Watch the ACMi video 'Upgrading Foot of the Rocks':

The Foot of the Rocks Battlefield, at Mass. Ave. and Lowell Street, needs your help.

A public-input session April 14 provided historical context, existing conditions, timelines and concepts for the site in addition to gathering public input.

Additional feedback is sought via this survey, due Wednesday, May 18 >>

A second public-input session is set for June 2.

Read full details at arlingtonma.gov/projects.

In a related matter, following a request for proposals for the Mass. Ave./Appleton Safety & Accessibility Corridor Project and the Chestnut Street Safety Project, the town has hired Stantec Consulting Services Inc. to provide design, engineering and public-engagement services.

“Alex” Francis with Charlie.

The owner of a new shop in Broadway Plaza hopes hungry mutts will find satisfaction by barking up the right “tree” --  hers.

Alexandra (“Alex”) Francis is the force behind Charlie's Barkery, a dog bakery and pet boutique at 307 Broadway.

The grand opening is Thursday, May 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in Broadway Plaza, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony plus door prizes and refreshments.

Among those attending are expected to be Beth Locke, executive director of Arlington Chamber of Commerce; Jenny Raitt, director of planning and community development; and Select Board members.

Francis was born and raised in Burlington and now lives in Melrose.

With a bachelor's in business administration from Framingham State University, she said, “It was always a dream of mine to own my very own business.

“When the pandemic hit, I began baking my own all-natural, homemade treats for my rescue dog, Charlie. One day, I posted a picture of my treats on social media and had friends asking me if I was selling them, and that got the wheels turning.

“I began selling my treats at the 2021 Melrose farmers' market and a handful of craft fairs -- all very successful -- which got me thinking I want to take this to the next level and finally open that small business I had always dreamed of.”

 'Our No. 1 priority is to make sure we stay open for in-person learning.'

-- Superintendent Homan

Teens and those who work with them now must wear masks indoors at public schools as the Town of Arlington rides the wave of Covid-19 cases, the School Committee learned at its regular meeting Thursday, May 12.

This is the situation even though some 90 percent of students in grades seven through 12 are vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, according to the Arlington Public Schools’ “dashboard,” or specialized website that displays current and historical data related to the ongoing pandemic.

“The rates are high enough” that returning to required masking at several campuses is needed to ensure that in-person classes continue, Superintendent Elizabeth Homan told the six members present. Jeff Thielman was absent.

“Our No. 1 priority is to make sure we stay open for in-person learning,” Homan said.

Ottoson Middle School and Arlington High School, comprising grades seven through 12, now have mandatory masking. Those on campus at Dallin, grades K-5, continue to have to wear masks indoors, as does Menotomy Preschool, which has never yet lifted the mandate due to the age of the pupils, who are not yet eligible for vaccination. Bishop School, grades K-5, is now under mandate. On the other hand, Gibbs School, serving grade 6, no longer must wear masks -- but they are strongly recommended there and at the other five elementary schools.

The Arlington Advocate has been the town's paper of record ...."

                                                                                                            -- Town website

The weekly remains valuable as an archived, historical source,
not as a 'paper of record.'

UPDATED May 12: The Arlington Advocate, a storied weekly delivering news here since 1871, is no more. As of Thursday, May 12, it becomes the Advocate & Star, a newspaper merger of two highly distinct towns, Arlington and Winchester.

The demise began slowly after the Jorgensen family sold the paper in 1986 to Harte-Hanks, the first of many newspaper-chain owners. The Gannett Corp. of McLean, Va., is only the latest.

As editor of The Advocate in 1994-95, I saw the early decline firsthand. Not two months after I began, two men in dark suits arrived at 5 Water St., where the paper then was located, and measured the offices, without comment. Turns out, they were from Fidelity Investments, which included the paper in its many purchases later that fall. After that, the new owner cut the share it paid for employee health benefits.

To be fair, Fidelity supported the weekly. Sometimes the paper was 36 pages deep, had a full-time editor and reporter (Marc Levy, now of CambridgeDay.com) and a full-time sports editor (Walter Moynihan, who died in 2013). 

Wally greets Marianne Comeau at Del's.

UPDATED May 15: You may have seen Marianne Comeau doling out paddles for canoes at Spy Pond in summers past. Or at the Ed Burns rec center working with kids. Or simply jogging around town, something she has done since 1979.

The affable friend to police officers who knows when house fires hit shows up all over town.

When Wally the Green Monster visited for the ribbon-cutting Saturday, May 14, at Del's Lemonade, in Brattle Square, Marianne was there -- in body and in spirit. She helped cut the ribbon, welcoming Del's, here since August.

The longtime resident has a real connection with Wally, the Red Sox mascot.

"I remember the day in April of 1997 when Wally came out the left-field door at Fenway," she told YourArlington. At the time, she was doing game promotions for the Sox. "Weeks later, I was asked to be Wally's escort around the park and on special appearances."

That included working with Wally and all the Major League Baseball mascots during the 1999 All-Star Game. She took them in an open trolley for appearances throughout Boston.

Comeau worked for the Red Sox in the mid-to-late '90s, earning credit as an intern while attending UMass/Amherst.

Another thrill: She was chosen to audition to be the public-address announcer and was honored in a pregame ceremony as an outstanding employee.

Erica Schwarz

Residents arriving at Downing, Broadway

UPDATED May 6: Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA) has announced that Erica Schwarz is its new executive director. She plans to join HCA on Wednesday, May 11.

As she comes on board, residents are beginning to occupy the Downing Square and Broadway developments.

A news release from the nonprofit says that Schwarz will be working to further affordable housing and community development in Arlington together with HCA’s board, staff, members and the community at large.

She comes to Arlington after three years and seven months as a project director for the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority.