Worst of Cambridge in 2014 | Top Medford stories in 2014 | See 40 Arlington photos here >>
UPDATED, Jan. 1: Can you sum up a year in Arlington in 40 photos? You can try. Like family snapshots, each frame offers just a glimpse into ever-expanding story lines.
In the town election, Gilligan, right, edged Dunn for treasurer.
The town in 2014 had far more than 42,000 narratives, if each resident had only one, but each had many more than that. Here is a look back at the public stories, with at least one link, that YourArlington has chosen to report about. Accompanying this summary is a gallery, including photos not previously published.
In general, the town had a year that saw the Mass. Ave. Corridor project start and witnessed increases in restaurants, celebrations, progressive politics and self-expression.
In January …
After snows fell, Sono brought Asian cuisine — and company — to the Arlington Cafe, which had to go it alone for many years on Summer Street, across from the baseball field. Later in the year, Marbella Kitchen Design Studio filled out the block. Read about Sono followed by a review in April.
For more than two decades, Arlington’s political season has gotten underway at the annual Martin Luther King Birthday observance. Read about the event and what one writer thought about its speaker.
In February …
A fatal accident at the long crosswalk near Sabatino’s that occurred in December 2013 continued to be a story throughout 2014 about an accused driver and a caring neighbor. Read the latest report, in December.
Highrock Church on Mass. Ave. near Town Hall purchased two large properties on nearby Mill Street after buying the former Holovak & Coughlin sporting-goods store.
In March …
Following a lengthy series of searches, the School Committee introduced Alison Elmer, who came here from Reading to lead the special-education department.
Winfred Rembert observing art class at AHS.
At Arlington High School, leather sculptor Winfred Rembert led a series of workshops introducing students to his art — personal pain.
In April …
No noteworthy photo accompanies the summary of town election results, but the narrow victory in the treasurer’s race is worth mention: Incumbent Steve Gilligan edged Julie Dunn, 2,998-2,860.
Barbara Goodman outlined some of the personal details behind the life of Gwen Hooper, a name many in town may know as the original force behind the Arlington Children’s Center.
During school vacation week, Arlington resident Nina Fischer coordinates a weeklong bicycle camp at Ottoson for the disabled. Part of a national program called iCan Shine, it addresses fear and pedals toward elation.
A bench emblazoned with logos representing Arlington and Nagaokakyo, Japan, was unveiled amid rain showers near Town Hall, honoring the late Dick Smith, who fostered the sister-city relationship starting in 1975
Town Meeting went electronic in 2014, as members grasping handheld devices saw voting speed accelerate. Verbosity continued at the same rate in some cases.
In May …
About 40 people witnessed a demonstration of Narcan, a temporary fix for overdose victims. They were drawn by news that four in Arlington have died of heroin overdoses since October 2013.
The Arlington Education Foundation and the town’s public schools were the hosts for the second annual Education Technology Showcase, as hundreds of parents and residents turned out. The event included Ottoson students who developed robots described in this story. Two teachers involved in the showcase received state honors in October.
Arlington’s official observance of Memorial Day concluded with two brisk salutes — one from Dennis Corbett, a retired town police officer and decorated service member, another from Jeff Chunglo, town veterans’ services director.
In June …
Redacted page from Speidel agreement.
The Mass. Ave. Corridor project in East Arlington project got underway. By year’s end, a longtime critic of the project, which had spurred four unsuccessful runs by a selectman candidate, had reportedly moved from town.
In July …
Those promoting the connection between town culture and tourism held a second annual midsummer block party, as 1,200 attended.
A Monday-morning storm ripped through town, but we did not face the twister that Revere did.
The public-arts fund-raiser Chairful Where You sit enlivened imaginations and opened wallets, spurring 96 entries that raised $9,000.
Progressive Democratic gubernatorial candidate Don Berwick excited Arlington, but it did not translate statewide in the September primary. Read this opinion piece >>
In August …
Two environmental issues quietly surfaced: Asbestos was removed at Stratton School, and a delightful hour on Spy Pond can put you back in touch with nature.
For a town whose real-estate boom continues, Arlington has what may seem to some a surprising number of vacancies. Forces were at work to bring tenants. One is called co-working, described here >> That effort was behind seeking tenants for the former Disabled American Veterans facility near the Heights.
In September …
An estimated 250 people witnessed an Arlington first as the Park Avenue Circle water tower went widescreen.
Water tower bathed in red. / Photo by Kathleen M. Fink
Merging art and business, the co-owners artlounge Arlington talk about the vibe they plan to bring to the Heights.
At Town Day, beyond the annual celebrating, a key step in the town’s tourism push occurred, as Arlington’s first visitor center opened beside the bikeway and Mystic Street.
The twist-and-turning story of the town assessors’ office, which began last April, but was not reported until June, made a splash with news of two resignations, continued with a summer appointment, died down with the hiring of Paul Tierney in September and the board declining in December to appeal an Open Meeting Law ruling it had lost.
After 20 people, many of them seniors, heard 50 minutes of discussion, the Redevelopment Board voted unanimously to transfer the majority of space used by the Arlington Senior Association to the Council on Aging.
In October …
The long-delayed opening of Common Ground occurred, promising lively changes to Broadway Plaza. YourArlington’s new restaurant reviewer took a look.
In November …
Amid the grip of football season, Arlington resident Steve Almond explained why he is against the sport, though he is a gridiron fan.
Days later, 65 percent of town residents casting ballots in the general election approved the Community Preservation Act by 1,558 votes.
Arlington poet Lee Phenner talks about how her “Pint of Understanding” aims to find promise behind the racial divide.
In December …
An estimated 400 people participated in a peaceful rally at Mass. Ave. and Pleasant Street energized by those nationwide reacting to the deaths of two black men at the hands of police, in Missouri and New York. Noteworthy was the cooperation shown by and toward — town police officers.
A departure and an arrival of note were reported — Chief Fred Ryan, in charge of town police since 1999, is leaving to head the MBTA police, and town libraries have a new director, Peter J. Struzziero.
Coming up in 2015?
Here are two issues to watch:
— The Jan. 12 public hearing about the draft of the town’s proposed master plan; and
— Putting into effect the town’s parking plan for the Center, approved in October.
This story was published Friday, Dec. 26, 2014. It was updated Dec. 27 to add a Medford link and Jan. 1 to one from Cambridge.
