A Canning That Facilitated a Civil War, Early Release For All Schools, Language of Flowers

Author Stephen Puleo returns to Belmont to speak about his latest book, "The Caning: The Assault that Drove America to Civil War" at 7:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library. Sponsored by the Belmont Historical Society, Puleo – whose book "Dark Tide: The Great Molasses Flood of 1919," was the "One Book, One Belmont" selection of 2011 – will speak about the day in 1856 when pro-slavery Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina strode into the United States Senate Chamber and delivered a vicious beating to renowned anti-slavery Massachusetts Sen. Charles Sumner with a gold-topped walking cane.

It's an Early Release Wednesday for all of Belmont's six schools. 10:30 a.m. for High School, 11 a.m. for Chenery Middle School and 11:40 a.m. for elementary schools with the exception of the Winn Brook which releases at 10 minutes until noon.

The Community Path Advisory Committee will be meeting at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Gallery of Art on the third floor of the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex. They will discuss the questionnaire results, evaluating potential routes and go over the make up of the forum with abutters scheduled for January. 

The Belmont Book Discussion group will discuss "The Language of Flowers," by Vanessa Diffenbaugh from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Flett Room. Everyone is welcome to attend. Copies can be requested through the library catalog or call the Reference staff for assistance at 617-993-2870.

The Belmont Public Library is seeking inventors of all ages to join them in exploring MaKey MaKey, a simple Invention Kit which can turn everyday objects into touchpads or a game controller. Play "PacMan" with pencil and paper. Tinker with Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) to create your own video game. You will ve inventing on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room today, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11. Sign up for one or all sessions. Space is limited and registration is required. Click 617-993-2870 or sign up online.