Belmont’s Food Pantry On The Move; And It Needs Your Help July 30

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The new logo.

Like a friend who calls in July and August, the Belmont Food Pantry wants to know:

“Can you help them move to their new home?”

The Belmont Food Pantry is on the move, and by the end of next week – if all goes to plan – the site which serves nearly 200 residents will be up and running at its new location near Waverley Square. 

After being forced to find a new place after the Belmont School Department was forced by skyrocketing enrollment to take back the two modular rooms behind Belmont High School, Mount Hope Church at 51 Lexington St. offered approximately 1,600 sq.-ft. in its basement for the food pantry’s relocation, said long-time manager Patricia Mihelich. 
The pantry’s new home has a ramp into the building, a new lift to the basement where the bathrooms are located.
But like any new home, you have to find a way to move the contents to the new place. According to Mihelich, moving day is Saturday, July 30th starting at 8 a.m. 
“As the saying goes ‘All Hands on Deck’ is needed for this day,” she said in an email to supporters.
In addition to residents with strong backs, Mihelich will need some handy persons with experience in construction.
“The preparation of the space will take some time, so we are also working on a temporary space to go to during that time.  I am working on the solution regarding this, and everything should be finalized by Monday,” she said.

Minuteman Relents on Election; Belmont To Use Usual Polling Precincts

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Voting will take place in the customary locations.

In a decision affecting an all-important vote in two months time, the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District will allow Belmont to use its customary polling locations for the Sept. 20 election rather than a single, centralized site to determine whether the district can go ahead with the financing of a new $145 million vocational high school. 

Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman told the Belmontonian that she received word of the reversal from Minuteman Regional School District Superintendent Edward Bouquillon on Friday night, July 15.

“Belmont requested that for the district-wide Minuteman election that voters were able to vote at our usual seven locations, eight precincts … and they were kind enough to allow that to occur,” said Cushman to a question on whether Minuteman had responded to her request and a letter in support from the Belmont Board of Selectmen. 

Belmont’s Selectmen were highly critical of the earlier single location decision, saying it was a deliberate attempt by Minuteman – which under state law is allowed to call for a district-wide vote if it could not convince the 16 communities Town Meetings to move forward on the $100 million bonding plan – to stifle the vote in Belmont, the only of the district municipalities whose Town Meeting members voted down the financing plan at a Special Town Meeting earlier this year. 

If the district vote passes the bonding issue, Belmont ratepayers could find themselves paying an additional maximum of $500,000 annually in capital costs in addition to the tuition to allow the roughly 30 Belmont students to attend the school in Lexington. 

The selectmen joined Cushman in hailing the change. 

“I’m thrilled to hear that [Minuteman] has allowed at least Belmont to vote in our regular precincts,” said Mark Paolillo, the board’s chair. 

“I think they heard the concerns of the Town Clerk and [the board’s] letter … because we do expect a relatively high voter turnout,” said Sami Baghdady, vice chair of the board. 

“There is nothing more discouraging to the democratic process than heavy traffic, waiting in lines and with only one polling station, it would have a big dampening effect,” he said.

While many town officials believe voter turnout of registered voters in the other 15 district communities will be in the low teens and even single digits, Cushman expects upwards of 30 percent coming out to vote. 

“The way I looked at it, it wasn’t because I supported a point of view, I just want broad representation to vote either way on this,” said Paolillo.

Earlier this month, Minuteman’s recommendation was to use only one location for a vote, which Cushman said would place a hardship on Belmont voters by causing confusion on where to place their ballot not only on Sept. 20 but in state and national elections before and after the financing polling. 

Cushman said the only location in Belmont that could accommodate up to 6,000 voters would be the Wenner Field House on the Belmont High School campus off Concord Avenue. 

With the need for added transportation, police coverage and mailings to voters, Cushman noted the total cost to the town to use one location would eventually cost Minuteman – which is paying for the election – about the same amount, about $16,000, as using the seven sites. 

With the reversal on Minuteman’s part, Belmont voters will head to their familiar polling locations on Tuesday, Sept. 20, but with one distinct difference. 

“Polls will be open from noon until 8 p.m.; we will not open at our usual 7 a.m. start,” said Cushman.

Teen Art Club Holds First Meeting Saturday at 11 AM

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Color pencils.

Are you a hidden future artist who always has creative ideas splashing out? Do you want to develop your art skills or learn some new art techniques? Have you ever thought about creating your own art portfolio? Come to Belmont Public Library and discover the beauty of art! 

A new teen-lead art club will be having its first meeting on Saturday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the library’s Assembly Room. 
 
In its first meeting, the club will:
  • do an ice-breaker
  • draw or build anything you want with art materials and paper
  • enjoy snacks (bring your lunch if you want)
  • plan for future club meetings
  • start our email list

For more information email ksparks@minlib.net

Joyeux Le Quatorze Juillet, Belmont

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Macarons across France.

So, what do you call the French National Holiday?

Bastille Day? 

Faux!

