Davis Square

Somerville's Defunct Orphan's Thankgiving Offering: Alice's Restaurant

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:03:47 GMT

Apparently, the Somerville Theater used to play the movie Alice's Restaurant in the Somerville Theater for folks who were in town, or so I heard yesterday. They no longer do this, and I wonder why not; I think it would be a blast to go to that during the day before Thanksgiving dinner. The 30th anniversary edition of the song was played at the event I attended yesterday, and it was actually quite a lot of fun to listen to it along with folks who had never heard it before. Who knows, maybe they will bring it back...

Happy Thanksgiving, folks:)

Comprehensive list of places that are open today

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:20:52 GMT

Subject line says it all.

Comment away!

apple osx system disks

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:02:59 GMT

i'm going backwards. rather than upgrading my mac laptop, i'm looking to downgrade it to osx 10.4 (tiger).

does anyone know where i can find a copy of an older apple operating system?
almost everyone i see in the cafes with macs are running updated leopard or snow leopard. if anyone has upgraded lately, and no longer needs their original osx 10.4 disks, maybe we can work out a deal ($, box of kickass cupcakes, ?).

ideas? thanks!!

I did not realize Chief Anthony Holloway may be leaving...

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:08:34 GMT

Somerville Police Chief Anthony Holloway is one of a dozen short-listed candidates for the post of police chief in his hometown of Clearwater, Fla.

“Chief Holloway has done an outstanding job during his first 18 months here in Somerville and we certainly hope he will stay,” said city spokesman Tom Champion. “His hiring was part of an ongoing reorganization and reform process on which we have made enormous progress. Of course, there’s still plenty of work still to be done and it would be great to have him here to help see it through.”

http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/news/x826021989/Somerville-Police-Chief-interviews-for-Florida-job-after-18-months

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2009/11/somerville_police_chief_a_fina.html

Three juried crafts/art shows 12/5

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:54:55 GMT

Not in Davis, but in Somerville and there are several Davis artists showing/represented.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 am to 5 pm there are THREE art/crafts fairs in close proximity.
Somerville Museum, Union Square and Washington Street Studios are ALL having sales of original work by local artists.

On Sunday, Dec. 6 the Somerville Museum will continue for a second day with jury selected artists, mulled cider and snacks, and the Somerville Museum itself with it's current Mosaics show.

We'd love to see you here!

Last Davis Square farmer's market is tomorrow!

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:20:41 GMT

The very last Davis Square farmer's market of the year will be tomorrow (Wednesday 11/25), noon to 5 pm in the Day Street parking lot. After that, no more markets until next May. I'll miss it.

Davis Sq Task Force meets Tuesday 12/1

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:55:49 GMT

The next meeting of the Davis Square Task Force will be on Tuesday December 1st, 7-9pm at the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St. The agenda items are below. Please let Rebekah Gewirtz (rebekah@rcn.com) know if there are additional items you would like to see added.

Agenda for Davis Sq Task Force Meeting
Tuesday December 1, 2009, 7-9pm

7-7:10- Introductions

7:10-7:20 – Community Updates

7:20-8:30 – Development updates and discussion

Citizens Bank storefront space (Staples proposal)
Bowl and Board and Jimmy Tingle’s space
343 Summer St, also known as the Summer St shaft site
Hodgkins Park update
Sacco's Bowl Haven and Flatbread Company update
187 Elm St restaurant update

8:30-8:45 – Organizing committee of the Task Force – volunteers needed

8:45-9 – Next meeting date(s)

art in Davis Square store windows

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:55:15 GMT

from the Somerville Arts Council e-mail list:

Kathleen Finlay, A Somerville Arts Council Artists Fellowship grant winner, for her community benefit project, has installed large scale needles and thread configurations in window fronts of 3 local businesses. Each window has a different arrangement of needle and stitches. It is an installation of gesture and scale.

The large size and the location of the setup is disconcerting and surprising as well as humorous. The windows are in different sectors of Davis Square. As people look for the similar elements placed around the square, it is hoped that one is drawn into seeing things about their environment and activities that have gone unnoticed.

LOCATIONS:

Wedgewood-Crane & Connolly, 19 College Ave.
Sewing & Vacuum center, 280 Elm Street.
La Chic Boutique, 235A Elm Street

This is a community benefit project by Kathleen Finlay, a Somerville Arts Council Artists Fellowship grant winner. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Anyone know how to weld a TV circuit board?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:14:50 GMT

I'm looking for anyone who is savvy with TVs, Computers, or other electronics and can replace a capacitor on the power board for my plasma TV.

