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Brynn O'Connor
Category: Environment
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Recycle logoSuperintendent Dr. Elizabeth Homan, left, helps cut the green ribbon on one of the two new electric school buses. / Brynn O'Connor photographs

School officials, state representatives, town employees and community members all clapped as a green ribbon on a school bus was cut outside Arlington High School just before Town Day on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The reason to celebrate? The school bus is one of two new electrically powered vehicles the town recently received as part of a program aimed at reducing carbon emissions and advancing clean transportation technologies.

After two years of planning, the new buses were brought into public view.

Speaking at the podium in front of roughly 20 people were schools' Superintendent Elizabeth Homan, Arlington School Committee Chair Kirsi Allison-Ampe, Town Sustainability Manager Talia Fox, local state Rep. Sean Garballey and others who support the schools' and the town's strides towards a greener future. 

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YourArlington staff
Category: Things to do: Events
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Rainbow Commission logo

This column is based on the town's LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission newsletter:  

UPDATED Sept. 25: The Rainbow Commission is a local volunteer organization dedicated to promoting full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups in Arlington.

Its most recent newsletter details some anticipated events including a book-discussion group scheduled at the Robbins Library, Wednesday Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. The book expected to be discussed is "¡Hola Papi!: How to come out in a Walmart parking lot and other life lessons," by John Paul Brammer.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 781-316-3419 for Zoom registration information. 

Sign up to receive the commission's monthly newsletter here >> 

More information appears below.

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YourArlington staff
Category: Meeting agendas
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selectboard 052019

The Arlington Select Board is scheduled to meet at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27. This is expected to be a hybrid session with a zoom option or in-person at the Select Board chambers, second floor, Town Hall. 

This meeting is also on Zoom. Register here >>

This week's meeting is planned to include a review of requests for beer and liquor licenses for two private events at the Whittemore Robbins House, among other topics. The full meeting agenda is available on Novus here >> 

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YourArlington staff
Category: Things to do: Events
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Dallin Art Museum at Jefferson Cutter House.Dallin Museum at Jefferson Cutter House.

UPDATED Sept. 25: The annual Arlington Center Walking Tours sponsored by the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum began May 25 this year. On these excursions, attendees explore artistic and historical landmarks in the center of the town of Arlington.

The next one -- which is the final one for the season -- is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28.

The free one-hour walking tour starts at the headquarters of its sponsor, the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum, 611 Mass. Ave. -- the yellow building at Whittemore Park. Donations are encouraged to this non-profit organization. Metered parking is available in the municipal lot behind the museum building, off Mystic Street.

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Tony Moschetto
Category: Development
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Zoning Board of Appeals logo

The plan for a 43-unit affordable housing project proposed to be built at 10 Sunnyside Ave. by the nonprofit organization Housing Corporation of Arlington by 2026 has been approved unanimously, with conditions, by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“Conditions, which we are prepared to meet,” said Erica Schwarz, executive director of the HCA. “They [ZBA] are now finalizing the letter that they will forward to us,” she told YourArlington via email after the meeting.

For nearly two hours Sept. 12, the acting chair, Patrick Hanlon and the other board members went through the final draft of the HCA’s proposal, continuing this process from its previous meeting, at which the board covered findings, waivers and about half of the conditions.

Some conditions discussed at the Sept. 12 meeting focused on project design and construction -- and included a requirement that HCA maintain a frequently updated website, open to anyone who might wish to view it, to keep people informed on the construction process.

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YourArlington staff
Category: Town Day
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Town Day logoUPDATED Sept. 25: With only brief light sprinkles at 12:30 p.m. and later a light but steady rain that began an hour before closing at 3:30 p.m., 2023's edition of Town Day in Arlington nevertheless delighted the crowds.

Despite the droplets, the popular long-running annual free street festival, held slightly later in the year than usual, on Saturday, Sept. 23, took place with just about all features intact including hundreds racing at "The Res," save for the previously announced postponement of fireworks.

Visitors seemed to demonstrate great diversity in terms of ages, disability statuses,Town Day diversityYoung, old, white, PoC, those with service dogs and walkers, others who strolled easily: many braved the weather Saturday at Town Day near Robbins Library. / Tony Moschetto photo ethnicities and, especially, lengths of time having lived in the town -- from those who said that they had resided here for many decades to others who mentioned that they had arrived only in the summer.

The event, at the beginning of autumn, ran from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fewer guests seemed in evidence than in 2022, likely attributable to the cloudy weather, but those present appeared to enjoy themselves even so.

Food booths, too, were varied. Items for sale ranged from fried dough to vegan goodies to baked specialties to international delicacies: Indian, Mediterranean and Thai, among others.

There was free coffee at at least one booth -- most welcome on a still-chilly mid-morning -- and, at others,  sugary treats that some youngsters doubtless viewed as a preview to trick-or-treating nearly six weeks early.

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Susan Gilbert
Category: Arts
Hits: 132

speakers for Sept. 30, 2023From left, Strong Bear Medicine, Daniel Boudillion

Local residents can learn about the resilience and endurance of the “Nashobah Praying Indians” at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. This free, family-friendly event is being held at the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., downstairs in the Community Room. This event is intended as an early observance of Indigenous People's Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a term commonly used in Massachusetts and by some other states cities and universities  for what is also known as Columbus Day, occurring the second Monday in October.

