Sunday, July 31, 2011

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!

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

Friday, July 22, 2011

SOMERSTREETS: “SEIZE THE SUMMER” SET FOR SUNDAY, JULY 24TH ON HIGHLAND AVE.

SOMERSTREETS: “SEIZE THE SUMMER” SET FOR SUNDAY, JULY 24TH ON HIGHLAND AVE.

2nd SomerStreets Event to Include Outdoor Yoga, Kidical Mass Bike Ride, Sand Castles, Live Music and More!

SOMERVILLE- The City's 2nd SomerStreets celebration of 2011, "Seize the Summer!" will take place on Sunday, July 24th along Highland Avenue, from Walnut Street to Cedar Street.

For this unique event where "roads are closed to cars and open to you!" programming will extend along Highland Ave. from noon - 4 p.m., and will include activities such as a "Kidical Mass" bike ride to Davis Square, various kid activities health workshops, arts and crafts, live music and more. SomerStreets is the City's Open Streets Initiative, which closes sections of roadways one Sunday per month to promote and support active living - walking, biking, running, dancing, etc.

"Carnaval @ SomerStreets drew record crowds of over 5,000 last month along East Broadway, thanks to a partnership with East Somerville Main Streets and FossFest, and we're excited to bring our Open Streets Initiative to a new area of Somerville this month with Seize the Summer," said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. "These events encourage community members of all ages to get outside and be active, but also to experience new areas of the community and learn about the businesses and organizations that call our City home. We have a lot of wonderful things to offer, and I'm excited at how popular the SomerStreets trend has become in just one short year."

Along Highland Ave., local businesses and organizations including Cambridge Health Alliance, the Somerville Fire Department, Kidical Mass Arts at the Armory and the Somerville YMCA, among others, will partner with the City to provide activities for children and adults of all ages. Activities will include, but are not limited to:

  • Farmers Market

  • Outdoor Yoga

  • Live music

  • Family swim at the YMCA

  • Bike decorating & "Kidical Mass" bike ride

  • Face painting

  • Sand castle building

  • Arts and crafts

  • Health fair

  • Dance demonstrations

Additionally, at 4:00 p.m., attendees are invited to continue the fun with a walk down Vinal Ave. to a family friendly concert at the Community Growing Center.

The remaining 2011 SomerStreets schedule is:

  • Seize the Summer - Sunday, July 24 on Highland Ave. from Walnut St. to Cedar St.

  • Going Green on Rte. 16 - Sunday, August 21 on Alewife Brook Parkway from Dilboy Field to Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge

  • Rolling on the Mystic - Saturday, September 10 on Shore Drive

  • Fall Festival - Sunday, October 23 on Somerville Ave. from Union Square to Porter Square

SomerStreets builds on the Shape Up Somerville healthy living initiative. Similar open streets events take place all around the world, providing space normally taken up by automobile traffic for people to be more active. Special attention this year is being paid to providing fresh food at SomerStreets.

All SomerStreets events will run from 12-4 p.m., rain or shine.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Carnaval@SomerStreets is THIS Sunday in Somerville, 6/5/11 12pm-4pm, and it's FREE :)

Sunday, June 5th - 12-4pm
Roads Closed to Cars....Open to You
All along Broadway from Temple St. through East Somerville to Sullivan

Come check out all the culture and energy that East Broadway has to offer! This unique one day street party brings the life and culture inside of East Broadway's businesses to the street!
Bring your friends.
Bring your family.
And enjoy our street.

  • Shape Up Somerville Road Race
  • 12:15 "Samba-Motion Parade" - led by Mayor Curtatone
    Open to All --- Wear your best Carnaval Costume -- the more color, feathers and beads the better!
  • Music on 2 Stages -- the Foss Fest Stage & the East Broadway Stage (@ the East Branch Library)
  • Villen Vibez Hip Hop Open Mic
  • Farmer's Market
  • Craft Fair
  • 30+ Participating Businesses
  • Explore the cuisine of local restaurants
  • Raffles, Facepainting, Balloon Animals, Dance and Fitness Demos

The City of Somerville is partnering with East Somerville Main Streets and Foss Fest to kick off the city's SomerStreets inititiave, with Carnaval @ Somerstreets! Somerville's new Open Streets Initiative, SomerStreets, is a monthly celebration from June - October of each year, during which the City closes sections of roads to vehicle traffic in favor of walking, running, biking, dancing, and other activities! By partnering with local businesses and organizations, one Sunday each month the city transforms different Somerville neighborhoods into celebrations of active living, community pride, and live entertainment. Find more information on the City's Website.

@SomervilleCity @EastSomerville @FossFestival

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Winter Hill's Tin Thistles have a new EP coming on 6/26

From Tin Thistles Facebook page:

"Boston’s own Tin Thistles have somehow found a way to combine elements of Oi! and folk music into a rambunctious-yet-rootsy blend that’ll get your boot stomping and your beer spilling all over the place as you can’t help but throw a fist into the air."

The good news is that they will be releasing a new EP, We Were Promised Better, on June 26th.
The even better news is you don't have to wait to get a taste. A preview of 'Accidents Happen' awaits you right now, online. It's a rocker, in the good way:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tin-Thistles/197641027935?ref=ts

They've got a couple of shows coming up too, so you can go out and show your love for your neighbors :)
2 upcoming shows/events

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Help shape the future of Magoun Square this Wednesday night, 5/25/2011 6:00 PM.


From ward5online.com, by

Magoun Square tops the agenda for the upcoming Housing and Community Development Committee scheduled for Wednesday May 25th at 6pm, being held in the second floor committee room of City Hall.

Read more here...


Photo borrowed from Gig Harmon's flickr photostream.