Shockingly Fun: Test Drive Electric Cars Saturday at the High School

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Photo: The choice of electric cars have exploded in the past five years.

Take a – quiet – test drive in an electric vehicle on Saturday, Oct. 15 and “experience the speed and power of these vehicles first hand” as the local electric utility partners up with Belmont energy and conservation groups to promote driving “plugged in.”

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Sponsored by Belmont Light, in partnership with Sustainable Belmont, Belmont Energy Committee and residents, Belmont Drives Electric is a local initiative designed to highlight the benefits of driving electric vehicles and connect Belmont residents to rebates, incentives, and free test drives.

The test drive takes place from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Belmont High School off Concord Avenue in the large parking lot. 

According to the groups, plug-in electric vehicles are affordable, efficient and fun to drive! Fueling your car on electricity compared to gasoline is much cheaper and you will see additional savings from lower maintenance costs.  Plug-in electric vehicles offer a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared to gasoline vehicles.  Take a free test drive and experience the speed and power of these vehicles first hand!

Join Belmont Serves Monday; Help Your Community Columbus Day

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Photo: A wagon of groceries to the pantry

On the Columbus Day holiday Monday, hundreds of Belmont adults, teens and kids will get up early and clean, hack, lug, paint, sort, plant and grab countless bags of groceries waiting on front stoops.

For the eighth time, Belmont will come out to give back to the community in the most fundamental ways as residents take part in the annual Belmont Serves.

Everyone is invited to attend this day of service.

Sponsored by the Belmont Religious Council, Belmont Serves will send volunteers heading off to locations around town where maintenance,  gardening, and a quick paint job will do the world of good. 

The most popular task is driving along streets to pick up grocery pages of can food, baking goods and sundries that will help fill the shelves of the temporary locaton of the Belmont Food Pantry – at 1000 Pleasant St. – during a critical time before the holidays.

The other tasks are:

  • Conservation projects at Lone Tree Hill (former McLean property)
  • Clay Pit Pond clean-up and improvements
  • Burbank School grounds: gardening and spreading wood chips
  • Butler School grounds: gardening
  • Sorting clothes to be donated to refugees (Plymouth Church)
  • Fence painting at Grove Street park

 

The event starts and finishes at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall at the corner of Common and School streets. The schedule for the day is:

8:30 a.m.: Volunteers sign-in at the Parish Hall.

9 a.m.: Service project begin.

Noon: Projects end.

12:30 p.m.: Pizza and ice cream celebration at the Parish Hall. 

How to donate to the Belmont Food Pantry on Belmont Serves day

Grocery bags with instructions will be placed on doorsteps througout the town a few days before Belmont Serves.

Please leave non-perishable food donations on your front porch for pick up on Monday Oct. 10 by 8:30 a.m.

Please make sure bag is visible from the street

Donation ideas

Food: canned foods, juice, sugar, flour, salt, baking/cake mixes, pancake mix, syrup

Household items: toilet paper, facial tissue, tooth paste, tooth brushes, deodorant, soap, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, sanitary napkins, razors, etc.

PLEASE CHECK FOOD EXPIRATION DATES, WE CANNOT TAKE EXPIRED FOOD.

 

Belmont Yard Sales: Eight for the Holiday, October 8-9

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

Permitted yard sales by the Belmont Town Clerk are in bold:

• 55 Benjamin Rd., Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

• 92 Clark St., Saturday, Oct. 8, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 100 Elm St., Saturday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• 16-18 Gilbert Rd., Saturday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 30 Springfield St., SUNDAY, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 54 Thayer Rd., SUNDAY, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 88 Winter St., Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• 109 Winter St., Saturday and SUNDAY, Oct. 8 and 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

World-Wide Walk: Belmont Students Hike to School On Walk to School Day

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Photo: Mr. “S” leading the way to school on International Walk to School Day.

On a cool, crisp autumn morning, Richard Samaria – best known to generations of Belmont Elementary students as Mr. “S” – said there is nothing better for students and teachers than to start their mornings by walking to school.

“It’s a great workout, great exercise,” said the retired physical education teacher, who is still remembered for his Mr. “S” parties and a certain “Chicken Fat” song.

“It gets a lot out of them when they wake up and start to loosen up, so you’re ready to learn,” Samaria said as he greeted and helped march a group of Wellington Elementry student smartly down Oakley Road and Goden Street as part of International Walk to School Day held this year on Wednesday, Oct. 5. 

Beginning in 1997, Walk to School Day is a global event that involves 4,800 schools in more than 40 countries who are all walking and biking to school on the same day with the goal of beginning a worldwide movement for year-round safe routes to schools for walkers and bike riders.

