Somerville Voices

I just got a robo-call from the "Small Property Owners Association" telling me that I should email my alderman and demand that all condo conversion controls be eliminated. It also urged me to attend the BOA meeting on November 18. We've had some discussion on this site about gentrification. Well, I can't think of a better way to promote gentrification than to wipe out large numbers of rental units via condo conversion.Read More.>>

Hi Gang, for those of you yearning for alternative media coverage of the big day November 4th .... keep reading, we have the answer.Read More.>>

SMUJP (Somerville-Medford United for Justice with Peace) invites you to a post-election dialogue: thoughts on the election results and implications for the Somerville and Medford progressive community. We hope to define three key areas to focus on going forward, relating to peace, economic justice and local issues. This open, nonpartisan conversation will start with brief presentations and move to lots of discussion. We hope you can join us!Read More.>>

As cold autumn weather approaches, Davis Square's Amethyst Center announced today that it is hosting a “Get Healthy for the Holidays” open house offering refreshments and holistic health treatments. The short treatments—available in exchange for a suggested $10 donation to the Somerville Homeless Coalition—include: acupuncture; shiatsu; massage; craniosacral therapy; naturopathy consultations; reiki and other energy balancing sessions. Participants are also encouraged to bring gently-used or new blankets to donate to the Coalition.Read More.>>

Hi Gang... lot going on since my last post. Later this week I will have a massive update, but, in the meantime I wanted to share the latest episode of the Progressive Voices TV program here at SCAT. Fred Berman and Bill Bumpus have as their guest: Harris Gruman to talk about Question one on the upcoming November Ballot. See the video below.Read More.>>

There was another Long Range Planning meeting for the School Committee Thursday night. I won’t have a lengthy report this time because they got a late start and didn’t have handouts to help me out. The reason for the late start was the meeting for School Committee members from throughout Massachusetts with Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester beforehand. We were allowed to sit in on a little of that while we waited, and it was a bit interesting.Read More.>>

Somerville Youth Hockey Association provides an instructional level program for youth from ages 3-8 years old at Somerville's DCR Rink on Saturday mornings for the entire season. This is a great opportunity to put on a pair of skates and learn skating and hockey basics. There is no pressure to join a team, but children… Read More.>>

Join the Boston University Women's Ice Hockey Team as they host a FREE hockey clinic for girls 8th Grade and under (because of NCAA rules, they can not be in high school yet)Read More.>>

Read the main article March for Haiti on Sunday–Hurricane Relief for more details… Read More.>>

Save Our Somerville's always reliable, Leon David, has been hard at work organizing a disaster relief march for Haiti. Haiti has been devastated by something like four hurricanes this year. Leon has asked that this message be shared with the SOS network to help all of Somerville become aware of this issue that has sent shockwaves through our Haitian community. On Sunday, let's show that all of Somerville stands in solidarity with Haiti and her expatriates here in our city.Read More.>>

More than most cities and towns, the city of Somerville and its public schools rely very heavily on state aid. In fact, this year, state aid makes up more than half (58 percent) of the Somerville schools' budget. This much-needed money would be cut drastically if Question 1 passes, eliminating the state income tax. According to one estimate by groups including the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, our schools could lose as much as 90 percent of its aid if Question 1 passes, and our city could lose 65 percent.Read More.>>

Just in case you do not have time to read through all of the notices posted on the video bulletin board on local cable channel 16, here is a preview of some of the interesting events happening in the Somerville Public Schools. All events listed here are free and open to the public.Read More.>>

The Somerville Public Schools, inspired by the long range goals set by the School Committee, is hosting a series of community discussions about the possibility of expanding available learning time through the Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time initiative. Please join the Superintendent for a community discussion on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00-11:30 AM in the… Read More.>>

I'm sure I'm not the first person to say that ArtBeat has become lame. Other than some interesting music, it is mostly a lame, generic craft festival. It is almost always too hot and not that unique or interesting. Honk, on the other hand, showcases what makes Somerville unique and compelling. Like the Fluff festival and Open Studios, Honk is becoming a great example of funky, creative Somerville. Unfortunately, rumor has it that Honk may not necessarily continue. This would be a huge loss. Does anyone else share my views that ArtBeat should be substantially changed and that public and Arts Council funds should be dedicated more towards saving Honk?Read More.>>