I have isolated the problem, and removed the board, now I need someone who knows what they are doing to take a look and replace the part. Does anyone have this skill, or can anyone recommend a good repair shop that wont totally rip me off on what should be a 20 min job to replace a $1.84 part?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:29:04 GMT

Nothing says All American City quite like fifty dollar parking tickets for forgetting to put a two cent placard up on the dashboard.

where to find seeds?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:24:29 GMT

Does anyone know where I can find tomato, basil and hot pepper seeds this time of year? Or alternatively, does anyone have some remainder seeds from last year that they would be willing to give or sell me for a reasonable price?

I looked at Tags in Porter, but they had a random stock of seeds, none of the kind I am looking for.

Chanukah party at Havurat Shalom

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:07:08 GMT

Saturday December 12, 2009

5:30 p.m.

free!

Celebrate Chanukah at Havurat Shalom with latkes, dreidls, singing and more! Bring your menorah, or share one of ours.

Havurat Shalom
113 College Ave
Somerville MA 02144

for more info
call: 617-623-3376 (voice)
go to: http://www.thehav.org/
or email: info@thehav.org

The 1st floor of Havurat Shalom is wheelchair accessible, including the prayer room, dining room, living room, and bathroom. For the health of those with allergies and chemical sensitivities, we request that you not wear perfume, aftershave, or cologne to Havurat Shalom.

Recommended pet sitters?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:53:50 GMT

We need a sitter for our cat for Thanksgiving and Christmas, out in Union Square. Does anyone have any recommendations for pet sitters that they've used? All he needs is feeding, and over Christmas, some litter box cleaning once a day. We'd like to keep it under $15 per visit if possible.

Trolley Christmas Light Tour?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:31:14 GMT

It's probably way too early to be asking this but I know at least one of you must know (looking at you, Ron! :) ... Anyone have the details for the Christmas Lights Trolley Tour this year? Is it still happening?

I closed the US Senate poll, will post another in two weeks

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:12:08 GMT

I closed my Special Election for US Senate poll because it's been up for over a week, and it shows a perfect deadlock: 32 votes each for Capuano, Coakley, and 'Still Undecided', with a small scattering of votes to other candidates.

I'll post a new poll around December 3, to see if local opinion has shifted and if we still have a huge bloc of Undecideds.

Monday's Meeting with Mayor, Alderman, and City Departments

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:36:36 GMT

I'm passing along this post to the Ward 6 City of Somerville ResiStat Mailing List in hopes residents can make Monday's meeting. Hope to see you there!

************************

Hello all -

Please plan to attend the Ward 6 (Davis Square area) fall ResiStat meeting this coming Monday, 11/23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ciampa Manor at 27 College Ave. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns with Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Gewirtz, and City Department Heads.

They will also provide updates to you on neighborhood topics, including:
*Parking regulations change roll-out;
*Community path extension plans;
*Hodgkins-Curtin Park renovation progress;
*Davis Square economic development projects;
*Environmental policies and initiatives; and
*Neighborhood-specific housing and transportation trends.

Take advantage of this chance to share your thoughts on life in Somerville with key city decision makers. Topics you raise will be tracked in ongoing internal City SomerStat meetings.

For a preview of the presentation, go to:
http://www.somervilleresistat.org/uploads/Ward_6.11.20.09.pdf

To see a list of issues raised for Ward 6 in prior meetings, go to: http://somervilleresistat.blogspot.com/search/label/**Ward%206%20%28Davis%20Square%29

Hope to see you Monday!

Stephanie

RESISTAT INTERACTIVE TOOLS:
Unsubscribe from ResiStat mailing lists: http://lists.somerville.ma.us/mailman/listinfo
Subscribe to lists and view archives from mailing lists: http://www.somervilleresistat.org/Mailing_Lists.html
View or submit a SomerBlog Question or Comment: http://www.somervilleresistat.org/Blog.html
View or submit a Community Calendar item: http://www.somervilleresistat.org/Home_Page.html

Galluccio news

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:14:48 GMT

Does anyone else find it odd (or predictable) that the Somerville News has essentially no news on Senator Galluccio's recent scuffles with the law? Seeing as they will pounce on Senator Jehlen if she happens to, say, sneeze without covering her mouth, I just find it interesting that the only item on this subject is the verbatim posting of Galluccio's public apology. Is there some long-standing story here that I'm missing? Is Galluccio old friends with the Nortons? Discuss.

