Rev. Zarro Sings on Market Day in Belmont

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The summer harvest continues to come in at the Belmont Farmers Market today. Basil, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, chard, cilantro, collards, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, green beans, kale, mint, nectarines, onions, parsley, peaches, peppers, pumpkin greens, radishes, scallions, squash blossoms, summer squash, tomatoes, turnips, yu choi and zucchini are in season.

The Belmont Farmers Market is open from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Belmont Municipal Parking Lot at the corner of Channing Road and Cross Street behind the Belmont Center shopping district.

This week, guest vendors are Coastal Vineyards, Matt’s Amazing Smokehouse, Sugar + Grain, Soluna Garden Farm and Bedford Blueberry Goat Farm. For a list of weekly vendors, visit the market’s Web site.

This Week’s Food Truck: Jamaica Mi Hungry, starting at 4 p.m. Try the jerk chicken this week.

In the Events Tent

• The ABC program “The Middle” has a character named Rev. Timothy “Tim-Tom” Thomas, a guitar-playing youth minister who can solve the problems of a teenager with a song. And Belmont has its own singing pastor as Rev. Joe Zarro, pastor of the Plymouth Congregational Church on Pleasant Street, will perform under the red events tent from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• The Belmont Public Library sponsors storytime for preschool and older children from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Tastings: Arlington Mexican restaurant La Posada at 2 p.m. and Belmont’s Spirited Gourmet at 4:30 p.m.

Belmont Food Pantry
Bring non-perishable items each week to the Market tent. The Market has supported the Pantry with nonperishable food collection over the years, along with donations of fresh produce from the Market’s community garden project.

SNAP Payments

The market accepts and doubles SNAP benefits (formerly called Food Stamps) up to an extra $25 per Market day while matching funds last. Your donations to our parent organization, the Belmont Food Collaborative (belmontfood.org), help with programs like this. You can donate securely on the web site, or mail a check to PO Box 387, Belmont, MA 02478. We appreciate your support!

Belmont Meets Everyone at Annual Event

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Residents turned out in force Tuesday evening, Aug. 27, as the 12th annual Meet Belmont took place in the Chenery Middle School lunch room as it seemingly does, on one of the warmest days of the season.

What is becoming a traditional “end of summer” event on the calendar (school begins in eight days) more than 100 exhibitors – the first time Meet Belmont had reached that landmark figure – representing town departments, organizations and groups were part of a large “meet and greet” with several hundred longtime and new residents.

“It’s an opportunity to get our message across,” said Florence Lefebvre of Belmont Against Racism.

Around the room, groups like the PTOs of the six public schools sought members as town departments provided a glimpse of what they do around the “Town of Homes.” Groups – such as the recently established Mother Out Front that hopes to facilitate climate change controls – and those a century old like the Belmont Dramatic Club, which pressed the flesh through the scheduled two-and-a-half hours.

In addition, approximately 40 new voters were registered by the town, according to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman.

“We are very pleased,” said Sara Oaklander, who along with Jennifer Page, has run the event since its inception in 2002.

“The turnout was great, the guests seemed to appreciate it and the exhibitors were very enthusiastic about the turnout and about their own exposure,” said Oaklander.

Both women said they were already planning for next year’s event the moment they finish packing away this year’s material.

“We have been receiving feedback from both exhibitors and guests, and we will try to incorporate some of those suggestions next year,” she noted.

Meet Belmont is sponsored by the Vision 21 Implementation Committee and co-sponsored by the Belmont Public Schools with support from Belmont Car Wash and Belmont Light.

 

A Sunny Muddy Day at the Underwood Pool

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Sunday was the perfect summer weekend day; sunny, warm and dry.

Dry, that is, until you mix water and dirt together and then send wave after wave of children racing on an obstacles course around the Underwood Pool on Sunday, Aug. 24 as the Belmont Recreation Department held its inaugural “Kid’s Mud Run” to give kids a chance to say goodbye to the century-old municipal pool. 

