ESMS Logo
East Somerville Main Streets Newsletter February 2009 
Happy Valentine's Day from ESMS!
 
in this issue
:: Cupid Brings Three New Businesses
:: LOVE-ly Public Improvements in East Somerville
:: Valentine's Day in E.So
:: Heartbreaking New ESMS Homepage
 Join us for ESMS's 2nd Birthday Bash & Annual Meeting Annual Meeting
East Somerville Main Streets is turning two and we're throwing a party!  Join us for our 2nd birthday and our annual meeting.  We will celebrate the strides ESMS took in 2008 and  hear more about East Somerville Main Streets' plans for 2009.  

 
Keynote Speaker Ben Grossman:  Ben Grossman leads Green Marketing Solutions for the successful East Somerville based national marketing company, Grossman Marketing Group. Under Grossman's leadership, the company's innovative efforts in green marketing have been recognized by Forbes, the Boston Business Journal and the EPA, among others.  Grossman is also the author of the sustainable marketing blog

Sustainable Ink.

WHEN:  Monday, March 2nd,

7:00pm-8:30pm

WHERE: Mt. Vernon Restaurant

DETAILS:  Suggested donation of $25 -with this receive a one year membership.  Birthday Cake and Hors d'oeuvres to be served. Cash Bar.

Economy Down... But Business Abounds!
Ribbon Cutting 

  

3 New Business Openings on East Broadway

 
Amidst the woes of the Economy, East Broadway continues to grow.  This month there are three planned business openings.


Broadway Babies joins the East Somerville Community at 88 Broadway.  The new school will provide a creative curriculum and interactive play with bilingual teachers. Breakfast and afternoon snack provided daily.  Please contact the director Kelly at 617-440-7374 with any questions.

Tapatio - For all of you who lost a lot of tears in your beer when Tapatio Restaurant (a Mexican/ Salvadorian grill) closed last year due to an unfortunate fire --- dry those tears!  Tapatio is scheduled to re-open in the coming weeks in the same location - 82 Broadway.

A new variety store in town - And while you're at Tapatio, check out the new variety store next door!  Just one more reason you don't have to leave the neighborhood to pick up a few odds and ends!

East Somerville

Public Improvements


Flag Pole

 
Completed Improvements - One small flag pole, one large step for East Somerville.  The City has recently installed a flag pole at the intersection of the McGrath Highway and Broadway, a valuable and appreciated public improvement.



UPDATES FROM THE WARD 1 ResiStat Report
(issued by the City):


East Broadway Streetscape Improvements
After the rallying of the East Somerville community last year to create a new vision for the East Broadway Streetscape next steps are emerging, according to the Ward One Resistat report issued by the City:
"Much of the funding for the project comes from the state and it has not yet been secured. Design work, however, is proceeding. The City has included this project as a top priority on the list of proposed projects it submitted to state official for possible federal stimulus funding. If and when funding is secured, the Mayor and Alderman Roche will convene a community meeting to discuss design and project timeline."

Storefront Lights

Rezoning of Broadway Corridor:
"This past fall, City staff and the Board of Aldermen passed a six-month moratorium on development in sections of the Broadway corridor. The intent was to refine the zoning for the area, so that the zoning requires the kind development residents would most like to see most. The City and Ald. Roche held a public hearing on Nov. 10th to discuss community interests. Currently, an advisory committee has been convened and is compiling recommendations that will be proposed to the Board of Aldermen in March, prior to the end of the moratorium."

To join the Ward 1 Resi-Stat group and get further updates regarding City improvements in East Somerville, contact Stefanie Hirsch, SHirsch@somervillema.gov.

Around our Neck of the Woods...

Storefront Lights


Want to see your purchases bolster the Economy?  Check out the new 10% shift movement - aimed at shifting 10% of our purchases to local businesses and seeing the amazing things that can happen.

Union Square Main Streets funding back in place!
 
After having a petition signed by over 500 concerned residents, and with support from their Alderman, Union Square Main Streets was awarded their 2008 level funding back.  We are glad to see their enormous contribution to the Union Square community being recognized and supported. 

