The website for Union Square Main Streets is now on- line. The new digital presence details activities of the Committees of USMS, includes a directory of local businesses and presents materials such as business resources and a history of the Square.

The website is a work in progress so you won't find every page completed but this is a strong start. Much thanks to the talented Damon Liebert and Hemlock Ink.

DIF is District Improvement Financing and such an effort could provide the financing necessary to jump start significant economic development in Union Square. Through a DIF Somerville could budget tomorrow's tax revenues for today's expenses.

DIF enables partnerships between private developers and municipalities to implement a shared vision of future development with shared risk. With formal local and state vetting processes, the creation of a DIF district in Union Square could allow Somerville to finance public purpose projects such as the infrastructural improvements by pledging future incremental taxes.

The DIF program is new in Massachusetts. Only two communities -- Worcester and Quincy -- are currently DIF developing districts. It's a well seasoned model however. Typically known as a TIF (Tax Incremental Financing), 48 states have similar laws. California has been most successful, issuing $1.2 billion on DIF financing in 2004.

The City of Somerville has commissioned McCabe Enterprises to conduct a feasibility study on possibly implementing a DIF in Union Square. Kathleen McCabe and the Office of Strategic and Community Development is sponsoring an opportunity for the public to learn the details behind DIF.

DIF Introduction Meeting - June 12 at 6 pm at The Family Center, 366 Somerville Avenue.

On June 19 at 6:45 join the Design Committee of USMS in the studio of Somerville Community Access Television for a presentation on the historical development of Union Square's streetscape and recommended principles for its ongoing evolution.

"Designing Union Square for People" is the result of a year-long investigation by Nancy Phillips towards her certificate in Landscape Design in the Landscape Institute of Arnold Arboretum. She scoured archives, piecing together maps from the last two hundred years and uncovering fabulous photographs of Union Square in its various incarnations. She shares her illutrations and provides an engaging overview of the evolution of the look and feel of Union Square.

Nancy's presentation will be videotaped for cablecast on Somerville's cable channel 3.

Somerville Community Access TV is in the Old Firehouse at 90 Union Square.

No more standing in the rain and wind while waiting for the bus in the center of Union Square. The new bus shelter is here at last. For the many folks who gather every day for the #86, #87 or #91, their lives are just a little bit easier.

Our thanks to Arn Franzen of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development for the City of Somerville who oversaw the shelters sprouting up all over the city, and to Felix Monteagudo of CEMUSA Boston, Operations Manager of the construction contractor. They met with folks from Union Square Main Streets to discuss the placement of the shelter and graciously accomodated us as they could.

In mid-construction the shelter was just sticks.

The new bus shelter was in action on June 1. Power is coming soon to give light to the advertising sign and for those waiting.

There's oodles of stuff happening in Union Square when it comes to arts events and culturally-rich classes. Like just this weekend, there's a Japanese Taiko drumming workshop for kids on Sunday afternoon at Third Life Studio led by Mark Rooney of Odaiko New England (To register contact Mark at 781-721- 0521 or email mhrooney@onetaiko.org.) Or maybe you want to check out the upcoming classes happening with Still Mountain Tai Chi? And I haven't even mentioned the poetry series at PAs or the bands that play there every night of the week. Or the DJs at "The Indo" and at Toast. This little newsletter just can't keep up.

But there is a spot where you'll find a comprehensive calendar with all that's hot and happening in Union Square and throughout Somerville. It's a website run by ArtSomerville. The same folks who coordinate the Nave Gallery on Powderhouse Boulevard in West Somerville maintain an exceptional calendar. Check it every day for what's happening in music, dance, theatre and more in our bright star in the East.