15+ Things To Know This Week In Tewksbury

Rep. Howard hosts spice drive, TPD Junior Police Academy will run for three weeks

The Tewksbury Police Department will run the third annual Jr. Police Academy this summer. This free program is open to incoming 5th to 8th graders who are Tewksbury residents. Due to the tremendous growth and popularity of the program, Chief Columbus is pleased to announce that this year the Jr. Police Academy will run for three weeks: July 17 – 21, July 24 – 29 and July 31 – August 4.

Details still are being finalized, and updates will be provided. Families interested in the program should save one of the weeks above and watch for details on how to register. Last year’s academy featured physical fitness and health and wellness classes, criminal law, investigations and cyber safety, CPR and first aid, drug and alcohol awareness, domestic violence, motor vehicle law, the K-9 Unit, the Drone Unit and mental health, with numerous hands-on activities.

On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tewksbury’s newest Rep. Vanna Howard will host a spice drive with the Coalition for A Better Acre. Some highly requested items, like salt and pepper, cooking oil, jarred spices and fish and soy sauce, will greatly improve the flavor and variety of foods that can be made on a budget and ensure that culturally significant dishes can be prepared by everyone. Residents can drop items at 450 Merrimack St. in Lowell on Saturday. Or, bring items by our pop-up collection location — the former Auntie Dog studio adjacent to Kyoto at 1487 Main St. — on Friday from 6 – 8 p.m., along with donations for our own pantry if desired, and they will be dropped off.

Monday, Jan. 23

Dine-In/Pick-Up for TMHS Track
When: 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. today and tomorrow
Where: Capellini’s

Please consider grabbing lunch or dinner January 23 or 24 at Capellini’s Italian Restaurant. Mention that you are supporting the TMHS Track & Field, and 15% of your purchase will be donated to the booster program. There are limited Italian restaurants open on Mondays, so take advantage of this authentic Italian cuisine that has been a staple in the community since 1995. 

Dine-In/Pick-Up/Delivery for Tewksbury Garden Club
When: 10:00 a.m. – 9 p.m. today, tomorrow and Wednesday
Where: Wicked Cheesy

If a pizza or sub is more your taste, Wicked Cheesy will donate 15% of your purchase to the Tewksbury Garden Club. No flyer is needed, just mention the club.

Explore FREE Career (and Other) Resources From The BPL
When: 2 – 3 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

Join the staff from the Boston Public Library to learn about many free career-related resources and events offered by the BPL’s Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center. The Library and Innovation Center offers free services to job seekers, entrepreneurs, investors, nonprofits, inventors, and media creators. Many of these resources and services are available in-person and virtually to anyone who lives or works in Massachusetts. Led by the Boston Public Library’s Workforce Development Librarian Karie Schulenburg.

See all the events for kids, teens and adults at the Tewksbury Public Library here.

Townwide PAC
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Center Elementary School

After an address by Superintendent Brenda Regan, members of the PAC for the new school will reorganize, discuss recruitment and take a tour of the new school. Agenda

Planning Board
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

Among other items, the Planning Board will hear the first proposal for a retail marijuana dispensary, at the former Sal’s Pizza location on Main St. The board will also get an update on the longstanding feud over a lot at the end of Foster Lane. Those parties will also appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals later this week. Agenda

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Teen Event: Sticker Mosaics
When: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Library

There are a few spots left for today’s in-person craft for teens in grades six to 12. Register now before they’re gone!

Shawsheen Tech School Committee
When: 7 p.m. or YouTube
Where: Shaw Tech conference room

The Shawsheen Tech School Committee, which includes a rep from Tewksbury, will hear about admissions, staffing requests and, possibly, progress on a new facility. You can watch the last meeting here.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Conservation Commission
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall

The commission will address nine requests and notices. Agenda

VIRTUAL: An Inside Look At The Ransomware Hunting Team Fighting Against Cybercrime Around The Globe
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Golden and Pulitzer Prize finalist Renee Dudley will deliver a presentation based on their new book, The Ransomware Hunting Team: A Band of Misfits’ Improbable Crusade to Save the World from Cybercrime, in this ZOOM webinar. 

