DAVIS SQUARE TASK FORCE MEETING, will be held on Monday, June 22, 7 p.m., at the TAB Building, 167 Holland Street.  Open to all.

Agenda meeting:  Wednesday, June 17, Au Bon Pain, 5:30-6:00

To propose an agenda item, drop in on the meeting on June 17, or contact any…

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Unfortunately, the Green Tomato 2 has closed and the DARBI lunch and presentation planned for Wednesday 6/10 has been postponed until we can find another suitable location. We were holding our board meetings and luncheons there in an effort to help them promote themselves, but alas, it didn't work… Read More.>>

Here's a link to a map that shows 99 foreclosed properties in our city. Are we surprised that they are concentrated in the east and northeast? Here's a link to a somewhat shorter list without a map.Read More.>>

DARBI will be hosting our third networking lunch on Weds, 6/10 at Noon. Lunch will include a variety of delicious, freshly prepared salads and sandwiches, (with many veggie offerings), coffee, and beverage. There is also a toddler/preschool play area in eye and ear shot of our eating area. Open to all - members $8 non-members $10. Please RSVP to Candy at D2DCommunications@gmail.comRead More.>>

Join the Somerville Bicycle Committee and the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission for a bike tour featuring Somerville's many historic houses of worship. We'll meet at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, at 2 pm on Sunday, May 31. We'll take about three hours to ride about nine miles, stopping along the way to see various churches… Read More.>>

HONK! Neighborhood meeting, May 28th, 2009 7-8:30 PM at the West Branch Library in Davis Square, 40 College Ave. The HONK festival returns October 9-11th in and around Davis Square. This community meeting will be about how you can get involved in helping to make HONK happen again. Check out www.honkfest.orgRead More.>>

As announced in the Somerville Journal : What should happen with the former Powder House Community School? Read More.>>

Forum on Gentrification and Displacement! Thursday, May 14th, 6 PM Elizabeth Peabody House 277 Broadway (at Broadway & Grant Street) Somerville, MA 02145

Gentrification and Displacement: What do they mean?  What

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Thanks to Jessica, a senior in the Tufts class entitled "Experimenting with Philanthropy," CAAS will receive $1,800 to hire youth interpreters to help the residents of Clarendon Hill build a stronger tenants’ association.Read More.>>

The City of Somerville, as an Entitlement Community, receives millions of Federal dollars from HUD each year from the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, and HOME programs.  These monies must be spent on activities that primarily benefit low and moderate income Somerville residents in three areas:   Provide decent affordable housing; Eliminate slums and blight; Enhance… Read More.>>

Based on the success of our first attempt at this, DARBI will be hosting another Networking Lunch at Green Tomato on Elm Street on Tuesday May 5th from 11:30 -1 (or as long as people want to hang out!). $8 for DARBI members/$10 for nonmembers. The buffet-style lunch will include a variety of sandwiches and… Read More.>>

Based on the success of our first attempt at this, DARBI will be hosting another Networking Lunch... The goal of these events is for freelancers, consultants, artists, and others who work from home to expand their personal and professional network.....in other words: to meet people!Read More.>>

DARBI (Davis Area Resident/Business Initiative) will host a wine and cheese reception open to the public at Dave's Fresh Pasta from 7:30-9:00 PM on Tuesday, April 21st.  Local residents, both new and old, can take this opportunity to meet and mingle in an informal setting with great food and drink.  Admission is $10 for DARBI… Read More.>>

The Community Corridor Planning Project invites you to attend a meeting on April 29th to learn about and talk with your neighbors about changes that will come about in Somerville and in your neighborhood with the Green Line extensions.… Read More.>>

Somerville's future - what's in the works? Come find out.Read More.>>

SomerVision City Planning Open House

Saturday, April 25th from 11 am to 2 pm

Argenziano School, 290 Washington Street

The intent of the open house is to provide information to

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Thanks to the interdependence of everything, Barry Rafkind's post Keep Big Brother ouf of Somerville has morphed into a discussion about whether or not traffic cameras can induce more folks to obey traffic laws (see comments starting from # 7). I'm saying that, with regards to the specific pedestrian safety issues that Steve Roix has worked gallently to solve, this speaks to a deeper need to create a signal timing plan… Read More.>>

Dear Chairperson Bill White and distinguished aldermen, I strongly object to the installation of surveillance cameras in public spaces around our city and urge you to request their immediate removal. I believe this surveillance program, which was roundly rejected in Cambridge, MA, violates American ideals of freedom and liberty and the Constitutional right to privacy...Read More.>>

Last night at a meeting of the Somerville Garden Club, an audience of about forty club members got a progress report from Brad Arndt, the Coordinator for the Somerville Urban Forest Initiative. Following up on the Mayor's pledge in his last inaugural address to increase the number of trees in Somerville by twenty percent over four… Read More.>>

