The Capacity to Live a Full & Creative Life: this is what we want for our children, our youth, and ourselves! Come to a community-created art exhibit featuring art created by Somerville artists ages 8 to 88.

If you’re a fan of small independent businesses such as Ricky’s Flower Market and the Reliable Market in Union Square — and even if you’re not — you should take a closer look at the city’s proposal for District Improvement Financing that was unveiled on September 15.

You can subscribe to the calendar of the Somerville Public Schools to receive emails announcing events coming up in the following week. It’s easy! Here’s how!

After 37 years of serving youth in Somerville, there’s now a large FOR SALE sign on the former Somerville Boys & Girls Club at 181 Washington Street. Why did this happen?

Lace up those sneakers and get ready to run. The Somerville Homeless Coalition is holding their 15th Annual 5K Road Race October 2nd, starting in Davis Square.…

Hosts Joe Lynch & KyAnn Anderson discuss the impact of budget cuts, casino gambling & the benefits of political competition during election season with Massachusetts State Senator & longtime Somerville resident, Pat Jehlen.

Watch

This Thursday, September 30, at 6 pm, Villens and others will have the opportunity to hear the voices of youth members from Centro Presente and The Welcome Project, who are working to support the Dream Act.

This meeting will present details of the Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation project, which will block the Bridge and divert traffic.

Traffic that would otherwise go along Memorial Drive may end up going to Route 28 instead and thereby into Somerville.

These are two identical presentations on the Green Line Extension station design guidelines and requirements. The Tuesday presentation is in Somerville; the same presentation is being given on Wednesday in Medford.

The Green Line Extension stations are now being designed. If you want input into the design, attend one of these meetings and ask questions.

Now you can follow new posts and updates at our Twitter account @SomervilleVox . Due to some technical problems, this service stopped working in February. We’re glad to have…

An elected official is accused of sexually assaulting teen-aged boys in his home while his wife is at work.  Warring restaurant owners may come face to face in court as tempers flare.  A young girl realizes “cutting,” is not…

Got an idea that would make Somerville Voices better? Come to our open meeting on Sunday, Sept. 26, 6 to 8 pm, at the Visiting Nurses assisted living facility, 259 Lowell St…

From School Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi:

It is my hope that every school in Somerville is a place where students feel a sense of belonging, where students are excited to come to school because they…

…elementary auditions for the role of oompa loompa in the February 2011 Somerville High School production of Willy Wonka: The…

If you would like to receive weekly announcements of events in the Somerville Public Schools please visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us/events. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the envelope icon to “subscribe” to…

An Open Invitation to All:

Do you care about the public schools of Somerville? Do you want to support quality, innovative programs in our schools? Would you like to eat a tasty dinner prepared by your favorite local politician?

The Duhamel Education Initiative (DEI), a local foundation that supports innovative classroom initiatives in the Somerville Public Schools, cordially invites you to attend its 15th Annual Fall Fundraiser, a delicious community dinner prepared and served by the Somerville Board of Aldermen!…

It’s a Marshmallow world in Union Square! Archibald Query invented Fluff right here in 1917 so every year we host a madcap festival. Join us Saturday, September 25 from 3 pm to 7 pm on…

The Mystic View Task Force will hold its annual meeting at 1:30 P.M., Saturday, September 25, 2010, at the Third Life Studio, 33 Union Square, Somerville.

A change-of-use ordinance is being submitted to the Board of Aldermen to allow self-storage/wholesale storage in locations in Assembly Square near I-93 and not suitable for better development. I understand that the goal is to allow a developer to place a self-storage facility at the foot of Foley Street, replacing a truck storage facility near the current (poorly-maintained) pedestrian underpass from Assembly Square to the Stop & Shop on Mystic Avenue. The underlying urban design problem is how to use a development in this location to establish a pedestrian-friendly gateway to Assembly Square, given (a) the planned Assembly Square T-Stop at the head of Foley Street and (b) a proposed Foley Street connection under I-93 to East Somerville.

Land use planning is the primary function of municipal government. This ordinance provides an ideal opportunity to observe and participate in the public land use process, from Ordinance to Planning Board special permit.

Gubernatorial candidate for the Green Rainbow Party Jill Stein is fighting to join the final debates.  I think she is a creditable candidate whom I’d like to see debating with the other guys, but…

As the City continues to move ahead with the focus group meetings, our community meetings are vital to ensure that our neighborhood works together so that the site of the Powderhouse Community School is reused in a way that is most beneficial to our neighborhood AND to our city.

The following is a letter that was submitted to the Board of Aldermen at last Thursday’s meeting by a group of concerned residents. Do you share these concerns?…

We’ve had a proposal that we make Google Translate available on our website. You can see how it works here.

Do any of our readers have experience with Google Translate? Would it be…

This meeting is expected to include a proposed zoning change to allow self-storage facilities in Assembly Square, which should be referred to the Land Use Committee.

School’s open. How did it go at your school? Well organized? Disorganized? Friendly? Cold? How did your child do?

