1. West Nile Virus – which as killed two dozen people nationwide this summer – has been detected in mosquitoes in Belmont. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 and under the age of two are at higher risk for severe infection. Go to the Health Deaprtment's website for more information on protecting yourself and loved ones from the virus. 

2. Student fees for all activities at Belmont High School in the Fine and Performing Arts and Fall Athletics – which includes football, soccer, volleyball, field hockey, girls swimming, cross country, cheerleading and golf – were due Aug. 15. Belmont Public Schools parents may now pay most school-related fees online. This service has been established to create a centralized and more efficient collection system.

3. Belmont Partners in Play is a new "Friends" organization created to promote the health and well being of Belmont residents by supporting safe and desirable parks and recreation facilities. For more information or to participate in this effort, visit its website or contact Ellen Schreiber at ellensch@verizon.net or 617-290-6216.

4. Got a new digital camera but want to know how to use it? The Beech Street Center has two classes: “Get the most out of your digital camera,” and “Photoshop Elements for Digital Photos.” with instructor David Ching on Mondays and Wednesdays by appointment. Call 617-993-2970 for an appointment for either of these tutorials. For computer and digital photography tutoring, recommended donations to the Belmont Council on Aging of $10 are gratefully accepted.

5. On this day in 1858, Charles Darwin publishes his theory of evolution through natural selection in The Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London.