The Somerville Times

In Davis, why so many restaurants?

On May 6, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

The closing of Bowl and Board is making Davis Square residents ask, why do some businesses fail here? ~Photo by Ashley Taylor

'Normal clothes' among needs, residents say

By Ashley Taylor

People come to Davis Square to eat, drink, and buy camera supplies. They leave Davis Square to buy groceries, general merchandise, furniture, and clothes. That's according to data that Economic Development Planner Brad Rawson presented at a Davis Square community meeting last Wednesday evening.

These conclusions come from a 2007 study where market analysts compared money earned by Davis Square businesses to money spent by Davis Square residents. Davis Square restaurants earn $8.7 million more than what residents spend eating out. Davis Square loses potential dollars in the grocery ($6.6 million), clothing ($3.2 million), furniture ($2.2 million), and general merchandise ($8.7 million) businesses. Residents are spending that money outside of Davis Square.

Celebrating Older American month in Somerville

On May 5, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

By William Tauro

Mayor
Joseph Curtatone and The Somerville Council on Aging celebrate "Older
American Month" with an event that was held at the Holland St, Center
on Monday. Many enjoyed a fun filled day of bingo with served lunch and
an ice cream desert served by the Mayor himself and the Somerville
Board of Alderman.

Civilian flaggers in Somerville

On May 5, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

By William Tauro

Civilian
road detail flaggman Bill Osborn positioned at the foot of the Cedar
Street bridge directing traffic while road crews work ahead.

Osborn
is employed by New England Control of Manchester, New Hampshire. Osborn
said that "his company is hired as a subcontractor for New Hampshire
Boring Company who is doing work on the Somerville bridge in front of
270 Cedar Street who are based out of Londonderry, New Hampshire.

Newstalk for May 5

On May 5, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

This Thursday, May 6, the Somerville Chamber of Commerce is hosting
B2GREEN expo and a regular monthly networking get together at the Holiday Inn 30
Washington Street. Exhibition begins at 4 p.m. and runs to 6 p.m. afterwards the
regular networking meeting is from 5 to 7 p.m. From Green Line Extension to
SMART Growth Development to the recent creation of an environmental strategic
plan, the city and local businesses seem to be working well together.

The View From Prospect Hill for May 5

On May 5, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

If 'Aquapocalypse'
taught us one thing it is this: we can't take care of ourselves.

City
officials are sending out robocalls reminding us to let boiled water cool?
What's next? The mayor takes our hand and slowly leads us across the street?
(Bad example, East Somerville residents do deserve better pedestrian conditions
around McGrath Highway.)

Somerville runs for its health

On May 5, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

By Andrew
Firestone

Sunny skies and warm weather greeted runners Saturday at Somerville High
School for the Second Annual Shape Up Somerville road race, part of Mayor Joseph
A. Curtatone's Fitness Challenge. Sixty-six walkers and runners made their way
through the 2.6 mile course. Al Gehant of Somerville finished first with a time
of 17:03.

The event included a children's race and an adult's race.
Curtatone ran the race as well, the first since his appearance in the Boston
Marathon in 2008, and ran 26:03 despite starting late. "I did a lot of praying,"
he said regarding his preparation. "A lot of stretching."

The half-mile
children's race was won by Hayden Latimer-Ireland who barely beat out her
brother, Conor. "We were getting a bit tired sort of near the end," said Hayden.
"After drinking some water, we felt much better," said Conor, with Hayden adding
they could run it again.

Many who participated fully supported Mayor
Curtatone's message for fitness being important to the community. "It's a good
message to everyone how important your health is for your everyday life," said
Dave Morrow. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Somerville Mayor shares optimism at business town hall

On May 5, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

By Tom Nash

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone faced around 100 business owners at the Somerville Theater last Wednesday, putting forward his goals for the city's infrastructure as a benefit to entrepreneurs operating in a still-struggling economy.

The meeting, hosted by the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, saw business owners asking the city for relief on parking, recycling rates and assistance in negotiating health insurance premiums.

Major construction begins this month in Somerville at Assembly Square

On May 5, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

~Photos courtesy
of Dewey Square
Group

State
adds $10 million to project

By George P. Hassett

Assembly Square
development has been delayed by lawsuits and political scandal in the past. But
not even the recession could stop Somerville's biggest development opportunity
this time around.

Don Briggs of Federal Realty Investment Trust, the
developers of Assembly Square, said this week that construction on Assembly
Square Drive – "the spine of the project" – will begin this month and be
completed by early next year. Construction of an Orange Line train station
begins next year, he said.

On Tuesday, state officials released $10
million in funding to support roadway improvements that will facilitate the
construction of an IKEA store.

"We're moving forward in the worst of
economic times and in the depths of a recession we're working to deliver a final
product when the market does come back," Briggs told the Somerville News as he
toured the construction site last week.

‘Aquapocalypse’ hits Somerville

On May 5, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

City employees
give out bottled water to thirsty residents Monday. ~Photo by Bobbie
Toner

Before ban lifted, city
distributes water to kids, seniors and families

By George P. Hassett

By the end of
'Aquapocalypse', the name given to the three day ban on tap water after a water
main break in Weston, Somerville officials had handed out almost 6,000 gallons
of water.

On Monday, one day before Governor Deval Patrick declared the
water safe to drink again, 1,828 cases of bottled water were distributed from
two locations in the city, the Department of Public Works yard and the East
Somerville Community School site.

Somerville arrest log for the week of April 27-May 2

On May 5, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff


Tuesday, April 27 Sean Niles, 34, of 83 Freemont St., 9:10 a.m., arrested and charged with resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct. Goralda Freitas, 45, of 2 First St., 6:52 p.m., arrested on warrant charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.