Probably too late to be asking but ...

... are any towns nearby doing fireworks tonight? I'd rather not schlep into Boston and fight the huge crowds. Anywhere near/around Somerville?

Maybe I'm thinking of some other time last year but I feel like there was a July 4th parade down Highland. Does anyone know if there's one this year? I haven't been able to find anything about it but I live close to highland and it would be great to know what streets are closed.

Does anyone know when they would cancel the fireworks for tonight? I have family coming for dinner and to watch them so I would hate to have them come if its going to be stormy out. Weather.com says 60% chance for thunderstorms which is up from last nights forecast of 40%.

I called the city and they weren't too much help. The woman basically said she has no idea when they would make that decision and how they would communicate it to the residents.

Speaking of things that go boom...

The City of Somerville starts its 4th of July celebration this week:

Thursday, June 26^th

Beginning at 6:30 pm, the Independence Day celebration at Trum Field (on Broadway between Ball and Magoun Squares) will include musical entertainment and the largest fireworks display to date. 

Fireworks are set to begin at approximately 9:15 pm.  The rain date for the event is Saturday, July 5^th.

 

Solstice Celebration

Excited about the long days and hot weather? Itching to dance barefoot in the grass to the beat of a drum? To celebrate the beauty of the green earth? Please join Viriditas, a Boston area Reclaiming group, in celebrating the Summer Solstice! The event will feature a simple ritual for children and adults, followed by sunpainting (a silk painting technique that uses the sun to create patterns in silk) and a potluck meal.

Where: the Somerville Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave., Somerville MA
When: Friday June 20, beginning at 4 p.m.
Who: Children and Adults interested in participating in an inclusive Witchcraft community

Please bring a thoughtful contribution for potluck after ritual. We will be using percussion instruments, silk scarves and journals. All supplies are provided, but if you have your own and prefer to use them, please bring them. There will be an opportunity to make an optional donation of $5-$15. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Reclaiming events are drug and alcohol free.

After the potluck, another group will be offering another ritual. All ages are welcome. Here is their text:

Worldwide Awakening of Cosmic Mother
date and time: June 20 (rain or shine)
time: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Felista Dream Blossom and friends will lead a ceremony of Joy, Peace, and Harmony of Oneness with our Divine Mother. Bring dreams to be blessed in movement, meditation and rhythms of rocks, making Fairy circles and Angels songs honoring the Creative Light Force Energy where dreams blossom for ALL.
The exact time of planting the Seed Consciousness of Cosmic Mother into the core of the Earth is 7:59 Eastern time. Bring a towel for seating comfort. Bug spray will be supplied.
For more information, contact Felista at Felista77@yahoo.com.

This link has the parade info for Sunday.
http://www.somervillema.gov/newsDetail.cfm?instance_id=1233

According to the website Holland St is not closed, just no parking - I can't see how it could possibly be open, I have to be in and out that day and have guests coming to town, anyone live on Holland last year to who can tell me if it was really open?

I know Passover is finished, but I've still got a hankering for Fried Matzah.  My personal supply ran out.  Does anyone know which stores in the local area might still have some on their shelves?  So far I've only tried the Foodmaster at Broadway and Rt 16 (by my house).

Thanks in advance!

So, has anybody seen the Passover ( real sugar instead of corn syrup ) Coca-Cola in the grocery stores?

Last time I went to Stop and Shop in Malden and they had tons of it, in the "seasonal" aisle (on the advice of b0st0n, btw). But I was there last weekend and didn't see any. Anyone been there more recently, or seen it a little closer to home?

I am on a mission. A mission to find half-priced Easter candy. Specifically, I am seeking Reese's peanut butter eggs (like this). I have had no luck at the two CVS stores in Harvard Square (where I work). Does anyone know whether they still have them at the CVS or Rite Aid in Davis?

Go ahead and mock me, but these things are ambrosia. I gotta have 'em.

According to the website below, the McDonalds in Davis has Shamrock shakes!

http://www.shamrockshake.com/index.cfm

And yeah, I'm a bit shocked and scared that there's a website for reporting the location of Shamrock shake availability too. I missed out on the eggnog shakes around Christmas, but I'll be getting one of these today.