Open House Eco-Toy Holiday Sale

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:21:44 GMT

My duaghter's preschool, The Cambridge Kids' Cooperative, is having an Open
House and Eco-Toy Holiday Sale on Saturday November 21 from 9am-2pm. We're
currently accepting applications for September 2010, and may have a few
spots available in January 2010 as well. The Coop is located close to
Porter Square, at St. James Episcopal Church, 1991 Massachusetts Avenue,
Cambridge.

Eco-toys will be sold at the Open House at below retail prices. We have
toys from three fabulous companies (Eco Kids, Green Toys, and Lindenwood)
that strive for eco friendly products and are made in the USA. We have play
dough, finger paint, dishes, trucks, and classic wooden blocks for sale at
up to 25% off. Our quantities are limited so come early!

The Kids' Coop Cambridge is a 100% parent-run coop. It is a group of
parents and caregivers who wish to create a stimulating and safe environment
where children are free to play, explore, learn, and socialize with their
peers and experience the supervision of another adult. The Coop provides
parents and caregivers an informal forum for sharing ideas on parenting
young children, time to interact with and meet other adults, as well as "kid
free" personal time each week. Children can stay at the Coop three mornings
per week. On one of those three days, a parent from each family must take on
the role of caregiver. Therefore, parents stay one day to work and have two
drop-off mornings per week.

Saturday, November 21, 2009
9am - 2pm

Kids' Coop Cambridge
St. James Episcopal Church
1991 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA

Something Sweet in Somerville! This Saturday!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:19:32 GMT

Hello Davis Square,

I'm writing to remind everyone about the Something Sweet in Somerville fundraiser happening Saturday night at the Washington Street Art Center. All proceeds are going to the Somerville Homeless Coalition. We have some beautiful art up for auction and a huge bounty of dessert provided by Dave's Fresh Pasta, KickAss Cupcakes, Highland Kitchen, The Sherman Cafe, When Pigs Fly, The Independent and other wonderful bakers. $5 or a donation of a new winter accessory gets you into the festivities.

WSAC is located at 321 Washington Street in Somerville, just outside of Union Square. Parking is free and ample!

You can see a writeup on the event in the Somerville News at:
http://thesomervillenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=2525

I hope to see you there!

Washington Street Art Center Presents:Something Sweet in Somerville

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)
Festive attire encouraged

The Washington Street Art Center invites you to join us for Something Sweet in Somerville, our first ever fundraising silent auction and Grand Gala, benefitting the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Please join us in helping to support this wonderful cause. Something Sweet will be featuring the works of many artists including vanessa r thompson, EL Putnam, Gretchen Graham, Lauren Leone, Anna Warrock, Clint Balclawski, Deborah Morgan, and many others.

Works will be on display November 7-21 for your browsing (and silent bidding) pleasure. The closing gala will be a festive event featuring artists galore, a dessert buffet, and the closing of the silent auction. It's an opportunity to do something sweet” for your neighbors in Somerville and to acquire some wonderful art work as well. All proceeds from the auction and gala will go to the Somerville Homeless Coalition which provides a plethora of services to those in need, including emergency food and shelter, a soup kitchen, permanent housing assistance, case management, and many other services

"This is such a great opportunity to give back to our community,"says Deborah Morgan, curator of the show. "We're really excited to be working with such a great organization right here in Somerville."

The Washington Street Art Center houses Gallery 321, hosts studio space for more than twenty visual artists, and presents exhibitions, concerts, film series, and other art initiatives. The Center participates in Somerville Open Studios each May and an annual open studios and craft fair in December.

The Washington Street Art Center is located between Union Square and Beacon Street: a five-minute walk from Union Square and a ten-minute walk from Harvard Square (two blocks from Beacon Street). The Center is near or on the following bus routes: 87, 83, 86, and 91. Parking is free and ample.

Proposed Snow Ordinance Clarifications

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:12:28 GMT

A recent story in the Somerville Journal summarized the proposed snow ordinance in ways that may have confused DSLJ readers about the actual provisions of the new law.