This year's third annual HONK! Festival from Oct. 10 - 12 was an exuberant street party!Read More.>>

From an Oct 12th article on Boston.com: Romulo Santos of Somerville headed off to work Sept. 9 at a Wal-Mart in Walpole as usual. But that day he was electrocuted on the job. Some might consider the 47-year-old Brazilian native's death a freak accident, but local advocates say that for many immigrant workers, the risk of injury is all too real. Tufts University, Cambridge Health Alliance, and five Somerville community groups have come together to raise awareness of occupational health risks and to teach people their rights.Read More.>>

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville have weighed in on two key ballot questions and the uncontested State House seats in the November election.Read More.>>

This week's Somerville Journal includes an Op-Ed regarding our rights as voters. Voting is a fun community activity, and no voters should be steered to vote absentee-unless they prefer it that way (or will be out of town on the 4th). Here are 2 photos showing a polling site that was entirely inaccessible (right at the entrance), for wheelchair using voters of Ward 7, Precinct 2, during the Primary, September 16, 2008:Read More.>>

From a phone message received today, October 8: Hello, this is an important message from the National Institutes of Health. On October 14 we’ll be holding a meeting of the NIH Blue Ribbon Panel for the risk assessment of the national emerging infectious diseases laboratories at Boston University Medical Center. The purpose of the meeting is to get… Read More.>>

Stand Up for Peace in the Middle East BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW! Visit our website: http://oct11boston.org Music at 11, Rally at noon, March at 2 pm Boston Common Parade Grounds (Entrance on Beacon and Charles St.) Join thousands of New England anti-war activists on Oct. 11th 2008 at noon on Boston Common for a rally with music, cultural performers… Read More.>>

There is a simple state law that limits motor vehicle idling to 5 minutes max. Reefer trucks are an exception. This law is clearly ignored by both private citizens and public officials. Way too many cars idle. Way too many city cars idle. How can we stop this? It is a waste of gas and a pollutant.Read More.>>

Workshops on Friday. Free music by 25 bands on Saturday. And the Honk! parade on Sunday. It's a big event this weekend posted a month ago by Columbine. I thought it should get more than just a calendar listing.  Also--they're looking for volunteers.… Read More.>>

Has anyone heard when Somerville Avenue, affectionately known to neighbors as The Little Dig, is supposed to be finished? It seems to be a really big job so I'm not complaining, but it would be good to know.Read More.>>

At the Department of Public Works, 1 Franey Road (behind Trum Field). Do bring: paints, thinners, cleaners, motor oil, antifreeze, mercury thermometers, car batteries, and fluorescent bulbs/tubes. Don’t bring: asbestos, photo chemicals, heating oil. Also bring proof that you live in Somerville, and no more waste than can fit in a car trunk, or any large quantity of… Read More.>>

Join Union Square Main Streets for our monthly 'Second Wednesdays in Union Square' community celebration.  October features a tour of Union Square's drinking holes, complete with drink specials and new friends. When: This Wednesday, October 8 from 6pm until whenever you want to leave. Where: We will begin the night at 6pm at Taqueria La… Read More.>>

Charles River Alleycats is hosting a Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic for Cats on Saturday, October 25th. The clinic will be held at the Somerville Department of Public Works city yard at 1 Franey Rd, Somerville.Read More.>>

Over the years and from various corners there's been discussion about the need for a community foundation for Somerville. Some people have gone so far as to do research towards the idea of a foundation but nothing concrete has yet emerged. Since the needs that inspire the idea of Community Foundation continue to emerge a group of people gathered this past summer to articulate those needs and what a Somerville Foundation might be.Read More.>>

Join the Somerville Bicycle Committee for the 16th Annual Tour de Somerville on Saturday, October 18th.   We'll meet at 10 am at Seven Hills Park, behind the Holland Street T entrance in Davis Square.    From there, we'll trace the entire boundary of our city, from leafy Alewife Brook and Tufts University to gritty… Read More.>>

From the homepage of the Somerville Democratic City Committee www.SomDems.org : Our first annual Somerville Democratic City Committee Picnic has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 4th, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 30 Washington Street. All Somerville Democrats are welcome… Read More.>>

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am part of a group of Somerville and Cambridge residents organizing the third Honk! Festival of activist street bands, and I wanted to extend an invitation to all of you to take part in the Honk Parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square on Sunday, October 12. It's a…

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