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.

Second Town Gun Buy Back Event Result in Less Gun, More Food

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Photo: (from left) Patty Mihelich of the Belmont Food Pantry receiving a check for nearly $2,500 from Amy Starzec and Belmont Police Chief Rich McLaughlin.

Belmont’s second annual Gun Buy Back resulted in making the community a bit safer and the Belmont Food Pantry a little richer.

Belmont Police Chief Richard J. McLaughlin reported that the

Held this past June at the town’s DPW yard, residents were able to discard in a safe way unwanted firearms and ammunition, said Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin.

Working in partnership with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, Belmont Religious Council, individual Belmont houses of worship and our regional police partners Cambridge, Arlington, Watertown and Somerville, the Belmont Police collected a variety of firearms during the day-long event including rifles, shotguns, and pistols.

All firearms turned in at the Gun Buyback will be turned over to the Massachusetts State Police for destruction following the law. 

And $2,469.97 in leftover grocery gift cards and cash, which were purchased by individuals, local businesses and houses of worship and given in exchange for the firearms, was donated to the Belmont Food Pantry to help the 60 local families that require assistance in purchasing food each month.

If residents have questions regarding the Gun Buy Back Program or would like information on what to do with unwanted and unused firearms and ammunition, contact Belmont Police Lt. Kristin Daley at 617-993-2554 or via email kdaley@belmontpd.org 

Chenery’s Modulars Have Arrived, Flat Tires and All [Video]

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Photo: The new look at the Chenery: modular units on the tennis court.

When Branchaud Road’s Milo Pikcilingis heard the trucks in the Chenery Middle School parking lot around 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, he had to see what was happening.

As he peered outside, he saw big flatbeds carrying what looked like buildings coming towards his house. Milo’s day was set! 

In fact, what Milo saw were modular classrooms – bathrooms included – ready to be placed on what  was once the school’s tennis courts. 

“So far so good,” said site manager Rich Russo from Littleton-based Triumph Modular overseeing the construction.

The six classrooms – equipt with their own bathrooms and powered with underground electrical wiring – will hold up to 25 students, making a dent in the rapid increase in student enrollment in Belmont schools. The district bought the units for $1.4 million, funded from the town’s “free” cash account. 

“A new modular has a lifespan of between 10 to 15 years, and even longer if maintained,” said Russo.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

For the rest of the day, Russo’s crew would gently back the large units so they would slide in-between units and then moved sideways into place. 

Constructed in the mid-west, the units were shipped to Triumph’s Littleton office before making its final journey to Belmont. On the way here, the crew lost nearly 400 tires due to the pressure of transporting the heavy structure.

Russo said it will take five weeks to make the units ready for students.

As for Milo, his attention to everything going on caught the attention of the workers who made him a “manager,” providing him a hard hat and neon yellow safety vest.

“I’m amazed how fast they built it,” said Milo’s dad, Aaron Pikcilingis as his mom, Laura Burnes, and older sister, Eloise, came by to also watch the excitement.

“Yesterday it was a tennis court and today, classrooms. Amazing.”

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Belmont Yard Sales: September 24

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Photo: Yard sales in Belmont.

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:

• 92 Bartlett Ave., Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 25 Carleton Rd., Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 48 Concord Ave., Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• 104 Cross St., Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 56 Dartmouth St., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24 and 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 41 Waverley St., Saturday, Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• 285 Waverley St., Saturday, Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stroll The ‘New’ Belmont Center Saturday Afternoon

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Photo: Poster for the Stroll.

Just a little grass at the newly constructed “triangle” is all that’s needed to finally finish the Belmont Center Reconstruction Project.

So why not commemorate the completion of the $2.8 million project with a walk around the place?

On Saturday, Sept. 24, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Belmont Savings Bank is sponsoring a “Fall Stroll” to celebrate Belmont Center’s Grand Re-opening and rediscover the shops and restaurants in the “Center” while enjoying sales, outdoor dining, live music and promotions.