The Ras na hEireann U.S.A. 5km will be held this Sunday at 11 am. The starting line is in front of the Burren and the finish line is on the bike path near Brooks Pharmacy. There will be about 2,500 runners competing. The course passes through Teele Square and Ball Square as well. There are post-race parties at the Burren, the Sligo, Redbones, the Joshua Tree, Orleans, P.J. Ryan’s, and the Powderhouse Pub, but because of the crowds, I think that entrance to the pubs will be restricted to runners and accompanying friends/family members until 1 pm.

There will be a Palm Sunday procession this Sunday, starting at 9 am at Nathan Tufts (Powder House) Park and proceeding to Davis Square. The procession will feature a live donkey.

Here's a Somerville Journal article about the upcoming event (with photos and video from last year), and here's last year's post about the same event.

Anyone aware of any local special events or goings on for the singles among us on V-Day?

Anyone know whether MLK day is observed by the city as regards trash pickup? The website says nothin'.

Ras na hEireann is an Irish 5k race and celebration of traditions dating back centuries - and simply a celebration of spring in Somerville. Everyone (not just those of Irish decent!) is invited, all runners and walkers, to celebrate life, the coming of spring, and to enjoy a memorable race and St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 16th at 11am in Davis Square!

I'm not affiliated with the event (I'm not even Irish!), but I am running and helping spread the word because I think it will be a good time.

The official website with extensive information and registration (limited to 2500 runners and filling fast!) is here.

A FaceBook community that I put up to coordinate with other racers is here.

Ok some bastard stole the lighted Holiday bear from my Herbert St micro-lawn. I would like the bear returned but I will settle for the perpetrator(s) being beaten.

The city of Somerville does Christmas tree recycling starting January 7. Does anyone know if this is a one week only event or if they will still be collecting Christmas trees next week?

So, I heard that The Burren is open tonight. Any truth to this rumor?

Also, are there any other place that will be open tonight for food or drink?

On New Year's Day each year, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission celebrates the raising of the first American flag to feature thirteen red and white horizontal stripes. Know as “the Flag of Grand Union,” it was first raised by George Washington over the Continental Army’s encampment on Prospect Hill during the siege of Boston in 1776.



The event begins at 11:30 am at the City Hall parking lot, where re-enactors, fife and drum players, and local elected officials assemble for a short procession. The parade reaches Prospect Hill Park at noon, where there will be a ceremony that includes raising a replica of the First Flag onto the top of Prospect Hill Tower. Coffee, hot cider, and other refreshments will be available. In past years, people have been allowed to climb to the top of the tower, but I can't guarantee you'll be able to do it this year.

I've been going to this event for a few years and have always enjoyed it. To get there from Davis Square, take the #88 or #90 bus from Davis Square at 11:31 am, and get off either at City Hall (if you want to join the parade) or at the first bus stop on McGrath Highway (if you just want to walk up the hill yourself to the ceremony). Sometimes the bus ends up driving behind the parade.

Here's a flyer for the event, and the official press release.

Do you know of any events going on in Davis Square on New Year's Eve? I've got a pass for First Night, but I don't want to spend all my time in Boston. I'd like to stay in Somerville part of the day since it is my home after all :)

Feel free to point and laugh at my family for being procrastinators, but...where in the area can one still get an xmas tree?

The place at Foss Park where we've gone in the past (run by Somerville schools?) seemed deserted this afternoon, although there were still some trees sitting around with price tags on, which was kind of odd....

TIA!

For those of you feeling not so merry, being dogged by old (or new) grief, or feeling ok but just wanting to acknowlege the shadow side of the season and the weight of the darkness, my church is hosting a mellow service of music, silence and healing prayer at our place on Wednesday. It is co-sponsored by Unity Church of God (our across the street neighbors). We're both Christian churches but people of any faith and no faith are welcome to come--zero proselytizing, and we'll meet you where you are.

~Molly Baskette

Here's the info:

if you are fighting depression, feeling alone, in grief, sad at the world, or just want to sing and pray in company to fight the darkness, please join us at...

The Longest Night: A Service of Healing for the Shadow Side of the Season
Wednesday December 19 7:30 pm
First Church Somerville UCC 89 College Ave. 617.625.6485  www.firstchurchsomerville.org

All are welcome! All are welcome! All are welcome!

From Jimmy Tingle's mailing list:

Please join us for the "Jimmy Tingle's OFF BROADWAY Theater Wrap/Holiday Party" on December 20th from 6:00-10:00 in the back room of The Burren.

Please come by and allow us to say Hello, Thank You & Happy Holidays.

