Do some good this season

There are unlimited needy families and this is the season it usually hurts them the most. Innocent children not understanding the joy of Christmas due to some tragedy or another. Whether it be poverty, abuse, alcoholism, loss of parent(s).
There are unlimited trees in banks, BJ's, places of work, these trees are filled with children who would love to open a brand new pair of socks, or a sweater, something so simple would fill them with joy.
Help a family out this season, pick up a name off a tree. Tis the season to be giving. If you would like to help out some families, but are unsure of what I am talking about, here is a wish list for three different families.
Each of these families are receiving services from Respond Inc. a Somerville shelter for women and their children who are leaving abusive relationships. Unity Church of God is organizing/supplying these items.
To claim an item you can call the church: 617-623-1212 OR you can also pick up a wish list tag in the foyer of the church.
After purchasing items please mark them with Family number 42, 43, or 44 and drop off unwrapped gifts at the Church by December 16th.
If you live further away, but would still like to help, you can mail a check to the church. Make it out to UCG and add Respond in the Memo line. The donations will be sent to the mother's who will then be able to shop for their own gifts.

Since you may not receive a personal thank you. I will thank you. Even for taking the time to read this and understand that we may think we have it rough, but we have our homes, our happy holiday memories, and our safety.

Unity Church of God
6 Williams St.
Somerville

Soul Responsibility

It should be your soul responsibility to attend this event! Respond: New England's first domestic violence agency is hosting a night of dancing, funk and prizes.

Their organization strives to help women and their children create options for a safer life, free from domestic violence, and to further the efforts of the larger community to end domestic violence.
Koop will be starting off the evening with some funky grooves and DJ Raliegh Fingers, Selector70 and Tara Hubbard of Soul-Le-Lu-Jah , Stoodio53 and Soul Touch will be keeping the dance floor happening until they kick us out. And if that wasn't cool enough, LUPEC (Ladies United for Protection of Endangered Cocktails) will be creating custom bevies for the event.

Soul Responsibility
Friday 10/2
9:00pm
George Dilboy VFW
Summer St. (Davis Square)
$10 at the door.

Preventing Theft

Somerville Police, 311, and Somerville's website are teaming to prevent theft in the cit. How? A cool yellow sticker you get to place on your expensive electronics, AKA: WRAP.
Web based
Registry
Anti-theft
Program

The purpose of WRAP is to create a database of portable electronic devices: makes, models, serial numbers, and their owners’ details. The information collected helps identify stolen property and potentially to identify the perpetrators when stolen property is recovered by Police and pawnshops.

Signing up for WRAP requires a few steps. Registering your portable devices. Recommended: GPS, IPods, Notebooks, and Satellite Radio's. 2nd-protecting your stuff. Somerville Police have listed a few tips. Hopefully some residents are already aware of most of these helpful tips.
*Don’t store your portable electronics in the car
*If you must, secure them safely and out of sight.
*Keep windshield clear of suction cup rings that indicate the presence of electronic devices.
*Keep power cords out of sight.

Once you have registered your property, and something is stolen, file a police report immediately. You must then report your stolen property on juststolen.net
Police as well as citizens use this database to help recover stolen property.

>>WRAP Article on Somerville's website

Spare Change

Every morning as I rush down the escalator, I get a friendly hello and a wave from Harold, the Porter Square Spare Change newspaper man. In most cases, I ignore these vendors, but this guy is nice and I guess I could use a little education in what he is trying to sell, and maybe you should too.

>> Boston Behind the Scenes Podcast - Spare Change
>> Homeless Empowerment Project

Bowl-a-thon

At Saccos Bowl Haven in Davis Square. This is to assist in raising money for the Center for Cancer Support and Education.

Money donated will help support their Wellness Program, which is a one-on-one series of sessions for cancer patients, their family, and caregivers, to try a variety of wellness exercises such as guided meditation, art and music therapy, reiki, journaling, life coaching and dialogue, and creating their own "pathway to wellness" depending on what the individual needs. The Center also offers free support groups.

Teams are 5 people. Or you can call the center to be paired up with a team. The center encourages everyone to raise appx. $100-$200. Each team will be paired with a corporate sponsor that will match all donations. You can find your own, or call the Center for one.
Teams are encouraged to dress up! This is a costume bowl-a-thon! You should be creative and be thinking about your sponsor.
Free food! Redbones, JP Licks, as well as Dial a Pizza have all donated dinner. Registration fee and shoe rentals are covered by the Center. There will also be prizes and DJ's. Yes DJ's plural.

Bowl-a-thon. (I repeat COSTUME BOWL-A-THON!)
Tuesday, October 2. (TOMORROW)
SACCOS BOWL HAVEN
45 Day St. (DAVIS SQUARE)
6p-9p

>>Center for Cancer

One Dollar!

