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Winter Craft Markets Saturday December 1 in Union
Square |
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On December 1 from 11 am to 6 pm you'll find all
around Union Square inspired gifts that you can't
find at the mall or in any online catalog. With four
craft markets and open studios local artisans are
showcasing handmade products that will delight
everyone on your list.
Union Square Main Streets hosts the
Winter Craft Market in the heart of Union Square.
On the plaza and in Toast there are 18 vendors
including ornaments, jewelry, knitwear, handbags,
unique electronic instruments, greeting cards, and
more. Additional vendors can be found at Sherman
Café and at Bloc 11.
You can get into the seasonal spirit by
supporting The Community Growing Center and Walnut
St Center who will be selling fragrant evergreen
wreaths out on the plaza in support of their
programs.
But there's much more! On the edge of Union Square,
Olive Square Studios at 285 Washington Street open
their doors for those seeking
jewelry by Beadventurous,
Moroccan gifts and other items. Just a five
minute walk, and you're at
Washington Street Art Center at 321 Washington
Street with more open studios and vendors inside
their gallery. Turn to cross Somerville Ave and up
Central Street to visit the annual market at the
Somerville Museum with even more local crafts.
Live musical performances all day from The
Doctors Faux, and Farmers Market favorites Chris
Mancini and The Pretty Pennies.
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4 Craft Markets on December 1:
* Union Sq Plaza and Toast Lounge
* Olive Square Studio (285 Washington)
* Washington St Art Center (321 Washington)
* Somerville Museum (1 Westwood at Central between
Summer and Highland)
* A couple vendors will be a Sherman Cafe and Bloc
11 Cafe too.
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In case you miss them at the Winter Craft
Market on Saturday, the following day, Sunday,
December 2, Taza Chocolate and Albertine Press host
an open house at their factory from 1-6 pm. Alex
and Larry of
Taza Chocolate will give factory tours and will
serve samples of all their bars as well as Shakey
Pure Shaved hot chocolate. Yum! Shelley of
Albertine Press will show off her press and a
whole range holiday gifts. Visit them at 561 Windsor
Street, just the other side of the tracks towards
Inman Square.
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New On-Line Forum About Union Square |
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Union Square Main Streets has launched a new on-
line forum for you to share information and opinions
on all things Union Square.
Check it out on-line.
We're hoping that among the conversations in this
forum is discussion about the Green Line extension
to the neighborhood. The state's Executive Office of
Transportation is furthering its planning and is
seeking input on community interests regarding the
placement of the future line and trolley stops.
Beyond this on-line effort Union Square Main
Streets is working with STEP to facilitate community
meetings in January and February to share
information about options and to hear community
feedback. Stay tuned for details.
The state's Executive Office of Transportation
has convened a Community Advisory Panel for the
Green Line Extension and the 18 months worth of
meetings have begun. Union Square Main Streets is
formally represented on the panel. All are welcome
to attend. The next meeting Monday, December 3, 2007
from 4:00pm-6:00pm in the Community Room at the
Visiting Nurses Association, 259 Lowell Street.
The state's Executive Office of Transportation
has
created a website so you can find documents and
follow the happenings. It's rather spartan at the
moment but should be fleshed out more fully as the
planning continues.
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Formal Welcome for New Street Furniture |
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Loving those artist-made benches, kiosks and
trash barrels in Union Square? They've popped up one
by one without much fanfare so we're taking the time
to give them some splash. Join with Mayor Joseph
Curtatone and the artists who created the
installation of this functional art on Thursday,
December 6 at 3 pm with a dedication of the new
street furniture.
The furniture was created and installed through
the Somerville Arts Council's ArtsUnion initiative,
a project funded by the Mass Cultural and involving
a number of partners including Union Square Main
Streets. The street furniture was designed to
reflect the physical character of the square and its
artistic diversity as well as to support local
artists. This process began two years ago with the
issuance of a request for proposals for the project.
The work was created by artists including Kimo
Griggs, Aaron Binkley, Christine Lanzl, Phil Marker
and Mitch Ryerson.
By the way, the Somerville Arts Council has
started their own monthly e-mail newsletter that's
full of great articles on art happenings in
Somerville.
Subscribe on their website.
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The Sublime to the Ridiculous |
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Hear a joyful noise at Third Life Studio and be
prepared for something completely different at PAs
Lounge.
Over at PAs, it's the first anniversary of the
Union Square Round Table this Friday, November 30.
Organized by Ben Dryer of Sherman Café the show is a
motley collection of performances including comedy,
music, and what can only be called "multi-media."
