Today is Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to giving back by supporting nonprofits.
When you give today -- and every day -- don't forget our local organizations that do so much for our communities and neighbors.
There are 117 nonprofits that are members of your chamber. The full list is here.
Wellesley's dining scene just got a lot better
That sound you heard last Wednesday was Wellesley residents rejoicing.
Folks were elated because the select board just approved a sweeping array of changes to its alcoholic beverages regulations that will help existing restaurants thrive and attract new establishments and other businesses to town too.
First and foremost, the board lifted its archaic “intent to dine” rule, which prohibited customers from, for example, meeting friends for a drink unless they ordered a meal.
And the town will no longer cap bar seating at 10 percent of capacity, something many chefs said kept them from considering a Wellesley location. (As in, if you opened a twenty five seat boutique but were only allowed to have a two-seat bar, how did that make sense?)
These moves, along with an effort approved last spring to allow small boutique restaurants to serve alcohol for the first time, are the kinds of changes that can create foot traffic, fill vacant store fronts and bring vibrancy back downtown.
“We hope these changes will provide more dining options and flexibility for restaurant patrons, and also break down obstacles to economic growth and support the revitalization of our town business districts,” said Amy Frigulietti, the town’s assistant executive director.
It's fun to stay on Wells-Av-E-Nue
The West Suburban YMCA has signed a purchase and sale agreement for the property at 135 Wells Avenue in Newton, the site of the former Boston Sports Club.
The Y says it will take the next 45days to secure financing, fundraise, identify grants, and establish leases and commitments from mission aligned partner organizations.
“We expect to hire more than 100 staff members and create a destination full service inclusive Y facility, with a focus on youth recreation,” Jack Fucci, the Y’s president and CEO said in an email.
“The biggest hurdle right now, as is with all these types of transactions, is securing capital for the close in such a condensed period of time.”
Have you noticed it’s becoming hard to book a vax … again?
While it’s sometimes possible to score walk-in appointments at independent pharmacies and other sites, you’ll likely have to wait several weeks to secure an appointment – including for boosters – through the state’s vax finder site.
Gov. Charlie Baker said yesterday he's trying to make it easier for residents to bolster their protection against the coronavirus -- including to protect against the new Omicron variant -- by getting a booster shot, reports State House News’ Colin A. Young.
"I think the good news is we had tons of open appointments to get boosters two weeks ago. There's been a lot of increase -- which is good, I mean, I'm happy to have increases -- and we're going to talk to our folks about whether we can come up with additional ones," he said.
Rapid test kits also in short supply
Baker also expressed frustration with the affordability and accessibility of rapid or in-home COVID-19 tests.
"In most parts of Western Europe, you can buy these for a buck on the street corner,” he said on Boston Public Radio on GBH.
“And we have not reached the point in this country where we have that kind of supply available."
Reuters reported last month that more than 50 million rapid COVID-19 tests are manufactured in the United States each month but that a surge in demand from employers was driving up prices and making the tests harder to come by.
Charles River Road project update planned
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will provide an update regarding the construction of the Watertown Riverfront and Charles River Road Phase II project on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.
The project includes five new pedestrian crossings, new sidewalks, restored sidewalks, ADA access to DCR playground, restored river erosion, restored pathway and native landscaping. Join here.
And Charles River Watershed will host a virtual public meeting about its efforts to remove the Watertown Dam next Monday (Dec. 6) at 7 p.m. |
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