New Finagle A Bagel Cafe and Bakery has deep roots in Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE -
11 First St., Cambridge map

East Cambridge will be welcoming many new businesses as it grows and develops, but it is especially exciting to welcome a new business with deep Cambridge roots. People who grew up around here know the neighborhood best, and that's why I was excited to hear that the COO of Finagle A Bagel, Tony Pereira, was born and raised right here in the Harrington Wellington neighborhood.

Tony joined the owners, myself and School Committee member Joe Grassi to welcome Finagle A Bagel's new concept store to First Street across the way from the Lechmere T stop.


Co-owner Alan Litchman, Tim, Co-owner Laura Trust, School Committee member Joe Grassi, and Finagle COO Tony Pereira.

Although Finagle A Bagel is an established local chain (they started in Faneuil Hall, and now have over 20 locations in Massachusetts), this location is a bit different. The concept for the new Cafe and Bakery is to make a more enjoyable dining and relaxing experience with booth seating, wireless internet, televisions, and an expanded menu.

They have also recently been granted outdoor seating, just in time for some warmer weather.



Their new store, in a photograph from their website.

A strong local company like Finagle will hopefully act as an anchor to help enliven the groundfloor retail coming to the area.

East End House Visits the State House

BOSTON - State House, Beacon Hill map
Additional photos here

I had the opportunity to host a group of students from the East End House (105 Spring St, Cambridge) for a tour of the State House. The group learned some Massachusetts history from the State House tour guides, including the mystery of what's under the Golden dome.

After the official tour, we took a trip to the House chamber and out onto the floor.



Dave Madden and the East End House students take a turn at the podium.

They had a chance to explore and ask questions from the same seats legislators have cast their votes from for over 200 years. Could we be seeing the next generation of legislators and public servants in this group?



We finished the Friday visit with hot chocolate and donuts back in my office. All in all it was the perfect ending to a busy week. They were a great group and I hope they had as much fun as I did.

November Calendar

CALENDAR UPDATE - From Carrie Dancy of East Somerville Main Streets: The Interpreting East Somerville reception has been moved to Nov. 20th from 5:30-7:00pm, and will still be head at Somerville City Hall. Hope you can join us!

There is also a new item, the Broadway Corridor Rezoning kickoff meeting on November 10th @6pm.

See below for details.
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This monthly calendar represents only a small portion of the many interesting things happening in Cambridge and Somerville. If you would like to add another event, or a link to your own calendar of events, please email my office at toomeyblog@gmail.com.

Other Local Calendars:

November in Cambridge
City Calendar

November in Somerville
City Calendar
The Growing Center

Green Line Extension Calendar

Tuesday, November 4th
General Election Day
Find your polling location by entering your address here
The general election ballot will have Barack Obama vs. John McCain, as well as all local candidates and 3 state-wide ballot questions.
For more info on the ballot questions, read my brief informational post.

Thursday, November 6th @ 6pm
Public Hearing on Cambridge Health Alliance Changes
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge map
Drastic budget cuts have forced the CHA to discuss reductions in services with the community.

Sunday, November 9th @ 6pm
Babe Ruth Banquet
St. Anthony's Band Hall
575 Cambridge St, Cambridge map
The annual banquet honors the participants and supporters of Cambridge Babe Ruth baseball.

Monday, November 10th @ 6pm
Broadway Corridor Rezoning Study Kickoff Meeting
Elizabeth Peabody House
277 Broadway, Somerville map
The City of Somerville is initiating a Rezoning Study of the Broadway Corridor from Fenwick and Thurston Streets in Winter Hill to the city line in East Somerville. The purpose of the study is to examine the existing zoning and explore the potential of implementing transit-oriented development (TOD) zoning along this important commercial and residential corridor.

Wednesday, November 12th @ 7-9pm
East Cambridge Planning Team (ECPT) Meeting
East End House, 105 Spring St, Cambridge map
ECPT meets to discuss East Cambridge issues twice every month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 7–9pm.

Sunday, November 16 @ 4-7pm
2008 Cambridge Peace and Justice Awards
Dante Alighieri Cultural Center, 41 Hampshire St., Cambridge map
From the city website: The 2008 Cambridge Peace and Justice Awards Dinner, honoring an amazing set of individuals and groups for their contributions to peacemaking in our city.

Monday, November 17th @ 6pm
Public meeting on the Craigie St. Bridge/Drawbridge
Museum of Science (Room TBA)
The DCR will hold a public meeting to discuss the upcoming repair schedule for the Craigie St. Bridge.

Thursday, November 20th @ 5:30 - 7pm
Interpreting East Somerville: Community Photography Exhibit
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave, Somerville map
The photos from East Somerville residents will go on display at City Hall, starting November 6th.
For more info:
Interpreting East Somerville website
My previous post

Wednesday, November 26th @ 7-9pm
East Cambridge Planning Team (ECPT) Meeting
East End House, 105 Spring St, Cambridge map
ECPT meets to discuss East Cambridge issues twice every month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 7–9pm.

Poll #3: Constituent Services

What are you most likely to contact your Representative for?

A: 82% To voice support or opposition to state legislation
B: 18% To share your concerns about the neighborhood
C: Assistance navigating local bureaucracy
D: Just to say hello

It looks like the most common reason chosen by readers of this blog for contacting my office (or other State Representatives) has been to advocate for or share your position on state legislation, followed in distant second by sharing your concerns about the neighborhood.

Those are only two of the many reasons you may want to contact my office. We are here to help you with the complicated bureaucracy of our state, and to answer your general questions about government, about this district, and about the cities of Somerville and Cambridge. If myself or my office can't help you, we will direct you to the right place and make sure there is someone else who can.

Please feel free to call or email me anytime, my contact information can be found here.