This Week in Charlestown: Bridge News, Armory Meeting, State Rep. Chat and More

Life gets busy, and Patch certainly understands that. So with that in mind, here are a few stories you might have missed on Charlestown Patch this week:

1. Currently, Charlestown is sandwiched between two bridges that are in varying stages of reconstruction—the Alford Street/Route 99 bridge to the north, heading into Everett, and the North Washington Street bridge to the south, heading into Boston’s North End.
2. DND To Solicit Development Bids for Charlestown Armory—Charlestown residents could see specific plans for redevelopment of the old Armory building as early as June.
3. BRA Considering Change To Off-Street Parking Rules—Charlestown residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting on Wednesday, March 20 to consider a potential change to the neighborhood’s off-street parking rules.
4. Charlestown Man Arrested on Charges Related to Selling Prescription Medications—Woburn Police arrested a Charlestown man following an investigation into a possible drug sale at the McDonald's on Montvale Avenue in Woburn on Monday.
5. More Than 60 Snow Removal Tickets Issued in Charlestown—If your property or business received a ticket for improper snow removal related to the Blizzard of 2013, you're not alone. More than 60 Charlestown property owners and businesses faced fines and tickets related to snow removal, according to city data.
6. Rep. Gene O’Flaherty Settles Into His Ninth Term—With the state budget season getting underway and legislators preparing to debate a new round of bills, Rep. O'Flaherty sat down with Charlestown Patch recently to talk about the job and some of the issues he will be discussing in the coming months.
7. —Mayor Thomas Menino, state legislators Sal DiDomenico and Gene O'Flaherty and City Councilor Sal LaMattina will be in Charlestown next week to host a special fundraiser for The Kennedy Center.
8. Townies To Host Bunker Hill Day Fundraiser—On Friday, March 15, the Townies Association is hosting the Shamrockah Down Sully's from 8 p.m. to midnight at Sullivan's Pub, 85 Main St., Charlestown.
9. Boston Passes Rules To Curb Aggressive Solicitors—Looking to reduce the nuisance of aggressive public solicitors, the city of Boston has banned solicitation in places such as bus shelters, parking lots and within 10 feet of an ATM or financial institution.
10. Councilor Proposes Bill Payment Via Smart Phone—The Boston City Council will be discussing whether to enable residents to use smart phones to pay parking meters or pay bills at payments kiosks throughout the city.
11. Celebrating Women’s History: Letters of Abigail Chew—The USS Constitution Museum submitted this piece in honor of Women’s History Month. The story, written by research historian Matthew Brenckle, takes a unique look into the life of Abigail Chew, the wife of Thomas J. Chew, purser onboard USS Constitution during the War of 1812.
12. Is Driving Really That Bad in Boston? Bostonians have a (deserved?) reputation as terrible drivers, but a financial website says the city's driving is awful even without the missing turn signals and tailgaters.
13. BBJ Lists Boston’s Fastest Growing Businesses—More than 20 Boston businesses are being recognized this spring by the Boston Business Journal for being among the fastest growing private companies in Massachusetts.
14. Five Dream Cars You Would Love To Drive—There are thousands of cars available in the countless dealerships that dot the highways of Eastern Massachusetts, but there aren't a lot of cars like these vehicles. Here are five dream cars that you would love to have in your garage, but they will cost you a lot of money (in some cases, as much as a house).

Did we miss something? Send news tips, comments and suggestions to becca.manning@patch.com.