Hello friends,

The googly eyes have arrived on the Green Line.  

Have you seen the video of a guy playing 80 of the greatest piano intros in about 15 minutes?

Oh, and how much do you know about the history of pancakes?

Yes, I’m trying to distract us for a few minutes from having to think about that disastrous debate last night.

Here’s what else you need to know, starting with some good news …

Effort to save West Newton Cinema reaches a milestone

The nonprofit organization that’s been working to purchase and then restore the West Newton Cinema announced last night that it has raised enough money to purchase the building.

The announcement comes about one month ahead of the deadline to purchase the historic 1937 Art Deco venue from Robert Korff’s Mark Development.

Korff essentially bailed out the struggling operation when he purchased the distressed building in 2022  for $5.6 million, saying at the time that he would sell it back to the foundation, interest-free, for the same $5.6 million.

“We are so pleased to share that we have met our Phase I goal,” Elizabeth Heilig, president of the West Newton Cinema Foundation said in an emailed announcement. “In the coming weeks, we plan to purchase West Newton Cinema.”

The foundation is now moving to Phase II, raising funds for the cinema’s much-needed renovation.  The campaign’s goal is $14 million.

Here’s how you can help.

Needham moving forward on 136 affordable housing units

The Needham Housing Authority just issued an RFP for the redevelopment of its public housing site at 138-188 Linden Street.

The authority is replacing 72 worn-out units of affordable housing for seniors and the disabled with 136 new units.

Judge takes a swipe at swipe fee settlement 

A federal judge is expected to reject a multi-billion dollar settlement that would have provided temporary relief from those high “swipe fees” your business is charged every time a customer pays by credit card.

And that could prove to be good news for your business.

The $30 billion settlement arose from a 2005 antitrust class-action lawsuit against Visa, Mastercard and multiple U.S. banks. It alleged that merchants paid excessive fees to accept credit and debit payments from the card companies, reports Hanah Zeigler at the Washington Post.

Merchants claimed it was de facto price fixing. Under the settlement, the credit card companies agreed to lower the average swipe fee by at least 0.04 percentage points for three years and remain at least 0.07 percentage points below the current average for five years.

Many merchant groups opposed the deal, fearing the credit card companies would revert to higher fees once the agreement expired.

This week U.S. District Judge Margo Brodie signaled she plans to reject the agreement, forcing Visa and Mastercard to either renegotiate or go to trial.

Visa and Mastercard expressed disappointment with the judge’s decision, Zeigler writes.

Friday grab bag

• The state Senate passed its version of the $5.4 billion housing production and borrowing bill late last night. (It did not include the transfer tax.) It now moves to be reconciled in conference committee. (State House News)
  
  
• Chef Jason Santos’ (Buttermilk & Bourbon, Citrus & Salt, Nash Bar & Stage) newest restaurant ButterBird is opening at Arsenal Yards in Watertown today (June 28).
  
  
• Does your company have summer interns? The Bulfinch Group is hosting an intern networking day featuring guest speaker, elevator pitch coach Andrew Winig on Wed. July 10, 8:30 a.m. in Needham. Email if your organization's interns would be interested in attending a morning of networking 101.
  
  
• Nominations close today for our annual Needham Night Awards.
  
  
• Ever been curious to see what the Watertown Yacht Club on Charles River Road looks like? The club is hosting a free open house and classic car show today (June 28th) from 4 to 10 p.m.  (Watertown News)
  
  
• Newton’s New Philharmonia Orchestra has named Jorge Soto Music Director of the 75-member regional orchestra. New Phil celebrates its 30th anniversary next year.
  
  
• Join the Department of Conservation & Recreation, July 9, 7:30 p.m., to learn about its study of options for the future of Watertown Dam.
  
  
• The most expensive listed sale price for a home in Wellesley ever has hit the market for $17.5 million. (Boston Globe)
  
  
• Happy birthday to Fig City News which marked its second anniversary this week. Show your appreciation with a donation.
  
  
• Find more news from our members here. Log into your member portal to share your company’s or nonprofit’s news.

Beacon Hill to public: Na-na na-na na-na. 

Finally, this morning, if one of your employees blew their most important annual deadline for fourteen consecutive years, wouldn’t you fire them?

Well, this month marks the 14th year in a row that our state Legislature will not be approving the state’s annual budget in time for the start of the fiscal year which begins Monday.

But most of these lawmakers are fire proof.

All 160 House seats and 40 Senate seats are up for reelection this November. However, the occupants of more than two-thirds of those seats are guaranteed an opportunity to blow budgets for two additional years since they have no competition.

It so happens that two of the 54 house districts where voters will have a choice are in Newton. One is in Needham.  (The remainder of our local delegation has no opponents.)

If you live in one of the three contested districts, please vet your next state rep candidate thoroughly. Once elected, these folks tend to stay for a long time.

Our chamber will be hosting virtual debates for all three contests, starting July 13 at noon with the three Democrats -- Patrick A. Gatto, Kenneth Ruetenik and Joshua Tarsky facing off in the Sept. 3 primary for the seat covering Needham, Dover and part of Medfield, currently held by retiring Rep. Denise Garlick. RSVP

We’ll announce debates for the two contests in Newton soon.

That’s what you need to know for today, except you should know that there will be no newsletter next week. Happy Fourth!

And sorry, but back to thinking about last night’s you-know-what.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

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