BAA to Wellesley: No Kissing Strangers
BAA to Wellesley: No Kissing Strangers
Looking for silver linings from the pandemic?
How about the fact that we’re scheduled to host not one, but two, Boston Marathons running through two of our towns in the next seven months?
(And if we can just score some runs, two Red Sox games at Fenway on both dates too.)
This Monday’s 125th running of the Marathon is the rescheduled event from April and the first since 2019.
Then, if all goes as planned (can you truly plan anything these days?), we’ll get to enjoy the 125th marathon running through the middle of Wellesley and over the hills of Newton on April 18.
Of course, the marathon comes with street closures and parking restrictions: Wellesley's info here. Newton's info here.
Also note: Monday's race will have about 40 percent few runners and start earlier in order to provide a little extra distance between runners.
BAA to Wellesley: No kissing strangers
Other than the color of the leaves on the trees (and no daffodils), here’s something else that will be different this Marathon Monday: The world-famous Wellesley College “scream tunnel.”
The Boston Athletic Association didn’t mention the decades-old college tradition by name. But the BAA recently issued an advisory against “kissing a stranger around the halfway mark of the Boston Marathon.”
Wellesley's Director of Media Relations Casey Bayer tells Wicked Local “students will be asked to wear masks outside while they gather to watch the race, to not share food or drink, and to not touch the runners or have any physical contact as they go by.”
Oh well, there’s always the 126th marathon in April.
Also Monday: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The Home of Heartbreak Hill will also host the state’s largest and Newton’s first Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration on Monday, starting at City Hall at 8 a.m.
Local tribal leaders from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, Narragansett Indian Tribe, Nipmuc Nation and Shinnecock Indian Nation will honor five historic indigenous winners of the Boston Marathon, writes the Globe’s John Hilliard.
Then from noon to 5 p.m. the Indigenous Peoples Day Newton committee will host an event at Albemarle Park, featuring music, artists, speakers, performers, food and vendors.
Jazmyn Gray with the Globe has this profile of Newton resident and committee co-chair Chali’Naru Dones, a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe.
Intrum acquires Needham Heights properties
Newton-based property owner Intrum Corp. has purchased a significant portfolio of buildings between Gould Street and I-95 in Needham that could have tremendous upside for our part of the I-95 corridor.
Intrum’s purchase spans roughly 3.45 acres. The portfolio includes 77,300 square feet flex space, circa the 1960s, that have been owned – and in many cases built -- by David Tocci and his family for over a half century.
The acquisition is especially interesting in light of the approval this year by Needham Town meeting to rezone the parcels just down the street that are currently home to two Muzi auto dealerships, Wash World and the WCVB-TV studio. These combined moves could be transformative to a commercial area that hasn't changed significantly in decades.
“David Tocci has taken meticulous care of the properties and has historically maintained 100% occupancy,” said Stefan Frey of Commonwealth Commercial Advisors who assisted with the transaction.
“Our plan is to promptly commence an extensive capital improvement campaign including façade, systems, site, landscaping, signage and amenity upgrades to enhance the tenant experience” wrote Randy Goldberg, buyer principal in an email.
The portfolio includes: 110-116 Gould St., 91-101 Hampton Ave., 11 Ellis St., 45-55 Kearney Rd and 47/47A/47B Kearney Rd. As of right zoning allows: industrial; wholesale distribution; light manufacturing; office; laboratory; personal fitness and other uses.
Baker continues to plug 'small business relief'
State tax collections continue to exceed expectations.
So why are employers still waiting to see if lawmakers will act on the governor’s proposal to provide unemployment insurance relief to small businesses?
In August Gov. Charlie Baker proposed using $1 billion towards reducing $7 billion in pandemic layoff unemployment bills, writes Matt Murphy at State House News.
Since then, state revenues and surpluses keep surging, exceeding forecasts and far surpassing what the state has taken in during the same months in previous years, according to Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth.
"Thanks to a strong recovery and smart budgeting, MA has a surplus - it's time for lawmakers to return those surplus tax dollars and pass our plan to deliver small business relief," Baker tweeted.
Lawmakers haven’t said whether they intend to use some of the surplus to reduce UI bills.
Better yet, they should also tap into the nearly $5 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds to reduce the UI tab further.