There will be a flea market in Somerville this Saturday. What makes this one different? Everything is a buck or best offer! Things include linens, silverware, clothes, picture frames, tools and more! Even if it is trash and works a week? Would it matter, it was $1! Everything must go!
All proceeds benefit Nave gallery guest curator program.

Saturday 9/22
Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church (basement)
155 Powderhouse Blvd.

>>Somerville Arts

Hurricane Katrina

The two year anniversary is approaching, and it is important to realize there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in New Orleans. Join Karl Seidman and Leigh Graham for a free presentation.

Seidman and Graham play integral roles in the strategic planning for redevelopment in New Orleans through MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning. They will discuss their work and the department’s New Orleans Rebuilding Initiative, including the status of rebuilding, challenges and deep seeded problems, and national dissemination strategies. This is a great opportunity to truly understand the damages and the work ahead to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

In order to sign up, email Amy Wheeler
TODAY! Tuesday 8/21
6:00-8:00pm
The Democracy Center
Harvard Square
45 Mt. Auburn St.

National Night Out

National Night Out Against Crime-self explanatory. What do I do about it? Write about two places. Same time, same day different activities different location.

National Night Out is a unique crime prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and Target to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Somerville first since this is my home town:
SCAP(Somerville Cares about Prevention) partners with local businesses, civic groups, local and state organizations for the fourth year for this event. Where: Foss Park. Tuesday August 7. Activities will begin at 4:00pm. Activities include: K-9 presentation(6:00pm), obstacle course, dance performances, and to end the night, a movie under the stars. (Shark Tale) Complimentary popcorn. THere will also be face painting and Child ID kits to help engage families.

Cambridge:
Again-Tuesday August 7. For the 16th year in a row, Cambridge Task Force will host there event at Rindge Field. (Adjacent to the Peabody School.) Cambridge also includes a morning addition. Morning Out will be from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Pony rides, entertainment for kids, a DJ, roaming clown, and a reptile/amphibian presentation.
Cambridge Night Out will then begin at 5:30pm and go until 8:30pm. Activities include: Basketball competition for 11-16 year olds, cookout, safety demonstrations, DJ, McGruff the Crime Dog, and again more pony rides!

Both events are free and open to the public. Both communitie ask for the public's help to prevent crime by simply leaving your outside light on at night.

>>National Night Out

Taste of Cambridge

Anyone who knows Rachel and I know how much we love to eat! So this event is a huge deal! The Taste of Cambridge is being hosted July 19th. Restaurants from all over Cambridge are gathering in Technology Square so everyone can get a bite!

The Taste of Cambridge is a celebration of the diverse restaurant scene in Cambridge. With cuisine from America to Japan to Brazil to France and everything in between, Cambridge is a melting pot- a tasty one to be sure- of culture and cuisine. This event features creative and abundant samples of food, beer and wine from the wonderful restaurants found around the city, enhanced by a beautiful outdoor setting, live music and a great crowd.

Tickets are $50 if you purchase them in advance. $60 at the door. VIP Tickets can be purchased online for $75. They will also be sold at the door for $75. The difference in price?
VIP: Let into event 30minutes early and unlimited beverages and trips to all restaurants.
General: Open at 5:30, Punch card for each restaurant and tickets for 4 beverages.
I know what you're thinking. This is a lot of money for two hours. Did you know the tickets are tax deductible and ALL PROCEEDS go to 4 deserving charities.
*Cambridge Prevention Coalition
*Cambridge safeRIDE Program
*Cambridge Collaborative
*North Charles Inc.

Thursday July 19th
Technology Square
Rain Date: July26.

>>Participants
>>Taste of Cambridge

Walk/Ride Day

Friday June 29th is walk/ride to work day. Leave your car at home and head to work energy saving style. Unfortunately for me, I have yet to train on the bicycle to ride 80 miles. But FORTUNATELY, i took Friday off :) Maybe i will take the T to the beach!
Seriously guys, this is serious. For those of you that have the option of riding the T, biking it, or hiking it, there are incentives. Remember: Go green the last Friday of every month.

GO GREEN AND WEAR GREEN on Walk/Ride Days (if not every day!), and take a green tour of the area!!! Join your green-going friends, as you enjoy free hand-dipped chocolate truffles and 1/2 scoops of ice cream and stock up on hand-made refrigerator magnets (do you know which businesses offer these?), enter raffles, get discounts!

Enter online Raffle

>>Incentives, Coupons and more info

Legacy of Taste

Cheap, a good cause, and a nice view!

Meals on Wheels in Boston invites you and a guest to attend the Legacy of Taste private wine tasting event. The event is $5 per person payable at the door with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Meals on Wheels programs in Boston.
The Legacy of Taste will be led by Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Doug Frost – one of only three people in the world to have achieved both of these remarkable distinctions.

