What to Do Today: Stop Identity Theft at the Beech, Yoga for All

By Leave a Comment

This week’s “Noon Movies for Children” – hosted by the Belmont Public Library at noon in the Assembly Room – will be:

  •    Goodnight Gorilla
  •    Picnic
  •    The Napping House
  •    Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
  •    Curious George Rides a Bike

• The Belmont Senior Center welcomes the Better Business Bureau for a talk on “Stopping Identity Theft” at 1:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. The talk will discuss the most common tactics identity thieves are using to steal personal information and the precautionary steps seniors can take to protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent activity.

• Yoga for everyone at the Beech Street Center from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: join Susan Harris, a registered yoga teacher and associate professor of Nutrition at Tufts University for this Iyengar-inspired class which practices yoga postures slowly and with attention to alignment and safety, adapted to the abilities and needs of individual students. Practice is done with bare feet; mats and props are provided. Cost: $15/class. Non-seniors, beginners and experienced are welcome. This is a non-Council on Aging class held at the Beech Street Center. For more information, call Susan at 617-407-0816.

Unchallenged, Belmont’s State Legislators Re-Election Secured Early

By Leave a Comment

It’s a fairly good bet that Belmont residents will be coming out in large numbers for this year’s primary (Sept. 9) and general (Nov. 4) elections. With wide-open contests for most of the big state offices including governor and plenty of ballot questions – a statewide casino ban and paid sick leave – voters should be staying up into the night viewing results.But it will be early evenings for Belmont’s Beacon Hill representatives; while there’s tremendous interest in a wide array of political races on the 2014 ballot, State Sen. Will Brownsberger and State Rep. Dave Rogers find their re-election paths unimpeded by potential challengers for their elected offices.

For Brownsberger – who represents the 2nd Suffolk & Middlesex which includes his Belmont hometown, Watertown and precincts in Boston and Cambridge – after seemingly running continuously for the past several election cycles, “[i]t’s a relief.

“I’ve had a campaign every year in each of the last four years and I welcome the breather,” said won a special election for his current seat in early 2012 but was defeated last year in the race to replace Edward Markey in the US House of Representatives.

For Rogers, who won the seat in a 2012 special election to replace Brownsberger representing the House’s 24th Middlesex, the “ABC” district – comprising precincts in Arlington, Belmont and parts of Rogers’ hometown of Cambridge – while he enjoys campaigning, there is the downside of gladhanding with residents.

“It is a highly time-intensive activity that inevitably would distract any incumbent candidate from the substantive aspects of the job.”

While seemingly minor open races – such as for Lt. Governor – have people willing to throw their hats into those rings, potential challengers to Brownsberger and Rogers would be required to take on an incumbent who have solid support in their districts for their steady, if workaday, legislative records.

“It is hard to say why I do not have an opponent without getting into random speculation,” said Rogers.

“But I hope that, in part, it is a reflection of the considerable effort I am putting forth on behalf of the people I represent, effort that has yielded a number of important, positive developments for our community,” said Rogers, who points to boosting public transportation and public education funding, increasing the minimum wage to the highest in the nation as recent accomplishments.

“Hopefully, people feel I’m doing a good job,” suggested Brownsberger.

In addition, the legislators have the ability to raise the cash needed to run a primary campaign. I probably didn’t go unnoticed by anyone with political ambitions in the “ABC” district that popular Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick would come straight from Logan to highlight Rogers’ fundraiser earlier in the year.

With re-election all but certain, Brownsberger and Rogers are gearing up for the next legislative year in advance of the election of a new governor.

“I’m getting more done than ever before,” said Brownsberger, who was recently appointed by Senate leadership to co-chair the prominent Judiciary Joint Committee.

“I feel I’m hitting my stride and taking on a lot of responsibility in the legislature. I am delivering a lot of value for my district and the Commonwealth,” he said.