For the anniversary show they welcome animator
George Pfromm with a cartoon he promises is "the
weirdest thing I've ever made." New York comedian
Eugene Mirman returns. And the possibility exists
that "Boo Man Group," the wackiest skit of the last
year will be reprised.
PA's Lounge is located at 345 Somerville Avenue
in Union Square. The show on Friday will begin at 9;
doors are at 8. Tickets are $11.
For more information click here.
On Saturday, December 1 at 7:30 pm you can attend
the
Willow Flute Ensemble Concert at Third Life
Studio. Conducted by Orlando Cela, the thirteen
member group performs their own arrangements of
works by Purcell, Rachmaninov and Vaughn Williams,
as well as a world premiere of a new work written
for the ensemble by Boston composer Peter McMurray.
The group, founded in 1997, seeks to expand the
possibilities for medium- sized flute ensembles and
experiments with different combinations of alto and
bass flutes. They've performed in a variety of
venues, from the grandeur of Jordan Hall to the
modesty of neighborhood libraries.
Third Life Studio is at 33 Union Square. Tickets
are $10 regular admission, $5 students and seniors.
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Help to Pay for Health Insurance |
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If you still don't have health insurance or are
struggling to pay hefty premiums there are a range
of options provided through state programs. One
program is specifically set up to assist those self-
employed and with less than 20 employees.
The Insurance Partnership has raised the income
eligibility level by 50% so it covers even more
households. The program basically pays a portion of
the health insurance premium of your choice. A
single person earning up $30,636 or a 3-person
household with income just over $51,000 can receive
benefits.
To help small businesses offer health insurance
to employees, the program will compensate both for
the costs to the employer and the employee.
To find out more check out the
Insurance Partnership or call 781-830-8283.
There's also the
Health Care for All Helpline that can help.
800-272-4232
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Become a Member of Union Square Main Streets |
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Union Square Main Streets, a non-profit
organization, is a partnership of local
businesses, residents and the City of
Somerville to enhance the Union Square
business district through active community
collaboration. Become involved in making
Union Square a more vibrant neighborhood.
Join us for an upcoming event, participate
in one of our committees and become a
member.
Memberships are $50 for Union Square
businesses and $25 for residents and general
supporters.
Become a Member On-Line! |
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Holiday Shopping Got You Going Local?
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Increasingly, people are realizing the benefits of
supporting all things local -- from shopping at
farmers markets for fresh local produce to
patronizing independent, neighborhood retailers and
service businesses, going local enriches your
environment, your community and your life. It's so
hot that the term locavore - lover of things local -
was named by
Oxford Press as "word of the year."
Grassroots groups such Union Square Main Streets,
Davis Square's DARBI (for Davis Square) , East
Somerville Main Streets and a variety of Local First
groups are backed up by a whole range of national
groups including the
National Main Streets Center and
BALLE (Business Alliance for Living Economies) ,
all sharing the message of shopping local. So why
should you go local?
Protect Local Character and Prosperity
In an increasingly homogenized world, communities
that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and
distinctive character have an economic advantage.
Shopping in Union Square's ethnic markets and unique
shops enables these businesses to survive.
Community Well-Being
Locally owned businesses build strong neighborhoods
by sustaining communities, linking neighbors, and by
contributing more to local causes.
Local Decision Making
Local ownership means that important decisions are
made locally by people who live in the community and
who will feel the impacts of those decisions. Who
wants absentee corporations says what's best for
Union Square?
Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy
Your dollars spent in locally-owned businesses have
three times the impact on this community as dollars
spent at national chains. When shopping locally, you
simultaneously create jobs, fund more city services
through sales tax, invest in neighborhood
improvement and promote community development. .
Job and Wages
Locally owned businesses create more local jobs and,
in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits
than chains do.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship fuels America's economic innovation
and prosperity, and serves as a key means for
families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the
middle class. This is particular relevant for
immigrant- rish communities like Union Square
because newcomers are more likely to start than own
business than those native born.
Public Benefits and Costs
Local stores in town centers require comparatively
little infrastructure and make more efficient use of
public services relative to big box stores and strip
shopping malls.
Environmental Sustainability
Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact,
walkable town centers-which in turn are essential to
reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and
air and water pollution. We'll all live more healthy
with a pedestrian friendly square.
Competition
A marketplace of small businesses is the best way to
ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.
Product Diversity
A multitude of small businesses, each selecting
products based, not on a national sales plan, but on
their own interests and the needs of their local
customers, guarantees a much broader range of
product choices. |
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