MassBay student will deliver commencement address during virtual ceremony

June 12, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

MassBay Community College has announced that Amber Khan of Newton will deliver the student commencement address to her classmates and their guests at the College’s 58^th commencement ceremony. Due to the coronavirus and the need to practice state-issued social distancing policies, this year’s commencement ceremony will be held virtually, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 6pm.

Khan, a first-generation college student, will graduate with an Associate of Science in general studies science and plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society for two-year college students. She participated in the College’s Leadership Engagement and Development (LEAD) program, acted as a mentee in the STEM Mentor Program, and was one of eight students from MassBay selected to take part in Sanofi’s Experiential Learning Opportunity program over spring break in 2019.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: Wellesley Books, Wellesley Bakery closing shop for 2 weeks; town infrastructure question; MassBay moving online

March 15, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Update (7pm, 3/15/20): Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Sunday that all schools across the state will be closed through April 6, extending beyond what could have been a March 30 re-opening in Wellesley. No on-premise consumption at restaurants until April 6 either.

With so many canceled or postponed events, including cultural, sports and religious activities, the streets of Wellesley are quieter than usual this weekend as people and organizations take action regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). While we did see a smattering of political supporters holding signs outside Town Hall on Saturday to grab attention of those voting via absentee ballot, the number of runners along the Boston Marathon course was way, way down from recent weeks after the race was postponed until September.

Things are getting quieter still as more businesses announce plans to temporarily shut their doors. The latest: Wellesley Books, which will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 29. You can still order online or by phone, as staff will be taking phone orders during the day.

Wellesley Books

Wellesley Bakery too is closing for 2 weeks.

Others, such as art gallery and framing shop Page Waterman, are maintaining normal hours. However, for customer framing services they request you make an appointment. The March 21 special event, a talk by John Hagen about Frank Weston Benson, has been canceled. “As an art gallery, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness is always a priority. Page Waterman cleans all surfaces multiple times each day. In addition, employees are required to regularly wash their hands throughout each day in-store and are required to stay home if they feel sick and until they provide the necessary documentation that states that they are safe to return to work.”

Infrastructure question

Some in town are curious about how the town will respond if things become more extreme. “Do you have any ability to find out about the town’s plans for critical infrastructure like supplying water, electricity, sewer, etc?” wrote one Swellesley reader on Sunday morning.

We reached out to town officials, and heard back quickly from Stephanie Hawkinson, Wellesley’s communications and project manager.

“Our infrastructure is not impacted by the Coronavirus situation and will continue to operate as normal,” she wrote. “Our DPW staff continues to maintain water/sewer lines and WMLP continues to maintain electricity 24 hours a day, and internet to our commercial partners, and to respond to emergencies. Those departments are staffed 24/7 and the Town is taking precautionary measures to ensure the health of those employees.”

The town’s plans were put in place before Wellesley was accepted into the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program, which largely focuses on climate change.

wmlp manhole

MassBay moving online

MassBay Community College, which has a campus in Wellesley, has announced that it will use this coming week to transition more courses online. The school, which is on spring break this week, plans to have transitioned many courses to online by the time students return. The school already offers some of its courses online.

cdc flyer

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Business Buzz (sponsored by Wellesley Transportation): Wellesley Bank signs to disappear; introducing Jhellen House of Beauty; it’s definitely not Bertucci’s; MassBay nursing program #1

March 13, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

This week’s Wellesley Business Buzz is sponsored by Wellesley Transportation. Owned and operated by Thomas Shinnick since 1995, Wellesley Transportation, formerly known as College Taxi, has been proudly serving Wellesley and the surrounding communities for over 90 years. Originally established in 1926, Wellesley Transportation provides on-time airport, local and long-distance transportation in luxury vehicles. For reservations, call or text 781-235-2200.

Wellesley Transportation

The big Wellesley business news this week has been about local outfits responding to coronavirus (COVID-19), which has included temporary closings, deep cleanings and other efforts to limit germiness. But there’s plenty of other business news in town, too:

Wellesley Bank signs to disappear in fall

Wellesley Bank, which is getting gobbled up by Cambridge Trust, has disclosed to customers that its signs will be changing in October. Wellesley Bank opened its doors in 1911.

wellesley bank

Jhellen House of Beauty: From facials to waxing to massages

Jhellen

The awning for Glamour Tan is gone at 159 Linden St. and in its place is one for Jhellen House of Beauty, a new spa that does offer tanning services but plenty more, too, according to owner Jessica Hellen.

Services include micropigmentation, described as “semi-permanent drawing of eyelids, lips and eyebrows.” Facials, waxing, Swedish massage, make-up, hairdos, and coolsculpting are all on the menu of services.

Tanning sessions are walk-in, but all other services are by appontment, which you can make online or by phone.

Bertucci’s space: No restaurant, but at least a food-related firm

If you were holding out hope that the Bertucci’s space at Playhouse Square might become home to another restaurant, it’s time to focus your hopes elsewhere. But a business dubbed Grove Services that is moving into the space is at least in the food business: it’s an international frozen protein distributor and supplier.

President Victor Spivak started to make his mark in this industry back in the early 1990s, according to Grove Services, by developing a poultry business in Russia. Beef, grains and pork are also on this outfit’s menu.

Grove Services already has a spot at 100 William St., in Wellesley and it’s unclear whether it is moving or expanding into the Playhouse Square location (we’ve reached out).

One thing’s for sure: This business isn’t standard fare for Wellesley, as a quick scroll through its Instagram account reveals.

MassBay Registered Nursing Program Ranked #1 in Massachusetts

MassBay Wellesley, nursing MassBay Community College has been ranked as the #1 Registered Nursing (RN) Program in Massachusetts for 2020 by RegisteredNursing.org, a nursing advocacy organization.

MassBay Director of Nursing, Dr. Jean Dyer said, “Our Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program has had a 100% pass-rate for our graduates on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the past three years, and for the first time our Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program also earned a 100% first-time pass-rate, which speaks to the excellent education students receive at MassBay.”

Wellesley, Massachusetts college campuses: cornavirus updates

March 11, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

coronavirus image Dozens of colleges across the country have responded to coronavirus concerns by trading in classroom instruction for online learning, or by taking even stronger measures by requiring students to move out of dormitories. The three colleges located in Wellesley — Wellesley College, Babson College, and MassBay — have put forth three markedly different responses to what the Centers for Disease Control calls an “emerging, rapidly evolving situation.”

Wellesley College says it so far “has not yet made a decision to do remote instruction at Wellesley, but we are giving that option serious consideration and will make a decision by the end of this week” in response to coronavirus concerns. Students have not been asked to leave school.

The College has, however, decided to temporarily suspend access to events for visitors from outside the Wellesley College community. The Carillon Open Tower (March 12) and the Midday Muse (March 19) have been cancelled. As of now, later events such as concerts and recitals will take place as scheduled, but only Wellesley College students, faculty, and staff may attend (with College ID).

MassBay also continues to hold classes at its Wellesley location, as well as its Ashland and Framingham campuses, and says it is “actively monitoring the global, national and regional news and information around the COVID-19 disease. There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 among our students, faculty, or staff” as of March 10th. Students commute to the state school campuses, which do not have dormitories.

The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, in residence at MassBay, has pushed off its family concert scheduled for Sunday, March 15. The orchestra hopes to reschedule the event.

As we reported yesterday, Babson College in Wellesley has announced that all students must be out of residence halls by March 21, and that all classes will transition to fully online by March 13 and will remain online through the end of Spring semester.

Wellesley Symphony Orchestra to perform Family Concert on March 15

March 8, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Join the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 15, at 3pm at MassBay Community College, for its annual Family Concert.

Hosted by Sprague Elementary School music teacher Brian Hagar-McKee, the orchestra will play excepts from Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, and Suite Dreams by Lawrence Wolfe, a piece with a libretto by Stephen Gerber that introduces all of the sections of the orchestra.

Actress and soprano Nancy Hoffmann Gerber, whose husband Stephen and son Doug are both composers, will narrate and perform in Suite Dreams.

The concert, conducted by Maestros Max Hobart and John Masko, features the winner of the annual Michael H. Welles Young Soloist Competition, violinist John Matters, playing the first movement of the fiendishly difficult Paganini Violin Concerto. Other pieces on the program include Rossini’s light-hearted overture to The Barber of Seville and the ominous Berkshire Storms by Doug Gerber.

Before the concert at 2:15 PM groups of string, wind, brass and percussion players will play short pieces to introduce their instruments to the children. Because of concerns about coronavirus, the annual petting zoo has been canceled.