 

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YourArlington staff
Category: Arts
Hits: 124

Elijah White, AIFF poster

The Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassART) has announced that the period for nominations have opened and that nominations are due soon. Self-nominations are accepted, and numerous categories have been established.

The MassART Common Good Awards is a new category and along with two others are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16, at the institution's design and media center. This ceremony aims to celebrate the college's 150th anniversary and recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations at the intersection of civic life, arts and culture, according to a press release. 

MassART is looking to honor artists who push the boundaries of advocacy and teaching in their work. Qualifying applicants must place emphasis on the public influence of art and its role in problem-solving and quality of life, according to the release. 

The college is allowing open calls for nominations, including visual and performing arts, literature, film, fashion, design, advocacy, administration and creative economy. The deadline is Oct. 2; those interested can access the form here >>  and read more about requirements below:

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Frederick Kalil
Category: Restaurant
Hits: 548
Review: Acitrón

EATinton logo: Fred Kalil
Frederick Kalil reviews

Having always been of the belief that good Mexican food needn’t suck the wallet dry, I habitually tap into Arlington’s modest — and very good — spots when I get the hankering. It’s come to my attention that the pattern of falling into habit and coddling assumptions resulted in harboring a blind spot to Acitrón, which I had last visited at least 10 years ago. A look at the current menu convinced me that a return was in order.

Starters worth attending to

The first-listed item on the menu is a sauced cornbread appetizer priced at $12, seemingly the kitchen’s bold, throwdown challenge to my faith in simpler Mexican fare. This pan de elote, made with peppers and cheese, is napped with an expanse of poblano cream sauce and impresses as a full-scale dish. Moist and puddingy but admirably crusted on the bottom, it might equally be enjoyed as a dessert. The abundant sauce was declared “velvety” by an impressed tablemate.

  1. Philanthropic group plans program Sunday about human trafficking
  2. Late-September ZBA meeting rescheduled for Oct. 3
  3. 'Pippin' at Arlington Friends of the Drama's theater; first of four shows in new season

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YOUR VIEW: Opinions

HCA challenged to raise $15k by Oct. 15

HCA walk 2023

The following announcement and plea is from Erica Schwarz, executive director of the Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA).

A generous Arlington supporter has challenged HCA to raise $15,000 by Oct. 15 for our Homelessness Prevention Program.

Please give today to double the value of your gift
and ensure we secure
a full $30,000 for this program.
Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing
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More housing in Arlington is needed for ordinary folks

Charley Blandy of Lombard Terrace advocates for an Arlington in which all who wish can find a home.

lettersWhy do we need meaningful MBTA zoning in Arlington? We have a housing shortage; the state says we have to, to follow our stated principles; so that people, businesses and trees can live here.

Housing is scarce and expensive here; our median sales price just topped $1 million. If you’re an Arlington homeowner, you’re probably aware that your assessment has increased quite a bit over the past 10 to 20 years. Maybe you’re relieved. You might take out a home-improvement loan based on that valuation. And your young-adult kids might be wondering how they can live in town, if not in their old rooms. You might wonder where you’ll live if you want to downsize.
Letters to the editor
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Letters: Emailing Advocate & Star? Copy it here; it'll be published first

YourArlington's policy about letters to the editor

UPDATED Sept. 14: YourArlington welcomes opinions of all kinds from local residents, including national issues so long as you can draw a local connection. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in June on Roe v Wade must have echoes here, too. Letters are reviewed for fairness, factualness and taste.

letters

Factual letters about Arlington issues are welcome. Length of such letters should be no more than 800 words.

NOTE: When emailing a letter to The Advocate & Star, consider copying YourArlington at the same time. Your opinions will be published sooner.

Please support your view with facts and arguments that attempt to adhere to reason.

You may write on any subject, so long as you try to make a connection to Arlington. If you can't do that, then your residence in town will be a sufficient connection.
Letters to the editor
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Why I donate to support Arlington news reporting

David Levy, a Precinct 18 Town Meeting member, spells out why he donates monthly to support YourArlington.

Dave Levy

In July, Your Arlington has published two excellent articles (among others). One was about the town’s efforts to force our local utility to fix the gas leaks throughout town. The other was about the July 25 meeting of the MBTA Working Group. 

Both were incredibly informative and highlighted real issues with which Arlington residents are dealing.

The updated report covering the MBTA Zoning meeting was one of the best articles I’ve read about an issue in our town in sometime. It highlighted the policy position, the opposition against it and the support for it. And, as we all know, how we comply with this state law is a significant issue for our town.
Media
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This camera crew aims to portray Town Hall as your enemy

The Monday morning before the first in-person annual Town Meeting at Town Hall Auditorium since 2019, a three-person camera crew representing Accountability For All conducted what it calls a First Amendment audit. The high-sounding effort obscured deliberately provocative actions in which people film local-government employees without permission.

Josh Abrams, Sandy Pooler, April 24, 2023Josh Abrams, Sandy Pooler on April 24.

Led by Joshua Abrams of Stoneham, who is known to police in a variety of cases (see links below), the self-appointed guardians of free speech showed up April 24 unannounced, as it does at municipal governments in Massachusetts and Connecticut, cameras running. The claimed aim -- an impartial record of how local governments support the First Amendment.

So how did Arlington rate? That depends on the observer. As in all such events, the camera's roving eye reflects its handler, who shapes the narrative.
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