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| Holiday Season Comes to Union Square |
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The bars and restaurants in Union Square are really getting in the holiday mood this season with music and giving.
On November 30th at Sally O'Brien's from noon until 2 pm they're hosting "Shellie & Steve's Thanksgiving Week-end Family Brunch." With great food and acoustic music for children and their grown-up by the aptly named Muffintops.
There's also a food drive. Starting on Monday December 1 through 17 Precinct, Neighborhood Restaurant and Sally O'Brien's are all collecting non-perishable food items for low- income people in our community to be distributed by the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Foods like pasta and sauce, soup, canned vegetables and especially proteins like tuna and peanut butter are all welcome. Last year 400 cans were collecting and this year, with even more people hungry, they're looking to double this amount.
And Precinct welcomes holiday shoppers to the Winter Craft Market on Saturday, December 6.
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| Winter Craft Market December 6 |
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On Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 11 am to 4 pm Union Square is the place to shop for inspired gifts that you can't find at the mall or in any online catalog. With three individual markets plus an array of unique shops you'll find items to delight everyone on your holiday shopping list. Gifts include: sculpture, jewelry, knitwear, photography, handbags, unique electronic instruments, greeting cards, wreaths, desserts and more. And, for those who have been more naughty than nice, The Soap Smith offers "coal for your stocking" - naturally black soap in two scents: clove and honey/oatmeal/vanilla.
Union Square Main Streets is the sponsor for the market taking place on Union Square Plaza and inside Precinct with 24 vendors.
In addition to the one-day vendors are Union Square's array of retail stores, including Moroccan Caravan, Wagner Jewelers, Hub Comics, Grand, and newcomer Hope & Glory. Taza Chocolate, our very own chocolate factory, is also hosting tours this day as well so you can see their stone ground treats being made before stopping by their gift shop.
Just a five-minute walk and you're at Washington Street Art Center at 321 Washington Street with more open studios and gift ideas.
Turn to cross Somerville Ave. and up Central Street to visit the annual market at the Somerville Museum with even more local crafts.
Live musical performances at Precinct all day from local favorites Chris Mancini of The Pretty Pennies and Wicked Pickers. Catch the roving carolers of the Somerville High School Chorus.
All markets open 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
The Union Square Winter Craft Market will be held outside on Union Square's central plaza where Washington Street, Prospect Street and Somerville Avenue meet. Additional vendors will showcase their goods inside Precinct Bar, located directly off the central plaza.
Washington St Art Center is at 321 Washington Street. Staying open one hour later with a 5 pm close time.
Somerville Museum is at 1 Westwood Road at the corner of Central St between Summer and Highland. Also open on Sunday, December 7.
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| Catch the Beat at Brazilian Drumming Class at Third Life |
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The year is winding down but Third Life Studio continues to keep things hopping. Starting on Monday they welcome Deraldo Ferreira for a special series of Afro-Brazilian Percussions classes. Learn samba rhythms from traditional to modern while playing a variety of instruments including the repinique, pandeiro, surdo (drum), caixa (snare), tamborim (tambourine), conga, timbau,and chucalho!
A drummer since early childhood, Deraldo Ferreira founded the Brazilian Cultural Center of New England in 1996 where he continues to serve as the Artistic Director. Since 1998, Deraldo has directed Samba Tremeterra which regularly puts on exhilarating shows, both alone and with local and international bands and vocalists.
All levels are welcome to this class taking place Mondays in December. (12/1, 12/8, 12/15, and 12/22) from 7:15 to 8:15 pm. To register, or if you have questions, please call Deraldo at 617-388-8403
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| Become a Member of Union Square Main Streets |
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| 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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Hearing on Zoning December 4
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| The Board of Aldermen currently have before them a proposal for zoning changes for Union Square. It is the culmination of intensive work of the Planning Department of the City and extensive community input. The Board of Directors of Union Square Main Streets have written an open letter to city officials in support of this proposal.
You're invited to participate in the public hearing on the proposal - a joint meeting of the Board of Alderman and Planning Board - on Thursday, December 4 at 6:30 at the Aldermen's Chambers in Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue.
To the People of the City of Somerville:
Picture Union Square as it could be: a place where people of all ages window shop on clean, wide, tree- lined sidewalks. Where neighbors linger at outdoor cafés and enjoy performers, markets and festivals in lively, green, open spaces. Where a mix of profitable, independent businesses thrive -- from engaging retail shops to interesting restaurants to bustling offices -- and many residents can walk to new shops and well- paying jobs near their homes.
Union Square can be all this but first we must replace outmoded zoning regulations that discourage this kind of pedestrian-oriented commercial development for Union Square.
The Board of Union Square Main Streets is pleased to support the proposal now before the Board of Aldermen to create new zoning districts and an arts overlay District for Union Square.
For the past four years, our organization has worked with business owners, volunteers, citizens and the City of Somerville to fulfill our vision of a thriving business district in Union Square. Helping Union Square recapture its status as a thriving commercial center is vital not just for the Square but for the city as a whole. For decades Somerville has failed in many of its efforts to support business development and this stagnation has left us without a commercial tax base. Our neighbor of Cambridge has more than four times the commercial property value per square mile when compared to Somerville. This allows Cambridge to depend on residential property taxes for only 37% of the city budget. In Somerville, where we lack sufficient commercial development, residential property taxes make up 86% of the Somerville's total budget. Union Square, once our city's "downtown", is nearly the same size as Davis Square but this gem is fade with Union Square's commercial properties worth only 40% as much as Davis. For Somerville to maintain quality public services such as police and fire, education and other services, Somerville needs significant commercial investment. Replacing outmoded regulations can achieve this vision, redeveloping Union Square as the commercial center and bustling neighborhood it once was.
Now, thanks to extensive efforts by city planners, the arts community led by the Somerville Arts Council, and numerous other partner organizations and community members who have worked alongside Union Square Main Streets, we believe the new zoning will enable much needed development in Union Square and provide a range of balanced community benefits. We particularly favor these features of the zoning proposal...
Read more of the letter and what USMS particularly loves about the proposal here. |
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