All staff, performers, patrons, vendors and friends are welcome.
Free Admission, Free Buffet, Cash Bar & Music with Piano player extraordinaire David Maxwell.
Hope to see you all on December 20th from 6:00-10:00.

Please RSVP at jimmy@jimmytingle.com. Include your name, telephone number, and the number of people in your party.

I'm wondering how much to bundle up tonight. Are the trolleys heated or the open-air variety? Can someone enlighten me? Thanks.

Help us tour guides out.
Recommend some of the better Somerville holiday displays that probably won't be on the Illuminations Tour.
(The map does suggest that the route has changed in a few spots this year, but, it's still no nearer to Davis. Mostly to keep the tour under an hour).

Lowden Ave. is pretty bright this year. Hall St. Ave. has at least one big display. As does Grove.

Lexington Ave. is usually pretty awesome, although I haven't managed to see if the Palm Trees are up yet.
Has the big display on Rogers Ave. just stopped happening?

I'm not sure how late I'll be able to check here for your recommendations, but probably at least once after 12 noon tomorrow.

thank you!

Can anyone recommend a place to buy some decorative mistletoe around here? Real or fake. Preferably fake. I'm having a heck of a time finding it.

 The Friends of the Somerville Community Growing Center will host a Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday, December 22 from 4 to 8pm at the Growing Center on Vinal Ave and Summer Street. Celebrants are invited to bring drums, tambourines, other musical instruments, as well as easy-to-share food – or just come and enjoy the party, meet your neighbors, connect with friends, and celebrate the return of light.   Anyone interested in helping with logistics and any musicians interested in playing a short set should contact me at SomervilleWinterSolstice@gmail.com.  

There will be a a sale at Mudville Pottery Studio Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM. There's a preview Friday night from 7 to 9. The studio is at the corner of McGrath Hwy (Rt. 28) and Pearl St. It's on the 80 bus route. More information is here http://nanhamilton.com/mudvilleshow/, including some nice pictures. None of mine are in the pictures, but I assure everyone they're nice too! Potters with all levels of experience will be selling their work, and all ranges of prices will be there.

I know Ron posted about this a little while back but I wanted to remind y'all that Davis Square Midnight Madness is happening tonight!

Davis Square Midnight Madness
Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6 p.m. 'til midnight

Midnight Madness is coming to Davis Square. Select shops will be open late and offering one-night-only discounts. Participating businesses include Black & Blues, Chinook, Cibeline, Kickass Cupcakes, Dave's Fresh Pasta, Davis-Squared, Magpie and Poor Little Rich Girl. Come enjoy the festive scene! Sponsored by DARBI.

To find out exactly what discounts are being offered you could call the store in advance if you want. I can tell you that Magpie is doing 10% off everything from 6pm-11pm and 20% off everything from 11pm-midnight.

Bundle up and join the Somerville Community Chorus, the Somerville Arts Council, and Shape Up Somerville for a Caroling Walk in Davis Square on December 11th, led by Somerville's own Snow Queen, Yani Battaeu.

We will be meeting up at statue park (in front of Store 24) at 6:45. Bring flashlights, and festive hats; we'll supply the words to familiar songs about snow, winter, and chestnuts roasting on the open fire, as well as traditional songs for Christmas and Hannuka. Everyone--especially people who don't consider themselves singers!--is encouraged to come, and share in song, fellowship, and the pleasure of walking past the beautiful lights of the Davis Square area.

(announcement by Melissa Glen Haber, copied from the Somerville Arts Council's mailing list)

Before posting a story giving credit where none is due, please check your sources.

While we appreciate the coverage and the sentiment behind your article on Veteran's Day,

The City Did Not Hold This Event. The Post itself did and paid for everything out of its own pocket.

I know that the commander of The Post made attempts to contact your offices yesterday to clear this up, but I also wanted to set the record straight.

Thank you very much.

::EDIT:: For those pointing out the quality of the article in question, my S/O just noted that..."A severely ADHD rabbit could have written it better"

IAWTS 100%.

I've added a number of new events to the Somerville holiday-season event list, some from user comments and others from e-mail or other sources. Enjoy. Let me know about anything I've left out.

Some holiday-related events coming up next month in Somerville:

November 30 - December 9: Mudflat Open Studio and Sale, 149 Broadway. Click on link for varying hours.

