New Welcome 2007-1-22

2008-07-01T12:33:32Z

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To contact Alderman Gewirtz click here: info@rebekahgewirtz.org or click on the "Contact Rebekah" button for other options.

Summer 2008 Newsletter

Click here or scroll down for the previous month's newsletter.

Dear Friends and Supporters,
First I'd like to thank you for making my birthday party fundraiser on June 15th a great success. Your support really means a lot to me so thank you!!
This summer is going to be pretty exciting in Somerville. In this newsletter you will find a city update with meetings and upcoming events in addition to a political update with campaigns I'd urge you to support. We'll start with the political updates and then you should scroll down for great events happening throughout June and July. There may be another e-newsletter in August with activities happening then and into the early fall.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to others you think would find it useful or interesting. If you would like to unsubscribe you can click on the link below or send an email to me at rebekah@rcn.com with the subject line: remove.
I hope to see you soon and please feel free to send me events or information you'd like included in future e-newsletters.
Best wishes,
Rebekah
Ward 6 Fun Fact
Art Beat is coming to Davis Square on July 18 and 19th. This year's theme is GREEN.
Each year for two days in July, Davis Square becomes a huge festival of arts and entertainment. Isn't Davis always like this you ask? Well yes, but during Art Beat artists have booths throughout the square, there is no vehicle traffic, and there are concerts and shows in Seven Hills Park and Davis Square Plaza. The Somerville Arts Council always does a terrific job planning the festival. Last year's event brought hundreds and hundreds of people to Davis Square. To learn more about previous festivals and about the Green Theme of this year's Art Beat click here.
1. Political News
In this section I want to share with you my endorsements of Carl Sciortino for re-election as state representative, Barack Obama for president, and urge you to get involved in the Votenoma.org campaign to oppose the ballot initiative to repeal the state income tax in Massachusetts. If you have any questions about this section or my thoughts on these races please feel free to be in touch! Rebekah@rcn.com or 617-718-0792.
Re-Elect Carl Sciortino State Representative
Carl Sciortino has represented parts of Somerville and Medford for the past 4 years. He was elected in an historic victory in 2004 and ran on a platform of increased funding for our schools, smart transportation like extension of the green line, and marriage equality for all. Since Carl's been in office he has delivered on each of these promises. I have had the privilege of working with him both as Ward 6 Alderman and in my other job at the National Association of Social Workers. When we worked to raise the minimum wage in 2006 Carl was a leader in the fight; working to close coporate tax loopholes over the past two years, Carl has been the go-to state representative organizing his colleagues in the House to get the most progressive bill possible; and when gay marriage was in jeopardy Carl was at the State House leading the fight to preserve marriage rights for everyone. In addition, since he's been in office local aide has increased to Somerville each year and he is widely acknowledged for his hard work and personal dedication to his constituents. This fall, Carl faces a tough challenge in his bid for re-election. I urge you to support Carl by volunteering on his campaign, donating to his campaign, and if you live in Ward 7, parts of Ward 4 or Medford, voting for him on September 16th. This year it will be a sticker campaign, which will require even more work than ordinarily so please get involved!
Barack Obama for President
I know many people in Somerville support Barack Obama and I'm confident he will win Somerville and Massachusetts as a whole in November but I'd still urge you to get involved in his campaign www.barackobama.com.
There is a Somerville group forming now. For more information contact Ade Baptiste at adebap@gmail.com.
Oppose eliminating the state income tax: Votenoma.org
To learn more about this campaign and what you can do to get involved go to Votenoma.org where you will find detailed information.
2. Upcoming Meetings and Community Events
Davis Square Task Force Meeting, Monday June 30th 7-9pm, Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St.