While July 14th is the anniversary of the storming of the 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 first 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” and comes from the name of John Perkins Cushing’s estate – you can enjoy the flavors of France at Praliné Artisanal Confections, the town’s own French bakery and cafe at 203 Belmont St., near the intersection of Grove Street. It is the closest you’ll come to a traditional French bakery outside of flying to Paris with its cakes, chocolates, and confectionery delights including its standout authentic French macarons. 

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 10.19.30 AM

As one-time European and resident airline noise advocate Adriana Poole commented last year, “[i]n all honesty, her macarons are significantly better than those of the famous Parisian macarons place called Ladurée. Tried those yesterday as well in Paris and there is no doubt that our very own French-American Belmontian beats the famous place by quite a bit -texture, flavor, look.”

Find out yourself; the cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tomatoes, Corn And Much More on Market Day

By Leave a Comment

Photo: In season heirloom tomatoes.
A little rain today – OK, it may even be a bit stormy –  should be gone by 2 p.m. and Market Day should be a good one. Local corn continues to come in along with more tomatoes and raspberries. 
Try out this recipe from Bon Appétit magazine using many products that you can purchase at the market: bread, tomatoes, herbs and mozzarella.
This week’s occasional vendors
Turtle Creek Winery, Warren Farm & Sugarhouse, Belmont Acres Farm, True Grounds Coffee House

The Market’s weekly vendors
Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery, Dick’s Market Garden, Stillman Quality Meats, Boston Smoked Fish Co., Goodies Homemade, Sfolia Baking Company, Hutchins Farm, Kimball Fruit Farm, Foxboro Cheese Co., Flats Mentor Farm, Couët Farm & Fromagerie.
The market is located in the Belmont Center Municipal Parking Lot at the corner of Cross Street at Channing Rd. on Thursday afternoons, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. until October.
Community Table
  • Pop-Up Library at the Market
Schedule of Events
  • 2 p.m.: Join Tom Cutrone, owner of Savinos Grill of Belmont, and sample their delicious Italian-Mediterranean options at the market. Savinos cuisine features creative seasonal pairings of fresh, local and imported foods, the perfect complement to a summer day at the farmer’s market.
  • 4 p.m.: Story Time with the Children’s Librarians from the Belmont Public Library.
  • 4:30 p.m.: Activities for kids with the Mount Auburn Cemetery include making and decorating bird’s nests and flowers using paper plates and other materials. We will also be handing out our free Kid’s Nature Guides for the summer season. 

Have All Your Sharpening Done At The Farmers Market

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Knife and tool sharpening today.
Siraco Sharpening Service, a Market Day favorite, will be at the Belmont Farmers Market today, Thursday, July 7. Siraco’s sharpening van will be parked next to the market for all of your knife and tool-sharpening needs.
Flats Mentor Farm has joined the market for the rest of the season, with an incredible variety of Asian vegetables. This week, be on the look out for strawberries, green beans and a wide range of lettuce. 
Open 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays through October, the Farmers Market is located in the municipal parking lot at the corner of Cross Street and Channing Road.
 
Community Table
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: State Rep. Dave Rogers is holding office hours. 
Events

3 p.m.: Joe Zarro Belmont resident and pastor at the Plymouth Congregational Church, Zarro will be playing a series of solo acoustic covers, ranging from classic rock to folk.

4 p.m.: Storytime Enjoy stories and songs about food and farms, an event for “children of all ages.” 

4:30 p.m.: Jeremy Doran A Belmont resident, Doran will be performing music on piano this week. A world traveler, Jeremy has lived in the Boston area for the past seven years. He plays with folk bands, classical vocal and instrumental ensembles, as a solo performer, and in local churches.

Fireworks, Kids Events Fill The Schedule Near Belmont On The 4th of July

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Fireworks in Newton.

Unfortunately, Belmont does not hold a 4th of July celebration, but many neighboring and close-by town and city do. Here are just a few events and fireworks in adjacent communities and in Boston. 

• Lexington: The annual Fourth of July Carnival takes place at Hastings Park through July 4 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Youth Games take place on July 4th at 10 a.m.

• Boston: Fireworks will fill the sky over the Charles River adjacent to the Esplanade after the Boston Pops concert just after 10 p.m. 

• Newton: Not just fireworks but also an open air market, food vendor and children’s activities beginnng at 1 p.m. at Albermarle/Halloran Field, located on Watertown Street, Route 16. The fireworks get underway at 9 p.m.

Today, from 10 a.m. to noon, is Kids Morning (for children from 3 to 12) at Newton Centre Playground at Tyler Terrace. There will be a Grande Pet Parade, a Teddy Bear Parade, Decorated Doll Carriage Promenade and Foot Races. There will also be free ice cream by Cabot’s Ice Cream

• Waltham: Concert and festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. with the fireworks beginning at 9:15 p.m. at Leary Field, 19 Athletic Field Rd.

• Arlington: At Robbins Farm Park, just over Route 2 from Belmont. Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be musical entertainment provided by thea “The Reminisants”, and of course, the Boston Pops Orchestra and fireworks on the giant screen (fireworks start at 10:30pm). The event is free and open to all.