This Week: Bubbleology, OTAKUrabu and Movies for Kids and Teens

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Photo: “Bubbleology,” with Keith Michael Johnson.

On the government side of the week: 

  • The Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, July 21, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall where it will discuss a new house’s design at 1 Clark Lane and will review a series of plans required for the construction of Cushing Village. 
  • The Community Path Implementation Advisory Committee will be reviewing the challenges of placing a community path in Belmont on Wednesday, July 22, at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. 

• Summertime Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer run library, at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 21. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is located at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.

• US Rep. Katherine Clark is holding office hours at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., on Tuesday, July 21, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Mary Poppins Sing-Along (with lyrics) will be the Noon movies for children on Tuesday, July 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library. 

• The Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., will present “Revere Beach Then & Now Slide Show” on Tuesday, July 21, at 1:15 p.m. The presentation will include more than 100 beautiful images of historic Revere Beach and its glorious past. Once again be thrilled to recall the special memories that we share of Rotherhams Red Indian popcorn, Moxie, Korr Bros. Frozen Custard, and, of course, Kelley’s Roast Beef. Many will also remember the wonderful Big Band music always heard at the dance halls of Revere Beach such as the Oceanview Ballroom, Ocean Pier, or the Frolic nightclub.

• In his show “Bubbleology,” Keith Michael Johnson will build beautiful creations out of bubbles with enthusiasm, humor and style in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library on Wednesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. One moment he will be encasing a dinosaur in a bubble and the next he’s encapsulating an audience volunteer! For kindergarteners to fourth grade.

• It is the final three concerts of the summer by the Music on the Hill (MOTH) students will be Wednesday through Friday, July 22-24, at 6:30 pm, at the Powers Music School, 404 Concord Ave. Wednesday and Thursday will be the MOTH Orchestra, with Jazz, Fiddle on Friday.

• The nation’s premier tribute to U2, The Joshua Tree, will once again grace the stage of the Payson Park Music Festival as this week’s featured artist beginning at 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, July 22, at Payson Park Playground at Payson Road and Elm Street.

• The Chillin’ With Villains Movie Series begins Tuesday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. with The Avengers (2012) at the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. 

• Musician Matt Heaton plays kid-friendly folk music and surf-inspired original songs on Thursday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. For ages 2 to 5.

• It’s OTAKUrabu at the Belmont Public Library. Watch anime, do a craft/activity, plan for future events and nibble on some Japanese snacks (while they last – they’ll go fast) on Thursday, July 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in the Assembly Room. Provided free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Just drop in, no registration required.

Superheroes on Film at the Library this Summer

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Photo: Ironman is coming to the Belmont Public Library next week, July 28.

This summer the Friends of the Belmont Public Library will use its superpowers to transform the library’s Assembly Room into a showcase for your favorite (mostly) Marvel heroes at the “Chillin’ With Villains Movie Series.”

For the next month, head to the library to enjoy freshly popped popcorn or a sweet snow cone and watch your favorite comics come to life.

The schedule is:

• Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 p.m.: The Avengers (2012) (PG-13) 142 min.

• Tuesday, July 28, 6:30 p.m.: Iron Man (2008) (PG-13) 125 min.

• Tuesday, August 4, 6:30 p.m.: Amazing Spiderman (2012) (PG-13) 136 min.

• Monday, August 10, 6:30 p.m.: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) (PG-13) 136 min

• Friday, August 21, 2 p.m.:  Dick Tracy (1990) (PG) 101 min.

Belmont Yard Sales, July 18 – 19

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Photo: Yard sales in Belmont.

Yard sales in the “Town of Homes.” 

• 9 Anis Rd., Saturday, July 18, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

• 17 Bow Rd., Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 12 Chester Rd., Saturday, July 18, noon to 2 p.m.

• 13 Davis St., Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 72 Radcliffe Rd., Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rabies in Pair of Animals Has Health Department Issue Warning

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Photo: Fox.

The Belmont Health Department has issued a warning to residents of an outbreak of rabies after a second non-domesticated animal tested positive for the illness in the past month.

A fox captured by Belmont Animal Control Officer John Maguranis on Monday, July 13 and a skunk on June 21 were infected by the very serious viral disease found in animals that can spread from an infected animal to a person.