Mr. “S” joined Aimee Doherty, the current physical education teacher and Gerry Dickhaut, owner of Champions Sporting Goods, as “guest” walkers who met with more than a dozen students, a handful of parents and a few dogs as they proceeded downhill from the corner of Oakley and Payson road to the Wellington. 

The Oakley group soon met up with Assistant Fire Chief Angus Davison and Colleen McBride, a Wellington second grade teacher – who once walked a total of eight miles to and from a village school while living in Keyna – all making their way to the school’s outdoor play area where the students (mostly energized) were given stickers, shoelaces, and pens promoting walking to school not just one day a year but making it a daily activity.  

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Early Bird Selectmen: Alcohol License Transfer Meeting at 6PM

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Photo: Tonight’s meeting is a continuation of one last month.

The Belmont Board of Selectmen is expecting a long night at its Thursday, Oct. 6 meeting having pushed forward by one hour its traditional 7 p.m. start time.

First on the evening’s docket will be the continuation of the Sept. 19 meeting in which the owner of The Loading Dock store/cafe on Brighton Street sought board approval to transfer the all-alcohol retail license he currently holds to Star Market for $400,000 in compensation. The license, one of two provided by the town to sell beer, wine and liquor from a store, would allow Star to build 2,000 sq.-ft. of shelves for liquor sales inside the Waverley Square store. 

While more than 50 supporters of Loading Dock owner Fuad Mukarker urged the board to OK the transfer, the board said at the previous meeting it worries the approval will set precedence where  firms could supersede the required application process by buying licenses from struggling small businesses. 

It is reported that representatives of two license holders, The Spirited Gourmet on Common Street which holds a full alcohol license and Craft Beer Cellars, the growing national franchiser and owner-operator of craft beer stores, which was beaten out for the all-alcohol license in 2014 by Mukarker, will be in attendance.

The board has reserved 90 minutes to the hearing.

The selectmen will also hear a request from a Cambridge sports company which wants to use a few Belmont roads for a half-marathon (13.1 miles) on Sunday, Nov. 13. The roads would be Brighton, Statler, Channing, Leonard and Concord heading back to the People’s Republic. What, not enough roads in Cambridge? 

Spotlight, Please: Broadway Night in Belmont, Friday & Saturday at 7 PM

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Photo: Broadway Night! is Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

Why travel 200 miles to see the Great White Way? The great musicals are coming to Belmont this weekend as the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company presents its annual musical theater showcase: “Broadway Night!” 

The traditional kicks off to the coming PAC season, students will be performing classic show tunes and contemporary work from new musical theater composers in an evening of song, dance and storytelling.

This year’s production features 23 solo, duet, and group songs, including songs from “Wicked,” “Next to Normal,” “West Side Story,” “Newsies,” and more. As always, the show will end with a full company number.

The show will once again feature a dance number, choreographed by the PAC Musical Choreographer Jenny Lifson.

“One of the highlights of Broadway Night is the way in which is showcases student work,” said Ezra Flam, Belmont High’s Theater Specialist and PAC Producer/Director. “The performers have selected, staged and rehearsed the songs almost entirely on their own, with just a small amount of guidance from Lifson.”

“It’s a testament to the skill and creativity of our students that they are able to mount the show on their own,” said Ezra, who is preparing for this fall’s theater performance of “Hamlet.”

These performances sell out every single year so get your tickets NOW!

Performances are Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in the BHS Little Theater.

Tickets can be bought at Champions in Belmont Center and online. Adults: $12, students: $5.

Run For Innovation Education at the Scharfman 5K Sunday, Oct. 3

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Photo: This year’s poster.

The Foundation for Belmont Education, a non-profit group that supports educational excellence and enrichment in the Belmont Public Schools, is pleased to host the fourth annual Dan Scharfman Memorial Run on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m. 

The Scharfman Run takes place from 9:30 a.m. to noon, beginning at the Belmont High School Harris Field track and takes a scenic route past the town’s schools, Payson Park Reservoir and Clay Pit Pond.

Runners and walkers can register the day of the race at the Belmont High School track. 

Proceeds from the run enable the FBE to fund new programs in the Belmont Public School system and give educators and students the best tools, technology, and training to foster innovation and love of learning. 

The following road closings will occur on October 2nd to ensure the safety of participants:

  • 6 a.m. – 12 p.m.: No Parking on East/West side of Concord Ave between Cottage Ave and Underwood;
  • 6 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: No Parking on Goden Street between School Street and Concord Ave;
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: School Street closed between Myrtle and Philip Road;
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: No exit onto Oakley from Selwyn and Hurd;
  • Between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.: Drivers should be aware of runners on the 5K course (Concord Ave / Orchard Road / Stone Road / School Street / Philip / Elizabeth Road / Jacob / Payson / Oakley / Goden / Concord / Underwood); and
  • Between 10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.: Concord Ave Westbound will have young runners in the bike lane running against traffic between Underwood and Goden. Cones will separate runners from traffic.

