The Somerville News Blog

Green building and community building

Lauren C. Ostberg Less than 18% of Somerville households recycle. In an effort to improve that statistic, the City of Somerville will launch a single-stream recycling pilot program this summer. Single-stream recycling means that rather than separating paper and cardboard recyclables from the rest, residents can combine their recycling in a single bin. The City will supply closed-container rolling recycling bins, approximately the size of standard garbage cans, to facilitate this process.

Celebrating the fine art of grinding, brewing and steaming

A panel of judges critique the coffee. Katie Carguilo, a barista at Counter Culture in New York City, became a barista eight years ago when she was studying anthropology at George Washington University in Washington DC. ~Photos by Julia Fairclough Barista competition comes to Somerville By Julia Fairclough While some people grab a cup of coffee in the morning to jump start their heart beat, others carefully pick the coffee bean they prefer, go out of their way to find a café that specializes in coffee, and then sip the beverage as if it were a fine glass of cognac. The latter group was really excited to attend the 2010 Northeast Regional Barista Competition (NERBC) at the Arts at the Armory building on Highland Avenue this past weekend, especially since this is the first time that such a coffee event has landed here on the East Coast. "It's great to see that the coffee culture is moving to Boston," said George Howell of George Howell Terroir Coffee in Acton, a host sponsor of the event. "The West coast has led the way for a long time, but what we see here this weekend is more contestants to this competition than any other." The weekend-long event included a judge's certification workshop and several rounds of tasting competitions. Thirty-seven baristas from throughout the New England region got up on stage and "performed"-a deft twist of the dosing spoon and flip of the steam nozzle-before the judges and a fascinated audience. The espresso taste evaluation, for example, was comprised of consistency of the cream, taste balance (harmonious balance of the sweet/acidic/bitter) and tactile balance (full bodied, round, smooth).

Workshop on bullying and cyberbullying addresses growing concerns

Lauren Osterberg Bullying has always been a concern in schools, but, given the role that technology currently plays in adolescent culture, cyberbullying is an exponentially-increasing issue. In the past two months alone, Facebook played a role in the suicide of a South Hadley teenager and recent criminal charges brought against Newburyport High Schoolers. To keep Somerville parents up to date, Margie Daniels hosted a workshop on Bullying and Cyberbullying on Wednesday, March 10. Daniels, the executive director of Middlesex Partnership for Youth, a non-profit providing prevention and intervention resources to Middlesex school districts and communities, links these workshops to District Attorney Gerry Leone's interest in violence prevention, anti-bullying and Internet safety. "There are always people who use technology inappropriately," said Daniels, who recalls prank calls before caller ID, or anonymous notes shoved into lockers. "The difference here, with Facebook, instant messaging and cell phones, is the very rapid transmission of information to a number of people, even to thousands."

City solicitor submits resignation

City Solicitor John Gannon will leave his position on Friday. ~Photo by Tom Nash By Tom Nash City Solicitor John Gannon will leave his position on Friday, becoming the third department head to leave the city's service this year. Gannon had served as city solicitor since 2004, spearheading legal battles such as the fight against overhead airplane noise and the expansion of the MBTA Green Line. "I have realized my goal of developing the best municipal law department in the Commonwealth, and I am proud of my team's achievements," Gannon said in a statement distributed March 11.

Read by the River Carnival at Tufts

Sammy Morris, of the New England Patriots, signs a football for Alex Kalogeropoulos, a 3rd grader at the Kennedy Elementary School in Somerville. Kids discuss their book reports with Tufts students. ~Photos by Ashley Taylor By Ashley Taylor Bang! Bang bang! Babang bang bang! At 3 p.m. on Sunday, a popping noise much like gunshots rang out from the tennis courts at the Tufts Gantcher Center, startling bystanders. Had a tennis match turned to violence? No, it was just the popping of hundreds of balloons as Tufts Hillel staff and volunteers began cleaning up after their 11th Annual Read by the River Carnival, which had begun at noon that day. Read by the River is a carnival for kids - complete with cotton candy - where all the activities relate to reading. Tufts Hillel, the university's Jewish student organization, founded the event and organizes it every year, with help from other organizations at Tufts and in the surrounding community. This is the second year that Hillel has held Read by the River at the Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center. They moved it from a smaller gym at Tufts to the larger facility when they expanded it to include kids from Somerville in addition to kids from Medford. According to Jared Glick, Chair of the carnival's planning board, an estimated 750 to 1,000 attendants and 200 volunteers gathered for the afternoon of reading fun. Gathered...indoors? Yes. Read by the River has never been outdoors, let alone by a river. Glick explained the origins of the name: "The first year, it was actually supposed to be held by the Charles, I believe, if not another river or body of water, and it actually rained, much like today, so they had a rain date." Glick pointed out that it often pours on the day of Read by the River, as has for the last three years, including this past Sunday.