2/14 - Charles River Alleycats will hold a low cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinic in Somerville Saturday February 14, 2009 - $65 for spay/neuter surgery and rabies shot.  Call 617-244-0200 and leave a message including your name, address, telephone and the sex of your cat (male or female). Or send an email to: charlesriveralleycats_general@yahoo.com Your call will be returned within
2-3 days with more information and the location of the clinic.

Put Somerville on the National Quarter!:  Somerville has a chance to be on our national currency, and while there are no East Somerville sites (I know, what were they thinking!?) -- you can vote for three other sites to promote Somerville being in people's wallets all around the country.

Are you an East Somerville artist looking to sell your work?  ArtBeat Craft Vendor applications are now available on the Somerville Arts Council Website.  Thousands of people come to Somerville every year for this amazing festival - so take advantage of the opportunity.

HEART
East Somerville 

Say I love you
in East Somerville
on Valentine's Day
lady_and_thetramp
 


Roses for all the Ladies... 
Save yourself a trip to the florist!  The Mount Vernon is giving roses to all the ladies dining there on Valentine's. You can make reservations for Saturday by calling 617-666-3830 or by emailing mtvernonrestaurants@yahoo.com.  Also, members of their valuable E-Mail Club receive champagne, roses, and chocolates Saturday with their reservations. 14 Broadway.

Old world charm... , If it's old world charm you're seeking, Vinnie's at Night is the place.  Enjoy a wide variety of Italian specials as well as their anti-pasta bar.  Lines guaranteed so get there early.   (617) 628-1921. 76 Broadway.


AND ... Music that makes your HEART sing...
Storefront Lights

Top off your dinner with a special evening of music for Valentine's Day at Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant.  Call for more details (617) 628-9300. 147 Broadway.

 

East Somerville 2009 Mania!!

Volunteer Now

 

E. So Party

 

East Somerville Main Streets is kicking off 2009 with some fun projects to rock your socks off -- and rock out the neighborhood. 


East Somerville Cafe Recruitment Team - Ever wish you could sip a cup of coffee, while deep conversation with a friend ON EAST BROADWAY.  Dream no more, a committee of people is coming together to achieve just that.  Email info@eastsomervillemainstreets.org for more information.


East Somerville First Tuesday Throwdown Get-Togethers

Want to meet your neighbors?  Have a drink in your own 'hood? Check out some new businesses you've always wanted to see but just haven't had the chance?  On the First Tuesday of every month starting April you can do all that.  Join in the planning on Monday 2/23 from 7:00-8:00pm at 114 Broadway.


Keeping our East Somerville CLEAN -

Plans for an East Somerville Cleanup are underway!  Want to get involved in creating a cleaner East Somerville?  Join in the planning or become a leader for your residential street?  Our next meeting is Monday, 2/23, from 6:00-7:00pm at 114 Broadway. Contact cleanup@eastsomervillemainstreets.org for more information.  


Think Sullivan Square Could Use Sprucing Up? 

We're taking on having Sullivan Square be a fitting gateway for East Somerville.  From tackling trash and abandonment under the overpass to helping to clean up empty storefronts, this subcommittee will be committed to making Sullivan Square a proud emblem for East Somerville.  Contact info@eastsomervillemainstreets.org for more information.  

Fall in LOVE with the

ESMS Website


All Over Again


Computer and Roses

Under the supervision of our delightful web intern, Kalmia, ESMS has added a dozen long-stem resources (better than roses!) to our website:  www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org

On the home page: Download our 2007 Annual Report, Get a Copy of the East Somerville Historic Walking Tour --- or find more information on Rutherford Ave or the Broadway Streetscape Design.


And as promised...
EAST SOMERVILLE T-SHIRTS
are now available online...


t-shirt

Storefront Lights
Support ESMS and Buy a T-Shirt!
Become a Main Streets Member Online!

 

Your contribution supports making East Somerville a better place to live, work, and play for everyone. 

 

Click Below to...

Join online now! or Join as a Business.
Thank You For Your Support  
East Somerville Main Streets
114 Broadway, Suite 112 - Somerville, MA 02145
617.623.3869