According to a Globe article published earlier this evening [Coakley picks up endorsements from Capuano's hometown] endorsements from current and former Somerville pols break down like this:…

Last week, the Board of Aldermen extended the City’s contract with FW Russell for another year plus 5 more under a new contract despite concerns stemming from a 2-year-old investigation by AG Coakley’s office into the waste disposal company’s labor practices. The company was selected for offering the lowest price among 4 bids procured by the City this past year.…

From Ward 6 Ald. Gewirtz’s Winter ‘09 newsletter :
There is a proposal being made by the owners of the Citizens Bank building on Elm Street on the corner or Bowers Ave. to bring a Staples to that space. I have been very concerned about large chain stores coming into the square. I’m…

It looks like the climate crisis is taking a back seat to the economic crisis as Mayor Curtatone and the Somerville Arts Council promote the annual Illuminations Holiday Tour,  “the annual trolley tour of holiday light displays” around the city.  Certainly, keeping the holiday lights off is the least we could do to help reduce our carbon footprint.…

It’s a bit of an awkward holiday for Somerville Homeless Coalition this year.  Hard times have gobbled up all the resources, the gravy train (state aid) crashed, people are mashed and squashed into emergency housing like never before, and SHC is cran-buried in new requests for help with food and shelter.  But you can help for mere beans!…

Ward 2 ResiStat Meeting

Mon. Nov. 30, 7:30 PM

Argenziano School
290 Washington Street
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 2 Alderman Heuston, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 2. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the…

This idea of the whole city reading the same book is interesting.  What book would you recommend?  The Glass Castle?  The Audacity of Hope?
This spring Somerville will launch its first “one city, one book” reading campaign – a community read project in which we will try to get as many people as possible to…

Ward 6 ResiStat Meeting

Mon. Nov. 23, 7:30 PM

Ciampa Manor
27 College Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 6 Alderman Gewirtz, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 6, particularly the Davis Square area. Similar meetings are held in…

Update: This event has been canceled. PDS will instead be co-hosting a Debate Watch Party with the Democratic City Committee.

This Monday, November 23rd, Transition Somerville will screen “The First Millimeter: Healing the Earth” at the College Ave Methodist Church at 7 p.m.

Deaf and hard of hearing Somerville residents living on low incomes can now call the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) for help making ends meet. CAAS’ new TTY number is 617-628-6387.

Pittsburgh floats a sales tax on college tuition!

2 changes in Somerville Climate Action’s Calendar:

> Tonight’s (Nov. 18th) Forum on Green Roofs in Somerville has been postponed due to expected low-attendance resulting from the concurrent Green Line Extension community meeting.  We will be rescheduling this meeting very soon!

> Monday, Nov. 23rd screening of The End of Suburbia has been…

We are writing to ask you to support the February 2010 Somerville High School production of Beauty and the Beast by purchasing an ad in the program book. You can find details on the range of sponsorship costs and benefits, and information about how to become an ad book sponsor online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/musical

NEWS STORY:
• The Christmas trees are coming! The Christmas trees are coming! Students at Somerville’s Full Circle/Next Wave Alternative School are gearing up for their annual Christmas tree and wreath fundraiser. 300 Nova Scotia Balsam Firs get dropped off at the Foss Park tree lot on Tuesday, December 1st. Students will work with their…

Come to a community screening & discussion of…

RETHINK AFGHANISTAN – A Film

Kicking off on Wednesday, December 9 from 3:30-5:30, SCAT’s Next Generation Producers After-School Film Production Club offers students the opportunity to create their own video projects, learn state-of-the-art television production skills, and work alongside other youth with similar interests. The teens will receive one-on-one attention from SCAT staff as they create the film and video…

Comprehensive Plan Visioning Meeting

Tues. Nov. 17, 6:30 PM

Argenziano School
290 Washington Street
Somerville MA (map)

This is the November meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The Visioning Discussion begins with this meeting and will continue with four public input meetings in December. The Steering Committee…

These jumped out at me recently from my somartscouncil@yahoogroups.com digest:

“Something Sweet in Somerville”

