Things to Do this Week in Belmont: ‘Joyeux Le Quatorze Juillet!’, Talent at the Beech

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• Monday, July 14, is Bastille Day, the national holiday of France. But the French themselves don’t call today “la fête Bastille.”

Today is simply known as “la fête du 14-juillet” – the July 14th holiday – or more officially, “la fête nationale” – the National Holiday. In 1880, the French decided to celebrate a national holiday; July 14th eventually won out because it was the day of la Fête de la Fédération, a joyous celebration in 1790 that honored the new French Republic and commemorated the one year anniversary of the storming of the Bastille.

So the day is a holiday mostly concerning national pride and the values “liberté, fraternité, and égalité,” with a extravagant military parade in Paris, picnics, parties and fireworks. As for Belmont – yes, the town’s name is Old French for “beautiful mountain” – you can find some decent macaroons at LA Burdick Chocolate in Harvard Square.

• The Benton Library at Oakley and Old Middlesex will have pre-school summer story time on Tuesday, July 15 at 10:30 a.m. 

• The Beech Street Center is holding its second annual Talent Show this Tuesday, July 15 at 1:15 p.m. It was a great event last year so come by and enjoy singing, dancing, reading poetry … and who knows what else?

• The Belmont Public Library will be holding Noon Movies for Children onTuesday, July 15 at … noon in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• Einstein’s Workshop program for Young Adults (for kids 10 and older) will be making “Rubber Band Jewelry: The Rainbow Code” on Tuesday, July 15 in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library. Discover how to make rubber band bracelets without a loom, learn a few basic codes, and even begin to write your own! Registration is required so call 617-993-2870.

• Vermont’s PuppeTree gives a new twist to the classic Leo Lionni picture book “Swimmy” with a puppet show at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16 in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library.
• Learn your favorite tune in sign language as Sheryl White of Baby Kneads signs songs, stories and rhymes in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 17. 

• It’s game day this Friday at the Beech Street Center as it holds “Tea and Games on the Patio” on Friday, July 18 at 1 p.m. There will be scrabble, checkers, cribbage and Trivial Pursuit along with iced tea and some cookies.

Harness Your Interests by Applying for a Belmont Town Committee

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Have an interest in human rights? Do you love spreading the word on conservation? Is culture your thing? If you do possess these or many other skills and interests, the town’s leaders would like for you to consider using these talents to help run the town.

The Belmont Board of Selectmen has begun its annual committee appointment process. Soon, the selectmen will be making appointments to fill terms that are set to expire in 2014 and those that have been left vacant by resignations. Although an uncompensated position, the Board of Selectmen places a high value on committee contributions, and recognizes the critical role that committees play in shaping Belmont’s future.

The Board is looking for residents with a variety of talents and backgrounds who are willing to make the commitment to serving on a committee. Residents with no past committee service, past committee members, and current committee members interested in re-appointment are all encouraged to apply.

The number of appointments to be made, time commitment needed and preferred qualifications varies from committee to committee. The committees with vacancies or members with terms expiring in 2014 are:

  • Cable Television Advisory Committee
  • Community Preservation Committee
  • Conservation Commission
  • Council on Aging
  • Cultural Council
  • Disability Access Commission
  • Economic Development Advisory Committee
  • Education Scholarship Committee
  • Energy Committee
  • Historic District Commission
  • Housing Trust
  • Human Rights Commission
  • Land Management Committee for Lone Tree Hill
  • Municipal Light Advisory Board
  • Permanent Audit Committee
  • Planning Board
  • Property and Casualty Insurance Advisory Committee
  • Recreation Commission
  • Registrars Of Voters
  • Shade Tree Committee
  • Traffic Advisory Committee
  • Vision 21 Implementation Committee
  • Water Advisory Board
  • Zoning Board of Appeals

To be considered for appointment to any committees appointed by the Board of Selectmen, please fill out a Community Volunteer Interest Form that may be obtained from the Selectmen’s Office (second floor of Town Hall) or on the town’s website

2014 Committee Appointments – June 9-2.

Submit completed interest forms along with any other supporting documentation to the Office of the Board of Selectmen / Town Administrator or via e-mail to selectmen@belmont- ma.gov

Completed interest forms will be kept on file for one year. Please note that applying to be a committee member is not a guarantee of appointment. The Board of Selectmen will make all appointments in public meetings this summer.