Rabies is disperse through the saliva of an animal and can be transmitted from a bite, or when the animal’s saliva comes in contact with a person’s mouth, eyes or an open sore, according to the Health Department. 

The department and Belmont Police Department are urging residents to protect their families and pets by taking the following steps: 

  • Make sure your dogs and cats (including inside only cats), are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. 
  • Keep your children, loved ones, and pets from approaching, touching, or feeding wild or stray animals. 
  • Garbage should be contained in garbage cans that are closed and secured to avoid attracting wildlife. 
  • Do not feed or water your pets outdoors. Empty bowls will attract wild and stray animals. 
  • Do not let your cats and dogs roam freely. 
  • Keep your chimney capped and repair holes in attics, cellars, garages and porches to help keep wild animals like bats and raccoons out of your home. 
  • Report any animal that behaves oddly, looks sick, injured or orphaned to the Animal Control Officer or the Health Department at: Belmont Animal Control 617-993-2724. Belmont Health Department 617-993-2720. 
  • If the Animal Control Officer or Heath Department cannot be reached, notify the Belmont Police at 617-484-1212. 

If a bite or other significant exposure to rabies does occur, quick action can prevent progression to rabies disease.

• If a person has been bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal or an animal suspected of having rabies, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and then seek medical attention. If you find a bite or wound on your dog or cat that cannot be explained, take your animal to a veterinarian. 

Belmont Selectmen OK Special Town Meeting Date

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Photo: Belmont Center reconstruction underway.

It’s official: the Belmont Board of Selectmen approved a Special Town Meeting for Thursday, Aug. 6, location to be determined (although strong hints have been dropped that it will likely be held in the air conditioned comfort of the Chenery Middle School.)

The votes, held at an early morning meeting at Town Hall on Thursday, July 16, was a foregone conclusion as the petitioners submitted more than 200 certified signatures from registered voters.

“We had no choice but to certify the warrant,” said Mark Paolillo, who along with Chair Sami Baghdady, voted to open and close the warrant, and to approve the language of the motion.

(Selectman Jim Williams is currently on vacation and could not cast a vote).

“It’s unfortunate that we as a community should be celebrating the revitalization of Belmont Center … it just seems that this is now an issue that has divided our town,” said Paolillo. 

The article calls for the selectmen to reverse its vote on May 28 approving significant changes to the design of the Belmont Center Reconstruction Project, the $2.8 million plan to improve traffic flow and upgrade the town’s main business district.

While construction on the site had begun, the Selectmen voted unanimously to approve changes submitted in a separate citizen’s petition by Lydia Ogilby of Washington Street who called for trees to be protected (they had been removed weeks before) and to restore parking and a cut through from Concord Avenue from Moore Street adjacent to the Belmont Savings Bank. 

The petitioners who called the Special Town Meeting said the Selectmen’s overstep its authority since the town’s legislative body approved a financial plan for the project at another Special Town Meeting last November with the original design blueprint – which included removing angled parking and the bypass which creating a larger town “Green” at the location. 

According to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman, under the town’s bylaws, amendments to the motion can be submitted to her office at least three business days before the Special meeting, which will be Monday, Aug. 3, at 4 p.m. 

A quorum of 101 Town Meeting members will need to show up for the up or down majority vote to take place. The vote is non-binding as Town Counsel George Hall considers the motion as “instructional,” in which Town Meeting is giving their opinion to the Selectmen, said Cushman.   

While voting to approve the meeting, Paolillo said “it is really unfortunate that [a Special Town Meeting] is taking place. It’s just a waste of money” – the Aug. 6 gathering will cost the town $5,000 – and it was a shame that a compromise plan could not have been agreed to by all sides of the issue.

But Baghdady noted that the May 28 vote itself was a compromise in which the board voted to approve design changes to assist elderly residents and ease traffic congestion.

“How do you compromise a compromise?” said Baghdady. 

Paolillo said the one point that bothers him is the process question, “but as far as changing the plan, I’m not accommodating that.” 

Baghdady said notice of the May 28 meeting was sent to Town Meeting members and the public via social media and email. 