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This event is an opportunity for Somerville youth and community partners to meet in person, build community, and discuss how Somerville can become a safer and welcoming place for everyone. At the event, our youth members will present personal stories, and sit in small dialogue groups with adults.Read More.>>

Madeleine Masters, Planning Director with the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development emailed an announcement about the upcoming meeting on the Union Square Open Space and Recreation Plan, which will be held on Tuesday, January 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall.Read More.>>

The following message was sent by Stephanie Hirsch to some ResiStat groups today. This is the park bounded by Holland Street, Simpson St., and Paulina St.. Hello ResiStat groups - Please see below for an announcement of a planning meeting regarding Hodgkins Park: Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Robert Trane invite all interested residents and… Read More.>>

[Posted for Union Square Neighbors] Union Square Neighbors (USN) is a group of area residents who are concerned with the future of Union Square. We believe that careful planning and a cohesive community vision are critical to the future of the square.Read More.>>

Please join the Affordable Housing Organizing Committee (AHOC) and Save Our Somerville (SOS) on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for the hearing of the Union Square Zoning Ordinance at City Hall. We are very concerned that the proposed Union Square zoning does little to protect affordability in the area.Read More.>>

Sent by Adam Rich to Somerville-4-Schools yahoo group: If families continue to leave Somerville, our public schools will suffer. Please join the Affordable Housing Organizing Committee (AHOC) and Save Our Somerville (SOS) on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for the hearing of the Union Square Zoning Ordinance at City Hall. We are very concerned that the proposed Union… Read More.>>

The tree is gone. Several of us confronted the arborist. Ellie and Kirsten went to court in Woburn where Joe Benoit mysteriously turned up and successfully challenged their request for a temporary restraining order. (with video)Read More.>>

The Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP) and the Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance (MGNA) are jointly hosting a community meeting to discuss the proposed extension of the Green Line service to the Medford/Somerville line at Mystic Valley Parkway.

The meeting, will be at 7 p.m. on Monday

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Friends, neighbors, tenants, and people passing by were aghast to see four massive trucks from Cambridge Landscape setting up to take down one of Somerville's grandest trees. Tenants complained that the landlords representative had told them only that "tree work" would be done, not that a tree which affects the entire neighborhood would come down.Read More.>>

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 Somerville's Winter Hill and Hinckley / Magoun Neighborhoods 2:00 P.M. Tour Leader: Edward W. Gordon, President, VSA/NE Tour meets at the Winter Hill Congregational Church, 404 Broadway, at the corner of Central Street. Directions: Take the No. 89 bus from Sullivan Square Station in Charlestown to the Broadway / Central Street stop. Admission: $5.00 Members VSA/NE and Somerville residents; $8.00 Nonmembers. PLEASE… 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.>>

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

I'm new to Somerville and am looking for a food cooperative or buyers club near Davis Square. The only thing that I've heard of so far is Harvest Coop, which is great, but I'd like to find something closer to Davis that focuses on local produce and building community.Read More.>>

Come to Union Square September 28 27 to celebrate Somerville's own sweet, gooey, and utterly unique contribution to American cuisine, Marshmallow Fluff!  From 4 to 7 PM (rain date Sunday September 28) come participate in the Fluff cooking contest, find out about Somerville superhero Fluff Boy, and hear the dulcet tones of the… Read More.>>

Saturday, September 20, 2008 The Urban Country Fair sponsored by Truth Serum, Somerville Arts Council and ArtsUnion (raindate: September 21) 3-7pm FREE and open to the public Union Square, Somerville in the square! Truth Serum's Urban Country Fair will combine Exhibitors, Craft and Art Sellers, free Boston SkillShare workshops and old time… Read More.>>

Below is a letter I submitted to the City of Somerville License Commission in favor of the above petitioner and his application to obtain a conditioned liquor license for Churassco (now Pampas) Buffet and Grill Beer at 505 Medford Street in Magoun Square.Read More.>>

There's an interesting story in the Sunday Globe's City Edition about Somerville residents (several of whom are part of the Somerville Voices group), who have taken down fences and built stronger ties with their neighbors.… Read More.>>

At a fundraiser for his reelection campaign at Sabur Restaurant this evening, Representative Carl Sciortino got some strongly worded support from Governor Deval Patrick, and announced that an upcoming environmental bond bill would include two million dollars for improvements to Somerville’s largest open space, Foss Park.…Read More.>>

Note: We’re planning to run a range of views on the rezoning of Union Square. This one is from Matt McLaughlin, president of Save Our Somerville. The Green Line is coming through, which is a great step forward for Somerville. I look forward to jumping on the Green Line and going into Boston. But where am I going to live? ...…Read More.>>