The Davis Square Task Force has been meeting since the mid 1980s. The group discusses development issues in and around Davis Square and weighs in on new projects and talks about events and issues going on in the area. Task Force meetings are open to the public. Click here to see the agenda and a discussion about the upcoming meeting on Monday night.
SomerMovie Fest happening all summer long!
The 2008 SomerMovie Fest starts soon! The fest is organized by the City of Somerville's Communications Department and Kick*SS Cupcakes will also be a sponsor of this year's series. Movies will be shown outdoors on Thursday evenings beginning at dusk starting at approximately 8pm in Seven Hills Park in Davis Square, Prospect Hill Park, Foss Park, and Hodgkins Park. In the event of rain, movie screenings will be canceled.
The full schedule for the summer is as follows:
July 10 The Lost Boys Seven Hills Park
July 17 Mean Girls Seven Hills Park
July 24 Bee Movie Seven Hills Park
July 31 Citizen Kane Seven Hills Park
August 7 Spiderman 3 Conway Park
August 14 Hairspray Foss Park
August 21 We Are Marshall Prospect Hill Park
August 28 Enchanted Hodgkins Park
September 4 Viewer's Choice Seven Hills Park
During each screening, audience members may vote for one of four films to be selected for the Viewer's Choice showing, on Thursday, September 4th. Additionally, residents may cast their vote on the city's website www.somervillema.gov, beginning Thursday, July 10th. This year's Viewer's Choice selections are: Finding Nemo, Notorious!, The Bourne Identity, and Finding Neverland.
Davis Square Farmer's Market
Become a Friend of the Davis Square Farmers Market
The Davis Square Farmer's Market starts each year at the end of May and lasts throughout the summer. The Farmer's Market happens on Wednesdays 12pm-6pm on the corner of Day and Herbert St. If you live, work, or shop in Davis Square, you can become a Friend of the Davis Square Farmers Market! A Friends Group has formed, which is a grassroots collection of private citizens providing advice and volunteer/financial support to their local Farmers Market. Friends will provide advocacy, promotion, and supplemental funds to make the market a local treasure. You can be a Friend of Davis in many ways, even if you don't have the time for a big commitment. So even if you'd just like to be on the e-mail list, please contact Karen Turner at 617-599-8509.
4. Davis Square Visioning, Capital Improvements, Somerville Local First
Davis Square Visioning
If you're interested in the future of Davis Square and want to be part of a visioning process, please contact Vanessa Rule at beckrule@rcn.com. Vanessa has convened a group of interested residents to come together to talk about what the future of the square could look like. A Google group has been set up for discussion, as well.
Capital Improvements
In the upcoming capital budget there may be funds to finance a study determining the best ways to improve Davis Square and to keep it up to date. I have been concerned that the square is starting to show it's age and this study will help us figure out the best approach to infrastructure improvements going forward. The capital plan hasn't yet been approved by the Board of Aldermen but working with Mayor Curtatone, I will advocate for this funding.
Somerville Local First
You may have heard about this new exciting initiative. There was a kick off last month and Joe Grafton, the Executive Director has been all around the city organizing local businesses to get involved. If you own or support a local business in the area and would like to get involved, please contact Joe at somervillelocalfirst@gmail.com.
Take the Somerville Solar Challenge!
Somerville Climate Action and the City of Somerville have signed on to the "Somerville Solar Challenge" campaign
This is how it works:
- If 150 businesses and/or residents donate $5/month or make a one-time $100 contribution to the New England Wind Fund, the city will receive a free 2KW solar array from the state to put on a Somerville public school.
- Every dollar donated is matched TWICE by the state: 1) to the city for renewable energy projects in Somerville, and 2) to a low-income community fund available to all Mass. communities for renewable projects.
So your contribution will go a long way to:
1) Help Somerville be a model community on climate-change;
2) Help transition Massachusetts from fossil fuels to renewables for its source of energy;
3) Show the community and the Greater Boston area that the Somerville business community supports environmentally-friendly practices;
4) Educate children and their parents about solar power;
5) Help low-income communities get their fair share of clean power;
6) Decrease Somerville's greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our contribution to global warming;
For more information click here or contact Vanessa Rule at beckrule@rcn.com.