For your calendar
· The MBTA will hold a virtual public meeting next Weds. (Oct. 13) at 6 p.m. to discuss a proposal to improve accessibility at the three commuter rail stations in Newton. The proposal also includes designs for two-platform stations that would allow for more consistent service to Newton throughout the day. Details
· The JCC Greater Boston and WGBH Hot Buttons Cool Conversations Discussion Series continues Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. with a free virtual program called "Covid Culture Wars." David Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic, will lead a discussion. Details.
· Get Konnected! and Boston Magazine are presenting a day long professional women’s event on Oct. 22, drawing on the experience of a great list of business leaders to mentor Boston’s next generation in an educational, inclusive and fun environment. Details
Watertown now has a community fridge
The Watertown Community Fridge, located outside Francis Market at 1084 Belmont St. in Watertown, opened this week. Donation guidelines are here. Volunteer guidelines here.
Kudos to the Helen Robinson Wright Fund for its support of the Watertown Fridge initiative.
Whether you need groceries or have extra to give, Eater has a map of other fridges in Greater Boston, which includes the Newton Community Freedge.
NewMo offers Newton employers a transit tool
Newton’s on demand transit service NewMo has provided more than the 2,000 rides since the senior citizen ride service was expanded to include employers and residents in July.
Anyone in Newton can book a $2 on demand ride from anywhere in the city to the MBTA Green Line, commuter rail stations in Newton and Needham Heights and two village centers – Newtonville and Newton Center – as well as to Needham Street, Wells Ave. and the UMass Mount Ida Campus.
Employers looking to set up a corporate account for workers or customers can find details at the NewMo website. Questions? Contact Nicole Freedman
Pumpkins and rats: A bad combination
Watertown health officials are asking residents and businesses to help curb rodent activity by keeping pumpkins and other edible decorations indoors.
Other suggestions for curbing rodents are on Watertown's website.
Rat sightings have been on the rise in Watertown and other communities, including Newton and residential neighborhoods in Boston, writes Emily Sweeney at the Globe
Watertown's pumpkin plea is an advisory, not a mandate, and possibly a reminder that they could perhaps be better used for this anyway.
That’s today’s need to knows, unless you need to know about Mr. Goxx, the crypto-trading hamster that performed better than Warren Buffett and the S&P 500. Someone ought to treat that little guy to a piece of jack-o'-lantern.
The chamber office is closed Monday. Need to Knows returns Wednesday. Enjoy the long weekend.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
How about the fact that we’re scheduled to host not one, but two, Boston Marathons running through two of our towns in the next seven months?
(And if we can just score some runs, two Red Sox games at Fenway on both dates too.)
This Monday’s 125th running of the Marathon is the rescheduled event from April and the first since 2019.
Then, if all goes as planned (can you truly plan anything these days?), we’ll get to enjoy the 125th marathon running through the middle of Wellesley and over the hills of Newton on April 18.
Of course, the marathon comes with street closures and parking restrictions: Wellesley's info here. Newton's info here.
Also note: Monday's race will have about 40 percent few runners and start earlier in order to provide a little extra distance between runners.
BAA to Wellesley: No kissing strangers
Other than the color of the leaves on the trees (and no daffodils), here’s something else that will be different this Marathon Monday: The world-famous Wellesley College “scream tunnel.”
The Boston Athletic Association didn’t mention the decades-old college tradition by name. But the BAA recently issued an advisory against “kissing a stranger around the halfway mark of the Boston Marathon.”
Wellesley's Director of Media Relations Casey Bayer tells Wicked Local “students will be asked to wear masks outside while they gather to watch the race, to not share food or drink, and to not touch the runners or have any physical contact as they go by.”
Oh well, there’s always the 126th marathon in April.
Also Monday: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The Home of Heartbreak Hill will also host the state’s largest and Newton’s first Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration on Monday, starting at City Hall at 8 a.m.
Local tribal leaders from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, Narragansett Indian Tribe, Nipmuc Nation and Shinnecock Indian Nation will honor five historic indigenous winners of the Boston Marathon, writes the Globe’s John Hilliard.
Then from noon to 5 p.m. the Indigenous Peoples Day Newton committee will host an event at Albemarle Park, featuring music, artists, speakers, performers, food and vendors.
Jazmyn Gray with the Globe has this profile of Newton resident and committee co-chair Chali’Naru Dones, a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe.
Intrum acquires Needham Heights properties
Newton-based property owner Intrum Corp. has purchased a significant portfolio of buildings between Gould Street and I-95 in Needham that could have tremendous upside for our part of the I-95 corridor.