“When Patrick came to Belmont in April to endorse me at my re-election campaign kickoff, he told a large, enthusiastic crowd that I had shown political courage on Beacon Hill. I had championed the values and voted for the public policy goals about which my constituents care, even when at times under fairly intense pressure to vote a different way,” said Rogers.

“I believe that I have hit the ground running, and I look forward to continuing service to the community. It’s very hard work, but it’s also a great honor, deeply rewarding and a lot of fun,” he said.

Things to Do this Week in Belmont: Tiny Circus, Yoga at the Beech, Keep Your ID

By Leave a Comment

• The Belmont Board of Selectmen will be hearing a request from contractors to do night-time construction work along Trapelo Road on Monday, July 21 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. The additional work is likely required due to the Trapelo/Belmont Corridor is now running slightly behind schedule. 

• The Belmont Senior Center welcomes the Better Business Bureau for a talk on “Stopping Identity Theft” on Tuesday, July 22 at 1:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. The talk will discuss the most common tactics identity thieves are using to steal personal information and the precautionary steps seniors can take to protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent activity.

• Yoga for everyone at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, July 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: join Susan Harris, a registered yoga teacher and associate professor of Nutrition at Tufts University for this Iyengar-inspired class which practices yoga postures slowly and with attention to alignment and safety, adapted to the abilities and needs of individual students. Practice is done with bare feet; mats and props are provided. Cost: $15/class. Non-seniors, beginners and experienced are welcome. This is a non-Council on Aging class held at the Beech Street Center. For more information, call Susan at 617-407-0816.

• The Belmont High School Teen Techs are back at the Belmont Public Library to help residents and patrons who are looking for help with computers, the internet, e-readers, tablets and the hows and whys of the social media world. The crew will be doing their tech wizardry on Wednesday, July 23 from 11 a.m. to noon in the Young Adult Room. Register online, stop by the reference desk to register in person or call 617-993-2870 to register by phone.

• Circus Minimus is an entire circus that emerges from a single suitcase including a tent, a family of acrobats and much more. Come see this circus “unfold” on Wednesday, July 23 from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. 

• With so much going on around the world, this might be the week to join Hot Topics, the Beech Street Center’s current events group, taking place on Thursday, July 24 at 10 a.m. at 266 Beech St. 

• Here is a silly puppet adventure for families: Sylvie the Squirrel will discover a whole magical world while searching for her stolen underpants at the Belmont Public Library on Thursday, July 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Assembly Room.

Belmont House of the Week: 22 Vernon Rd.

By Leave a Comment

So what constitutes “The Middle” of the Belmont housing market? With the median price of a Belmont residence hovering around $777,000, it is always interesting to see just what the “average” home that’s on the market. And one that just went on sale is what many residents would call that “archetypical” Belmont single-family home.

Listed at $749,000 – with most homes selling above the initial price, the final sale should be close if not above the town’s median – the six room, three bedroom and one-and-a-half bathrooms side entrance Garrison Colonial, circa 1934, is located in the Kendall Gardens neighborhood off Mill Street near McLean Hospital.

This house features an entry foyer with deep coat closet, a living room with a fireplace and French doors, a formal dining room with built-in corner china cabinets, a cabinet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar, three season sun room, a large second-floor hallway with access to walk-up attic, a master bedroom with two closets, hardwood floors, crown molding, ceiling molding, ceiling fans, a first floor laundry, a partially finished basement, a walk-up attic, large deck overlooking beautiful yard and a two-car garage. The house has gas cooking, heat and hot water.

The house is a short walk from Rock Meadow Conservation Land with walking/jogging trails.

Belmont Yard Sales, Saturday July 19

By Leave a Comment

Here are this weekend’s yard/moving/garage sales (and a free item giveaway event) happening in the 02478 zip code:

• 4 Grove St., Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 15 Ledgewood Place (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints parking lot), Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• 22 Scott Rd., Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m. to noon.

