Fall River plans Gerald Lawton Plaza overhaul; dance student off to NYC: Top stories

Kristina Fontes, The Herald News
·4 min read

As we kick off a new week, let's take a look back at the week that was.

Top stories this past week included:

A look at some election news. Wednesday was the last day for candidates to return nomination papers. It appears there will be both a mayor's race and a City Council preliminary on Sept. 19, but not one for School Committee.

The latest Greater Fall River real estate report, featuring a sprawling custom-built home in Swansea that sold for $900,000. The Purchase Street property showcases decorative woodwork and gleaming Brazilian cherry hardwoods throughout, as well as an open floor plan with a 15-foot cathedral ceiling. Check out this house, as well as other recent top-selling properties.

These were the most read stories of the week on HeraldNews.com:

Fall River cut down all the trees in this tiny downtown park. Here's what's coming.

You might have noticed that a half dozen trees have been removed from Gerald Lawton Plaza at the corner of Anawan Street.

Gregory Gosselin, a resident of downtown Fall River, said he used to come to Gerald Lawton Plaza to sit in the shade, and wanted to know why the trees were cut down. The park is being redesigned, and new trees will be planted.
Gregory Gosselin, a resident of downtown Fall River, said he used to come to Gerald Lawton Plaza to sit in the shade, and wanted to know why the trees were cut down. The park is being redesigned, and new trees will be planted.

The trees were taken down for a purpose — the pocket park is being renovated.

The city is soliciting bids on a $250,000 project to give Lawton Plaza an overhaul that includes a new memorial, new plantings, new lighting and a wooden stage.

Lawton Plaza overhaul: Fall River cut down all the trees in this tiny downtown park. Here's what's coming.

12-year-old Fall River dance student gets his moment in the spotlight on NYC stage

Jayden Silva, a 12-year-old dancer from Fall River who has been a seasoned competitor since age 5, just got his biggest break yet.

The Morton Middle School student was recently picked from hundreds of young dancers across the country to take the stage at the Monsters Dance hip hop convention's big summer finale show in New York City in July.

Jayden Silva was nominated for the Kids Cast and received a scholarship at his Monsters Dance Convention in Connecticut this past December.
Jayden Silva was nominated for the Kids Cast and received a scholarship at his Monsters Dance Convention in Connecticut this past December.

Held at various cities across the country, each Monsters convention — open to all, beginners to professionals — features three-day hip hop dance workshops led by a world renowned staff of choreographers, competitions, as well as auditions for scholarships and performance opportunities at their big show each year.

Jayden Silva's big break: 12-year-old Fall River dance student gets his moment in the spotlight on NYC stage

Owners of Joe's Shish Kabob selling business after two-year run

Joe's Shish Kabob, a popular spot in the city for Middle Eastern eats, is up for sale.

A June 26 announcement on its Facebook page noted the business was put on the market following owner Bashir Alahmar's decision to retire just two years after taking over the 275 Martine St. eatery.

"It's official, after 2 beautiful and robust years, Bash is finally retiring. What does this mean? We are selling the long-standing Joe's Shish Kabob!" the post read.

Bashir Alahmar, of Westport, co-owns Joe's Shish Kabob, 275 Martine St., Fall River, with daughter Brittni Alahmar and her partner Clayton Cuttitte.
Bashir Alahmar, of Westport, co-owns Joe's Shish Kabob, 275 Martine St., Fall River, with daughter Brittni Alahmar and her partner Clayton Cuttitte.

This leaves some uncertainty as to the future of the family-owned restaurant.

Popular Fall River restaurant for sale: Owners of Joe's Shish Kabob selling business after two-year run

Fall River mom creates sensory play space for kids with autism, special needs

Melissa Carreiro made it her mission  to ensure her toddler with autism would never "feel any less than anybody else."

The Fall River resident, who is a mother of four (including two adopted children), set her sights on opening Little Wanderers Sensory Play space.

Melissa Carreiro, owner of Little Wanderers Sensory Play, poses with her son Maddox, now 3.
Melissa Carreiro, owner of Little Wanderers Sensory Play, poses with her son Maddox, now 3.

Located in Fall River's Wampanoag Mills complex and slated to open later this summer, it aims to provide a safe environment for all children, Carreiro said, but with special focus on those with autism, sensory processing disorder or social/emotional challenges.

Little Wanderers Sensory Play space: Fall River mom creates sensory play space for kids with autism, special needs

Fall River buys the farm: Why the city is preserving historic acreage for a nature center

Owning the pastoral Adirondack Farm, with 10 acres of land tended to for over 160 years on the banks of the North Watuppa Pond, had long been on the wish-list of several city and state officials.

On Tuesday, a group gathered on the old farm at 1046 Blossom Road to celebrate the city's purchase of the farm, which will be the future home of Fall River's Bioreserve Environmental Education and Discovery Center, a gateway to the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.

Fall River buys the farm: Why the city is preserving historic acreage for a nature center

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Herald News Top 5: Gerald Lawton Plaza Jayden Silva Joe's Shish Kabob