The Foundation thanks the residents of Belmont and the Belmont Police Department for their support of the Dan Scharfman Memorial Run and appreciates the community’s understanding of the disruption in normal traffic patterns.  

The Foundation for Belmont Education is a community-sponsored, non-profit, charitable organization run by volunteers. The FBE was founded in 1993 to support educational excellence and enrichment in the Belmont Public Schools and is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to making a difference in the Belmont Public Schools.

Only Five Belmont Market Days Left This Season, Get the Fall Produce

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Photo: At the market

It’s another market day in Belmont. But looking at the calendar, there are only five Farmer Market Thursdays left in the season! What are you waiting for? 

With the fall weather arrives with fall produce: in the fruit category, there are apples, pears and the last strawberries. Vegetables in season are broccoli, carrots and cabbage, the last of corn on the cob, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkins and sprouts along with tomatoes and winter squash. 

Market hours are 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The market is located in the municipal parking lot behind Belmont Center at the corner of Channing and Cross.

WEEKLY VENDORS

OCCASIONAL VENDORS

Performances in the Events Tent
• 4:30 p.m.: Sandy Ridge Boys play traditional, straight-ahead bluegrass on banjo, dobro, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and bass.

Tasting in the Events Tent
• 2 p.m.: Tasting by Spoodles Soup Factory, a new Belmont restaurant next to the Studio Cinema.

Storytime
• 4 p.m.: Stories for all ages, sponsored by the Belmont Public Library.

Community Table
• Lisa Fiore from the Belmont School Committee.

Soccer Night in Belmont Kicks Off Under the Lights Saturday, Oct. 1

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Photo: Belmont High Girls’ Soccer getting the word out on the first “Soccer Night in Belmont.” 

The Belmont High School Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Soccer teams will headline the inaugural “Soccer Night in Belmont” on Saturday, October 1, joined at the event by hundreds of younger players from Belmont 2nd Soccer and the Belmont Soccer Association, coaches, and other members of the Belmont soccer community.

Soccer Night in Belmont will feature a doubleheader under the lights at Harris Field with the Boys’  taking on Wayland High at 5:30 p.m. followed the BHS Girls’ vs. Middlesex League rival Reading High at 7:30 p.m. 

Preceding each game, 2nd Soccer and BSA players will parading out with players during the pre-game ceremonies, acting as ball boys and girls, and competing in mini-games on Harris Field during halftime of the games.

“This event will not only showcase our successful varsity teams, but will recognize the role of Belmont 2nd Soccer and BSA in nurturing the talent that makes up these teams year in and year out,” said event organizer John Carson.

“We hope to have a big crowd, and it will be a really fun night that builds bonds between our ‘little kid’ players and ‘big kid’ high school players, virtually all of whom came up through the Belmont youth program.”

Admission to Soccer Night in Belmont is free, and the first 100 elementary grade kids wearing their team uniform will receive a commemorative soccer ball donated by Belmont Savings Bank.  Concessions, organized by Parents of Music Students (POMS) including pizza, hot dogs, snacks and drinks will be available so families can come for the games and feed the kids at the same time.  

Soccer Night in Belmont is sponsored by Belmont 2nd Soccer, Belmont Soccer Association, Belmont Savings Bank, The Rising, Phoenix Landing, with special thanks to Friends of Belmont Soccer (FOBS), and Belmont High School Athletic Director Jim Davis.

Further information for soccer players who wish to participate on the field will be distributed through their 2nd Soccer and BSA coaches in the coming weeks.  Those wishing to volunteer at the event should contact johncarson@yahoo.com 

Oy Vey: Selectmen’s Liquor License Meeting Moved to Thursday, Oct. 6

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Photo: The initial meeting on the transfer of a full alcohol license.

The Belmont Board of Selectmen has rescheduled the continuance of a meeting on the proposed transfer of a full-liquor license, moving the date from Monday, Oct. 3 to Thursday, Oct. 6.

The move was necessitated after the board realized the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashana begins at sundown on Oct. 2 and ends at nightfall on Oct. 4. 

“We didn’t want to offend anyone, so that’s why we moved it up three days,” said Mark Paolillo, Selectmen chair at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Sept. 26. 

It is expected the meeting, involving the request by Faud Mukarker, the owner of Brighton Road’s The Loading Dock, to transfer the business’ full alcohol license to the corporation that owns Star Market, which will use the license to place a 2,000 sq.-ft. beer/wine/liquor department in its Waverley Square store. The company would compensate Mukarker $400,000 for the loss of the license.

The initial meeting on Sept. 19 ended in acrimony as the Selectmen would not approve the transaction at the time to the dismay of Mukarker and his supporters.