 

 

What to Do Today: Judy and the Jitterbugs at Payson Park, Will at the Beech

By Leave a Comment

• Judy and the Jitterbugs, one of the BEST children-music bands in the US, will be performing at noon at Payson Park as part of the Payson Park Music Festival’s Kiddie Concerts. This is a concert – thanks to a generous contribution from Ralph and Sherry Jones – especially made with kids in mind so what better way to start the weekend then to stop by for songs, dancing and a lot more. See them today or you’ll need to travel to Brooklyn for next week’s shows.

• State Sen. Will Brownsberger will be holding office hours at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., at 10 a.m. 

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

• Remember that town offices will be closing at 1 p.m. on summer Fridays.

With Mosquito Season Upon Us, Ways to Protect Self, Family

By Leave a Comment

It’s nearing mid-summer and with the recent rainstorms that passed through the region, it’s certain that in time at all, outdoor activities will be impacted by an influx of mosquitoes. The Belmont Department of Health has issued this press release to warn residents of the danger the insect can inflict on people: 

As we all recall, last winter saw significant snowfall and the mosquito breeding environments in and around Belmont are primed for a large number of mosquitoes this year. As always, we need to think about avoiding mosquitoes as well as ensuring that we keep our home environment and yards mosquito free. Mosquitoes are not just a nuisance.  Unfortunately they also carry disease to humans which makes it exceedingly important to practice safeguards against mosquito bites.  The risk of becoming infected with mosquito-borne disease is highest from late July through September; you should also know that the recent heavy rains will contribute to a large population of mosquitoes.

Belmont is part of the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project, and as in recent years, workers from that project have already started to treat Belmont’s catch basins with mosquito growth inhibitors, which help to reduce one of the biggest sources of mosquitoes in this community.

Residents should, however, take note of the following suggestions to protect themselves from mosquitoes:

  • Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, if possible, as this is the time of greatest mosquito activity.
  • If you must be outside during that time, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. If you choose to apply a chemical based repellant containing DEET, follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully.  Parents should NEVER use DEET on infants; use a 10 percent or less DEET concentration on children and 30 to 35 percent or less on adults.
  • Make sure as much skin as possible is covered when children are outdoors and cover baby carriages with netting.
  • Fix all holes in screens and make sure doors and screens fit tightly.

To reduce the mosquito population around your home, eliminate all standing water that is available for mosquito breeding and follow these simple guidelines:

  • Dispose of, or regularly empty, any metal cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots and other water holding containers.
  • Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have collected on your property. Tires are a common place for mosquitoes to breed. For that reason, it is a violation of the Nuisance Regulations to leave tires stored outdoors.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that would prevent good drainage. This may be the single biggest source of mosquitoes in any neighborhood.
  • Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
  • Swimming pools should be kept properly filtered and chlorinated. They should never be allowed to remain stagnant. Mosquito “dunks” can be purchased at many hardware stores to treat pool water if you must leave your pool unattended for keep the pool cover on for a significant period of time.
  • Use landscaping to eliminate areas of standing water on your property. Reducing insect harborage is one of the goals of the Health Department’s nuisance regulations, which ask that residents remove piles of rubbish, debris, yard waste, etc. from their yards.

            If you have any questions, please call the Health Department at 617 993-2720   

Sold in Belmont: (Mostly) Modest Single-Families Dominate Market

By Leave a Comment

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

14 Emerson St. Colonial (1929), Sold for: $810,000. Listed at $795,000. Living area: 1,660 sq.-ft. 7 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 62 days.

49 Sharpe Rd. Split-level Ranch (1956), Sold for: $850,000. Listed at $719,000. Living area: 2,708 sq.-ft. 8 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 40 days.

30 Brookside Ave. Side-entrance Colonial (1936), Sold for: $752,000. Listed at $699,000. Living area: 1,808 sq.-ft. 8 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 40 days.

35-37 Chandler St. Two-family (1948), Sold for: $685,000. Listed at $699,900. Living area: 1,984 sq.-ft. 11 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 54 days.

