Thursday, Dec. 1 – Street Design Improvements in Lynn – Birth Center Closes – Community News & Links

Weather – National Weather Service – Strong west winds will continue today, peaking between 10am and 6pm. High Temps today only in the 40s. After a break on Friday, similarly strong winds then return on Saturday. Find your forecast here: weather.gov/boston

Happy first day of meteorological Winter, southern New England! It’s feeling like winter out there today with brisk westerly winds. Winds will gust over 40mph across the high terrain of western & central MA today, so be sure to hold onto your hat if you are spending time outside!

Community News Notes – Photos – Sports

Destination Salem – Happy December! Things are starting to look very festive here around town. Even Samantha is getting into the holiday spirit: Kathryn Horrigan / Destination Salem

City of Newburyport – We’re looking for Snow Angels to take care of sidewalks for seniors and those with physical disabilities this winter. For more information, visit here: newburyportyouthservices.com/community/the- You can find the sign-up link here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI

Manchester-by-the-Sea -The Manchester Council on Aging presents Charles Dickens as never seen before! Free to the public on Thursday, December 1 at 2 PM. The Delvana Theater Company will give a live performance featuring monologues and scenes that embody the characters that he so richly created.

Peabody Institute Library – oin us on Monday, December 19 for the grand finale of our fall concert series with Dance Caliente! Sign up here: peabodylibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/pil-f

Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson – On November 22nd, my administration proposed an inclusionary zoning ordinance to the City Council—a tool that can be used to leverage market-rate housing development to create affordable housing opportunities for Lynn residents and push towards inclusive growth.

Gloucester Fire Department Shares Holiday Fire Safety Tips for Decorating This Season

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith and the Gloucester Fire Department would like to provide community members with important fire prevention tips to remember when decorating this holiday season.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments across the country responded to an average of 790 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees, in 2015-2019. During that same period, fire departments also responded to an average of 160 home fires per year that were started by Christmas trees.

While it is fun to decorate homes for the holidays, the Gloucester Fire Department wishes to share the following holiday fire safety tips from the NFPA:

Christmas Tree Safety
According to the NFPA, nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by decorative lights. To prevent your tree from catching on fire, the Gloucester Fire Department offers the following tips:

Choose a tree with fresh, green needles. The needles should not fall off when touched.
Cut two inches off of the bottom of the trunk.
Place the tree a minimum of three feet away from any heat source, including fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents and lights.
Do not place the tree in an area where it may be blocking an exit.
Add water to the tree stand daily. A dry tree is dangerous because it can catch on fire easily.
Check whether your string lights are intended for indoor use and use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
Check your holiday lights to make sure they are not worn and do not have broken cords or loose bulb connections. Review the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
Never decorate a tree with lit candles.
Always turn off the lights on your tree before going to bed or leaving home.
Dispose of your tree after Christmas or when it becomes dry. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard. Do not keep a tree that has become dried out in your home or garage or lean it up outside against your home.

Candle Safety
Candle fires peak in December and January with 11% of candle fires reported in each of these months according to the NFPA. During this time, Christmas is the peak day for candle fires with roughly 2.5 times the daily average. To ensure your candles do not start a fire, consider the following:

Keep children and pets away from lit candles. Consider using battery operated candles around children.
Place candles in a sturdy candle holder and on a surface that is also sturdy and uncluttered.
Place candles a minimum of one foot away from anything flammable.
When lighting a candle, take care to keep your hair and loose clothing away from the flame.
Do not burn a candle all the way down. Before it gets too close to the holder or container, put it out.
Never use candles if a member of your household uses oxygen.
Matches and lighters should be stored in a locked cabinet.
An adult should supervise any time candles are being used.
Do not pass handheld candles from one person to another.
Do not place lit candles in windows where a curtain or blind could catch fire.
Blow out candles before you leave a room or go to sleep.
Avoid using candles in areas where people may fall asleep, such as bedrooms.
Residents are reminded to test their smoke alarms monthly.

General Holiday Decoration Safety Tips
Community members should also be mindful of the decorations, such as figures or string lights, they’re displaying around their homes this holiday season.

Seek out holiday decorations that are flame resistant.
Be careful about the placement of decorations and be sure to keep them away from lit candles and other heat sources.
When using string lights outside, make sure they are designed to be used outdoors. Some string lights are designed for indoor use only.
Hang lights using clips, not nails, so that the cords do not get damaged.
Do not place decorations in the way of windows and doors.
Before going to sleep or leaving your home, turn off all light strings and decorations.

For any other questions on holiday fire safety please visit NFPA.org or contact the Gloucester Fire Department at 978-325-5300.

Sports

Endicott Men’s Basketball Wins

BEVERLY— The Endicott men’s basketball team defeated Salve Regina, 78-73, in conference action on Wednesday night at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

Jalen Echevarria (Lynn), Jeff Hill (Lynn), and Matt Garry (Southington, Conn.) all scored in double figures for the Gulls.

Echevarria led the trio with 25 points, while Hill and Garry poured in 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Endicott Women’s Basketball Wins

NEWPORT, R.I. — Sarah Dempsey (Windham, N.H.) and Tara Laugeni (Woodbridge, Conn.) combined for 40 points and 21 rebounds to lead the Endicott women’s basketball team past Salve Regina, 68-59, in conference action on Wednesday night at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

Dempsey produced a game-high 21 points and nine rebounds, while Laugeni collected 19 points (season-high) and 12 rebounds (team-high).

Lynn Tech Athletics – Congrats to Tyler David, selected as Co-MVP of CAC Small

Peabody Youth Girls Lacrosse – Registration is open!!! Please visit pyg-lax.com for more information and all players will need to register to participate in any of the programs below.