The Needham Observer

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Farm to field visitors on Saturday

[EDITED 9/22: Due to inclement weather, Needham Community Farm’s Open House/Open Farm has been POSTPONED to next Saturday, Sept 30 between 1PM-4PM.] The Needham Community Farm, a collaborative effort that uses community supported agriculture (CSA) shares to offset the cost of produce distribution to food pantries and to residents at Needham Housing Authority sites, is a real-life “swords to ploughshares” story. The farm was first established in front of the Newman School in 2008, but today resides at the former Nike missile site near the transfer station. The large, open field, once home to first- generation Cold War defensive missile silos long since removed,…

DPW upgrades finally on the table

Despite being the keeper of Needham’s infrastructure, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has spent years taking a back seat to a lengthy list of other major projects. Now plans are on the table to upgrade its facilities that date back to the 1950s Eisenhower administration. Over the past decade the town has invested heavily in its major facilities, building two fire stations, a police station, the Sunita Williams Elementary School, the Memorial Park Field House and the Rosemary Recreation Complex, and beginning renovations on the Emery Grover school administration building. The Cosgrove Building that houses offseason equipment was the only…

Is there a will for the way?

The Select Board learned the results of a feasibility study on the construction of a trail link between Newton Upper Falls and Needham and discussed the benefits of a pedestrian/bicycle-only path versus one that could also accommodate an electric shuttle at its meeting last week. The proposed trail would start at Oak Street in Newton and end at Webster Street in Needham, traversing the unused right of way of the Bay Colony Railroad. It would connect with the mile-long Upper Falls Greenway. This plan could revive the vision of a rail trail that would someday be a continuous path from…

Sports bar plans to replace Latina Kitchen & Bar

A local group that plans to open a sports bar at the corner of Great Plain and Dedham avenues moved a step closer this week with the approval of a permit transfer from the Planning Board. Called the Common Room, the new venue would replace Latina Kitchen & Bar. If additional approvals from the Select Board and the state…

Restaurants highlight healthy options in October

Needham residents love their restaurants, with more people eating out or ordering in than ever before. This trend, which increased during the pandemic, spurred the Public Health department and the Board of Health to incorporate food establishments into their overall mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle. In October, they will launch Nutritionally Needham, a monthlong initiative to highlight healthy…

Needham firefighter helps revive fan at Pats game

The most significant moment of the evening came before the Patriots even took the field at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night when Needham firefighter Mark McCullough and another firefighter saved a man’s life. A 22-year veteran of the Needham Fire Department, McCullough was awaiting the start of the game with friends, including retired NFD Chief Dennis Condon, when he…

Town concert series returns

The Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series kicks off its 10th season on Saturday night at Powers Hall with the first of four performances that span musical genres from jazz and swing to classical to Mariachi and soulful a capella. The first show features jazz singer Ann Hampton Callaway and pianist Billy Stritch in a tribute to Peggy Lee.…