Some posters in that earlier thread have expressed a preference for a fine schedule that starts low and only escalates to high levels for repeat offenders. Except for the offense of shoveling snow and ice back into a cleared street, the proposed ordinance does, in fact, have an escalating fine structure. Here is a summary of the proposed fine structure:

Offense	Fine
Snow, Slush, and Ice on Sidewalks (Section 12-8 (a) or (b)) (Residential)	15t offense: $50.00 2nd offense: $100.00 3rd & subsequent offense: $150.00


Snow, Slush and Ice on Sidewalks (Section 12-8 (a) or (b)) (Commercial or Mixed Use)	1st offense: $100.00 2nd offense: $200.00 3rd & subsequent offense: $300.00



Snow, Slush and Ice on Sidewalks (Section 12-8 (c)) (Removal from privately-owned property onto street)	$300 per offense

Some posters have expressed a concern that the new time limits might force business owners to turn out in the middle of the night to clear snow and ice from walkways. This is not the case. The actual language reads as follows:
(b) Requirements for ice. No owner or manager of a (i) commercial building, estate, or land abutting on a sidewalk, (ii) residential building containing four (4) or more units, or (iii) mixed use building, estate, or land abutting on a sidewalk shall place or suffer to remain in place any ice upon such sidewalk for more than four (4) hours, except that no violation shall be deemed to have occurred before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m., unless the business is open to the public during those hours. Removal of any ice shall be in a manner consistent with the requirements of the preceding sub-section, except that any such owner or manager shall be deemed to be in compliance with this paragraph if such ice is made level and completely covered with sand, or other appropriate material to prevent slipping. Each consecutive day that a violation exists shall be considered a separate offense. Unless otherwise provided herein, no owner or manager of a residential building, estate, or land abutting on a sidewalk shall place or suffer to remain in place any ice upon such sidewalk for more than twelve hours if the ice forms during the daytime, or after the next succeeding 1:00 p.m., if the ice forms during the night.

In other words, the clock starts running at 9 a.m. and owners of businesses and/or multi-unit residential buildings have at least four daylight hours to deal with ice or snow before any tickets can be issued.

Some posters have expressed the hope that special arrangements are made to provide support for senior or handicapped residents. Through the Council on Aging, the City already provides shoveling assistance to shut-ins and the elderly. For more information, please call 311.

Finally, some posters have suggested that this measure is part of a larger campaign to increase local revenues in the face of massive cutbacks in state aid. While the need for additional revenue has been an element in policy-making in other areas of municipal fee and fine enforcement, the proposed changes in the snow ordinance arise entirely from complaints made in the past (in some cases by the aldermen themselves) that current fines and enforcement policies have not ensured adequate levels of compliance. Some posters here seem to echo these concerns.

We hope this additional information is helpful.

Spün

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:26:20 GMT

I went to Spün last night around 7:45 and it was closed. Does anyone know why? Has it closed permanently?

It was weird because there were no signs saying why and it's normally open every day noon to 11pm.

EDIT 2:34 I just drove by and the curtains were still down, though I couldn't tell if the closed sign was still up.

home heating service

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:58:28 GMT

I'm looking for a recommendation for someone to come out and take a look at our natural gas boiler. There appears to be a small leak. The repair service that was recommended by the previous owners charged an hourly rate, plus parts, and started billing the hourly rate once they leave the previous job. So, if you're the last call of the day, and the repairman gets stuck in traffic, you pay for the traffic time.

So, any heating repair recommendations?

$150 fines for not shoveling your sidewalk within 12 hours...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:47:31 GMT

According to the Somerville Journal, the next thing the city is trying to get approved is a standard $150 first offense fine for non shoveling within 12 hours of a storm, 4 hours for businesses. This is up from $25 and 12 hours for both residents and businesses. Repeat offense will be $300. Probably the biggest part of this is they are looking to have it enforced by the people who write the parking tickets, currently it is the city's Inspectional Services dept. who write the tickets.

subway snack shop

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:27:38 GMT

The past couple of mornings I noticed that the little snack shop inside the subway entrance on College Ave was closed when I went through at around 8:30. It's usually open at that time of day. Anyone know what's up with that? Just curious really.

Gift Cards for Sale

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:26:26 GMT

Just in time for the holidays! Take advantage of sales to get even more for your money. Or re-gift 'em to other people who'll never know you cheaped out.

I have a $75 gift card to J. Crew and a $100 gift card for Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft/etc (both are good online or off) that I can sell for 10% off (or best offer).

ETA: Ann Taylor card gone, but JCrew is still available. $65 to buy $75 of stuff!