Taste of Somerville Happening Tonight

 

RESPOND, Inc. and the Somerville Chamber Dining & Nightlife Group, are proud to present the 2013 Taste of Somerville: the premier dining experience! We welcome local businesses, restaurants and community members to come together to create a fun-filled evening while also helping RESPOND work to end domestic violence in our community.

When:  Today, Tuesday, May 21st from 5:30 to 7:30
Where:  Holiday Inn - 30 Washington Street

For $35.00 (cash, check & credit card accepted) you get a taste of over 40 of Somerville's finest restaurants - soup to nuts / entrees to desserts and it's for a great cause.

27 Somerville establishments found to be 100% in compliance

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Office of Prevention (SOP) Director Cory Mashburn announced today that Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) and the Somerville Police Department conducted a successful minimum age alcoholic beverage purchase law compliance check in Somerville. The compliance checks are completed annually. 27 licensed establishments in Somerville were visited by members of SCAP, including student leaders, and the Somerville Police Department in April, and all were found to be in compliance.

Participating teenagers received training on how to help police conduct the checks, and were given a breathalyzer test before the start of the operation and again after the evening was over. The teams targeted package stores, bars and restaurants that had “all-forms” liquor licenses. Participating police officers included Warren Chaille, who is assigned to the Somerville Licensing Commission.

“These results are a testament to the education and knowledge that our licensees are receiving,” said Mashburn. “The licensees during this compliance check demonstrated that carding those who try to purchase alcohol in Somerville is a top priority.”

Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello said that routine undercover checks are a priority of the Police Department, and that he was pleased with the high compliance rate. “Most of our stores, bars, and restaurants take this responsibility seriously,” said Pasquarello. “We appreciate their cooperation, and their commitment to keeping alcohol out of underage hands.”

For more information, please contact Cory Mashburn, Director, Somerville Office of Prevention, at (617) 625-6600, x2570.

Memorial Day Parade

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, CEREMONIES SET FOR MAY 26

Parade steps off from City Hall Concourse at 1pm.; Morning ceremonies planned at VFW Posts across Somerville

SOMERVILLE – The annual Memorial Day Ceremonies, concluding with the largest Memorial Day parade in the region, are set for Sunday, May 26.  Sponsored by American Legion Post #19 in conjunction with the Somerville Allied Veterans’ Council, scheduled events will begin at 8 a.m. at American Legion Post #19, 124 Highland Ave., with a short procession down Highland Ave. to the Central Library and the placing of wreaths on monuments along Central Hill Park. The parade will step off from the City Hall/Somerville High School concourse at 1 p.m., and will proceed for 2.3 miles down Highland Ave. to the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Teele Square. The parade will conclude in Veterans Memorial Cemetery with a ceremony of remembrance for fallen Somerville veterans under the supervision of the Somerville Allied Veterans Council.

The parade will include 17 marching bands, including the 215^th Massachusetts Army National Guard Marching Band, along with a wide range of community and school groups, the popular specialty units of the Aleppo Shriners, and representatives from the Miss New England beauty pageant, as well as representatives of local veterans’, fire, and police units from surrounding cities and towns. 

Beginning at Somerville High School, the parade will continue along Highland Avenue, through Davis Square to Holland Street, and onto Broadway before ending at the Cemetery in Teele Square. Ceremonies will be held rain or shine.

This year, the City will present two Grand Marshals: James F. Legee, Jr., and John M. O’Leary. James enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1944. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge, and led the Allied advance under General George S. Patton. He earned three battle stars for conflicts in the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. Other awards and honors include the World War II War Service Medal by the nation of Belgium, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. He was honorably discharged in January 1946. Following his service with the U.S. Army, James worked as a building inspector with the City of Somerville for 18 years.

John O’Leary joined the U.S. Army in January 1946. He served in Japan with the 1^st Cavalry Division as part of the Allied Occupation Force. He was one of the few American Soldiers to cross the equator by sea during his military service, earning him membership in “Davy Jones’s Locker,” a fraternity usually open only to U.S. Navy personnel. His awards and honors include the World War II Victory Medal. John was discharged as a Technician, Fifth Grade, in April 1947. Since then, he has served the City of Somerville as a senior custodian in the Building Department for 29 years, and as a Library Trustee under Mayor Thomas August. Additionally, John served as Commander of American Legion Post 447 and AMVETS, and served as the City’s Veterans’ Liaison to the Mayor since 1990.

To accommodate the parade, the following streets will have parking restrictions from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and street closures beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m.  

• Highland Ave. (Walnut St. to School St.)
• Prescott St. (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)
• Putnam St. (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)
• Vinal Ave. (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)
• School St. (Medford St. to Highland Ave.)
• Walnut St. (Medford St. to Highland Ave.)
• College Ave. (Morrison Ave. to Davis Sq.)
• North St. (Powderhouse Blvd. to Broadway)
• Alewife Brook Parkway (to Dilboy)

Beginning at 11:00 a.m., there will also be no parking on either side of the following streets (and in front of the Somerville Veterans Cemetery from North St. to Route 16).  These restrictions will be lifted immediately following the parade:

• Highland Ave. (Walnut St. to Davis Sq.)
• Holland St. (Davis Sq to Teele Sq.)
• Broadway (Holland St. to Route 16)
• Dilboy Field
• Little Sisters of the Poor – 186 Highland Ave.