ON VIEW: November 7-21 , 2009

GALLERY HOURS: Saturdays 12:00pm-4:00pm and by Appointment

GRAND GALA and Auction Closing: November 21, 6:00-9:00pm ($5 entry or a NEW hat, scarf, mittens, gloves, socks, or other winter wear for SHC)…

Dear Friends,

Please join us for an informal gathering for parents and guardians interested in discussing the kindergarten and early-childhood opportunities available in the Somerville Public Schools. We will be meeting next Saturday, November 21, from 3:00-5:00 pm at Bread & Company at 349 Broadway (located near the top of Winter Hill).…

Permit parking changes are coming. The City has officially set Monday January 4th as the enforcement date for citywide resident permit parking. + SPARCs Push for Tweaks to Permit Parking- Wins to Report + Summary from Nov 4th Parking Solutions Task Force meeting.

Please Join Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, Somerville Climate Action and Transition Somerville for a Forum on Green Roofs: Installing green roofs in Somerville Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7:00pm to 9:00pm Visiting Nurses’ Association Community Room, 259 Lowell Street One hour presentation followed by one hour discussion

Next Thursday night in Davis Square, you’re invited to the next Sprout Spaghetti Dinner, a dinner theater series sponsored by Sprout, that seeks to bring people from the Somerville and Cambridge communities together around good food, music, and performance.

Somerville Voices will sponsor a public forum on Sunday, Nov 15th, 7-9:30 pm about our city’s changing parking regulations and how they will affect residents, visitors, businesses, and the city budget. …

DARBI (Davis Area Residents and Business Initiative) is pleased to announce that they will be holding monthly networking lunches again, (the 3rd Wed. each month) with the first one scheduled for Wednesday, Novemeber 18th at noon at Johnny Ds. It will be an opportunity for Davis area residents who run home-based businesses, do freelance work…

Are you a Somerville resident 21-35 years old? 

Do you have recommendations to offer to improve city services?

Are you interested in becoming more active in the Somerville community?

Are you interested in getting more Young Somerville residents active in the Somerville community?

If you answered “Yes” to any of those…

A new documentary by Wendy Blom, SCAT Executive Director, looks at how Somerville residents take advantage of Massachusetts farms and backyard gardens…

Students in Somerville High School’s Culinary Arts program have baked for Governor Patrick. Now let them bake for you! The annual Thanksgiving Pie Sale has started. For only $9 per pie students will prepare a beautiful and delicious pie in one of eight varieties. Order forms, which can be downloaded at http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/cafe must be…

“Ismael is a pillar in Somerville’s non-profit community and particularly in its immigrant community,” said CAAS Executive Director Kimberly Smith-Cofield. “He is a rare and wonderful gift to Somerville, and we are so lucky to have him.”

StreetTalk: Design Advocacy – Designing for How We Move Through Space

Thurs. Nov 12, 7:00 PM

Livable Streets
100 Sidney St.
Cambridge MA (map)

This presentation gives examples of landscape architecture and public art projects where pedestrian movement and design determined the space. It is important because we…

BOA Committee on Finance

Mon. Nov. 9, 6:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is a rescheduling of the Nov. 4 meeting of the Finance Committee, which was cancelled on November 2. It is…

I encourage community members to learn about Somerville High School’s Center for Career and Technical Education during the 12th Annual Vocational Fair… [Sat, Nov 7, 9am-2pm] where students from the various vocational shops demonstrate their expertise. This year’s event will include a pancake breakfast and several interactive displays.

The Tufts Global Lens Film Series picks up after a week off. The films are top notch, free, open to the public and you won’t have to fight a crowd (I got a private screening last week). The movies are the type you won’t get an easy chance to see again.…

STEP Green Line DEIR Community Meeting

Sat. Nov. 7, 9:30 AM

Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)

This coming Saturday, the Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership is sponsoring a community meeting on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Green Line Extension. This important, very…

From Bill Barrell at SCAT: In an effort to cut through all the media hype the “Somerville Producers Group” created a show about the facts of H1N1 and the seasonal flu.