“We welcome town residents and families to Belmont Center this Saturday as part of our sponsorship for this year’s Fall Stroll,” said Bob Mahoney, CEO and president of Belmont Savings Bank. 

“In particular, we are thrilled to support an event that will drive traffic to the Center’s many vibrant businesses, especially through Belmont Savings’ ‘Stroll the Center’ game where attendees can earn a free area merchant gift card,” Mahoney said.

The “Stroll the Center” game will allow attendees earn a free merchant gift card, plus be entered to win an additional $100 gift card. 

People can pick up a game card from the BSB tent:  

  • As they visit merchants they should ask for a sticker to be placed on their card.
  • When they come back to the Bank’s tent, they can RANDOMLY pull a gift card out of a basket. These cards were donated by the merchants and range in value from $5-$20.
  • In addition, their card enters them to win 1 of 10 $100 gift cards from the stores on the game card. Winners will get to pick which store they would like a gift card.

Opening Reception for ‘Three Artists: Voices Surface’ Friday at Gallery of Art

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Photo: “OUT ON THE TOWN” by Anne Johnstone.
The opening reception for THREE ARTISTS: VOICES SURFACE, the new show and exhibit at the Belmont Gallery of Art takes place Friday night, Sept. 23 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gallery in the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex.
The exhibit of mixed media collage art features the distinct styles from three unique women artists: Anne Johnstone and Belmont Art Association members Helen Canetta and Carol Wintle.
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“SECRET SPACES” by CAROL WINTLE

Live acoustic jazz by Charlotte Dumont and Daniel Shapiro will be featured on an evening of vibrant art, interesting people and live music.
A gallery talk about the show will be held on Sunday, Oct. 23, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
The show will run ’til Nov. 20.
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“APRIL” by HELEN CANETTA.

Find Out What the Future Holds For A New Belmont Library Wednesday

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Photo: Belmont Public Library Director Peter Struzziero.

What does the future hold for the Belmont Public Library?
Find out tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the library’s Assembly Room as the Library Feasibility Committee and the Belmont Board of Library Trustees presents the initial findings of a feasibility study underway focusing on the library’s building and grounds.
Architect J. Stewart Roberts will be there to answer questions on what is being done to the current library and the possibilities of renovating or new construction on the site. Roberts will take input insight, and feedback from those in attendance.
Light refreshments will be served. 
Contact Library Director Peter Struzziero at 617-993-2851 for more information.
 

Bright Road’s Milo Substitutes Lemonade For Cookies

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Photo: Service with a smile.

Now, you would think that on a hot summer Friday, Sept. 9 that the best service a young entrepreneur could provide the public is to set up a lemonade stand and rake in the quarters.

But in a tasty counterintuitive marketing strategy, young Milo of Bright Road thought, “Who doesn’t like freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies?” 

So with a little help, Milo made a batch and sold them for two-bits to eager editors and people stepping off the MBTA bus stop near his house. 

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Kids Yoga, Face Painting, Zucchini At Belmont’s Farmers Market

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Photo: What’s in the Belmont Farmers Market this week.

It’s yoga for youngsters, making faces and recently-harvested produce highlighting Market Day in Belmont today, Thursday, Sept. 8, in the municipal parking lot in Belmont Center. 

This week is the start of shorter hours for the Farmers Market, but only by a half hour, as it will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Vendors will have a wide variety of ciders, wines, syrups, fish, eggs, meat, cheese, crackers, bread, produce, flowers, snacks, fish & more. And this week includes kale, peppers, zucchini and other ground produce in abundance. 

PERFORMERS IN THE EVENTS TENT
• 2 p.m.: Bob Leger returns to sing and perform on guitar with classic, pop, rock, country folk and blues songs.
• 4:30 p.m.: Yoga for Kids with Belmont’s own Groundwork Yoga & Wellness – Belmont
• 4:30 p.m.: Face painting with Amber, a resident who loves transforming faces.

The municipal parking lot in Belmont Center, at the intersection of Cross Street and Channing Road behind the former Macy’s store on Leonard Street.