‘Seize The Summer’ offers family-friendly programming, live music, farmers market this weekend
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Join the City of Somerville this Sunday, as the heat wave breaks, for our second event in the 2011 SomerStreets series, complete with live music, farmers’ market, outdoor yoga and dance demonstrations, sandcastle building, food from local restaurants, open house and family swim at the YMCA,  arts and crafts and family-friendly activities for children and adults of all ages.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

This article first ran in the June 11, 2009 edition of The Somerville News.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

One of my favorite topics is talking about the stores that used to be around years ago that are now just memories. Remember a little place in Davis Square called “The Soda Hut”? Some may and some may not. How about “Skippy’s Fix-it Shop” and “Henry the Jeweler”? Do those places ring a bell? Close to Henry’s and Skippy’s, there used to be a quaint little establishment known as Gigli’s Fruit stand. Ask anyone who remembers it, and they will assure you that it had quite a bit of “a-ppeal”.

- Photos by William Tauro

By William Tauro

A customer of  a gas station located at 360 Medford Street was injured and taken to the hospital via ambulance on Friday evening after her vehicle plowed into the building.

The driver of the motor vehicle was fueling up her SUV when the gas hose would not reach. The driver then got into the vehicle to move it closer to the pump when something went wrong causing the motor vehicle to drive into the store front.

By Cathleen Twardzik

On July 24, along Highland Avenue, from Walnut Street to Cedar Street, Somerville will enjoy the second SomerStreets celebration of 2011, which is entitled Seize the Summer.

In fact, the event will be held in an area of Somerville which is new to the initiative.

The City of Somerville’s Cooling Center hours will extend into Saturday, with water, cots, and air conditioning available from 10m – 8pm at the Holland Street Senior Center, 167 Holland Street. 

Looking for other ways to cool off?  Try these locations:

·         Dilboy Pool, Alewife Brook Parkway 11am-7pm

·         Foss Park Pool, Broadway (intersection of Fellsway West) 11am – 7pm

·         Public Libraries (9am-6pm Central, 10-6 East Branch, 2-6 West)

·         Water sprinklers are on at 13 City parks, map here: http://bit.ly/p9oScY

By William C.  Shelton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Last Thursday the Somerville Planning Board voted to extend an expired Special Permit that it had granted to IKEA in December 2006 to construct a 340,000-square-foot store.

Speakman’s All-Star program cover.

By Andrew Firestone

Even in Red Sox nation, propaganda is a loaded term. How can one hope to capture the vitality and vigilance with which the Boston faithful hold onto their beloved team with something so simple as a drawing? In Somerville’s own Chris Speakman, 11-year resident of Winter Hill, they seem to have found their Pablo Picasso, or Norman Rockwell, if you will (both propaganda artists for Spain and the U.S. respectively). With Speakman’s understated, yet powerful images on posters and placards depicting heroes of America’s pastime, there seems to be little question of the effectiveness of this propaganda.

Community residents and business owners hoped to influence Planning Board policy at last Thursday’s meeting. - Photo by Ashley Taylor

Condos on Somerville Avenue, more time for IKEA

By Ashley Taylor

Last Thursday, Somerville’s Planning Board met for the fifteenth time to discuss landowner James Herbert’s request for a special permit to replace the three buildings he owns from 378-390 Broadway with a five-story condominium building.  It was the first time the Board met to discuss a request by furniture giant IKEA to extend its special permit for a proposed retail outlet in Assembly Square.  The five-member Board unanimously approved both proposals.

ArtBeat festival was a success. Lots of residents showed up and thoroughly enjoyed the shows, concerts, food, and the various kinds of art as imagined by the many creative people present. Great job by the Arts Council and the mayor’s office.

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Don’t forget to book your reservations quickly as the boat is filling up fast for the 7th Annual Mayor Joe Curtatone’s Summer Boat Cruise, departing Long Wharf on the Cruise Line Pier, Wednesday, August 3, departing at 7p.m. Email brooke@thescannellgroup.com for your tickets. The deadline is July 29.

By Carrie Stanziola

2011 ArtBeat was a cornucopia of sensation, bringing visitors to Davis Square, delicious food, great music, and the added delight of bringing them closer to the community.  The Somerville Arts Council tries to keep ArtBeat fresh every year, so it does not fall into the trap of being a “cookie-cutter” festival, said program manager Rachel Strutt.  Of particular note this Saturday, July 16, were ArtBeats “nomadic performance artists”, including Sandrine Schafer, who wandered through Davis Square fitting herself into small spaces. Strutt adds that Somerville’s sense of humor comes across in the festival.