Do you have an event or issue you’d like me to discuss or advertise in my e-newsletter? If so, let me know! Send an email to me at rebekah@rcn.com or call 617-718-0792.

May 2008 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters,
There is a lot going on in and around Ward 6 that I thought you'd like to know about. In this e-newsletter you will find information about events, happenings, and upcoming meetings that may be of interest to you.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to others you think would find it useful or interesting. If you would like to unsubscribe you can click on the link below or send an email to me at rebekah@rcn.com with the subject line: remove.
I hope to see you soon and please feel free to forward me events or information you'd like me to include in future e-newsletters.
Best wishes!
Rebekah
Ward 6 Fun Fact
Davis Square T Art Panels Ribbon Cutting is coming up on May 6th at 10:30am inside the T station.
Since February 2006, I have been working with the Mayor's Office, the Somerville Arts Council, Tufts, and the MBTA to place new art panels on the platform of the Davis Square T Station. After a Call to Artists last summer and receiving over 200 submissions from Somerville and Tufts artists, we juried the work and selected 9 winners. The art has been fabricated on 4' by 4' panels and will replace many of the panels that are unrepresentative of the community. The panels will not impact the Children's tiles on the turnstyle level of the station - these porcelain panels are on the platform level. All are welcome to attend the ribbon cutting!
1. Upcoming Neighborhood and Community Events
Somerville Local First Launch Party, Thursday May 1st at Johnny D's in Davis Square -- 7:45 appetizers, 8:30pm program begins
Join founders of Local First for a night of celebration, energy and education as the group embarks on a journey to support a vibrant local economy and a sustainable community. Appetizers will be served at 7:45 PM with a launch ceremony starting at 8:30 PM. Speakers include the Somerville Office of Economic Development, Ben Saren CEO of Citysquares.com, Steve D'Agostino, Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston and MC for the night will be Joe Grafton, Executive Director of Somerville Local First.
After the ceremony, stay for some great live music, featuring DJ of the Year, DJBC. This event is free to all and we will have a suggested donation table for those so inclined. If you are a local business owner, a Somerville resident or someone who values community, this is an event you should not miss.
Somerville Spring Clean Up, Saturday May 3rd 10am-12pm meet in Davis Square Plaza (Statue Park by JP Licks)
Ward Six School Committee Member Paul Bockelman and I are coordinating the cleanup efforts in Ward 6 -- that's the area around Davis Square, Powderhouse Circle, Ball Square, and Elm St toward Porter Square. The cleanup mobilizes hundreds of neighbors to rake, sweep, and pick up trash in our neighborhood. The city provides all the equipment and refreshments. Bring your friends and family and spend 20 minutes or two hours helping out.
You can help in two ways:
First, let us know if there are areas that need to be cleaned up. Do you walk past an area every day and bemoan the trash you see? Is there a fence that always seems to collect trash? Let us know! Email Paul at pbockelman@aol.com or me at rebekah@rcn.com and we will put it on the list as a place to send a crew on clean up day! In the past, we have concentrated our efforts on the bike path, Powderhouse Park, the Brown School, and Statue Park in Davis Square. What are we missing?
Second, show up on May 3rd. Bring garden gloves or garden tools if you have them. We will have cotton gloves, rakes, brooms, and trash bags. Following the cleanup, there will be a giant barbecue for everyone in the city who helped out.
Somerville Open Studios Saturday and Sunday May 3rd and 4th, 12-6pm at studio, house, and apartment spaces throughout Somerville
Somerville Open Studios (SOS) is a non-profit organization formed to produce an annual open studio and related events in Somerville. Through its programming, SOS gives access to the work of visual artists living and working in the city of Somerville. The goal is to broaden the public's exposure to, and appreciation of, finished works of art as well as the art-making process. This exposure both educates the community and raises awareness of the diverse artistic experience available in Somerville. For more information on this year's Open Studios, check out: http://www.somervilleopenstudios.org.
Davis Square Budget Priorities ResiStat Meeting, Monday May 12th at 7pm, Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St Senior Center, 2nd Floor
Here is the announcement:
Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone and Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz invite Davis Square area residents to a neighborhood budget priorities meeting on Monday, May 12. Residents will have the opportunity to learn how the City's budget process works, and to list and vote on their priorities for the upcoming budget year. The meeting is open to the public, though the discussion will focus on issues specific to the neighborhoods surrounding Davis Square.
This meeting is part of the ResiStat program, which is a city project focusing on increasing communication between residents and City officials to address local issues of concern. For more information, go to: http://www.somervillema.gov/section.cfm?org=somstat&page=1016.
Davis Area Crime Watch Meeting Wednesday May 14th at 6:30pm, Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St Senior Center, 2nd Floor
There have been reports of car and home break-ins particularly in the Irving St, Wallace St, and Chandler St neighborhoods. The Chief of Police and other members of the police force will join us at this meeting and it's open to anyone living in the area who is interested in attending. For more information, feel free to be in touch with me at rebekah@rcn.com or 617-718-0792.
Davis Square Traffic Study Group presentation to Public Health and Public Safety Committee and Traffic and Parking Committee April 7, 2008, 7pm, Tufts Administration Building 167 Holland St.
Last summer and into the fall a group of committed citizens met together to work on developing a plan to curb traffic and speeding problems in and around the Davis neighborhood. After months of deliberation and a community event on Willow Ave to solicit input from neighbors our group came up with recommendations: willave.blogspot.com.
Davis Area Resident Business Initiative (DARBI) meets on the second Tuesdays of the month
DARBI advocates for the interests of residents and businesses and is a forum for the two groups to work together on proactively promoting and advancing Davis Square. DARBI has sub-committees on beautification of the square, greening of Davis, website, and maps and brochures. The group is open to anyone who wishes to join. The group also just produced a wonderful map of the Davis Square area with business and other loactions highlighted. Maps are now in many stores throughout Davis. For more information on DARBI and to learn how to get involved check out the website at www.yourdavissquare.com.

