Vol. 5, No. 4
January 31, 2005
Contents
1) TRANSPORTATION DOINGS
A) S.T.E.P Meeting Tonight
Almost daily, people ask me what's going on with the Green Line Extension. One good way to
get the latest information would be to drop in at tonight's meeting of the Somerville
Transportation Equity Partnership, or S.T.E.P., which will be held from 7 until 9 pm at VNA
Assisted Living Facility Community Room, 259 Lowell Street. Or visit the
S.T.E.P. website.
B) Green Line Extension "Off Track"? Watch Tonight
Somerville videographer Bob Nesson has made a powerful film about our traffic and transit
predicament, its effect on our quality of life, and our struggle to receive long-awaited transit
improvements. "Off Track" will be screened tonight, Jan. 31, on City Cable channel 3, at 10 pm.
C) Bicyclist? Turn Activist - Officially!
The City of Somerville seeks interested and enthusiastic bicyclists who live or work in Somerville
to serve on the Somerville Bicycle Committee. Cyclists of all ages are encouraged to apply. The
Committee works with city staff, local agencies and businesses to make the city more bike-friendly.
The Committee includes citizens, business people and representatives from city departments.
Committee members attend monthly meetings and work on particular projects between meetings.
The Committee meets every third Tuesday of the month, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at City Hall.
Regular projects include review of major development and roadway plans; design of the
Community Path; bike parking; educational materials for schools and Active Living programs;
and efforts to promote safe and responsible bicycle riding.
Letters of application, explaining your interest in bicycling and the kinds of projects or issues
you'd like to work on, should be sent to Mayor Joe Curtatone, c/o Stephen Winslow, Office of
Strategic Planning and Community Development, City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA
02143. Please include your postal address, email address, and phone number.
Appointments are for two years. For more information, call Stephen Winslow at
617-625-6600, x2519, email him at
swinslow@ci.somerville.ma.us, or visit the
Somerville Bicycle Committee website.
2) SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH NEWS
A) Semi-finalists Chosen, Interviews Start Tonight
Six semi-finalists for the Superintendent's position have been selected. While
some of the candidates have worked in Massachusetts, none are from the Somerville
public school system. Thanks to Michael Chiu, the superintendent semi-finalist
application data is now posted on the
Somerville Childrens Network website.
Feel free to forward the link to anyone who might be interested.
Interviews of these candidates will be held publicly on the evenings of Jan. 31,
and Feb. 2 and 3, 2005. Interviews will start at 6 pm in the Aldermen's Chamber
at City Hall on these evenings. Save the dates now for the finalists' interviews,
Feb. 14, 16, and 17.
B) School Committee Members Schedule Discussions
Following the candidate interviews, at least three School Committee members will
be holding discussions with members of the public about the candidates. Roberta
Bauer, Ward 3, will be at the Central Library from 2:30 pm on Friday, Feb. 4, for
this purpose. Megan Foster, Ward 5, will hold a meeting from 2 until 4 pm on
Sat., Feb. 5, at the VNA Assisted Living Facility's third floor Community Room,
at 259 Lowell Street. Carolyn Taylor, Ward 6, will meet with constituents on
Sun., Feb. 6, at 2 pm, at the Field House in Nathan Tufts (Powerhouse) Park.
There may be other such meetings of which I have not been informed; if in doubt,
contact your School Committee person.
3) MEETING WITH MASS. HIGHWAY ABOUT LOWELL STREET BRIDGE
There will finally be a meeting with Mass. Highway, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, to
discuss the Lowell Street Bridge reconstruction project. It will be held at 6 pm,
the VNA Assisted Living Facility's third floor Community Room, at 259 Lowell
Street. State and local officials will also be in attendance. If you have
questions, this is a good opportunity to get answers.
4) PANCAKES, VALENTINES, ART, ON SATURDAY
A) Pancakes
It's that time of year, when the hungry groundhog in all of us comes out to look
for shadows and eat pancakes. Yes, the 9th Annual Pancake Breakfast, sponsored
by the Duhamel Education Initiative, will be held from 8:30 to 11 am, on Sat.
Feb. 5, 2005, at the First Congregational Church, 89 College Avenue (through the
side door on Francesca Ave.). The 'snow date' is February 12, same time, same
place.
The suggested donation is $5 for adults, $3 for children 10 and under; $17 per
family. You'll eat so well, you won't care how many more weeks there are until
spring!
B) Valentines and Art
From 2 to 5 pm on this same Sat., Feb. 5, there will be a Valentine-making event
at the Nave Gallery, at the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powderhouse
Boulevard. If I remember correctly, there is a $5 fee, all to benefit the
Gallery, a project of the organization ARTSomerville, and the church. (There are
monthly pancake breakfast fundraisers as well).
The current show at the gallery is "Renewed: A Transformation of Found Objects"
featuring works of local artists Martha Friend, Paul Gray, Kathy Neustadt, and
Marcella Ann Stasa. The show is on until Feb. 12; gallery hours are Thurs. 4 to
8 pm, and Saturdays, 1 to 5 pm.
For more information, check the
ARTSomerville website.
copyright 2005 Denise Provost
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