Hey PDSers…As we approach the late afternoon of this city election, we need to get out there and help one of our endorsed candidates! Christine Rafal, our ward 4 school committee endorsed candidate, has the votes needed to win this race but she needs more help to get her voters to the polls.

School Committee candidate Christine Rafal is making a courageous run against retrograde incumbent James Norton – and she can use all the help she can get on election day! To help out please call: 617-335-6343.

Ken Brociner’s recent column in the Somerville Journal (see the link below) nicely summarizes what is at stake in…

Groundwork Somerville is holding its first “Doughraiser” at Pizzeria Uno’s in Porter Square on Friday November 6th.  Uno’s will donate 20% of the check to Groundwork, if you write “Groundwork” on your check!

Groundwork Somerville works to improve the environment through community-based partnerships which empower people, businesses and organizations.  They can be reached at…

The city elections are Nov. 3.

Here are the three SCAT-sponsored televised debates of the School Committee and Ward Alderman races.…

Broadway Rezoning: Winter Hill to Sullivan Square

Thurs. Nov. 5, 6:00 PM

Aldermanic Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting is a rescheduling of the joint October 8 meeting between the Land Use Committee and the Planning Board. It is important because…

BOA Committee on Housing and Community Development

Thurs. Nov. 5, 7:00 PM

2nd Floor Conference Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is meeting of the Aldermanic Committee on Housing and Community Development is important because the Committee will discuss the proposed MBTA maintenance…

BOA Committee on Finance

Wed. Nov. 4, 6:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the regular meeting of the Finance Committee. It is important because it addresses the final requirements of the iCubed program just approved by the…

Our neighbors are being evicted and our community destabilized by the foreclosure crisis.

The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) in collaboration with Cambridge & Somerville Legal Services (CASLS) is initiating a post-foreclosure outreach and organizing campaign in Somerville.

We are asking YOU to join us as we…

There will be an open screening and discussion of the 45-minute documentary, “Eating Local in Somerville” on Tuesday, November 3 at 7:30pm in the studio of Somerville Community Access Television, 90 Union Square, Somerville.

Eating local is a national movement that has been embraced enthusiastically in Somerville. A new documentary produced by SCAT Executive…

Mystic View Task Force Annual Meeting

Sat. Nov. 7, 2:00 PM

Third Life Studio
33 Union Square
Somerville MA (map)

This is the annual meeting of the Mystic View Task Force. This meeting is important for MVTF members and supporters because at this meeting the organization will elect Board members…

Rail-volution 2009 Conference

Thurs. Oct 29 – Sun. Nov. 1

Westin Boston Waterfront
425 Summer St.
Boston MA (map)

Brochure (PDF)

This important conference provides a roadmap for integrating rail transit into the Boston region. The preplenary activities include a tour of Assembly Square…

Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Meeting

Thurs. Nov. 5 Nov. 19, 10 AM

State Transportation Building
Conf Rm 4
10 Park Plaza
Boston MA (map)

This is the regular meeting of the Boston MPO. These meetings are important because the current topics include the current…

The City of Somerville will be auctioning off over 300 bicycles on Saturday, November 14th from 11 to 3 p.m. at the Somerville High School Atrium located at 81 Highland Avenue in Somerville.  All those interested may preview the bicycles from 10 – 11 a.m. on November 14th at the Somerville High School Atrium…

Each year, this event attracts over three thousand visitors.  All proceeds benefit the girls’ and boys’ cross-country and track teams at SHS, including the awarding of college scholarships each June.

This is the eighteenth year that the TrackPAC will sponsor this event.  We are very proud that it has become a Thanksgiving weekend destination…

The Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) has posted the Draft EIR on the Green Line Extension into Somerville and Medford. It is important that all citizens of Somerville and Medford evaluate this document and give their feedback, because this is one of the final steps before the project begins implementation. Citizens should particularly look at the proposed mitigation of effects of this development on the surrounding neighborhoods.

Celebrating at:

The Center for Arts at the Armory

191 Highland Ave, Somerville

Visit the Somerville Community Corporation online at SomervilleCDC.org