Intrum’s purchase spans roughly 3.45 acres. The portfolio includes 77,300 square feet flex space, circa the 1960s, that have been owned – and in many cases built -- by David Tocci and his family for over a half century.
The acquisition is especially interesting in light of the approval this year by Needham Town meeting to rezone the parcels just down the street that are currently home to two Muzi auto dealerships, Wash World and the WCVB-TV studio. These combined moves could be transformative to a commercial area that hasn't changed significantly in decades.
“David Tocci has taken meticulous care of the properties and has historically maintained 100% occupancy,” said Stefan Frey of Commonwealth Commercial Advisors who assisted with the transaction.
“Our plan is to promptly commence an extensive capital improvement campaign including façade, systems, site, landscaping, signage and amenity upgrades to enhance the tenant experience” wrote Randy Goldberg, buyer principal in an email.
The portfolio includes: 110-116 Gould St., 91-101 Hampton Ave., 11 Ellis St., 45-55 Kearney Rd and 47/47A/47B Kearney Rd. As of right zoning allows: industrial; wholesale distribution; light manufacturing; office; laboratory; personal fitness and other uses.
Baker continues to plug 'small business relief'
State tax collections continue to exceed expectations.
So why are employers still waiting to see if lawmakers will act on the governor’s proposal to provide unemployment insurance relief to small businesses?
In August Gov. Charlie Baker proposed using $1 billion towards reducing $7 billion in pandemic layoff unemployment bills, writes Matt Murphy at State House News.
Since then, state revenues and surpluses keep surging, exceeding forecasts and far surpassing what the state has taken in during the same months in previous years, according to Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth.
"Thanks to a strong recovery and smart budgeting, MA has a surplus - it's time for lawmakers to return those surplus tax dollars and pass our plan to deliver small business relief," Baker tweeted.
Lawmakers haven’t said whether they intend to use some of the surplus to reduce UI bills.
Better yet, they should also tap into the nearly $5 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds to reduce the UI tab further.
For your calendar
· The MBTA will hold a virtual public meeting next Weds. (Oct. 13) at 6 p.m. to discuss a proposal to improve accessibility at the three commuter rail stations in Newton. The proposal also includes designs for two-platform stations that would allow for more consistent service to Newton throughout the day. Details
· The JCC Greater Boston and WGBH Hot Buttons Cool Conversations Discussion Series continues Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. with a free virtual program called "Covid Culture Wars." David Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic, will lead a discussion. Details.
· Get Konnected! and Boston Magazine are presenting a day long professional women’s event on Oct. 22, drawing on the experience of a great list of business leaders to mentor Boston’s next generation in an educational, inclusive and fun environment. Details
Watertown now has a community fridge
The Watertown Community Fridge, located outside Francis Market at 1084 Belmont St. in Watertown, opened this week. Donation guidelines are here. Volunteer guidelines here.
Kudos to the Helen Robinson Wright Fund for its support of the Watertown Fridge initiative.
Whether you need groceries or have extra to give, Eater has a map of other fridges in Greater Boston, which includes the Newton Community Freedge.
NewMo offers Newton employers a transit tool
Newton’s on demand transit service NewMo has provided more than the 2,000 rides since the senior citizen ride service was expanded to include employers and residents in July.
Anyone in Newton can book a $2 on demand ride from anywhere in the city to the MBTA Green Line, commuter rail stations in Newton and Needham Heights and two village centers – Newtonville and Newton Center – as well as to Needham Street, Wells Ave. and the UMass Mount Ida Campus.
Employers looking to set up a corporate account for workers or customers can find details at the NewMo website. Questions? Contact Nicole Freedman
Pumpkins and rats: A bad combination
Watertown health officials are asking residents and businesses to help curb rodent activity by keeping pumpkins and other edible decorations indoors.
Other suggestions for curbing rodents are on Watertown's website.
Rat sightings have been on the rise in Watertown and other communities, including Newton and residential neighborhoods in Boston, writes Emily Sweeney at the Globe
Watertown's pumpkin plea is an advisory, not a mandate, and possibly a reminder that they could perhaps be better used for this anyway.
That’s today’s need to knows, unless you need to know about Mr. Goxx, the crypto-trading hamster that performed better than Warren Buffett and the S&P 500. Someone ought to treat that little guy to a piece of jack-o'-lantern.
The chamber office is closed Monday. Need to Knows returns Wednesday. Enjoy the long weekend.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
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