Somerville well represented in Chinatown event

Photo from left to right: Somerville DPW Director of Operations Rick Willette, Somerville News Co-Publisher Billy Tauro, Marisa Tauro, Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, Register of Deeds Eugene Brune, Acting Police Chief Michael Cabral, Rocco Direnzo, Somerville News Co-Publisher Donald Norton. By William Tauro The Benevolent Jade Society of New England held its Annual Banquet this past Friday evening at the Empire Garden Restaurant in Boston's Chinatown. A delegation of consisting of a solid cross-section of Somerville's elected officials, city officials and members of the business community represented the 2009 All-America City well. Along with the Somervillians in attendance were 550 law enforcement officials, their guests and supporters from Boston, New England, New York and as far away as Taiwan. The annual banquet was held to celebrate the Chinese New Year, which happens to be the "Year of the Tiger" this year - bringing people and law enforcement agencies together, building a bridge of unity and raising money for various charities, cultural programs and scholarship funds which benefit local youth.

Citizens Bank on Broadway robbed

By William Tauro Citizen's Bank, located at 338 Broadway in the Winter Hill section of Somerville was robbed just after noon today. This comes a few days after the Sovereign Bank on Lower Broadway and a week after the Sovereign Bank in Charlestown were held up as well. Somerville Police, State Police and the FBI are all investigating to determine if the three robberies are connected in any way.

Governor proclaims "Somerville All America City Day" at SHS

(L to R) President of the Board of Aldermen Jack Connolly, Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Superintendent of Schools Anthony Pierantozzi praised Somerville for it’s progressive and prospering community. Governor Patrick arrived at the High School, where he was greeted by Headmaster Anthony Ciccariello.~Photos by Andrew Firestone Andrew Firestone It was a day of revelry and celebration at Somerville High on Monday morning, when in front of an audience including elected officials and students alike, Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Governor Deval Patrick declared "Somerville All America City Day" in Somerville, a culmination of Somerville's winning of the title of 2009 "All-America City" last June. Along with Superintendent of Schools Anthony Pierantozzi and President of the Board of Aldermen Jack Connolly, the officials praised Somerville for it's progressive and prospering community. The sun was shining and it was warm on Monday morning as Governor Patrick arrived at the High School, where he was greeted by Headmaster Anthony Ciccariello and an African Drum Band outside the school. Despite the pomp and circumstance of the governor's arrival, emotional resonance was clearly evident, as one police Sergeant said "this for us, the people of Somerville" and as Superintendent Pierantozzi put it in his opening remarks, "All of our residents have earned this award."

"Back To Work" roundtable with Governor Patrick and CAAS

More than 130 people crammed into the conference room at the Community Action Agency of Somerville to tell their stories of economic recovery to Governor Patrick Thursday morning. ~Photo by Ashley Taylor By Ashley Taylor All seats were taken, and still people came in the door. Then someone started forcing people out of their seats and stacking the chairs to free space as more than 130 people crammed into the conference room at the Community Action Agency of Somerville in Union Square to tell their stories of economic recovery to Governor Patrick Thursday morning. The Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Office organized the roundtable discussion as part of a series of events commemorating the first anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), otherwise known as the stimulus bill, which President Obama signed into law on February 17, 2009. According to www.recovery.gov, the website tracking how the stimulus funds are used, Massachusetts has received $4.6 Billion in stimulus awards, money which has been credited with creating 9.3 thousand jobs. Governor Patrick asked people to share stories of how the stimulus money has helped them, and people had many successes to recount.

