Tiverton yarn shop may leave town because of dispute over sign

This place is one of my favorites -- and what a cute location they have now!

But, as I said to my mother (aka my accomplice when it comes to yarn shopping), if they move to Westport, Mass. as planned, we'll not only save on the Rhode Island sales tax, we can make a knit shop excursion after a day at Horseneck Beach!

Read what happened in the Providence Journal:

What started out as a zoning tiff over a sign on the lawn at a knitting store known throughout New England has led shop owner Louise Silverman to put the property up for sale and look for a new location in Massachusetts.

The controversy over the sign at Sakonnet Purls has highlighted a zoning ordinance which has caused an uproar in the scenic, historic village of Tiverton Four Corners, which has become a major stop for day-trippers from Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Because half of the shops in Four Corners are in a residential zone, critics say, the zoning ordinance discourages private investment which has promoted healthy commercial activity while preserving the rustic ambience of the 300-year-old village.

Town Planner Christopher Spencer has said the clash between zoning and reality at Four Corners has prompted him to study possible changes to the ordinance to present to the Town Council.

In early September, the Zoning Board voted 3 to 2 that the property could have only one freestanding sign. It ordered removal of a hand-carved sign erected by Silverman’s tenant, Adam Van Dale, owner of Back Alley Wood Works, a furniture restoration business that occupies a shed at the rear of the lot.

Instead, Silverman took down the roadside sign that announced her own shop, nailing the panel to the front of the main building, a Greek revival cottage filled with yarn. Meanwhile, she said she planned to appeal.

But the release last week of the board’s written decision, allegedly opaque in its language, apparently prompted Silverman to call it quits in Tiverton.

She said the decision ignored evidence, such as photos of signs from previous tenants which have gone unchallenged in the last 24 years. Silverman has posted all the photos of the signs on her Web site, http://www.letsknit.com/.

“One person makes a complaint about a sign she cannot see from her house ... and it cost me 20 grand. It’s all political,” Silverman said. She alluded to Rosemary Eva, former chairwoman of the Planning Board, who is a neighbor. “This has really stressed me out. I just want to get out of town and go to a friendly place,” Silverman said.

Peace o' Pie Vegan Pizzeria Opens

Vegan Pizza comes to Allston

The spot’s new owners set out to bring something new to Boston’s vegan scene — serving seriously delicious slices, calzones, salads, and homemade desserts without animal byproducts.

Gourmet ingredients are of the locally sourced, organic variety, and options include anything from gluten-free crusts to soy cheeses.

There’s room for only twenty, but delivery is coming soon.

Peace o’ Pie, 487 Cambridge Street, Allston (617-787-9884).

A Plan to Add Supermarkets to Poor Areas, With Healthy Results

In a city known more for hot dogs and egg creams than the apple of its nickname, officials want to establish an even bigger beachhead for healthy food — new supermarkets in areas where fresh produce is scarce and where poverty, obesity and diabetes run high.

Under a proposal the City Planning Commission unanimously approved on Wednesday, the city would offer zoning and tax incentives to spur the development of full-service grocery stores that devote a certain amount of space to fresh produce, meats, dairy and other perishables.

The plan — which has broad support among food policy experts, supermarket executives and City Council members, whose approval is needed — would permit developers to construct larger buildings than existing zoning would ordinarily allow, and give tax abatements and exemptions for approved stores in large swaths of northern Manhattan, central Brooklyn and the South Bronx, as well as downtown Jamaica in Queens.

“This is about being able to walk to get your groceries in those areas that are really, really underserved and basically have no place to buy fresh produce,” said Amanda M. Burden, the city planning commissioner. Residents in such areas, she said, have been spending “their grocery dollars at Duane Reade and CVS on chips and soda.”

The move comes as governments across the nation struggle to solve what public health advocates call an epidemic of obesity and diabetes. Schools have banned sugary drinks; lawmakers have helped urban farms spread like crabgrass on undeveloped lots; and cities like Los Angeles and Berkeley, Calif., have limited the concentration of fast-food restaurants in low-income areas.

But the New York proposal, adapted from a Pennsylvania program that provides grants and loans for supermarket construction, is unusual because it employs a mix of zoning and financial incentives to attract, rather than repel, a narrowly defined type of commercial enterprise.

Boston Globe: Fees deter many from citizenship

Advocates say cuts in services also play role

Nearly 300,000 legal immigrants in Massachusetts are eligible to become US citizens, but only a small percentage each year are reaching that goal, raising concerns that huge swaths of people are being priced out of the American dream.