Questions about committees or this appointment process may be addressed to Public Information Specialist Bob Reardon Jr. in the Office of the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator.

Belmont House of the Week: 44 Scott Road

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It’s a little bit of England on sale in Belmont as a rather unique brick English Cottage goes on the market on Scott Road just off Pleasant Street. Unlike the Colonial box-style that dominates the housing stock in the Town of Homes, this circa 1930 house is actually two Tudor-style “halls” connected at a right angle with cottage-like features such as steeply-pitched roof, cross-gables along with a solid front entry. It is also very English with a green rock garden (which reached its pinnacle in the Victorian-era) in the backyard. 

The first floor features custom wood-paneled living room with a stone fireplace, built-ins and windows that overlook the property’s 16,000-plus square foot lot. The dining room boasts two built-in china cabinets and period detail. Kitchen has a large eat-in area, granite counter tops, updated appliances and access to the patio. There are hardwood floors throughout the house.

Light abounds on the second floor which features master bedroom with bath and three additional bedrooms and updated family bath.

The basement includes a family room/playroom with its own fireplace.

  • Rooms: 8
  • Bedrooms: 4
  • Full Baths: 2
  • Partial Baths: 1
  • Square Footage: 2,368
  • Lot Size: .38 acres.

Listed at: $929,000.

Listed By: Lynn Findlay, sales associate, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

 

Yard Sales in Belmont, July 12-13

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Here are this weekend’s yard/moving/garage sales happening in the 02478 zip code:

•  9, 10 and 17 B streets, Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 99-101 Baker St., Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Elm St and Clarendon streets, Saturday, July 12, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 34 Warwick Rd., Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sold In Belmont: Town Field-Area Condos Lead Quiet Holiday Sales

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A weekly recap of residential properties bought in the past seven days in the “Town of Homes.”

37 Drew Rd. Single-floor condominium, Sold: $445,000. Listed at $449,000. Living area: 1,030 sq.-ft. 5 rooms; 2 bedrooms, 1 baths. On the market: 54 days.

26 Harris St. #B. Townhouse condominium, Sold: $691,000. Listed at $629,000. Living area: 1,844 sq.-ft. 6 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 60 days.

422 Pleasant St. Center-entrance Colonial (1932), Sold: $820,000. Listed at $795,000. Living area: 1,030 sq.-ft. 9 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 69 days.

Nice and Sharp: Knives and Other Appliances Sharpened at Farmers Market

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This week, among the growing number of produce and food stuffs, Market Day in Belmont will have Siraco Sharpening Service – been around the area for 61 years – which will reestablish a sharp edge to your knives, blades and gardening tools.

They’ll sharpen them while you shop at this week’s Belmont Farmers Market located in the municipal parking lot in Belmont Center at Cross Street and Channing Road from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Along with the regulars, this week the market hosts occasional vendors Turtle Creek Winery from Lincoln, Sara Ran Away with the Spoon, Wild Acre Inns and Seasoned and Spiced.

This week’s food truck is Benny’s Crepe Cafe, from 3 p.m. until the market’s closing.

Performers in the Events Tent


Joe Zarro, the pastor of Belmont’s Plymouth Congregational Church will be performing solo acoustic music, from classic rock to folk from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Chop Chop Magazine will have past and current issues, recipes and a cookbook from 3:00 – 5:00.

Storytime: Librarian Denise Shaver of the Belmont Public Library will be reading stories for preschool and older children from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tasting: Bellmont Caffe, which recently opened in Belmont Center, will offer samples from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Belmont DPW To Collect Storm Clean Up Through July 11

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The Belmont Department of Public Works will periodically collect tree branches that were brought downed from the July 3 storm until Friday, July 11.

The DPW asks that residents and businesses place broken branch ends along the street curb so they can be efficiently chipped by its machine. The DPW cannot collect tree stumps or any tree branch larger than six inches in diameter.