23 Centre Ave. An antique Victorian-era farmhouse and separate carriage house (1861), Sold for: $1,597,000. Listed at $1,649,000. Living area: 4,437 sq.-ft. 14 rooms; 5 bedrooms, 4 baths. On the market: 108 days.

65 Vernon Rd. Garrison Colonial (1961), Sold for: $840,000. Listed at $785,000. Living area: 1,868 sq.-ft. 7 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. On the market: 60 days.

32 Taylor Rd. Split-level Ranch (1946), Sold for: $715,000. Listed at $740,000. Living area: 1,503 sq.-ft. 5 rooms; 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 60 days.

515-517 School St. Condominium, Sold for: $537,000. Listed at $525,000. Living area: 1,900 sq.-ft. 8 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 61 days.

50 Winslow Rd. Condominium, Sold for: $506,500. Listed at $499,900. Living area: 1,432 sq.-ft. 7 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 1 baths. On the market: 80 days.

12 Upland Rd. Condominium, Sold for: $495,000. Listed at $455,000. Living area: 1,420 sq.-ft. 8 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 1 baths. On the market: 77 days.

27 Underwood St. Two-family (1928), Sold for: $726,500. Listed at $699,000. Living area: 2,033 sq.-ft. 10 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 29 days.

11 Highland Rd. Garrison Colonial (1920), Sold for: $1,819,962. Listed at $1,850,000. Living area: 3,958 sq.-ft. 10 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. On the market: 55 days.

20 Irving St. Condominium, Sold for: $405,000. Listed at $389,900. Living area: 939 sq.-ft. 5 rooms; 2 bedrooms, 1 baths. On the market: 58 days.

Produce at Its Summer Peak at the Belmont Farmers Market

By Leave a Comment

It’s been a bit rough for local farmers as the growing season was late in coming. But shoppers at this week’s Belmont Farmers Market (today, Thursday, July 17 from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Belmont Center municipal parking lot) will find a wide range of fresh produce and fruit available: arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, pickling cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, green beans, herbs – dill, parsley, cilantro and more – salad greens, onions, peas (snap and green), peppers, potatoes, radishes, raspberries, scallions, spinach, summer squash and zucchini. Look for tomatoes and corn coming soon.

Westport Rivers Winery, Sugar + Grain, Soluna Garden Farm and Bedford Blueberry Goat Farm are the occasional vendors this week joining the market’s weekly merchants. The Nicewicz Family Farm, a long-time market vendor, is eager to return to Belmont. However, their fruit tree crops have been affected by the late arrival of spring and they will not be at the Market until they have plenty of produce to offer.

The food truck this week will be Rhythm ‘n Wraps Food Truck.

The Belmont Farmers Market accepts and doubles SNAP benefits (formerly called Food Stamps) up to an extra $25 per market day, while matching funds last. Donations to the market’s parent organization, Belmont Food Cooperative,  help with programs like this.

In the events tent:

• Music by Sarah Fard from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Storytime: Deborah Borsuk of the Belmont Public Library Children’s Department will read about farms and farming for children of all ages from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• The Hoot Owls will liven up the afternoon with their old-time string music, featuring Ruth Rappaport on guitar, Ben Wetherbee on fiddle, and Celeste Frey on banjo. From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Stormy Wednesday: Hazardous Weather Throughout the Day

By Leave a Comment

Thunderstorms will likely rumble through Belmont and eastern Massachusetts for most of the day, Wednesday, June 16, as a violent weather front that has been punishing the East Coast for the past two days reaches eastern New England.

The National Weather Service issued its third Hazardous Weather Outlook for most of the region at 4:42 a.m. with thunderstorms popping up throughout the day beginning this morning around 8:15 a.m.

Heavy rainfall is likely though this evening as showers and thunderstorms move across the region,” the NWS reported this morning. “A few strong thunderstorms with gusty winds are possible.”

In addition, there is a flash flood warning for the region in effect until 2 p.m.