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You don't have to go to Amherst to appreciate his legacy

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You don't have to go to Amherst to appreciate his legacy

Sometimes we take for granted the things that make our communities unique -- until we lose them.
 
The Plumbing Museum in Watertown is one of those.
 
I'm not joking, take a look.
 
For 15 years the museum showcased its collection of antique commodes, claw-foot tubs, ornate sinks, and other plumbing items. And it documented the evolution of plumbing systems and various plumbing technologies.
 
Pre-pandemic the former 19th-century New England Ice House also served as a gathering space for great parties, local arts and industry events, including the Watertown Film Festival, Music of the Pipes, puppet shows and art shows featuring the work of in-house artists-in-residence. 
 
This week the museum announced it has closed – at least temporarily -- as curators look for a new home, with some artifacts and the artists in residence program moving to the Seaport District.
 
The closure is due to the planned move by the museum’s host J.C. Cannistraro from its Rosedale Rd. facility.
 
Some restaurants look to fees to make ends meet
 
Inflation along with supply chain and labor shortages have been brutal for the restaurant industry.
 
The average price of supplies for a restaurant operator increased 17.5% since last year. In comparison, consumer spending at restaurants rose 5% during that time, according to the Wall Street Journal.
 
Even credit card fees have increased for many merchants.
 
Rather than raise menu prices, some restaurants are making ends meet by introducing new fees – such as “fuel surcharge,” "inflation fee" or “kitchen appreciation” fee -- to the tab, the Journal adds. 
 
Report: PPP hampered by “unprecedented” amount of fraud
 
The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program was a godsend to so many businesses, including those who will tell you that they might not be operating today without the funds that helped pay the rent, keep the lights on and meet payroll during the pandemic’s darkest days.
 
But the program was also subject to an “unprecedented” amount of fraud accusations, writes Andy Medici for the BBJ.
 
From when the program began in March, 2020 through the end of 2021, the SBA’s PPP fraud hotline exceeded 54,000 complaints, compared to just 52 complaints the IG received in all of 2019 in regards to the SBA’s 7(a) lending program, according to an SBA Inspector General report.
 
Part of the problem stems from how quickly the SBA, then under the watch of the Trump administration, put the program into place. In addition, the agency did not provide lenders sufficient specific guidance to effectively identify, track, address and resolve potentially fraudulent PPP loans, the report said
 
The SBA made nearly 11.4 million PPP loans across 2020 and 2021 for a total of about $788 billion. So far, about 10.1 million — or 89% of all PPP loans — have been forgiven.
 
Weekend need to goes
 
  • Newton PorchFest -- featuring 100 bands and 60+ porches -- is happening tomorrow (Saturday) from noon to 6 p.m. Details.
 
  • Needham is marking Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a free DIY Art & Craft tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to noon on the Needham Town Common. Details.
 
  • Watertown’s first Pride Extravaganza is also tomorrow. The free, all-ages event will feature live music, dancing, crafts, games, and more. Details.
 
  • And also tomorrow there will be other Wonderful Wellesley family event noon to 3 p.m. Three prime locations; Central/Cross Streets in Downtown, Linden Square Courtyard, and Church Street will host activities, entertainment, games, & street performers. Free to all from noon to 3 p.m. Details.
 
Other need to knows
 
  • Some 300,000 low-income workers throughout Massachusetts were scheduled receive a $500 payment from the Baker administration this week. This is the second part of a program that was originally created to reward front line essential workers for being there for the rest of us during the pandemic, although the criteria was modified. (MassLive)
 
  • Artists will fan out across 13 locations in Newton this weekend participating in a unique public arts program that brings together art and commerce. They’ll be transforming pews donated by Newtonville’s Boston Chinese Evangelical Church as part of Newton Community Pride’s Sit & Let Your Spirit Soar project.
 
  • Needham’s Planning Board will hold a public hearing Tuesday (June 7) at 7:30 p.m. to consider a special permit request by Bulfinch for the proposed Highland Innovation Center at the site of the former Muzi car dealership. This is the first of what will likely be several hearings on the petition, including one on July 7, focused specifically on traffic and parking. Sign up for updates here.
 
  • Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned in the City of Newton between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5. Only one electric or battery-powered leaf blower per lot is allowed. Details. 
 
Next week: Owners who've overcome the odds
 
Our real estate committee has an interesting virtual panel program planned for next Thursday at 10 a.m.
 
It will focus on the state of the retail industry and how some small local entrepreneurs are finding ways to persevere under difficult odds.
 
The program will begin with an update on the state of the industry from the always-interesting Jesse Baerkahn, president and founder of Graffito.
 
After Baerkahn, we’ll hear from four different retailers about their approach and the challenges they’ve faced.
 
And while the focus will be on retail, the lessons learned by these entrepreneurs should be of value to many business operators. Register.
 
And while you’re signing up for events
 
Don’t forget to RSVP for our big event of the summer at the gorgeous Mass Horticultural Society's Gardens at Elm Bank on July 12. 
 
If you're able, please consider becoming a sponsor by reserving a block of five or ten tickets for colleagues and clients.
 
 
You won't have to go to Amherst to appreciate his legacy
 
UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy announced plans to retire yesterday.
 
He's not leaving until next summer, but when Subbaswamy (better known as “Swamy") departs he’ll leave a legacy that includes improving the university’s graduation rate, making the campus more diverse, increasing innovative research, navigating a pandemic and being a very popular selfie get.
 
kumble subbaswamy
But for our region, it will be Subbaswamy’s role in preserving the Mount Ida College campus for educational use that will be most lasting.
 
After operating as a small private college in Newton for 118 years, the financially strapped Mount Ida College abruptly shut down in 2018.
 
And we could very well have lost the 72-acre Newton campus to other uses (or watched it tied up in receivership for years) if it wasn’t for the deal Subbaswamy and his team negotiated to save the campus and some of its programs.
 
Of course, COVID slowed UMass' efforts to fully activate the campus. As a result, we’ve yet to fully realize Subbaswamy’s vision to establish a hub for career preparation and experiential learning in our west suburban communities, while providing a robust talent pipeline to our region’s employers. But they're making progress.
 
Yesterday, Jeff Cournoyer, managing director at the Mount Ida Campus, said he does not expect a change in leadership "will have a material impact on our commitment to or plans for the Newton campus."
 
But if it wasn’t for Subbaswamy’s – controversial at the time – acquisition, that opportunity and vital community asset could have been gone for good.
 
That’s Need to Knows for today, unless you need to know are Nortonville’s long shorts hopelessly dorky?
 
 
Have a good weekend!
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
 
P.S. Yes, today's headlines are green in honor of last night's Celtics win. I'm looking forward to doing the same thing three more times.
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