be an opportunity to shred beyond recognition all that super secret paperwork you've been stashing.

Finally, note that April's Recyclable of the Month is books. From the RDF:

The book exchange area provides an excellent place to either drop off books that are no longer needed or to pickup some excellent reading materials!  The book exchange is a wonderful way to reuse books, which saves paper, trees, energy and money. Located to the right of the book exchange is the "Swap Board" where any resident can post items "Free for taking", "For Sale", or  "Items Wanted". You can pick up and drop off your posting card at the Recycling & Disposal Facility, Customer Service Office. Cards will be posted on rotation as space permits.For more information, contact Superintendent Gordon Martin at 781-235-7600 x 3340, or visit the RDF website at: www.wellesleyma.gov

Swinging through Wellesley (no, not on the playgrounds or golf courses)

In case you missed it, Boston Magazine in March ran an article titled "Hooking up with the Joneses," about the supposedly active swingers scene in the burbs. The story is a big tease, with participants of this activity naturally a bit press shy. Wellesley isn't cited specifically in the story, other than in this excerpt:

I managed to track down a half-dozen sex parties, and pleaded with the organizers to let me attend as a reporter, but without luck. Late one night as I was driving through a plush neighborhood in Wellesley, I studied the prim houses, and all their windows seemed to wink at me. Statistically speaking, group sex had probably taken place behind at least some of them. On the other side of those Mohr & McPherson curtains, people were swapping mates, but I couldn't seem to reach them.

Police on the prowl

A heads up from the Wellesley Police Department:

March 26th to April 16th - The Wellesley Police Department will be conducting extra patrols to target aggressive driving. These extra patrols are funded by a grant from the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau. Please drive safely and always wear your seatbelt.

Wellesley High School's future: the videos

If you missed it on WCAC-TV, you can now go to YouTube to catch a video presentation ("If these walls could talk") hosted by Wellesley School Building Committee member Cynthia Westerman, who does her best Shelby Scott  impersonation and braves snow flurries to give the lowdown on the condition of today's patchwork Wellesley High School building. The nicely done video is broken into 3 chunks on YouTube: 1, 2 and 3.

Who's running the marathon?

Curious about whether anyone you from Wellesley is running as an official entrant in this month's Boston Marathon? Just go to the BAA website, plug in Wellesley, Mass. and you'll see the list of 64 entrants listed as being from town.