A far-beyond capacity crowd squeezed into the Academy Room in the Public Safety Building on November 20 to hear details and respond to the proposed zoning amendments for Union Square and the arts all over Somerville.

A powerpoint presentation prepared by the City's Planning Department was explained by Director of Planning Jim Kostaras and Zoning Consultant Jay Wickersham. They shared background on the process to develop the proposal and it fits into the overall ongoing efforts to improve the neighborhood. Artist renderings showed possible scenarios for how the zoning rules could transform Union Square, most dramatically along Prospect Street and the south side of Somerville Ave in the heart of the Square.

Initially the evening was to include small group discussions to solicit and hear feedback on the elements of the proposal. However, the standing room only audience in the overheating room demanded another, larger venue at another time be scheduled.

The follow-up community workshop to discuss the Union Square Zoning Amendments takes place on Monday, December 4th, at 6 p.m. at the Somerville High School Auditorium, Highland Avenue beside City Hall. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

How has media coverage of war changed from Vietnam to today's Iraq conflict? SCAT (Somerville Community Access Television) and their compatriot access center in Cambridge, CCTV, will host a discussion on just this topic. Come to Union Square to be part of the conversation.

The live, on-hour cablecast is the first of six programs looking at different media issues. The panels of experts include professional journalists and news producers and faculty from Emerson, B.U. and Northeastern.

The first panel on Media and War takes place on December 14 at 8:00pm at the SCAT studio, 90 Union Square, the Old Firehouse. There is a limited number of free tickets available for the studio audience. Call 617-628-8826 to reserve a ticket. You can follow along on cable Channel 3 in Somerville or on the series blog.

OK, it's nothing like the Coke versus Pepsi global phenomenon but here in Union Square we have our own perplexing taste challenge.

One contender is over on Windsor Street where Alex Whitmore and Larry Slotnick are doing for chocolate what has already happened for coffee -- they're helping the general public find a palate for single-origin, stone-ground cacao beans. Taza Chocolate makes whole-bean chocolate from organically-grown, directly-purchased cacao from around the world.

They sell their goods on-line, at farmers markets and some specialty stores, but perhaps the sweetest place to try their stuff is at the Chocolate Lounge. It's a one of a kind candle- lit, cafe experience where you can sample some amazing hot chocolate, chocolate bars, and killer chocolate fondue. If you're traveling across the tracks to Central Square on a Thursday or Friday night, send greetings to them and our friends are Mariposa Bakery.

The other contender is right here in Union Square, over at Capone's on Bow Street, where you'll find a whole range of imported Belgium chocolates that are to die for. These chocolate bars and collection of sample squares make perfect holiday presents for someone who really loves their chocolate with a twist. With exotic flavorings like Anise and (my favorite) Pink Peppercorn they're something tastefully outside the ordinary.

On the sidewalk in front of Sherman Cafe there's an unassuming plastic box with spray-painted white flowers and a weathered blue plastic. A sign invites passersby submit their poetic creations into the slit on the front. From this humble box has emerged a little magic.

The mysterious people behind the Poetry Box have lovingly gathered the first round of submissions into a simple booklet and brought "Vol. One" to Sherman Cafe. The submitted poems were accurately reproduced Poetry Box writes, "some of which were handwritten on napkins and ticket stubs....Many submissions were written in spontaneity -- or in haste, the 86 bus screeching to a stop -- when neatness ceases to count."

It's an ecclectic collection of signed and unsigned works. Some clearly show their inspiration, like "A Bus Stop Sonnet" or the hiakus from Jane the Barista -- "I sipped your drink, a/ non-fat iced mocha latte./ Tasted like picky." Others show the craft of time, obviously brought in special homage to Union Square's Poetry Box. One is reproduced in the original handwriting, a collection of scratches and the simple message, "Thank you for your kindness. " Hear, hear.