What’s Happening This Week: Starbucks Relocation (Part 3), Jenny the Juggler

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• The big meeting this week will occur at the Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday, July 9 at 7 p.m. as the board hears from the representatives of the Cushing Village complex in Cushing Square that wants to relocate for just about a year the Starbucks Cafe from its current location in the heart of Cushing Square to a temporary site at the corner of Belmont Street and Trapelo Road. This marks the third time the board will hear from the developer, Chris Starr of Smith Legacy Associates, and from residents who are concerned of parking, traffic and trash. If you stay after this part of the meeting, the board will take up a petition of a Hammond Road resident who wants to install a deck with a hot tub. My word!

• For people who live on School Street, the meeting of the Belmont Historic District Commission on Tuesday, July 8 at 7 p.m. should interest you as the commission will discuss the creation of a School Street Historic District. They will discuss the housing inventory in the proposed area.

• Tuesday Noon Movies at the Belmont Public Library on Tuesday, July 8 at noon will include:

  •    Pete’s a Pizza
  •    I Love You Like Crazy Cakes
  •    Three Cheers for Catherine the Great
  •    Pictures for Harold’s Room
  •    Corduroy

• Explore Israel through the memories and slides of Grace Taylor, Nava Niv-Vogel, and Dena Ressler at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., on Tuesday, July 8, 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Grace will share highlights from her trip and from her visits to the Christian sites. Nava will talk about her last trip this past May, some major places of interest and how they’ve changed since the time she lived there as small child, and Dena will share images of street scenes through the eyes of a newcomer during her first trip there in 2008. Bring your curiosity!

• Jenny the Juggler, Boston’s only professional female juggler, will be at the Belmont Public Library on Wednesday, July 9 from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to amaze everyone with her killer skills. You may even leave with a balloon animal!

• Matt Heaton brings music for preschoolers which is full of kid-friendly folk and surf-inspired original songs.  Come see why he is called the Toddlerbilly Troubadour on Thursday, July 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Belmont Public Library.

• The monthly movie at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., is “Forrest Gump” which will be screened on Friday, July 11, at 1 p.m. The 1994 American epic romantic comedy, which won six Academy Awards, was directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, and Sally Field.

Sold in Belmont: A Queen Anne Rules the Week

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A weekly recap of residential properties bought in the past seven days in the “Town of Homes.”

56 Fairmont St. Queen Anne Victorian (1893), Sold: $1,750,000. Listed at $1,799,000. Living area: 3,504 sq.-ft. 11 rooms; 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. On the market: 106 days.

337 Common St. Front-entry Colonial (1922), Sold: $868,000. Listed at $759,000. Living area: 1,844 sq.-ft. 8 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 67 days.

45 Winter St. Brick Colonial (1948), Sold: $765,000. Listed at $849,000. Living area: 2,279 sq.-ft. 10 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 81 days.

33-35 Wiley Rd. Two family (1925), Sold: $850,000. Listed at $819,000. Living area: 1,844 sq.-ft. 8 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 64 days.

31 Chester Rd., #2. Two-floor condominium, Sold: $565,000. Listed at $575,000. Living area: 1,788 sq.-ft. 8 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 77 days.

87 Douglas Rd. Center-enter Garrison Colonial (1938), Sold: $1,151,000. Listed at $999,000. Living area: 2,557 sq.-ft. 8 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 67 days.

Stock Up at the Belmont Farmers Market for the 4th Weekend!

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The 4th of July just might be a rain out. But with the 5th and 6th expecting to be sunny and warm, why not declare your independence from the kitchen and stock up at the Belmont Farmers Market on fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, fish and just about anything you need for a July cook out

The Belmont Farmers’ Market will be open during its regular hours from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today, Thursday, July 3.

Joining the regular group will be occasional vendors Still River, Sugar + Grain, Soluna Garden Farm and Bedford Blueberry Goat Farm.

As for the food truck, a new vendor, Rhythm ‘n Wraps, is a possibility.

Looking ahead to next week, Siraco Sharpening will be at the market on July 10; so bring whatever needs sharpening.

In the entertainment tent

Bob Leger, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Guitarist and singer Leger has played bass and toured with many rock and country bands. It’s his third season performing at the Belmont Farmers Market.

Storytime, 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Deborah Borsuk of the Belmont Public Library Children’s Department will be reading children’s books about farming and food.

Julia Lenef, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Julia has played violin since third grade. A Belmont High School graduate, she plays jazz, classical and occasional rock. Julia likes improvising as well as playing composed music. She looks forward to her return to the market for her sixth year.