Select Board
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

The Select Board will meet on a Wednesday to hear new plans from Tree House Brewing Co. and a 2024 budget presentation from the Town Manager.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Sleeping Well /  Living Well Workshop
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Senior Center

The Council on Aging is running two workshops per month as part of a grant received in collaboration with the Chelmsford, Dracut and Billerica COA’s. In January the workshops will be focused on taking time for yourself. This week’s workshop will be about sleeping well and living well. Keep an eye out for future workshops as well. We will be having two per month through the month of June.

Blood Drive
When: 2 – 7 p.m. AND Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Masonic Hall, 70 Victor Dr.

Find local opportunities for blood donation at redcrossblood.org or by calling 800-733-2767. 

Friday, Jan. 27

1-on-1 Tech Help
When: 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Where: Library

The Tewksbury Public Library is now offering 1-on-1 tech help to seniors. Drop-in on Tuesdays, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., or Fridays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Visit the second-floor Reference Desk to check in. Sessions will last up to 30 minutes. No registration required. First come, first served.

This assistance is an idea endorsed by the Board of Health; learn more about the most recent BoH meeting here.

Film Screenings: Tar
When: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Library; 2 p.m. at Senior Center

Enjoy a screening of one of Hollywood’s newest DVD releases — Tar. Set in the international world of Western classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár, widely considered one of the greatest living composer-conductors and first-ever female music director of a major German orchestra. Starring Cate Blanchett. Rated R. 158 minutes. Drama. Refreshments and suggested donations vary. 

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Tewksbury Lions Club.

Senior Center showing: Doors will open at 1:45 p.m. Register here.

Library showing: Doors will open at 10:15 a.m. Register here and 6:45 p.m. Register here.

Popup Spice and Food Drive Collection
When: 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: The former Auntie Dog studio adjacent to Kyoto at 1487 Main St.

Residents who wish to donate items for Saturday’s spice drive can drop them at our pop-up collection site on Friday, the former Auntie Dog studio adjacent to Kyoto at 1487 Main St. Team Carnation will pack them up and deliver them on Saturday to our neighbors in Lowell. If you want to bring items for the Tewksbury Community Pantry, we’ll drop those items also!

Weekend

Teen Movie: Black Adam (Grades 6-12)
When: 2:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Where: Library

Join us for snacks and a movie on the big screen as we watch Black Adam! Black Adam is rated PG-13 and run time is 2 hours.  This event is open to teens in grades 6-12 only. Spaces are limited so sign up soon. This program is supported by the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library.

Shibori – Japanese Dyeing with Indigo
When: Sunday 1:30 – 4:30
Where: Lowell Makes, 130 Western Ave., Lowell

Come for a fun, relaxing, and messy afternoon as we explore the Japanese art of Shibori led by Tewksbury resident Christy Matte.

Shibori is a collection of fabric dying resist techniques that result in beautiful and sometimes highly intricate patterns. Tie-dyeing falls into this grouping, but we’ll go beyond those familiar designs as we work with synthetic indigo to create gorgeous blue works of art. The resulting pieces can be used as fabric for things like pillows and curtains, or just enjoyed as wall decor. You can also dye clothing, bags, and other items made out of natural fibers.

Tickets are $75 for non-members, plus a $10 materials fee. Members receive a 20% discount on their ticket. Full details available via the ticketing link. 

Chocolate Expo
When: Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Shriner’s Auditorium

Enjoy tastings & sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, ready-to-eat foods, local craft beverages and more. Meet actor Paris Themmen, who starred as “Mike TeeVee” in the original “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” movie with the legendary Gene Wilder.

The Chocolate Expo will feature performances, demonstrations and lectures including comedy mentalism & magic shows by Peter Gross of the Boston Hysterical Society. For children, we’ll have free face painting, balloon twisting and craft activities.

“Timed-entry” tickets at this location will help to ensure a smoother flow of guest arrivals throughout the day, but guests can stay as long as they like once inside the event. VIP ticket holders can arrive at any time during the day.

For more details, please see our website at: http://www.ChocolateExpo.com.