News Briefs

Fifth annual free dining out event for veterans

All veterans are invited to the  Fifth Annual Free Dining Out event that will be held on Friday, Nov. 10 from 6 – 8 p.m. The dinner will be held at the Center Café, 36 Woodside Ave.

For more information or RSVP contact Rose at 617-846-3065 by Nov. 6.

 

Learn about storytelling

The Winthrop Library is hosting an evening about Storytelling on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. This program is for teens and adults. The evening will be led by storyteller Julie Baker.

 

Veterans Day Services

The Town of Winthrop Veterans Day will be held Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. on the Winthrop Town Hall Lawn. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the Methodist Church that is located across from Town Hall.

 

Cruise Planners and Viking Cruises Invite you to an event: River Cruise Night

Join Cathy Sheehan of Cruise Planners for an evening learning about Viking River Cruises on Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. in The Barn at Deane Winthrop House on Shirley Street.

Seating is limited so make your reservations now!

Call Cathy at 617-642-0846 or email her at: [email protected].

 

Author to speak Nov. 9 at Library

Author James Wright will discuss hiss new book, “Enduring Vietnam: An American Generation and its War.” Winthrop resident and library trustee Donald Sullivan, who was an officer in the Army at Hamburger Hill during the Vietnam War, is referenced in the book. The talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, and is sponsored by the Friends of the Winthrop Public Library.

 

LOCAL ACTIVITIES AT DCR STATE PARKS

Join a DCR Park interpreter in East Boston, Revere, Winthrop to learn about the wonderful natural history of your state parks.  All programs are free and open to the public. All ages and experience levels are welcome.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. For program cancellations phone 978-937-2094 ext. 121, one hour before start time. Rain cancels.  Bring water.  Strongly recommend sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and footwear suitable for walking on the beach, and on paths.  For more information phone (781) 485-2804 ext. 105 or email [email protected]. For a listing of programs at other DCR state parks visit   https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-conservation-recreation.

Activities at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation


An Oasis for Wildlife   
Saturdays, Nov.  4 and 18, 8-9 a.m. 
Discover the abundant birdlife at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, a restored wildlife sanctuary. We will walk while birding for a distance of a mile on easy level terrain. Some binoculars and a spotting scope will be provided, but please bring these items if you have them.  Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Meet at: Main parking lot near the bulletin board, located on Bennington Street, East Boston between address 1236 Bennington St., East Boston and 173 Bennington St., Revere. Parking is on a paved lot and free of charge.   Accessible by public transportation: MBTA Blue Line, Beachmont Station. Exit station, turn right, at intersection cross State Road/Bennington Street, travel right along Bennington Street to park entrance on the left. Visit www.MBTA.com for bus and train information.

Co-sponsored by the Friends of  Belle Isle Marsh.

At Revere Beach

Reservation


Go Green on Black Friday Walk at Revere Beach  
Friday,  Nov. 24, 9-11  a.m.     
Get outside and stretch your legs on Black Friday.  We will walk for a distance of about 3 miles round trip over beach sand.  Terrain may be uneven.

Meet at:  Outside at One Eliot Circle, Revere MA (The tan DCR building at the corner 
of  Dolphin Avenue).  Free Parking available along Revere Beach Boulevard.  Accessible by Public Transportation:  MBTA Blue line Revere Beach Station, turn right on Revere Beach Boulevard and walk to One Eliot Circle, Revere, MA. Visit www.MBTA.com  for bus and train information (schedule, route and fees).


Birds at Winthrop Beach

Avian Delights
Saturday, Nov. 25 3-4 p.m. (afternoon)
Observe water birds and learn about their adaptations for survival as we walk on the beach sand for a distance of up to one mile.  Terrain can be uneven.  Some binoculars and a spotting scope will be provided but please bring these items if you have them.    
 