Feedback, positive or negative, can help the schools do more of what’s working and improve…

The Somerville Family Network (SFN), a project of the newly-consolidated
Somerville Family and Community Connections, provides free programs such as
the New Moms’ Group, Playgroups (in English, Spanish and Portuguese),
Family Education and Community Events…

Public input is needed on accessibility, waterfront and water activities design, and pedestrian and bicycle access along Foley Street.

The HUD grants are applied to the problems of homelessness, affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and parks and open space. Citizen input is helpful in setting priorities.

District Improvement Financing is useful in building tax revenue, provided the projects supported are high enough in density to provide adequate tax base. If they aren’t, the city is on the hook.

In these final crazy hazy days of summer 2010, Mayor Joseph Curtatone has succeeded in sneaking a detour around a new State rule. Here’s why that matters to Human Rights advocates..

299 Broadway (Ocean State Job Lot): Denied. Assembly Square PUD (Assembly Square Drive subdivision): Approved. 90 Union Square: Continued. 425 Broadway (wireless equipment): Approved, on to ZBA. 221 Morrison Ave. (historic B&B): Approved, on to ZBA. 25 Hamlet St. (barn replaced with duplex): Approved, on to ZBA. 42-44 Boston Ave. (deck and stairs): Approved, on to ZBA. 270 Cedar St. (9 residences, parking space count variance): Special Permit withdrawn, variance approved, on to ZBA. Staff not available to do minutes, CD recording available on request.

Monday, September 13, 7-8:30 pm:
We Love HONK! Volunteers Meeting
Sign-up gathering to help in all the ways that make HONK! possible.  Individuals and groups interested in participating in the parade…

The Capuano Center is opening on time for the first day of Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten. Opening day is Monday, September 13th.

Please visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us/capuano_faqs to review a list of frequently asked questions about…

The Somerville Garden Club Perennial and House Plant sale will be held Saturday, September 18, in Davis Square. An array of perennials, trees, shrubs, and houseplants are available, and knowledgeable Garden Club members can answer…

A free after school musical theatre group directed by Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator, Jimmy Del Ponte

A program and workshop on adapting your home to support your needs as you get older.

Wednesday, September 29th, 5:30-7:30

167 Holland St., 2nd floor, wheelchair accessible

If you or someone you…

Dear Parents,

Charlestown Lacrosse will be holding Sunday clinics/games this fall.  These practices/clinics/games are for new players to learn the basic skills

Got an idea that would make Somerville Voices better? Come to our open meeting on Sunday, Sept. 12, 6 to 8 pm, at the Visiting Nurses assisted living facility, 259 Lowell St…

This is the sixth in the 8-part Free Webinar Series on Designing for Pedestrian Safety being given by the Federal Highway Administration and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. Pedestrian and bicycle safety is essential to the success of the new Assembly Square roadways and Orange Line T-Stop and around the new Green Line stops.

This is the fifth in the 8-part Free Webinar Series on Designing for Pedestrian Safety being given by the Federal Highway Administration and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. Pedestrian and bicycle safety is essential to the success of the new Assembly Square roadways and Orange Line T-Stop and around the new Green Line stops.

This is the regular monthly meeting of the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, which acts to set aside historic buildings and districts throughout Somerville. Designating historic buildings preserves Somerville’s history and may increase property values.

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. The Planning Board holds public hearings and grants permits for special districts, such as Planned Unit Developments. This meeting deals with ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville developments.

Labor Day is coming up. I hope all everyone gets a chance to enjoy some time with their friends and families.

This is the holiday brought to you by the labor movement. What is the labor movement? …

HONK! FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT featuring work by Greg Cook, Tiffany Knight, Mark Dannenhauer, Jesse Edsell-Vetter, Benjamin Greenberg, Chris Yeager & Akos Szilvasi. Exhibit runs through September 30th with an opening on Saturday, September 4th, 6-8 pm,
in Davis Square, Somerville.

This year’s tournament will be held at the Wayland Country Club in Wayland, Mass, September 10th. … All proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization and the programs and services it provides to the homeless and near-homeless in Somerville and the Greater Boston area.

This is the regular monthly meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The Strategic Planning staff is drafting the Comprehensive Plan. Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan.

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. This meeting will deal with an ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville development, Ocean State Job Lot at 299 Broadway. The Planning Board holds public hearings and grants permits for special districts, such as Planned Unit Developments.

Local Roots Food and Music Festival tickets available online at Brown Paper Tickets!

Hey folks!

You can now purchase tickets for the Local Roots Food and Music Festival online at Brown Paper Tickets!…

Welcome to DogFest 2010!  It is sure to be a day of fun for your whole family, including your dog!  Exciting demonstrations, educational opportunities and lots of fun are all here, rain or shine.  Well-mannered dogs, current on vaccinations and on-leash, are welcome.  All proceeds benefit Northeast Animal Shelter.Admission is free!…

This is the fourth in the 8-part Free Webinar Series on Designing for Pedestrian Safety being given by the Federal Highway Administration and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. Pedestrian and bicycle safety is essential to the success of the new Assembly Square roadways and Orange Line T-Stop and around the new Green Line stops.