Arts & Culture – Belmont Citizens Forum

Ottavio Forte, Renaissance Man

Arts & Culture, July/August 2023, Newsletter Comments Off

Jun 302023

By Fred Bouchard Tireless energy, intelligence, and curiosity mark the life and times of Ottavio Forte. Now in his 80s, he has enjoyed success in a colorful array of careers and hobbies: electrical engineer, beekeeper, sculptor, winemaker, distiller, gardener, and homespun philosopher. Born in Formia (near Naples) in 1940, Forte came to New York at 14, the eighth child of illiterate, hard-working parents. As a high school senior, he claimed second prize in the Brooklyn Science Fair for a model of a vacuum tube. Forte graduated from City College of New York in 1961 in engineering. MIT hired him in [READ MORE]

‘Chickadee Tree’ Sings on Lone Tree Hill

Arts & Culture, January/February 2023 Comments Off

Jan 042023

‘Chickadee Tree’ Sings on Lone Tree Hill

The Belmont Citizens Forum and the Land Management Committee for Lone Tree Hill (LMC) would like to remind readers that the installation of objects, decorations, signs or messaging of any kind on conservation or public land is prohibited without prior written permission of the LMC, Conservation Commission, or other Town authority having jurisdiction. By Yuval Gur Environmental degradation and climate-changing behaviors have been part of our lives for many years. Yet, we are still in crisis, whether from microplastics in our oceans, rising sea levels, air pollution, or diminishing living habitats. What if nature could signal us with flashing lights [READ MORE]

Belmont Roots September 2020

Arts & Culture, BCF Events, Environment, Newsletter, Sept/Oct 2020 Comments Off

Sep 032020

By Meg Muckenhoupt Well, it’s fall, and most meetings are still being held via screens and speakers. I’m sorry. There are still some things you can do alone, or sitting on your couch, that might help you understand and improve the world. The following organizations are offering a variety of virtual events. These are highlights: Mass Audubon is holding several online classes this fall, including Identifying Hawks in Flight (Wednesday, September 9, 7–8:30 PM, $20 member/ $24 nonmembers), Beginner Birdwatching (eight classes beginning Thursday, September 10, 7–8:30 PM, $100 members/ $120 nonmembers), and Nature Writing (two classes beginning Thursday, October [READ MORE]

Belmont CPC Supports Four Projects

Arts & Culture, Historic Preservation, March/April 2020, Newsletter, Open Space, Town Committee Meetings Comments Off

Mar 022020

By Margaret Velie This year, Town Meeting will be considering four projects for Community Preservation Act funding. By law, Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds are limited to projects for affordable housing, historic resources, open space, and outdoor recreational facilities. Last fall, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) received seven preliminary applications for funding. Since then, one project was deemed ineligible, and two others were withdrawn. The committee reviewed the remaining four applications and is recommending all four for funding. Affordable Housing Feasibility Study for the Redevelopment and Creation of New Affordable Housing Units at Belmont Village The Belmont Housing Authority is [READ MORE]

Belmont Roots November 2019

Arts & Culture, BCF Events, Newsletter, November 2019 Comments Off

Nov 042019

By Meg Muckenhoupt For everything, there is a season, and late fall is the season for cleaning up. Take down the tomato stakes, put away the lawn chairs, and move all the clutter away from your windows and doors so you can feel if there are any drafts coming in. Air leaks make your home colder, and make you waste money and pollute the air with more greenhouse gases in a Sisyphean attempt to heat the great outdoors. Areas around pipes, electrical outlets, baseboards, vents, and pull-down attic stairs are also common sources of air leaks, which can usually be [READ MORE]

Belmont Porchfest Returns on Saturday, Sept. 7

Arts & Culture, July-Aug 2019 Comments Off

Jul 152019

Belmont Porchfest Returns on Saturday, Sept. 7

Get ready to make some noise in your neighborhood! By Mary Bradley On Saturday, September 7, 2019, Belmont Porchfest, the community-wide music and arts festival, is returning for its second year. (Rain date Sunday, September 8.) Live music, interactive arts, and other events will begin at 10:30 AM and run until 6:30 PM at locations all over town, including additional flourishes at the grand finale specifically for vegans and cyclists. For Belmontians who might enjoy a moment of fame, seek out cameras positioned on street corners to capture your thoughts about the day for Makin’ Noise, a documentary film in [READ MORE]