Meet at: Winthrop Beach on Winthrop Shore Dr. across from Sturgis Street and 62 Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop.  On street parking is available free of charge.  Accessible by public transportation:  Paul Revere Transportation bus 712 or 713 Point Shirley-Orient Heights, arrive at the Winthrop Beach stop then walk down Sturgis Street, Winthrop (If traveling from outside Winthrop, board the bus at the MBTA Orient Heights station on the blue line). Visit www.MBTA.com for bus and train information (schedule, route and fees).   
 
Co-sponsored by the Friends of  Belle Isle Marsh.

 

RMV ANNOUNCES REALID DEADLINE

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) announced that Massachusetts citizens or lawfully-present residents will have up to Oct. 1, 2020, to obtain a REAL ID to travel in the U.S. by airplane or enter certain U.S. government buildings, following a compliance extension by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The one-year, compliance extension grants the RMV additional time to implement federal requirements and ensure that the agency is prepared to begin to issue REAL ID license and identification (ID) cards on March 26, 2018.

REAL ID is a new type of driver’s license or identification (ID) card that the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is implementing under federal law for citizens or lawfully present residents. The extension means Massachusetts license or ID card holders may use their existing valid license or ID for purposes of entering a federal building or for traveling by air through October 1, 2020. Residents who have a valid U.S. passport or passport card will never need a REAL ID.

REAL ID is a requirement of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, which sets security and identity standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards, including lawful presence.  On Oct. 1, 2020, a valid U.S or foreign passport, U.S. passport card, military ID, or a driver’s license that is REAL ID compliant, will be required to enter U.S. government buildings and to board flights within the U.S.   After Oct. 1, 2020, current Massachusetts driver’s licenses and ID cards will no longer be accepted in instances when a REAL ID credential is necessary.

The RMV encourages license and/or ID card holders to visit www.mass.gov/realID to learn more and to use the REAL ID Wizard to help determine if a REAL ID credential is appropriate for that citizen or lawfully-present resident.  The REAL ID Wizard can be navigated in about one minute with respondents able to answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no.”

The RMV is making it easier for customers to get ready for their driver’s license or ID card application or renewal. Starting on March 26, 2018, the RMV will launch an online service that allows customers to complete most of their application at home, saving time in the service center.

“While Massachusetts customers do not need a REAL ID until Oct. 1, 2020 to travel domestically by air or enter federal buildings, the RMV is committed to making REAL ID licenses and ID cards available on March, 26 2018 as new or renewed credentials are sought,” said RMV Registrar Erin Deveney. “We encourage everyone to go online first and save time, and will continue to communicate compliance and implementation updates throughout this process.”

A comprehensive, state-wide communication outreach program, called REAL ID, REAL Answers, will begin this fall to educate Massachusetts license or ID card holders in regard to the information they need about REAL ID. Advertising will occur in print, on broadcast outlets, on billboards, at service stations, convenience and liquor stores, malls and movie theaters, as well as other sites. In additional, social media communication channels will be utilized, including, MassDOT Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  RMV outreach information will be in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Anyone with questions about REAL ID should visit: www.mass.gov/realID.

Additional information can be found on the website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs.

 

HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST HANDICAP PARKING FRAUD

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and State Rep. RoseLee Vincent joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts House to pass legislation that authorizes the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to investigate charges that someone has falsely obtained, or is falsely using, a handicap parking placard or license plate. It also allows the RMV to require documentation when determining if an applicant is eligible for a handicap plate or placard.

“The improper use of handicapped parking is not only disrespectful, it is dangerous,” said Speaker DeLeo. “This legislation will help ensure that individuals with disabilities and limitations have access to the appropriate parking accommodations. I thank Chairman Straus for his vigilance on this matter.”

“Fraudulent use of a handicap placard is morally wrong, and as such, penalties should be increased for people who misuse them,” said Rep. Vincent.  “I want to thank Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Straus for bringing forward this legislation which will hopefully curtail the improper use of handicap placards and protect parking spots for those who truly need them.”

This bill creates fines for intentionally making false statements to obtain a handicap plate or placard: $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense.