An independent, open forum for reports and opinions about life in our city.
Ames Envelope
by Patricia Wild on Mon, Feb 8, 2010
Feeling pretty blue that Ames Envelope’s leaving town. Maybe others know different(ly), but it seemed as if this Somerville-based business has been a good neighbor.…
Petition to Oppose the Senior Housing Zoning Amendment
by Barry Rafkind on Sun, Feb 7, 2010
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Somerville’s “Beauty” Shines
by Linda Conte on Fri, Feb 5, 2010
It was a quintessential Somerville night at the theater for “Beauty And The Beast” at the High School this evening. Promoters Gretchen Kinder and Rosemarie Sears must have outdone themselves packing the house because I had to make my way to the balcony to find a seat. I saw neighbors, friends, teachers, school committee members…
Keynote Speech from Somerville’s 2010 MLK Jr. Celebration
by Barry Rafkind on Sun, Jan 31, 2010
The night before Martin was assassinated he spoke of going to the mountain top and seeing The Promised Land. In a premonitory way, he wondered out loud if he would get there, but he seemed powerfully convinced WE would surely get there. You might well ask: ‘Are we there yet?’
Somerville Democrats to Caucus for 2010 Mass Dem Convention
by Barry Rafkind on Fri, Jan 29, 2010
Registered Democrats in Somerville will be holding a caucus at the Capuano School, 150 Glen St. on Monday, February 8 at 7:20 PM to elect 8 delegates and 3 alternates to the 2010 Massachusetts Democratic Convention to be held on Fri June 4th and Sat, June 5th at the DCU Center in Worcester. At that time, Democrats from across the state will gather to endorse statewide candidates.
SPS Website User Feedback Sought!
by Gretchen Kinder on Thu, Jan 28, 2010
The District is trying to improve the efficiency of our online calendars. In order to do this we need to make improvements to the calendar filters used online. …
Somerville residents’ group seeks to limit zoning board authority
by teri swartzel on Wed, Jan 27, 2010
By Alix Roy, Town Correspondent, Boston Globe
A neighborhood group has filed a series of zoning ordinance proposals with the city clerk, motivated by its frustration with the city’s zoning review and approval process for development projects.…
Live – I mean, Undead – onstage: DRACULA!
by Columbine on Wed, Jan 27, 2010
Dracula
Original novel by Bram Stoker
Adapted for the stage by John Mattera
Directed by Michael Babish
Theatre@First is proud to bring an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 classic, “Dracula,” to the stage this February.
Nine performances February 12th -27th at 8pm, with a 3pm matinee on Valentine’s Day February 14th at…
Bellydance benefit for Haiti
by Columbine on Tue, Jan 26, 2010
The Boston bellydance community is shakin’ it all back together! Join us for a glamorous afternoon of compassion in motion.
Shape Up Somerville: Are Kids Into Broccoli?
by Alain Jehlen on Sun, Jan 24, 2010
A friend told me about this tv news story on Shape Up Somerville. The intro is annoying but the story is interesting.
So here’s a question for Somerville parents and kids: Is broccoli king of the cafeteria?…
City census privacy
by LauraM on Tue, Feb 2, 2010
Why does the city census office send to “current resident” a form that includes personal information about whoever lived at an address a year ago? Are there other alternatives?
Hotel approval process leaves unanswered questions
by teri swartzel on Wed, Jan 27, 2010
Pizza Ring, the restaurant operated by the owner of 371 Beacon St. ~Photo by Tom Nash
By Tom Nash
City officials admitted this week a special permit application for a contentious hotel project nearing final approval is missing basic information about the developer’s identity and lacks any mention of the property’s lingering environmental issues.
our trash vendor
by davis76c on Thu, Jan 21, 2010
Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office has reached an agreement with five Somerville waste disposal companies, collectively known as Russell, and its corporate officers… to pay $70,000 to 352 current and former employees as well as a $20,000 penalty to the Commonwealth to resolve allegations that the company violated the Massachusetts Wage and Hour Laws. In addition, Russell has agreed to a two-year monitoring and compliance plan.
Residents’ group aims for zoning changes
by Jonathan Rich on Thu, Jan 21, 2010
Fueled by a growing dissatisfaction with the city’s zoning review and approval process for development projects, a group of concerned residents have joined together to initiate what they are describing as “much-needed and long-overdue reforms of the zoning ordinance aimed at making the key decision-makers more responsible for their actions.”
City Releases Powder House School Real Estate Analysis; Mayor Seeks Property Sale This Year
by Barry Rafkind on Mon, Jan 18, 2010
As the City prepares to sell the closed Powder House School building to private developers, the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) just posted an Aug 24, 2009 real estate analysis report (pdf) to its website .…
Have Safety Issues Been Addressed at Market Basket?
by Barry Rafkind on Sun, Jan 10, 2010
Following an armed robbery in the Market Basket parking lot last October, store representatives promised the Aldermen to address safety issues by installing surveillance cameras and better lighting in the parking lot. They also promised to undertake a parking study to address concerns about overcrowding and parked cars in fire lanes. I wonder how much progress they’ve made so far?…
Beard and Moustache Contest (!?!)
by Linda Conte on Fri, Jan 8, 2010
GET YOUR BEARD ON
STOP SHAVING AND START GROWING
ALL AMERICA CITY BEARD AND MOUSTACHE CONTEST
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2010, 3pm
PRECINCT, 70 UNION SQUARE, SOMERVILLE
A contest sure to tickle your chin. We need all those facial hair growers to strut their mugs-and register.
This public spectacle will take place in Union Square…
less parking idiocy; more snow vigilance!
by kathye on Fri, Jan 1, 2010
We all know that the city has enacted onerous and unpopular parking regulations because it’s desperate for funds.
What if the city were as aggressive about clean, i.e. non-icy, sidewalks as it is about parking?…
House Bill No. 1747 is a danger to tenants
by Knut Dorker on Tue, Dec 8, 2009
House Bill No. 1747 at the State Legislature plans to give “housing rights” to alleged victims of domestic violence, would endanger the neighboring tenants and place huge burdens on small landlords. The bill would block eviction, failure of renewal of any self-claimed victim of domestic violence, stop rent increases, allow non-victims to easily abuse the…
Children invited to talk to Santa
by WendyBlom on Mon, Dec 7, 2009
SCAT is hosting Santa Claus in the TV studio on Tuesday, December 15 from 6:00 to 7:00pm. This event is free. Children may come up to tell Santa what they want for Christmas in person, or watching the live TV show from home on Channel 3, they may call in to him at 617-628-9876. The…