“What more process could we have done?” he said.

Next week, the board will discuss and then vote whether to seek “favorable action” on the article.

Sold in Belmont: Capes, Colonials and Condos Take Market into July

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Photo: A classic pre-war Cape. 

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

12 Bayberry Ln., Townhouse condominium (2006). Sold: $1,260,000. Listed at $ 1,298,000. Living area: 2,740 sq.-ft. 8 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bath. On the market: 92 days.

33 Homer Rd., Garrison Colonial (1940). Sold: $1,550,000. Listed at $1,639,000. Living area: 3,469 sq.-ft. 11 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. On the market: 157 days.

64 Hoitt Rd., Classic Cape (1951). Sold: $714,000. Listed at $689,000. Living area: 1,272 sq.-ft. 7 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 70 days.

3-1 Agassiz, Condominium (2006). Sold: $570,000. Listed at $ 569,000. Living area: 2,157 sq.-ft. 7 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bath. On the market: 63 days.

9 Gilmore Rd., Cape (1938). Sold: $755,000. Listed at $719,000. Living area: 1,488 sq.-ft. 7 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 49 days.

89 Hammond Rd., Colonial (1925). Sold: $900,000. Listed at $869,000. Living area: 1,776 sq.-ft. 7 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 77 days.

76 Lawrence Lane, Colonial (1937). Sold: $992,000. Listed at $1,195,000. Living area: 3,293 sq.-ft. 11 rooms, 6 bedrooms, 5 baths. On the market: 84 days.

15 Marlboro St., #1, Condominium (1906). Sold: $495,000. Listed at $489,900. Living area: 1,064 sq.-ft. 6 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. On the market: 48 days.

The Belmont residential market appears to have returned to last year’s script: high-end houses will take a haircut before selling while prices for more modest abodes – especially lower than the town’s median value of $845,000-ish – will hold up in an environment where the inventory for more affordable units can not keep up with demand. 

A great example is the solid Colonial on Lawrence Lane up on Belmont Hill. This pre-war house is large, at approximately 3,300 square feet, with five baths and six bedrooms which appears to be what every buyer is clamoring to find. But despite great period detail such as a wonderful in-wall bookshelf in the den and an updated kitchen (including two dreadful skylights), the final sales price was $200,000 below the original list, falling before the seven figure benchmark. Could it be that while priced right for a similar-sized house built within the past five years, it may have been seen as “old” and lacking the finer points of the new mega-homes such as 15-foot ceilings and an open floor plan? 

The buyer who “won” the week was the person who purchased the beautiful Cape on Gilmore. At 1,500 square feet, it would be considered a bit of a squeeze for some families. But others would find it warm and cozy with a great three-season porch that will get a great deal of use, that is until the construction of the Uplands gets underway. 

Events, Demonstrations for Kids at the Belmont Farmers Market

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Photo: Belmont Farmers Market.
 
The Belmont Farmers Market has an afternoon filled with activities for children on this market day with a clay demonstration for adults and children, story time  and food-related fun with ChopChop magazine.
 
The market is open from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays throughout the summer and lasting until the final week of October. The market is located in the municipal parking lot at the intersection of Cross Street and Channing Road in Belmont Center.

Schedule of Events:
  • 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Belmont clay and glass art studio Indigo Fire will demonstrate clay work techniques.
  • 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Story time. The Belmont Public Library is back for their weekly story time with stories and songs about farms and food.
  • 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Kids cooking magazine ChopChop will be leading fun, food-related activities for kids, as well as giving away seed packets and copies of the magazine.
Weekly Vendors: Boston Smoked Fish Company, C&C Lobsters and Fish, Dick’s Market Garden Farm, Fior D’Italia, Flats Mentor Farm, Foxboro Cheese, Gaouette Farm, Goodies Homemade, Hutchins Farm, Kimball Fruit Farm, Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery, Sfolia Baking Company, Stillman Quality Meats.
Monthly and Occasional Vendors: Carlisle Honey, DC Farms Maple Syrup, Westport Rivers Winery. 
Food Truck: Jamaica Mi Hungry.

Yoga With Purpose: Local Class Supporting Community-Wide Wellness

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Photo: Groundwork’s studio on Trapelo Road.