Come to the Somerville/Cambridge General Election Kick Off Event at Precinct in Union Square this coming Wednesday, July 16th! Have fun, get plugged in and learn how we're going to win!Read More.>>

I'm passing on a message from Welcome Project at the Mystic Housing Development. They're asking for volunteers to help rebuild the community garden over there. They've already put in two days of work, and the next is this Saturday, July 12, 9 to 3. After that, Wednesday, July 23, 5 to 8.…Read More.>>

East Somerville residents deserve the dream of a better community. Let’s talk together about what costs and benefits the new development will bring to our community and to East Somerville residents.Read More.>>

From the ArtBeat Festival webpage: "During the heat of summer (held on the third weekend in July), artists and festival goers converge on Davis Square, transforming it into one of the area's largest and most innovative arts festivals. ArtBeat includes music, performance art, craft vendors, dance, theater, food, and a whole more…Read More.>>

If a municipality's Bus stops are unreachable and inaccessible, due to badly built street facilities, then its residents are restricted from accessing public transportation systems, etc..For some individuals, the challenges created by these issues cause them to be nearly or fully housebound. Do you think such quality of life issues should continue to be put off until "tomorrow?" ...Read More.>>

On Monday, I went to the Union Square rezoning meeting held at Somerville High. I took my laptop with me and took the following "live blog" notes. The slides and maps are available on the city website.Read More.>>

Another of the city's popular family events, Family Fun Day includes a variety of activities for residents of all ages. Obstacle courses, games, watermelon eating contests, dancing, and a dunk tank are only a few examples of the day's events! Dunk the Mayor! Dunk your Alderman! Eat your weight in watermelon! Bring your children, your parents, and your friends.Read More.>>

Today, 2 residents from the Community Access Project of Somerville (CAPS) took their digital levels and measuring tapes and perambulated down Holland Street. We checked both sides of the sidewalk, from Winter Street to the Traffic and Parking Building (133 Holland St.) and then went back to Davis Square via the other side

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So, you are a blind pedestrian at Weston and Broadway and you need to cross after getting off the bus. Because there is no curbcut on the bus stop side of Weston to cross to Dickson, you cross Weston to the corner pictured below. You rely on the tactile strips to guide you straight into the crosswalk and to the curbcut exactly opposite. Now, here: how many steps will it take before you’re a smashed pumpkin at rush hour?Read More.>>

The Pedestrian Signal post at the raised island mid-crossing in Union Square, at Somerville and Washington Street is inaccessible to wheelchair-mobile pedestrians. The pedestrian-activated button is at least seven feet - 84 inches- away from the wheelchair pedestrian's hand!Read More.>>

The Milk Row Cemetery is a Historic Preservation Commission project, and its improvements triggered sidewalk accessibility improvements by 2005. Below is the copy of the complaint I submitted today. This is at least the third time this issue has been brought to the attention of the City ADA Coordinator in the past year.Read More.>>

For those of you who may not know, Governor Patrick filed the environmental bond bill (H.4446) this past December. Open space for outdoor recreation (as we all know) is extremely limited in Somerville. These funds can be used to develop Foss Park into the Urban Oasis we so desperately need in Somerville. There is tremendous potential to significantly upgrade the park for all who utilize the area. We must maximize this critical moment by taking advantage of these opportunities.Read More.>>

On Friday, June 6, 2008, the Union Square Citizen's Bank began breaking up the large platform front step that has been dividing this Bank and its services from people with mobility restrictions. Barack Obama won the nomination in 16 months. This access project for just one public accommodation has taken over 18 months already...Read More.>>

In the ordinary course of business, one notices accessible route problems throughout Union Square's Somerville Reconstruction Project area. During construction, it is very important for the City to maintain continuous, unobstructed, level and safe sidewalks, as well as safe curbcuts and walkways for everyone.Read More.>>

This Saturday, May 31, I'm co-leading a bicycle tour of historical sights around Somerville, on behalf of the Somerville Bicycle Committee and the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission. The ride will focus on the many commuter rail stations that Somerville once had, and on the Green Line stations that will soon take their place. The ride starts at 10 am at Somerville City Hall ...Read More.>>

If you listen to a local NPR radio station like me, you’ve probably heard segments of Living on Earth with Steve Curwood, a program on the environment and environmental policy. After listening to this week’s show, I picked up on the fact that they broadcast from a studio in Davis Square, right down the hall from the office of the Somerville Journal, at 20 Holland Street Suite 408 to be exact.Read More.>>

New England Ford is sponsoring the festival and drove an SUV into the middle of the plaza in Davis. Thanks…Read More.>>