The performance is at MassBay Community College, 50 Oakland St.: introduction to the instruments at 2:15 PM, and the concert at 3. There is plenty of free parking. Tickets for the concert are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and free for children under 12 and may be purchased at Wellesley Books, Andrews Pharmacy, on-line, and at the door. Call 781-235-0515 or visit www.wellesleysymphony.org.

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MassBay celebrates Black History Month with event series open to public

February 5, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

From MassBay Community College:

MassBay’s Office of Diversity, Student Engagement, the Humanities and Social Sciences Academy, along with Human Resources, have collaborated on campus-wide programming to celebrate Black History Month. The events will be held every Wednesday during February:

Feb. 5 12:30 – 1:30pm, Room W306 – Past and Present: A Black Man’s Historical Narrative

Hear from Dr. Lynn Moore who will discuss growing up during the height of segregation in the south in the 1950’s and his experience migrating to New England in the 1970’s.

Feb. 12, 11am – 12:30pm, Wellesley Auditorium – A panel discussion with Massachusetts State Representative Russell Holmes, and Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer

The panel will be focused on African-American political affiliation and activism in light of the upcoming presidential election.

Feb. 19 1:30 – 2:30pm, Library Atrium – Your Superhero Power…. Your Voice

Kurt Faustin, founder of TriUmph, a professional development and leadership coaching company, will be hosting this workshop. Hear a variety of poetry and spoken word recitations, and feel free to join in with your own material at the open mic session.

Feb. 26, 1 – 2pm, Wellesley Auditorium – Fashion Show with STEP and Hip-Hop Performances

Watch hip-hop, a series of STEP performances, and a fashion show featuring student models hitting the runway wearing African-themed apparel by a local designer, Nathalia Jmag.

Wellesley Business Buzz: Vision Optics closing after 47 years; MassBay uses hoops to fund winter coats; Clever Hand has guests

January 30, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Our round-up of the latest Wellesley, Mass., retail and other business news:

Vision Optics closing after 47 years

Vision Optics, a glasses and contacts shop in the center of Wellesley Square at 63 Central St., has announced via a note on its front door that it is closing after 47 years in business “due to the changing retail landscape.” That would presumably include the rise in online retailers.

Vision Optics, like so many Wellesley businesses, emphasized the “luxury” services it provided. Optica in Natick will be the place to pick up any Vision Optics orders as of Feb. 1, according to the outgoing business.

One of the business’s co-owners passed away in 2015.

The departure of Vision Optics will leave J.P. Licks without neighbors on both sides, for now. Papyrus recently closed its Wellesley shop (and is closing all of its stores while filing for Chapter 11 bankrupty protection).

(Thanks to Swellesley reader LS for this tip.)

Vision Optics

Got tips on business openings, closings or whatever, feel free to email us here: [email protected]

Also email us if you’re interested in sponsoring our weekly Wellesley Business Buzz roundup.

MassBay uses hoops to fund winter coats

MassBay Community College’s student-run Business Club recently held a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and raised $593 to purchase winter coats for students in need. The money will be used to purchase 20 winter coats to be added to the on-campus coat racks for students to take or donate winter jackets. All remaining funds will be donated to the MassBay Student Hunger Assistance Fund.

The Business Club’s basketball tournament was held on Thursday, Dec. 12.

This was the second 3-on-3 basketball tournament the Business Club held this year. In spring 2019, the club held the first tournament, raising $843 for the Student Hunger Assistance Fund.

coat rack coat exchange(1)

Clever Hand welcomes guest metal artists

The Clever Hand Gallery in Wellesley Square (52 Central St.) will host 4 guest artists from Metalworx in Waltham—Carol Miller, Wendy Jo New, Shing Hsieh, and Sharon Stafford—through March 28. These jewelers have access to all sorts of fancy tools at Metalworx, and will be displaying their wares in Wellesley.

clever hand jewelry — Gingko Necklace by Shing Hsieh. Silver with enamel. Photo credit: Clever Hand Gallery

Open House with Guest Artists: Sunday, March 8, 2-4 PM

Wellesley College deepens relationship with Newton-Wellesley Hospital

Wellesley College is now offering health care services to its more than 2,400 students via a collaboration with Newton-Wellesley Collegiate Health, a service of Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Hospital providers are based at the school campus, providing students with convenient access to care.

The new service builds on an existing relationship between Wellesley College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital, which has been providing emergency care and outpatient services to Wellesley students for several years.