Fees to apply for citizenship have soared in the past two decades from $60 a person to $675, making them among the highest in the Western world, researchers say.

At the same time, assistance for navigating the often confusing system is dwindling because of state budget cuts.

Citizenship is considered the ultimate pathway to integration in society, requiring that immigrants learn English and US history and defend the Constitution. It grants them the right to vote, apply for federal jobs, and bring their families to the United States.

In Massachusetts, nearly 29,000 immigrants became US citizens last year, about 10 percent of those eligible. This federal budget year, which ends Wednesday, only 16,099 immigrants have applied for citizenship so far in the state.

To apply for citizenship, immigrants must be permanent legal residents of the United States for five years, or three years if they are married to a citizen. They must fill out a form, pay fees, get fingerprinted, and undergo an interview, where they must pass an English test in history and civics.

The cost is not the only reason immigrants do not apply for citizenship, advocates and immigrants say. Some cannot speak English well enough to pass the test - more than 15,000 people are on waiting lists statewide for English classes. Still others do not wish to become citizens because they feel loyal to their homelands and plan to return.

Whatever the reason, researchers and advocates say, everyone pays the price that comes with having residents who are not full-fledged citizens. It is visible in low voter turnout among immigrants and the lack of engagement with police, schools, and community groups.

Perhaps less visible but more detrimental, researchers say, is the sense among noncitizens that they do not have a stake in this country.

New college will offer history-only curriculum

Interesting story in the Boston Globe:

Local students pursuing history and law degrees will have a new option for earning a bachelor’s degree when the nation’s first college dedicated exclusively to studying history opens its doors next summer in Salem, N.H.

But don’t expect to apply as a high school senior.

The American College of History and Legal Studies will only offer junior and senior years in an effort to cater to community college graduates, transfers from four-year schools, and adults who left school before earning a bachelor’s degree, said Lawrence Velvel, the college’s founding dean.

“In a sense, the whole school is the history major you would get in a traditional college,’’ said Velvel, who is also dean of Massachusetts School of Law in Andover. “This is sadly a very ahistorical country, and we think that perhaps some mistakes could be avoided if Americans knew some history.’’

Administrators are prepared to start with a small student body predominantly from within 60 miles of Salem, although Velvel does not know how much interest the college will generate since its focus and grade offerings are unique.

Abbey Lounge, remade

It was sad to see it go. And as much as I'm excited about new restaurants, especially those whose menus are inspired by the chefs at Green Street, it looks as if the Abbey's replacement -- the new "Trina's Starlite Lounge" -- will be as trite and overdone as anything else coming into Inman Square these days. Once the hipsters get ahold of something it's never the same.

That said, the cocktail list looks promising. And that's what got me coming back to Green Street over and over.

A sampling of the super cliched menu:

• Pressed green apple, arugula and brie sandwich with horseradish dipping sauce


• Applewood smoked turkey BLT


• Mac n' cheese with Ritz crackers


• Fried chicken and buttermilk waffles

One more thing I'll give the place, at the risk of totally trashing it: If this is supposed to be a burger and cocktail joint a la Silvertone in Downtown Crossing, I'm in. Silvertone is one of my favorites.

At first glance, however, this looks to be priced about twice as high, in a neighborhood with no parking, and in a venue whose previous clientele most likely won't transfer their allegiances to a trendy "it" bar.

"A golf course, but not enough green"

This is appalling:

The Georgetown Club, an elegant private country club nestled amid horse farms 35 miles north of Boston, seemed like a picture-perfect place for a fall wedding.

Margaret Leavitt could understand why her youngest daughter chose it for her wedding this Saturday. “The views were breathtaking,’’ said Leavitt, who lives in Haverhill. “It was open, with a lot of windows. You could see right out onto the course. It just had a nice ambiance.’’

But Leavitts’ daughter won’t be dancing at The Georgetown Club. The club abruptly closed on Monday because of financial troubles, leaving a handful of fall brides frantically searching for new reception halls and a host of golfers losing out on the autumn season.

“We were given no notice,’’ said Leavitt, her voice rising. “We don’t see how ourselves, or any of the brides, will get their money back.’’

The out-of-luck brides are the latest casualties of the financial troubles at the club, saddled in recent years with declining membership amid a bad economy. More than 100 members have left the club in recent months, and 15 weddings were cancelled in the last year, said Dr. Peter Wojtkun, a managing partner.

