We have a lot to catch up on...

Here we go:

1) There was a discussion about the Somerville 48 hour parking rule on yelp (started by a Winter Hill neighbor):
http://www.yelp.com/topic/boston-somerville-48-hour-parking-rule-with-residential-permit

2) Danielle Dreilinger wrote about 'More cyclists are hitting the road in Somerville', noting that:"Bike use was notably low in Winter Hill and Assembly Square. Joggers, meanwhile, love the Community Path, and more people jog after work than before.":
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2011/10/more_cyclists_are_hitting_the.html

3) Mitch is trying to rent out an off-street parking spot in Winter Hill:
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/prk/2632684906.html

4) The Bicycling New Historic Somerville brochure is online with Winter Hill hotspots (sorry I missed the actual event way back in May):
http://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/2011-FinalBrochure.pdf

5) This is cool. Mose Berkowitz-Urban Appreciator takes a stroll through Winter Hill:
http://moseberkowitz.com/blog/somerville-survey-winter-hill–-working-class-roots-uncovered-in-modern-times

6) Vegetarians in Winter Hill looking for a roomate (well, I'm assuming they are also vegetarian; otherwise it would just be weird:
$500 Nov. 1: Two Professionals Seek Vegetarian, Male Roommate (Winter Hill, Somerville)

7) A Winter Hill Resident expresses their thoughts about the Green Line Extension:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/news/x463307693/Letter-Green-Line-Extension-reason-for-moving-to-Somerville

Ok, we'll leave it at that for now. There are two other items that we should be discussing in the near future:

1) The race for Ward 4 Alderman on Tuesday Nov. 8th. If you would like to get to know some of the players, check out:

http://www.tonylafuente.com/

http://christinebarber4somerville.com/

and, this is the big one:

2) Somerville's First Foodie Crawl is Oct. 25, 6-9:30pm! Get your tickets in advance; this will undoubtedly be a good time.

The Somerville Grocery Dilemma

Boston Globe Correspondent Taryn Luna recently reported on the obstacles and now Danielle Dreilinger takes us through the key points in the debate on the opening of a WalMart Market in Somerville; complete with awesome Somerville infographic!

By Danielle Dreilinger, Globe Correspondent

In Somerville, it's not just Mayor Joe Curtatone who has an opinion about Walmart's interest in opening its first grocery store in New England. Everyone is talking. Let's outline the key points of debate: - But they don't allow unions - But affordable organic food is a good thing - But it's so close to the Stop & Shop - Why didn't Walmart look into the vacant Star Market space in Winter Hill? - It will help the local economy - It will destroy the local economy

Read more...



Image borrowed from http://www.cepro.com

Thinking Through East Somerville (and Winter Hill)

Everyone knows that there is a range of development throughout the Wards of Somerville. Although East Somerville (...and let's not forget Winter Hill) doesn't get the overall attention that Davis does, from what I have seen, this is not due to lack of trying on behalf of the Mayor and the City. Any perceived difference in support from the City would first need to be quantified, and in doing so, would have to take into account a range of relevant variables. Priorities for services likely have to account for factors such as where the most people are and where the most traffic is. There are many people working with the City to make East Somerville and Winter Hill a better place for everyone. This isn't particularly satisfying if you can't get your car through the snow on your street to get to work. In a case like this, I would like to think that the City would be willing to help if they are made aware of the problem. I would be very interested to hear other opinions on this. It takes a community, and the more the merrier, so please get involved. Best to all Somerville neighbors.

This mini-thought was inspired by Danielle Dreilinger's recently posted article on boston.com:

Many grumble East gets the least

Dan Sorger of the Dutch Bike Company is thrilled with his company's recent move to Boston's Financial District. Though the new workroom/storefront is a little smaller, "It's a much improved space. We used to be in a garage which was just horrible," he said. His rent went down. "We moved to a much nicer neighborhood, and… we're not dealing with the issues of East Somerville."

Read more...

Gotta love this town

Somerville named state's healthiest city

By Danielle Dreilinger, Globe correspondent

Read more...

Image from: istockphoto.com

Boston.com feature: Endless winter on the Hill

Boston.com ran a piece on challenges of the slowly developing Winter Hill area. Here's an excerpt:

By Danielle Dreilinger, Globe Correspondent

All across Somerville, people and businesses are revving up for spring. The 'dozers are about to start again in Union and Assembly squares for government-funded improvement projects. New Davis Square restaurants have filed for sidewalk café permits. The East Somerville Main Streets business development group holds itsannual party/meeting March 9. And surveyors traverse the future Green Line, which promises to improve property values and business along its track.

But for Winter Hill's businesses, it's still winter. "We're the Rodney Dangerfield of squares lately," lamented Vic Leone in his family's sub shop. In summer, Foss Park draws soccer-playing crowds, but right now, the once-thriving Broadway strip looks drab as a rainy day.

Read more...

Leones Sub & Pizza ·
(617) 776-2511
294 Broadway ·
Somerville ·
Directions

Picture from simpliciter's photostream:

Decline of the Dive Bar

A documentation of the decline in dive bar culture throughout Somerville:

From Miller Lite to ... mojitos

Once upon a time, $2 beers were everywhere in Somerville. Today some devotees worry, is it dive bars' last call?

By Danielle Dreilinger Globe Correspondent / September 28, 2008

As Somerville's fortunes have gone up, its dive bars seem to have taken a dive.

In the '70s and '80s, recalled East Somerville bar owner Michael Philpot, Davis Square was so down and out it didn't even have a McDonald's, but there were "all sorts of little pubs down there that are now gone." Now the square draws people for sushi, burritos, crêpes, and fancy cupcakes.

Belly up

Here's what some old haunts have morphed into:

O'Malley's became Thirsty Scholar

Irish Eyes became Cantina La Mexicana

Tabs became Sally O'Brien's

Canty's became Olde Magoun's

Virgie's Rendezvous Cafe became Highland Kitchen

Read more...