2. Upcoming Board of Aldermen Meetings
Legislative Matters Committee meeting, Wednesday, April 30th, 7pm City Hall: Focus on Historic Preservation and the proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Legislative Matters Committee meeting, Tuesday, May 6, 7pm City Hall: Focus on the Responsible Employer Ordinance
Housing and Community Development, Wednesday May 7, 6pm City Hall
Parks and Open Space Committee Meeting, Wednesday,May 7, 7pm City Hall
Legislative Matters Committee meeting, Tuesday, May 13, 7pm City Hall: Focus on the proposed Plastic Bag Ordinance

3. Announcements
Support the Somerville Homeless Coalition while Receiving Bodywork
Amethyst Center, a holistic health center in the heart of Davis Square, raises funds for the Somerville Homeless Coalition at their seasonal open house on Saturday, May 10th, from 1-5 pm. Receive mini-sessions of acupuncture, massage, reiki, energy work or naturopathic health consultations in exchange for a donation to the SHC.
A suggested donation of $10 will earn you a session lasting approximately 15 minutes. Explore the services offered by the different practitioners at Amethyst Center and support a vital, local organization at the same time. Call in advance to schedule your session(s) or drop by the day of the fundraiser.
Amethyst Center, 259 Elm Street, 3rd Floor (by the big clock on the street). Call Patty Adelsberger at 617-591-9200 for details or email padelsberger@gmail.com.
The Somerville Library will have a Book Sale on the following dates:
Friday, May 9th, 4:00-6:00 pm (preview sale for members $50.00 and higher -- may pay the $50.00 at the door)
Saturday, May 10th, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday, May 11, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
For more information about the Somerville Library Book Sale, please be in touch with board member, Linda Bohan at LBohan@bellatlantic.net.
Become a Friend of the Davis Square Farmers Market
If you live, work, or shop in Davis Square, you can become a Friend of the Davis Square Farmers Market! A Friends Group is a collection of private citizens who form a grassroots group that provides advice and volunteer/financial support to their local Farmers Market. Friends will provide advocacy, promotion, and supplemental funds to make the market a local treasure. You can be a Friend of Davis in many ways, even if you don't have the time for a big commitment. So even if you'd just like to be on the e-mail list, please contact Karen Turner at 617-599-8509.

Take the Somerville Solar Challenge!
Somerville Climate Action and the City of Somerville have signed on to the "Somerville Solar Challenge" campaign.
This is how it works:
- If 150 businesses and/or residents donate $5/month or make a one-time $100 contribution to the New England Wind Fund, the city will receive a free 2KW solar array from the state to put on a Somerville public school.
- Every dollar donated is matched TWICE by the state: 1) to the city for renewable energy projects in Somerville, and 2) to a low-income community fund available to all Mass. communities for renewable projects.
So your contribution will go a long way to:
1) Help Somerville be a model community on climate-change;
2) Help transition Massachusetts from fossil fuels to renewables for its source of energy;
3) Show the community and the Greater Boston area that the Somerville business community supports environmentally-friendly practices;
4) Educate children and their parents about solar power;
5) Help low-income communities get their fair share of clean power;
6) Decrease Somerville's greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our contribution to global warming;
For more information click here http://groups.google.com/group/somervilleclimateaction or contact Vanessa Rule at beckrule@rcn.com

Do you have an event or issue you’d like me to discuss or advertise in my e-newsletter? If so, let me know! Send an email to me at rebekah@rcn.com or call 617-718-0792.

Rebekah Gewirtz - Ward 6 Alderman, Somerville

Recent E-Newsletters

New Welcome 2007-1-22