“We were doing well until the economy crashed last year,’’ Wotjkun said. “People couldn’t even get married it was so bad.’’

Wojtkun said yesterday the sprawling property will be put into foreclosure by Sovereign Bank, which holds a $4.5 million mortgage. A Chapter 11 business reorganization filed recently in federal Bankruptcy Court in Boston by Wojtkun was dismissed last week, court records show.

“It will be sold at a foreclosure auction,’’ Wotjkun, an Andover dentist, said in a telephone interview yesterday. “We had hoped to reorganize, and open again next season.’’

A last-minute dispute scuttled plans for a loan from Sovereign to keep the club going.

As a result, brides lost $5,000 deposits.

Fresh Indian option in Medford

Globe review:

For all the charms of Indian cuisine, the restaurants serving it seldom break new ground with their menus or ambience.

But Kabab Corner, a relatively recent arrival on the Medford dining scene, is a refreshing departure from the tried and true.

Sure, there are samosas and lassis, malai kofta and tandoori chicken. But there are also wonderful dosas from south India and contemporary Bombay-inspired appetizers.

Hidden away at the far end of a strip mall abutting busy Wellington Circle, the restaurant is bright and airy, with big windows and high ceilings. The neutral décor is reminiscent of Panera Bread.

The music (Bollywood dance party, anyone?) is also a marked departure from the sleepy sitar soundtrack that’s often heard at other Indian restaurants. It might not be to everyone’s liking, but it’s certainly distinctive.

At $6.50 on weekdays and $8 on weekends, the lunch buffet, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is a great way to sample widely from the expansive menu.

Kabab Corner
4110 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford
781-395-3310
kababcorner.net
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Major credit cards
accepted.
Handicapped accessible

In N.H. town, disquiet over yoga class

RAYMOND, N.H. - Molly Schlangen had hoped to celebrate International Peace Day by leading a free yoga class and meditation service today on the town common, linking this rural hamlet to the global peace community.

But the Board of Selectmen here struck its own warrior pose. They denied Schlangen’s request to lead the class on the tiny triangular green, concerned about the number of people that might flock to town.

“The Board of Selectmen has the duty to ensure the town is properly protected,’’ said Selectman Chairman Frank Bourque, who cast the deciding vote in the 3-2 decision. “We had no idea if this event would attract 10 or 2,000 people. Our common is very small.’’

Schlangen - who last year was allowed to hold her class on the common - plans instead to lead a two-hour peace service at her yoga studio in nearby Epping.

TCAN on Chronicle tonight

Metrowest Daily News:

The Center for Arts in Natick will be featured on a special edition of WCVB-TV Channel 5’s "Chronicle," scheduled to air Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The program takes a tour of interesting sites along Rte. 135, and along the way the "Chronicle" TV crew discovered TCAN’s concert roster, visited some kids arts classes and spent time at the center’s weekly open mic session.

Boston Globe: Did a lake trigger a deadly disease?

Researchers hope to explain why Lou Gehrig’s disease seems to occur more often in people who live near lakes and ponds where cyanobacteria bloom

Researchers investigating a deadly disease cluster near a New Hampshire lake are tracking clues that stretch from a delicacy eaten on Guam to a 3.5 billion-year-old type of bacteria and the green scum that coats many New England waters.The scum - blooms of cyanobacteria often misnamed blue-green algae - produces a toxin that doctors at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., suspect might have triggered cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis along the north shore of nearby Mascoma Lake.

Developer resorts to auction for Natick Collection condos

Bankrupt mall operator General Growth Properties is planning to auction off more than 40 high-end condominiums attached to the upscale Natick Collection with minimum bids starting at $160,000, about 70 percent below previous asking prices.

The 215-unit project, known as Nouvelle at Natick, opened last year and was supposed to usher in a new era of suburban living - marrying shopping and luxury - without the hassles and high prices of the city. But with only 37 of the residences sold or under contract, GGP has hired Accelerated Marketing Partners to handle the auction of 42 units on Oct. 4 as a way to jump-start sales and get some desperately needed cash.

“The homes are rather spectacular, but clearly there was a disconnect between what the consumer wanted to pay and what the developer wanted to get,’’ said Jon Gollinger, East Coast chief executive and cofounder of AMP, who added that the auction will determine the value for the remaining 100-plus residences.

Nouvelle is one of about 10 major developments in Massachusetts that have hit the auction block as the housing market unraveled over the past few years.