Changes and challenges ahead: Davis Square residents discuss their vision for the area

According to statistics, Davis Square has four restaurants for every three retail establishments. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner Lauren C. Ostberg Davis Square has been through many changes in the past three decades. The Red Line added a T-stop in 1984; deregulation of rent control in the mid 70's affected the housing marketing; a national alternative press magazine declared it one of the fifteen "hippest places to live" in 1997. The Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), accompanied by Ward 6 Aldermen Rebekah Gewirtz, invited the community to discuss their ideas about the region's future at a Davis Square Visioning meeting on March 3, 2010.

Somerville plans to unclog Union Square

If the new plan is selected it would create a very large amount of space for better pedestrian and bike flow within the square. ~Photo by Tom Nash By Ben Johnson The third community meeting concerning the Union Square Transportation Plan took place on Monday, March 1st 2010. The meeting convened at 6:30pm at the Argenziano School, near Union Square, in order for the City of Somerville and consultants to present and discuss updated proposals for future roadway construction in the Union Square area. About fifty residents showed up for the meeting, most of them residents from streets that could potentially be affected by the city's plans.

One Book, One Somerville

“One city, one book” programs are designed to bring communities closer together, and to promote literacy.~Photo by Bobbie Toner Ashley Troutman Have you read a good book lately? Somerville now has its own "one city, one book" program. Somerville Reads encourages everyone in the community to read and then unite under the selected title. The Executive Director of the Somerville Public Library, Nancy Milnor, applied for a grant to fund the program. "One city, one book" programs are designed to bring communities closer together, and to promote literacy. The first program was launched in Seattle in 1998, and other cities have been mirroring the campaign ever since.

The Somerville Home focuses on long-term goals

The Somerville home is a licensed, affordable housing option for seniors, as well as for other adults. By Cathleen Twardzik The Somerville Home is currently preparing for its new needs. "The Board of Directors started a Strategic Planning Committee for 2010 and will be focusing on the long range plans and goals of the home," said Kelley Leuchter, Acting Administrator of the Somerville Home for the past 20 months. On a general level, the home is a licensed, affordable housing option for seniors, as well as for other adults --- all of whom are in need of a supportive home environment, according to her. Further, the private, not-for-profit organization is "committed to offering a reasonably-priced option for quality, non-skilled residential services." "Since 1898, the Somerville Home has provided long-term residential care to seniors from Somerville and surrounding communities," said Leuchter. Interestingly, "There are even a few residents who came to the Somerville Home from out-of-state."

Shake it: bellydancers fund Haitian relief efforts

Meiver, of Cambridge, researched the impact of the “War on Terror” on Middle Eastern dance performances in the United States. Kareem Nagi accompanies her on drums. Bellydancing costumes, accessories, and lessons were available for purchase in the back of the room. ~Photos by Lauren C. Ostberg Lauren C. Ostberg Numerous fundraising events rippled through the Boston area in reaction to January 12's devastating earthquake in Haiti. This Sunday, February 28, 2010, the Northeastern bellydancing community merged their talents and activism for yet another. Badriya al-Badi'a, 41, of Arlington - also known as Regina Harrison - but, like all of the performers at this event, Badiya prefers to use her stage name in association with her dancing - organized the event. "Well, I'm the one who put down the deposit," she laughed, explaining that it was a collective effort. Badriya hosted a similar event following Hurricane Katrina. She and Baseema, of the Moirae Dance Troupe, jokingly referred to it as, "kamikaze fundraising," due to the acceleration and exponential growth of the event. "Everything came together very quickly," Badriya said. "Everything" included dozens of raffle prizes and seventeen performances by regional bellydancers. Performances blended tribal fusion, cabaret, gothic fusion, and Egyptian drumming with more traditional bellydancing. One hundred percent of the profits, which exceeded $1,000, will go to Partnership in Health. Badriya selected this non-profit organization for their commitment to "building Haitian solutions" building on the practices and materials that Haiti already has.

All systems go at Ralph & Jenny Senior Center

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Somerville Fire Department Deputy Chief Dave Salvi and Lieutenant Tom Salemmi test out the newly installed alarm system today at 9 New Washington Street - home of the Somerville Lion's Club and the City of Somerville Council on Aging's Ralph and Jenny Center. The building has had two break-ins in the past few months and now with a state-of-the-art alarm system recently installed, the tenants that occupy the building will now have a better sense of security.