Belmont Recreation Department’s Program Supervisor June Howell and her staff spent the morning creating a course that included a downhill water slide, a tour of the Underwood Playground, sack races and two mud-filled children pools at the beginning and end of the “Tour de Underwood.”

At high noon, the children from 4 to 12 where sent along the route circling the pool – after 102 years, the facility will be replaced with a modern $5.2 million two pool complex approved by the spring Town Meeting in April – to the thrill of parents, friends and siblings.

“It was really nice,” said Grace McDonald, the winner of the girls’ 4 to 6 year old group. All winners received a Summer 2015 Family Membership and a trophy.

The winners are:

Girls’ 4-6: Grace MacDonald

Boys’ 4-6: Aaron White

Girls’ 7-8: Candace Burger

Boys’ 7-8: Adam Bower

Girls’ 9-10: Sylvia Davidson

Boys’ 9-10: Colin Fergason

Girls’ 11+ : Oliva Zarzycki

Boys’ 11+ : Sean Palmer

Finally, several Rec Dept. councilors and lifeguards took their lives into their hands in their own special race.

After the event, the pool was open to all for free with music, hot dogs and games for the remainder 0f the day.
The Underwood Pool’s final day will be Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1.

More than 100 Exhibits At 2014 Meet Belmont

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The 2014 edition of Meet Belmont – taking place tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 26 – will be breaking the century mark; for the first time, there will be more than 100 exhibitors at the yearly community “meet and greet.”

The 12th annual event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Chenery Middle School, at the corner of Washington Street and Oakley Road.

Meet Belmont is an opportunity for all residents – from newcomers to those who have lived in town for their entire lives – to come together to discover what the town offers:

• Learn about town departments, local government and the schoolsŸ,

• Get information about recreation and arts programsŸ,

• Find community organizations and activities that may interest youŸ, and

• Register to vote.

Meet Belmont is sponsored by the Vision 21 Implementation Committee and co-sponsored by the Belmont Public Schools with support from Belmont Car Wash and Belmont Light.

For more information, email: meetbelmont@gmail.com

Belmont Yard Sales on August 23

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

• 31 Harding Ave. Saturday, August 23, 8 a.m.

• 52 Lawndale St. Saturday, August 23, 9 a.m. to noon.

• 51 Lexington St., Saturday, August 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 22 Vernon Rd. Saturday, August 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• 26 Warwick Rd. Saturday, August 23, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 41 Waverley St., Saturday, August 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 267 Waverley St., Saturday, August 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Summer Harvest at Belmont’s Farmers Market

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While the next week around Belmont will feel like early fall, the calendar says it’s still summer for one more month. And on this market day, the summer crop harvest will be on display at the Belmont Farmers Market today, Thursday, Aug. 21.

What’s ripe? Basil, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, chard, cilantro, collards, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, green beans, kale, mint, nectarines, onions, parsley, peaches, peppers, pumpkin greens, radishes, scallions, squash blossoms, summer squash, tomatoes, turnips, yu choi and zucchini.

The Belmont Farmers Market is open from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Belmont Municipal Parking Lot at the corner of Channing Road and Cross Street behind the Belmont Center shopping district.

This week, guest vendors are Sugar + Grain and Westport Rivers Winery. For a list of weekly vendors, visit the market’s Web site.

This Week’s Food Truck: Jamaica Mi Hungry, starting at 3 p.m. Do yourself a favor and get the curry goat. Someone asked why the bones haven’t been taken out of the meat; the reason is that you’re suppose to suck out the marrow from the bones.

In the Events Tent
• The original music of Coco and Lafe from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Critically acclaimed, award-winning songwriters Coco and Lafe have been touring cross country for seven years, performing more than 500 gigs in 34 states. Their last CD, “Big Band,” was in the top ten for four months last year on the national Roots Music Report. We are lucky to have them back in Belmont once again.

• The Belmont Public Library sponsors storytime for preschool and older children. Deborah Borsuk reads from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Belmont Food Pantry
Bring non-perishable items each week to the Market tent. The Market has supported the Pantry with nonperishable food collection over the years, along with donations of fresh produce from the Market’s community garden project.

SNAP Payments

The market accepts and doubles SNAP benefits (formerly called Food Stamps) up to an extra $25 per Market day while matching funds last. Your donations to our parent organization, the Belmont Food Collaborative (belmontfood.org), help with programs like this. You can donate securely on the web site, or mail a check to PO Box 387, Belmont, MA 02478. We appreciate your support!

James Brown and The Blues Dogs at Payson Park

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James Brown Jr. will be joining The Blues Dogs at the penultimate concert of the 2014 Payson Park Music Festival tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 20 beginning around 6:30 p.m.

The Blues Dogs, which is a perennial visitor to the Festival, “is a collection of Boston mutts that all love to play the blues,” according to its website.

“That stuff that gets you to tapping your foot, nodding your head, and then just to shaking all over. Feeling good music.”

The quarter-century Payson Park Music Festival is held at Payson Park Playground at the corner of Payson Road and Elm Street.

The concert is sponsored by the Alper Family.

What’s Coming This Week: Ice Cream and a Mad Scientist at the Beech, Chef Gerry Returns Again

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• Another sign that summer is nearly over: the return of the Belmont Board of Selectmen! It is meeting on Monday, August 18 in Town Hall at a special early time of 6 p.m. On the agenda: an update on the storm water regs and a presentation for a Belmont Veterans Memorial project.

• Meet Belmont’s new school super as John Phelan holds a open house coffee for all residents at the School Administration building in the Town Hall Complex in Belmont Center on Monday, August 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

• Come to one of the final Summer Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library – at the corner of Oakley and Old Middlesex – on Tuesday, August 19, at 10:30 a.m. Story time will be hosted by summer intern Lenora Ellison or Denise Patnod for children ages 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must be present. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required.

• Chef Gerry is back! After making sushi, California rolls and other great food at Belmont Public Library, Belmont resident Gerry Connolly – a Cambridge School of Culinary Arts Professional Chef Program graduate with 20 years of experience as a personal chef and event caterer – is coming to make flat breads and dressings on Tuesday, August 19 at 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This event is free thanks to the generosity of Chef Gerry and the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Space is limited, so please sign up online or sign up by phone at 617-993-2870.

• The Belmont Public Library is providing one-on-one Digital Library Help on Tuesday, August 19, from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, August 20 at 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Reference Room. Learn how to download eBooks from the library and set up a device. Get started with Zinio to read free digital magazines. E-mail and Internet basics, social media, or basic computer skills. Registration is required; register online or call 617-993-2870 to register by phone. Some services require downloading an app. Please come prepared with your Apple ID, Adobe ID, Amazon Account information, or other password and log in information for your device.

• Duplicate Bridge Club meets from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Beech Street Center at 266 Beech St. The club holds American Contact Bridge League-sanctioned games. All are welcome to play. Cost is $7. Phone: 339-223-6484 for more information.

• A genre party for the Belmont Public Library’s Children’s Summer Reading Program will take place in the Assembly Room on Wednesday, August 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• It’s an Ice Cream Social and Mad Science Extravaganza for all Belmont residents as the Beech Street Center welcomes back the Mad Scientist on Friday, August 22 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Children will be dazzled and entertained as they interact with the Mad Scientist, whose show includes foggy dry ice and demonstrations of floating beach balls in the air. He will unlock the mystery of how to get “Egg-bert” back into his house using suggestions from the audience. Ice cream will be served at 1:30 p.m. and the entertainment will begin at 2:30 p.m. Suggested donation: $1. Tickets are available for 160 people. reserve by calling 617-993-2970 or come by in person.

 

Day Late, 4 Guys in Tuxes to Perform Thursday Evening at Payson Park

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More a rain delay than a rainout, the concert by 4 Guys in Tuxes at the Payson Park Music Festival only had to be held back 24 hours wait as the lads will hold their performance this evening, Thursday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

The concert will take place at the Payson Park Playground at the corner of Payson Road and Elm Street.

Residents should know that dressing in their own tuxedos is strictly optional.