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| Community Meeting on Proposed New Gallery |
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The renovations continue at 11 Bow Street for a new café on the first floor of the former bank. The owners of Davis Square's Diesel Café will call their new coffee spot Bloc 11 and hope to open in July. (Applications are currently being accepted for cafe staff. Visit Diesel on Elm Street in Davis Square to pick up an application.)
On the second floor, in the front room, Zeitgeist Gallery had hoped to open a gallery and performance space. After many years in Inman Square Alan Nidle and the group are seeking a new home. Unfortunately, the anticipated costs of renovating the Bow Street location were too onerous for the non-profit to take on and the Zeitgeist has backed away from the project.
The owners of Diesel Café, Jennifer Park and Tucker Lewis, think investing in a gallery is a viable initiative for this neighborhood so they are seeking to open their own arts space on the second floor.
Union Square Main Streets is hosting a community meeting for neighbors and other interested folks to meet with Jen and Tucker about their plans for the second floor gallery. The meeting takes place on Wednesday, June 6 at 6:30 pm in the conference room of SCAT, 90 Union Square (the Old Firehouse.)
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| Does Life Exist Under McGrath Highway? |
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It's not just for pigeons anymore. Or at least that's what a group of Somerville artists are working to prove. Those dingy, neglected areas under McGrath Highway could be viable public space. Last summer's event called MUM was one step as the underpass at Washington Street was transformed with a disco ball, colored lights and music into a fabulous outdoor dance space.
This summer is step two with project SUM: Sculpture Under McGrath. A new group called SSP along with ArtSomerville are soliciting proposals from established and emerging artists to transform the ignored space underneath and alongside McGrath Highway into a temporary art space. Building on Somerville's reputation for displaying high quality art in unusual and unexpected spaces, the group seeks to use art installations and performances to mend the dissection of the city by this busy carfare. A MUM dance party on August 18 and a SUM Opening/Block party on September 8 will draw visitors to the often- ignored spot.
The deadline for sculpture proposals is June 18 and the exhibit dates are September 6-30, 2007.
The effort is supported by ArtsUnion, the collaborative initiative led by the Somerville Arts Council to leverage our community's arts resources to improve the economic viability of the area.
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| Stay Informed About Somerville Ave Reconstruction |
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Somerville Avenue reconstruction has begun in earnest. If you haven't already, sign up for alerts from Somerville City Hall. Via phone message or e-mail you'll be alerted to utility shut-offs, detours, and other changes affecting your business or residence. To sign up call 617-666-3311, or send a message via the city's website. Be sure to say you're interested in updates about the Somerville Avenue reconstruction and give your address.
You can stay on top of progress via the Somerville Ave Reconstruction page of the city's website. It is regularly updated with the schedule of work.
Since detailed questions are coming up and because final design documents and the schedule of work weren't available at the public meeting in April, Union Square Main Streets has requested that the City of Somerville and MassHighway, overseers of the project, host another public meeting to respond to the specific concerns of area businesses and residents. The date of this meeting will be announced.
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| Ride/Walk Every Last Friday |
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Get out of your car and your body and your neighborhood will thank you for it.
The Shape Up Somerville Taskforce is making the last Friday of every month a Walk/Ride Day. On June 22 and every last Friday, take public transportation, pull out your bike or lace on your sneakers. The project is obviously a "green" effort, as together we can lower emissions and make our environment cleaner. It's also an economic development effort as increased foot traffic in our squares means bustling sidewalks and more shoppers in Union Square. And most of us could use more exercise and we'll be individually stronger and more healthy too
If that's not enough to entice you, Shape Up Somerville has a blog where you can sign up with your commitment to Ride/Walk to be eligible for prizes, drawings and discounts at participating businesses.
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| Bicycle Tour of Historic Somerville |
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Join the Somerville Bicycle Committee and the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission for a Bicycle Tour of Historic Somerville and Medford. The ride starts on Saturday, June 23rd at 10 am in the parking lot of Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue. The 10 mile ride is expected to finish around 1 pm. (This tour was previously scheduled for May but was postponed because of rain.)
The tour includes historic sites throughout Somerville and Medford, including the Old Powder House, the Isaac Royall House, and the armories and historical museums of each city.
For more information, contact Brandon Wilson at (617) 776-3938 or Ron Newman at rnewman@theCIA.net or Dick Bauer at dick.bauer@alum.mit.edu
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| Become a Member of Union Square Main Streets |
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David Grant created his great graphic and this summer you'll be able to sport it around town. Watch for it at the Union Square Farmers Market!
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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Farmers Market to Open June 9 - now with a meat vendor!
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| The Union Square Farmers Market re-opens June 9 and we can't wait. Most of the same vendors will return including Drumlin Farm (those wonderful tomatoes and choke cherries!), Nicewicz Family Farm (that magnificent corn!), Yang Family Farm (pea tendrils!), Parker Farm (tasty golden beets!) and Cook's Farm Orchard (incredible banana bread and pies). Siraco Sharpening Service sets up again on the second and fourth Saturdays to sharpen your kitchen knives and lawn tools while you shop. They'll join us starting June 26.
We welcome a new bread vendor: B&R Artisan Breads from Framingham. They'll bring a wonderful assortment each week including baguettes, brioche, cookies, croissants, as well as multigrain, olive, rye and sourdough breads.
Even more exciting is that Stillman's Farm is expanding their offerings. They sold fabulous cut wildflowers at our market last summer and will do so again. But this year they'll also provide pasture and free-raise meats including lamb, pork, beef, turkey and chicken, all hormone-free.
As always we'll fill the market with fun, including music and other performers, special theme days with guest vendors, and the "Grown in Somerville" booth featuring local products and organizations.
We've got a whole lot of plans brewing so keep an eye on regular newsletters and the Farmers Market webpage.
The Grown in Somerville Booth still has openings for this summer.
Urban growers download the application here. You'll need to show that you've tested your soil for lead so start the easy paperwork now to allow time for the testing.
Somerville organizations download this application. We're looking for interactive booths that engage and educate farmers market visitors. Community groups can fundraise at the Grown in Somerville booth by selling t- shirts or other items.
CALENDAR OF MARKET EVENTS
June 9 - Gentle Giant Moving Company and acoustic guitar by Stina Simmarano
June 16 - Healey School students and parents sell vegetable and flower seedlings, potted perennials and botanical notecards. Flute and guitar jazz duo headed by Steve Tapper
June 23 - Union Square's own Summer Street Soaps sells handmade products. Siraco Sharpening Service. Music by Pretty Pennies (to be confirmed)
June 30 - Community Growing Center sells hot pepper plants and herb bundles. Folk and Blues Rock from Indiana band by Bus man's Holiday
Fabulous new Farmers Market t-shirts in adult and kid sizes and tote bags will be ready in late June.
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