Saturday, December 1: Union Square Winter Craft Market, 11 am - 6 pm; Washington Street Art Center Open Studios and Craft Fair, 11 am - 6 pm; Somerville Museum Holiday Art & Craft Sale, 11 am - 5 pm

Sunday, December 2: Somerville Museum Holiday Art & Craft Sale continues, 11 am - 5 pm; Brickbottom Gallery Opening Reception for "Toys & Games" exhibition, 4-6 pm

Wednesday, December 5: Coldwell Banker's Holiday Bazaar, 15% of proceeds go to Somerville Homeless Coalition, 5-8 pm, 313 Highland Ave.

Thursday, December 6: City Hall tree lighting ceremony, 6 pm

Thursday, December 6: Davis Square Midnight Madness. Shops open from 6 pm to midnight, offering one-night-only discounts.

Friday, December 7: Winter Solstice Concert with Serenata Chamber Musicians and others, 7:30 pm, at Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church

December 8-9 and 13-16: December Salon at the Nave Gallery, featuring the work of over 50 artists. Thursday-Friday 5-8 pm; Saturday-Sunday 1-5 pm.

December 8-9: Mudville Pottery Show, 10 am - 4 pm, 181 Pearl St. (at McGrath Highway)

Saturday, December 8: Chanukah Party at Havurat Shalom, 7 pm, 113 College Ave.

Saturday, December 8: Benefit for 'Toys for Local Children' charity, 6-11 pm, at Good Time Emporium.

Sunday, December 9: Somerville Community Chorus Holiday Concert, 4 pm, at First Congregational Church, 89 College Ave.

Tuesday, December 11: Caroling Walk in Davis Square, starts at 6:45 pm at 'Statue Park' in front of Store 24.

Saturday, December 15: Somerville Arts Council's Illuminations Trolley Tour

Sunday, December 16: Classical Holiday Concert featuring Serenata Chamber Musicians, 2 pm, at Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church

Wednesday, December 19: The Longest Night: A Service of Healing for the Shadow Side of the Season, 7:30 pm, at First Church Congregational, 89 College Ave.

Thursday, December 20: Somerville Holiday Party, 3-6 pm, with music and refreshments at City Hall. All residents "members of the Somerville community" are invited.

Thursday, December 20: Jimmy Tingle's Holiday Party, 6-10 pm, at The Burren's back room.

Saturday, December 22: Winter Solstice Celebration at the Community Growing Center on Vinal Ave, 4 to 8 pm. Bring drums, tambourines, and easy-to-share food - or just come and enjoy the party.

If I've left out any Somerville holiday event, post a comment here and I'll add it.

McIntyre & Moore is now selling tickets for the Somerville Arts Council's Illuminations Trolley Tour, which will take place on Saturday, December 15. This event always sells out, so get your tickets soon.

Some members of this LJ community are leading a few of the tours; if you're one of them, please step forward. I'll be one of the greeters at City Hall from 6 to 8 pm.

Every year my husband and I buy a real tree.  For a while we were going to a place not far from Alewife on Route 2 that sold lovely trees at very reasonable prices.  That tree stand hasn't been around for a couple of years and since then we've been searching for a new place.  I'd love any suggestions for places to buy real trees in the area--Somerville, Medford, Arlington, Concord, etc.  Church or school parking lots, farm stands, etc. are all welcome suggestions.  Thanks!  Oh... and if you know when their sale starts--are they already selling trees or will their sale start this weekend--that would be great.

Does anyone know what the story with Thanksgiving street sweeping is?
It's the 4th Thursday, but I don't know that I've ever been aware when a holiday fell on one of those days. Since it'd be pretty evil to push it back a day, I assume that there won't be any Thursday-side sweeping this week, but thought someone else might know for sure.

Thanks

Somerville Museum's Crafts Show will be December 1 and 2 from 11 am to 6 pm at the Somerville Museum on Center Street. This is a juried show (no pasta Santas!) that benefits the Museum and features Somerville artists.

Please come!

Does anyone know if tomorrow is considered a holiday for trash pickup? I tried finding it on the city site but all I could find was regular trash pick-up schedules. Thank you!

Hello Davis!

Someone asked a similar question about JP in b0st0n. Can anybody tell me about what time the trick-or-treaters usually make the rounds? I live in Porter, but I imagine it's a similar time range . . . Of course, it may be different this year, given that we're still on DST . . . But mostly, I'm looking to see if I should work from home if I want to get my chance frighten small children.

Okay, thank you!