Somerville Voices
An independent, open forum for reports and opinions about life in our city.
Keep Union Square Livable
by Alain Jehlen today at 11:37 am
[I'm posting this for Stuart Dash of Union Square Neighbors. -- Alain Jehlen]
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. We have been working over the past two years to ensure that development builds upon the scale and character of Union Square and surrounding neighborhoods (we invite you to join us at unionquareneighbors@gmail.org).…
No Honeymoon
by Dennis K. Fischman on December 3, 2008
I’ve been reviewing some of the reasons Obama will need to be pushed if he is going to be a progressive President, and some of the major areas in which we need to push him. The key thing is, we can’t wait.
Support the arts in the Somerville Public Schools - buy an ad in the “Bye Bye Birdie” program book
by Gretchen Kinder on December 3, 2008
More than 35 student actors, musicians, stage and costume designers, and production engineers are working on the 2009 Somerville High School production of Bye Bye Birdie. Scheduled to launch its three day run on Friday, February 6th, Bye Bye Birdie tells the story of Conrad Birdie…
Santa & Mrs Claus come to Somerville
by Bill@SCAT on December 2, 2008
Hi Gang.. Bill from SCAT here. It’s the holiday time of year and best wishes to all of you from the members and staff here at Somerville Community Television. Today’s BIG NEWS: Santa and Mrs Claus will be live on Somerville Channel 3 on Wednesday night December 10, from 6-8pm. We would like to invite those of you with little ones…
Union Square Hearing–6:30 on Thursday at City Hall
by Adam Rich on December 1, 2008
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.
What can you offer to help young people learn during after school hours?
by Gretchen Kinder on December 1, 2008
The Somerville Public Schools is looking for businesses, non-profit partners, volunteers and community experts to work with us planning and running afterschool activity clubs from 4:00-5:30 PM for students in Grades K-8 across the City. We know you have great experience helping students learn in innovative ways, enthusiasm for afterschool learning, and a desire to help students develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be successful throughout their lives.
Upcoming events in the Somerville Public Schools
by Gretchen Kinder on December 1, 2008
The District is rich in activity throughout the early part of December. Highlights include…
Where We Need to Change Obama
by Dennis K. Fischman on December 1, 2008
I don’t agree with his accusatory tone–I think most people voted for Obama with their eyes open–but Sam Smith has “listed nearly three dozen things that Obama supports or opposes with which no good liberal or progressive would agree.” Most prominent among them to my perspective:
Somerville Homeless Coalition/Gift Giving
by Linda Haviland Conte on November 28, 2008
This winter, the Somerville Homeless Coalition will serve hundreds of men, women, and children who would otherwise have no place to call home or enough food to feed their families. Jump to their website to learn how to donate, or read on.
Did Somebody Mention Corporate Power?
by Dennis K. Fischman on November 23, 2008
How do we in Somerville know that the Obama administration will be under pressure to cave to corporations? I couldn’t say it any better than Derrick Jackson did in the Globe…
From A Concerned Property Owner
by lei qin on December 2, 2008
Over the last five years, the city has seemed to be augmenting its revenue by issuing me one trash citation after another, often for no cause… It has become clear to me that this city government is rife with nepotism and cronies who are willing to lie in order to protect each other’s misconduct and dishonesty.
Open Letter
by Bill Shelton on December 1, 2008
To the Charter Review Committee, I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to give testimony at your November 10th public hearing. I hope you are not discouraged that, from mildly to passionately, all but one person who spoke was critical of your preliminary recommendations.
My Testimony to Charter Advisory Committee
by fberman on December 1, 2008
If you’ve been waiting to submit your written testimony to the Charter Advisory Committee, now’s the time. If you haven’t reviewed the Committee’s preliminary recommendations, check them out here. Here are my thoughts:
Benoit Kills Willow, Despite Community Outpouring
by Greg Nadeau on November 28, 2008
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)
Somerville Cracks Down on Sidewalk Cyclists
by Barry Rafkind on November 15, 2008
Two days ago, the City of Somerville announced it would start enforcing regulations prohibiting the use of bicycles on sidewalks with fines between $20 and $50… Given the city’s budget problems, I wonder whether this policy change is motivated more by a need to find new sources of revenue rather than by public safety concerns.
Youth Voices: What it feels like to play soccer
by pnm on November 14, 2008
When I play, I feel concentrated and sometimes nervous. I get motivated by my team mates. When I step on the field, I feel like everything around me is like a perfect dream. I can hear my heart beat.…
Testimony at the Charter Reform Hearing
by fberman on November 13, 2008
This past Monday, the Charter Advisory Committee held a public hearing … Perhaps the most frequent themes of testimony were · Opposition to the appointment (instead of election) of School Committee members · Filling Vacancies on the BOA / Instant Runoff Voting as the means of
JOE THE MAYOR’S IRRESOLUTE PLEDGE
by eila on November 12, 2008
On Martin Luther King day, January 15, 2006, during his introduction to invited speaker (then-candidate) MA Governor Deval Patrick in front of a full house at the East Somerville Community School, Mayor Joe Curtatone pledged to search far and wide in order to hire the very best possible staff leadership to implement the civil rights of constituents with disAbilities in Somerville… But meaningful change and independent choice still seems out of reach for some voters here in the ‘Ville.
Youth Voices: Why I love music video games
by Brian Renderos on November 7, 2008
I like to play video games that have to do with music or creating music. Like DDR (Dance Dance Revolution): you play with a mat that has 4 arrows, one pointing up, down, left and right. On the screen, you press the arrows with your feet by dancing along with the music that you’re hearing on the game. That is one music game that I love to play. …
Charter Reform: Bill Shelton’s Thoughts, Public Hearing 11/10
by fberman on November 6, 2008
In anticipation of next week’s public hearing on Charter Reform, Fred Berman and Bill Bumpus interviewed local activist Bill Shelton, who favors a City Manager form of government, as compared with our current “Strong Mayor” form of government…..