Community Meets at the Market

Arts & Culture, July-Aug 2019 Comments Off

Jul 152019

By Evanthia Malliris Summertime means it’s time to gather at the Belmont Farmers’ Market. For 14 years, the market has been a welcoming spot that offers fresh, local food along with music, storytelling, and activities for kids. Visitors can see neighbors, try new offerings from guest vendors, and meet representatives from the town and local organizations at the Community Table. This year’s new vendors include: Beverly Bees C & M Farm Common Acre Farm Just Hummus Lilac Hedge Farm Mariposa Bakery, Tick Tock Chocolates When Life Gives You Lemons The Market matches SNAP benefits up to $20 per shopper each [READ MORE]

March/April 2019 Belmont Citizens Forum Newsletter & PDF

Arts & Culture, BCF Events, Bicycles and bike paths, Bike Paths, Board of Selectmen, Environment, Historic Preservation, March/April 2019, Newsletter, Solar Power, Stormwater Comments Off

Mar 052019

View or download the March/April 2019 issue as a color PDF here, or read single articles below. Articles in this issue: Selectman Candidates Answer BCF Questions Belmont Annual Town Election to be Held Tuesday, April 2 Compiled by Mary Bradley Each year the Belmont Citizens Forum asks candidates for selectman about issues the town will likely face in the next three years. Below are candidates Jessie Bennett, Roy Epstein, and Timothy Flood’s unedited replies to our questions about traffic, the environment, development, and other topics. Read more. Eight Projects Recommended for Community Preservation Funds By David Kane, Stephen [READ MORE]

The Future of McLean Barn

Arts & Culture, Construction and Housing, Environment, Historic Preservation, Open Space, Sept-Oct 2018 Comments Off

Sep 122018

By Robert Kennedy As most in Belmont are aware, there is a barn located adjacent to Rock Meadow, sitting back from Mill Street just south of the Rock Meadow parking lot. It is brick, substantially built, and was once part of a farm that supported McLean Hospital. Although now boarded up, it is in reasonably good repair. Belmont Town Meeting recently approved monies from Community Preservation Act funds for minor repairs to help prevent deterioration. Although there are currently no plans for restoration, future use of the barn was discussed during the recent Rock Meadow planning study (see “Developing a [READ MORE]

Two Years of Homer House Restoration Success

Arts & Culture, Construction and Housing, Historic Preservation, Newsletter, Sept-Oct 2018 Comments Off

Sep 122018

Two Years of Homer House Restoration Success

By Wendy Murphy The Belmont Woman’s Club has been working on many projects at the beautiful William Flagg Homer House. Located at 661 Pleasant Street, across from Town Hall in the Pleasant Street Historic District, the Homer House is named for its original owner, William Flagg Homer, a wealthy Boston merchant who built the property in 1853 as a summer residence. William Flagg was uncle to famed American artist Winslow Homer, whose artwork features numerous scenes of Belmont people and places, including his uncle’s home. The Homer House has been actively undergoing restoration since 2016, when the Woman’s Club [READ MORE]

Alewife Poetry Stroll

Arts & Culture, Environment, Newsletter, Open Space, Sept-Oct 2018 Comments Off

Sep 122018

Poet Elizabeth Quinlan reads by Little River during the August 18 Alewife Poetry Stroll. This event was sponsored by Friends of Alewife Reservation and featured two poets, Quinlan and Barbara Thomas. Belmont Citizens Forum board member Anne-Marie Lambert served as nature guide to educate participants about the history of the land, water, wildlife, and people who have known this place.

Getting in Tune with Belmont’s Music Community

Arts & Culture, July-Aug 2018, Newsletter Comments Off

Jul 172018

Getting in Tune with Belmont's Music Community

Opportunities Abound for Making and Enjoying Music with Neighbors By Sara McCabe After moving from Germany to Belmont, music helped me find friends and a new home. Especially the music programs in the public school and Powers Music School created an environment that made me forget that I live in a new country. – Fiona Knoor Chenery Middle School student Fiona Knoor is one of hundreds of Belmont residents, young and old, taking advantage of our town’s vibrant music community. Fiona plays flute, piccolo, and piano and participates in multiple ensembles at Chenery and Powers Music School. But you don’t [READ MORE]

Belmont Announces First Annual Porchfest

Arts & Culture, May-June 2018, Newsletter Comments Off

May 152018

Belmont Announces First Annual Porchfest

By Mary Bradley Porchfest is coming to Belmont! The first annual Belmont Porchfest will be on Saturday, September 8, 2018. Porchfest is a celebration of community through music and arts performed by your friends and neighbors (and maybe even you) on porches throughout Belmont. Walk to a neighbor’s house to hear a klezmer band or host a circus show on your front lawn. You can sign up to play some music, host a band, or both. You can also support this event through a donation or sponsorship. However you choose to participate, please save the date for a fun day [READ MORE]

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