Beginning next month, yoga enthusiasts will have the opportunity to help spread wellness to others by coming to class.

GROUNDWORK yoga + wellness, at 402 Trapelo Rd., is introducing Community Yoga, a weekly class that allows students the opportunity to explore the benefits of yoga at a reduced price and experience various teaching styles all the while supporting local organizations or charities that offer wellness programs.

Megan Dattoli, Groundwork’s owner, said certified yoga instructors are donating their time teaching  classes, and students will be encouraged to donate between $5 to $10 per class. All the money raised will be pledged to pre-selected local organizations or charities.

GROUNDWORK is seeking input from residents which programs they would like to support. From these nominations, several organizations will be chosen, and supported with donations throughout the year.

“The goal is to support the mission of GROUNDWORK yoga + wellness which is to encourage self care of body and mind, healthy families and a mindful community,” said Dattoli, who opened her studio earlier this year. She hopes the opportunity to nominate a program or organization will inspire people to think about wellness and the needs of their community.

“They want to make a local impact, and believe that starts with supporting the types of programs that are important to the residents,” Dattoli said.

If you would like to suggest a wellness organization, charity or program to support with donations from the community yoga class, email Dattoli at connect@groundworkwellness.com by Friday, July 24. If there is a wellness issue that is dear to your heart, feel free to send a brief email about it, and GROUNDWORK yoga + wellness will work to find a local organization to partner.

Obituary: Anthony Paolillo; Cambridge Police Chief, Long-time Resident

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Photo: Anthony Paolillo. 

Anthony G. Paolillo, the former (and last) Chief of the Cambridge Police Department and long-time Tobey Road resident, died Tuesday, July 14, 2015. 

Paolillo was 89. 

Hired as a patrol officer, Paolillo worked his way to captain before being named acting chief in 1982. He was sworn in as chief a year later. Paolillo retired from the post in 1991, after which the city appointed a police commissioner to run the department.

After his retirement, a tot lot in Area IV near MIT was named for him.

He is survived by his wife, Mary (Dioguardi) Paolillo, and his four sons: Mark and his wife Christine of Belmont, Anthony and his wife Maureen of Watertown, Leonard and his wife Cynthia of Belmont, and John and his wife Lisa of Arlington. He was grandfather of Kathleen, Lynne, Anthony, Matthew, Stephen, Joseph, Sarah, Alyssa and Gianna Paolillo. He was the brother of the late Jim, Ralph, Mary D’Onofrio, Lucy Ciano and Nick Paolillo.

Visiting hours will take place on Friday, July 17, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the DeVito Funeral Home, 761 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 18, commencing at 10 a.m., in St. Francis of Assisi Church in East Cambridge.

Burial will follow in Belmont’s Highland Meadow Cemetery.

Soup FOR You! Spoodles Soup Set for September Opening

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Photo: Jose Rios.

Jose Rios wanted to tell the 3o or so people attending the Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Monday, July 13, at the Belmont Gallery of Art how he runs Spoodles Soup Factory, his eatery/take out in Foxboro.

But Board Chair Eric Smith cut him short. Without air conditioning, the third floor in the Homer Building was about as hot one of Rios’ five-alarm chili bowls.

The interruption did not indicate any trouble the board had with the special permit Rios was applying for to open his second outlet at 374 Trapelo Rd. adjacent the Studio Cinema in the former home of Cafe Burrito. In fact, the application was approved unanimously by the ZBA Monday. 

Unlike the memorable character on “Seinfeld” who would find multiple reasons not to serve you soup, Rios is looking for ways to get customers to come back time and again to take his soup.

“I will bring back old-fashion customer service, where my employees will take the time and answer every question to guarantee you’ll enjoy what you pay for,” the Grafton resident told the Belmontonian. 

The restaurant, open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., will serve fresh salads, wraps and sandwiches along with a variety of soups and chili from the staples such as chicken noodle to the adventurous chipotle sweet potato or chicken enchilada. 

The 768 square-foot location will have 13 seats and employ five employees.

Rios, who started his first eatery in West Newton 33 years ago, said he is looking to open by the first week in September when the weather gets cooler and school is back in session.