Ward Walks: Somerville Avenue prepares for unveiling

Somerville Avenue. While the construction crews are largely gone from Somerville Avenue, the underlying traffic issues in Union Square remain. ~Photos by Tom Nash By Tom Nash [Editor's Note: With "Ward Walks" we're hoping to take aldermen out of the City Hall chambers and into the neighborhoods they represent. We started by asking Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, who is known for taking residents on walks around her ward, to explain the progress of the Somerville Avenue reconstruction project.] Three years ago, Alderman Maryann Heuston called Somerville "a city in darkness" as residents struggled without street lighting after construction crews tearing up Somerville Avenue called it a day. With the $20.7 million revitalization project nearing completion, she's hoping the city can move forward with plans to redefine Union Square. The project, which began in 2007, involved a complete infrastructure update of Somerville Avenue - including everything from late 19th century sewer and water systems being replaced to new lighting, sidewalks and bike lanes. Until about two years in, however, the project was widely viewed as a traffic nightmare with few tangible signs of progress until the project switched into its above-ground phase last year. While an unveiling date remains to be set, Heuston said the city is confident that the construction would be done in time for spring. Walking down Somerville Avenue to Union Square, Heuston said with the project in its final stages she would like to focus on how to revitalize the neighborhood itself.

Mystic River waterway clogged with shopping carts

Submerged shopping carts rusting in the river. ~Photos by Andrew Firestone Andrew Firestone Hikers along the eastern bank of the Mystic River might be ogling more than they bargained for recently. Spurred by comments made at a recent Board of Alderman meeting by Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan, The Somerville News discovered the presence of dozens of aluminum shopping carts littering the bottom of the river. Looking out over the Wellington Bridge may inspire some to remember the famous ending scenes of poignant film "Mystic River" which showcased the very location. Looking down, however, presents the eye with an altogether different sensation: submerged, for the entire length of the 200 yard bridge, are dozens, possibly as many as a hundred, shopping carts rusting in the river. The river is seemingly saturated in shopping carts, presenting a notable blemish to the area. Sullivan, who brought the situation to the attention of his fellow Aldermen, spoke about finding the source of the problem. Examining some of the carts, Sullivan noted that several of them came from a local Kohl's store, on the other side of the bridge in Medford.

The Somerville Auxiliary Fire Department helps homeowners and more

Squad 1 is the Lighting Plant,it provides lighting at fires and other fire department emergencies, as well as lights at crime scenes and police investigations. ~Photo by Steve B. Machado By Cathleen Twardzik To more actively spread the word, as spring and the flooding of basements around Somerville approaches, residents are reminded that the Somerville Auxiliary Fire Department (SAFD) operates under the direction of the Somerville Fire Department. Members provide support services to the fire department and various agencies, including the Somerville Police Department and the Department of Public Works (DPW), according to Captain Jason Castle of the SAFD. He has volunteered there since May 2000. The delivery of auxiliary fire services requires volunteers who demonstrate sound judgment, physical and moral courage, fidelity and personal integrity, according to the City of Somerville's website.

Haiti relief concert planned for Feb 21 at Sally O'Brien's

Lee Durocher The world has come together in the spirit of charity to help out those who have been affected by the earthquake that hit Haiti recently. On Sunday, February 21st, Sally O'Brien's in Union Square will be hosting a Haitian Earthquake Benefit Concert. The concert will go from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. featuring over 20 bands. All proceeds made from the 13-hour long event will go to "Hearts with Haiti" - which funds relief efforts in that country.

Broadway Zoning Modifications Pass

Five changes to Somerville's zoning ordinance were discussed and refined by the Committee on Land Use on Tuesday, they are intended to encourage development in East Somerville and Winter Hill, particularly at the site of the former Star Market.~Photo by Bobbie Toner Lauren C. Ostberg Five changes to Somerville's zoning ordinance were discussed and refined by the Committee on Land Use on Tuesday, February 9, and passed at the following Board of Aldermen meeting. They are intended to encourage development in East Somerville and Winter Hill, particularly at the site of the former Star Market. "Winter Hill needs a boost," said Monica Lamboy, Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), who presented these modifications for review.