Please note that the Number 88 MBTA bus route to and from Clarendon Hill will not be running from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Veterans’ Services at 617-625-6600 ext 4700.

Pride Flag Raising

Pride Flag Raising at City Hall

Tuesday, May 28^th, 2013, 2:45 PM

93 Highland Ave.

Somerville, MA 02143

Join students from the Somerville High School GSA to help Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville elected officials raise the Pride flag at City Hall in honor of Pride Week.

More Happenings

How could I have forgotten PorchFest.  By clicking this link it will bring you to a map showing you where, when and who will be preforming. 





And SomDog's Annual Spring Fling.  Just click here for more details.

Somerville by Design - East Somerville

Now is the time to have your voice heard - to tell City officials what you would like to see the future of East Somerville be.  Please don't miss out - join us on Tuesday, May 28th at the Capuano School Cafetorium located at 150 Glen Street starting at 6:30 p.m.  Additional information can be found by clicking this link which will bring you to the City's "Somerville by Design" site.  I urge everyone to attend.

SomerStreets

Below is a copy of the press release regarding the upcoming SomerStreets series.  If you haven't had the opportunity to experience this yet I hope you get the chance to this year.  It really is a great time to walk around the neighborhood, meet your neighbors, see what local businesses are all about as well as some City sponsored programs.  There will be some amazing & unique entertainment that will be happening, a farmer's market, arts & crafts and lots more.  The photos above were taken last year and I am really looking forward to this year's events.

- - - - -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             May 15, 2013

CITY’S SOMERSTREETS PROGRAM RETURNS FOR SUMMER 2013

Kicking off with “Carnaval” along East Broadway, SomerStreets promotes active living, reconnecting with city neighborhoods

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville’s fourth annual SomerStreets series kicks off for summer 2013 with Carnaval @ SomerStreets on East Broadway on Sunday, June 2 from noon to 4 p.m. SomerStreets is the City of Somerville’s take on the internationally-renowned Open Streets concept, closing busy city streets to vehicles, and opening them up for cycling, walking, dancing, running, and other modes of activity. Through SomerStreets, the City and its community partners aim to promote and encourage easy access to physical activity, fresh foods, and reconnecting with neighborhoods and businesses and their unique cultural elements in a thriving urban environment. Carnaval on June 2 is produced through a partnership with East Somerville Main Streets, and its programming will extend along East Broadway from the intersection of Broadway and McGrath Highway to Pennsylvania Ave., including a motion parade at noon, live music on two stages, interactive urban agriculture displays, arts and crafts, food, and fun! 

SomerStreets is an annual series that takes place one Sunday per month in the months of June through October. The 2013 events schedule is as follows:

·         Sunday, June 2: Canaval @ SomerStreets. East Broadway (McGrath Highway to Pennsylvania Ave.)

·         Sunday, July 28: Seize the Summer @ SomerStreets. Highland Ave. (Walnut Street to Cedar Street)

·         Sunday, August 18: location TBD due to construction on Shore Drive

·         Sunday, September 8: Going Green on Route 16 Alewife Brook Parkway (Broadway to Dilboy Stadium)

·         Sunday, October 20: Monster MashedUp @ SomerStreets. Somerville Ave. (Union Square to Elm St.)

“SomerStreets has quickly become one of our City’s most anticipated annual series, drawing an average of 5,000 people at each of the five events, and we look forward to continuing to expand on our new tradition,” said Mayor Curtatone. “Through these unique events, we celebrate our neighborhoods, squares and business districts by removing, for one day, a dependency on motor vehicles and allowing residents to enjoy these neighborhoods on foot and bicycle, exploring all that they have to offer in new and different ways while also supporting physical activity. In particular, the kickoff Carnaval never disappoints, and this year we have new and exciting programming to introduce, so I look forward to seeing everyone on June 2^nd.”

“East Broadway is on the verge of a major transformation, and through Carnaval this year; residents will really get a firsthand look at the exciting changes coming to East Somerville, while celebrating its unique culture and flair. This has been a tremendous event since its inception, and it’s something I look forward to every June. I can’t wait to see what’s in store this year,” said Ward 1 Alderman Maureen Bastardi.

"We are thrilled to be co-hosting the 4th annual Carnaval @ SomerStreets to kick off the SomerStreets series,” said Carrie Dancy, Executive Director of East Somerville Main Streets. “We are bringing back many favorites, like Marcus Santos and Bloco, Teen Empowerment, Canival San Miguel, and introducing new flavors with Opposite People, an 11 piece funk band, OnStage Dance with Dance demos and much more! This has really become a special day for East Somerville, a day where connections are built and people show their East 'ville Pride."

This year ESMS has added an extra spin to the event, adding three events to help prepare for the day. Last month, an instrument-making session was held at Maya Sol for the parade, and coming up on May 21 and 28, join ESMS at the East Branch Library, 5-7pm to decorate thrones and backdrops for the big day, and to make giant flowers for the Motion Parade. 

SomerStreets builds on the City’s Shape Up Somerville initiative by promoting active living, providing easier access to healthy foods, and encouraging collaboration among all community members and organizations.

All SomerStreets events run from 12-4 p.m., rain or shine. For more information on how to participate, visit www.somervillema.gov.