Secrets of a Professional Christmas Tree Decorator

Tips for making your tree the best it can be this holiday season.

Rule No. 1 for decorating a Christmas tree: Anything goes. Sandy Baldwin has served as the Christmas buyer at Russell's Garden Center in Wayland for the past 17 years. Understandably, she knows a thing or two about decking the halls. "The biggest mistake is biting off more than you can chew," Baldwin said. She doesn't believe that a room with a cathedral ceiling must have a cathedral-ceiling height tree. If a 6-foot tree is all you're willing to decorate, Baldwin said, than a 6-foot tree is the right height for you. Here are some additional tips when it comes to decorating your own tree. Keep in mind, these are general rules of thumb. It's really all about what you like, Baldwin said. Lighting - Estimate using 100 lights per linear foot. …

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Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Francis Food Mart

This older-style supermarket has a deli counter in it, with fresh-roasted meats, fresh-made salads, homemade sandwiches and subs and hearty winter stews.

This "convenience store" — it's a supermarket from the 1950s — has a deli area with a good assortment of sandwiches, subs, pre-cooked dishes and salads. All the food is made in-house by Karyl, the woman who will probably be serving you as well. What to eat: The meats at Francis Food Mart, 1084 Belmont St., are particularly good, with the roast beef and turkey cooked right in the store. There are both standard hot and cold subs and sandwiches, like ham and cheese, meatballs, chicken salad, egg salad and macaroni salad, and weekly specials, such as chicken cutlet, tomato and cucumber salad and fried zucchini. The vibe: The deli counter is a flashback to the 1950s, with friendly and prompt service by someone who actually makes the food. Cool …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Ann Ashes Asks Town Officials to Oppose Walmart

The Bellevue Road resident does not want to see small businesses undercut by large corporations.

Dear Officials: I have lived in Watertown for 35 years. During that time I have seen wonderful small businesses (pharmacies, grocers) undercut by large corporations as well as thoughtful, responsible development at the former Arsenal site. Therefore, I am a great supporter of the new town development plan which takes many perspectives into account. Watertown's needs and distinctive qualities have been well represented therein. It was with shock that I recently learned, through Sustainable Watertown, that Walmart has been leasing space along Arsenal Street. This presence bodes poorly for our town's future and must be addressed in a transparent manner by the town. We must adopt and enforce the town planning document and its recommendation …

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Sports Authority Will Replace Filene's Basement at Watertown's Arsenal Mall

The national sporting-goods chain will replace the discount closing store, which recently announced its closing at the end of 2011.

Sports Authority will move into the spot that Filene's Basement will soon vacate, the owners of the Arsenal Mall announced Wednesday, Nov. 9. Simon Property Group Inc.'s press release says the sporting goods chain will open a 33,000-square-foot store in Watertown by the spring of 2012. The store will replace Filene's Basement which is slated to close at the end of 2011. “We are proud to welcome one of America’s leaders in sporting goods to Arsenal Mall,” said Cindy Kernan, Leasing Representative at Simon Property Group. “We’re continually listening to our customers’ feedback and working to ensure our retail mix is fresh. Sports Authority will provide a wide variety of quality, brand-name sporting goods for the Watertown area community,” …

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Local Business: Artists Selling Works in Newton, a Rebranding and Cancer Walkers.

Two Watertown artists will be part of an artists' cooperative at the Chestnut Hill Mall, Belmont Saving's new look and Emerson Village team raises money to fight cancer.

Watertown residents Erik Hahr and Kristin Knudson-Groh are among the members of Sign of the Dove Holiday Artisans' Cooperative who are celebrating a return to The Mall at Chestnut Hill on Friday, Nov. 11, according a release. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments and live music at the store’s opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Now in its 40th year, the gallery of fine crafts from more than 50 local artists opens on November 3 and closes on Christmas Eve. Works in glass, fiber, jewelry, photography and much more are available. Store Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun., noon-6 p.m.; extended holiday hours Thanksgiving weekend and in December. 617-965-0167; www.signofthedoveco-op.com. Belmont Savings' New Look …

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Independent Businesses Banding Together to Form Watertown Local First

The new group was announced at the meeting of residents concerned about the possibility of Walmart coming to town.

Owners of independent businesses in town will join together to create Watertown Local First as a reaction to the possibility of Walmart moving into the community. Don Levy, owner of the Deluxe Town Diner, told those at the Sustainable Watertown forum on the proposed box store about the effort. “I live and work in Watertown and I would like to be able to keep serving the community as we do,” Levy said. “Local First aims to keep people buying from local stores, to keep people going to local restaurants.” Watertown Local First will hold a founding meeting on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at First Parish Church. Watertown’s group will be modeled on other Local First movements across the country. Locally, Cambridge and Somerville have successful efforts, …

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