5/16, 5/17 and 5/18
6:30p or 8:30p
Top of the Hub’s Skywalk (50th floor of the Prudential Building)
$5 per person
Space is limited RSVP now!
1-866-780-2011
Must be 21 with valid ID.

>>Legacy of Taste

Spring Cleaning

Who makes it spring cleaning. Do people hoard more during the winter? Is it because you can finally open your windows? I am so curious why spring cleaning? Anyway, it is a little refreshing to spend the day kicking your house's ass. It just feels good after. Then I always make plans to attack something else, but i never seem to make it past that one day. If you have motivation and like to help the keep our world clean (who is going to say no to that) here are a few outdoor clean-ups.

MYSTIC RIVER CLEAN-UP. 9:30a-2p
Collect trash and debris from the riverbanks. Pokers, gloves, bags, and refreshments will all be available. Check in at the parking lot next to the Condon band shell on Route 16.
For information, call 781-391-2604

FOSS PARK CLEAN-UP. 10a-3p
If possible, bring gloves, rakes and gardening tools; flowers, trash bags, pick-up sticks and painting supplies will be provided. Email for more info.
Meet at the ramp to the Latta Brothers Pool House

CLEAN-UP FROM EARTH DAY: PARK SERVE DAY. 10a-1p
Meet at kiosk at the intersection of Boston Avenue and the Mystic Valley Parkway. Ages 8-up are welcome. Sponsored by the Friends of Alewife Reservation, the city of Cambridge, and the Somerville Dog Owners Group.

Wear on Earth

When I think of clothes that are helping the planet-I think of a very funny King of Queens episode I watched last night. Carrie wears a very not nice green dress made completely of non processed hemp. It was large, bulky, scratchy, and just gross looking.
4march has made these pretty and conscientious.

4march is a Cambridge-based luxury women's wear design firm, uniting the talents of Amy Özay and Melissa Villa. Fusing style with global consciousness, 4march is a high-purpose clothing line dedicated to social responsibility. It is the designers' hope to challenge mainstream fashion design, seeking to create timeless clothing that abandons trend and finds its inspiration in various natural, cultural and artistic forms.

Celebrate Earth. Tomorrow night. "Wear on Earth" A celebration of music, fashion and art. A collaboration of 4march, Pyara Spa and Salon, OM Restaurant, and Aveda.
Featuring music, a fashion show as well as a silent auction. All proceeds will go to CRWA to support their efforts to preserve and protect the Charles River Watershed.

Tickets are $100. Can be purchased by email
or call: 617-497-4036

OM Restaurant
Harvard Square
4/18 7:00pm

>>4march spring/summer line

What are YOU doing to fight climate change?

Fighting global warming is the new black. Have you noticed the influx of media coverage on the topic and increased awareness of ways to help? You go Al Gore! If you are looking for more ways to spread the word there is going to be a Step it Up Somerville rally in Davis on April 14th.

The Step It Up Somerville climate rally will be one of more than a thousand actions taking place across the country on Saturday April 14th. The rally will take place in Davis Square from 11:00am to 1:00pm. (With an aerial photo at Noon).

Step It Up Somerville will be emceed by comedian Jimmy Tingle. State Senators Jarrett Barrios and Patricia Jehlen will speak, as will Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Somerville U.C.C. Reverend Kerrie Harthan.

Set It Up Somerville
Davis Square, Somerville
April 14th 11am - 1pm

>> Step It Up Somerville
>> 10 things to do

Belle of the ball

You would think I would write something to do on St. Patrick's Day. Nope-sorry, I don' treally have that much interest. Yeah, I like to drink beer as much as the next gal, but it has never been one of my fav's. Anywho on to what I do enjoy :)
Prom season is coming! Can you believe it! No, I am not inviting you to my prom that was 9 years ago, although in secret I wish I could go back and do it again. I heart dancing. I digress- Prom-someone else's. Did you know the average girl spends appx. $650 on prom? That is ridiculous! Jordan's Furniture and Anton's Cleaners are pairing up to make it possible for as many girls to make it to their prom. Have an extra dress or two lying around the house? You can drop it off at any Anton's or Jordan's Furniture store.

The dresses can be any size, but must be free of damage, only “gently worn” and cannot be more than 3 to 4 years old. The prom dresses are collected and dry-cleaned free of charge by Anton’s, and on April 28, a “boutique” will be held at Simmons College in Boston where girls can “shop” for free dresses.

Somerville Residents can drop their dresses off at:
Anton's Cleaners
723 Somerville Ave.
Dresses will be accepted until April 15th.

>> Help a girl get a prom dress
>>Jordan's Belle of the Ball

Children's Haircutting fundraiser

Spring is just about on us and that means time to rid those locks of love that have been keeping our necks warm for the winter. Here's the catch-it is for kids 7 and under. There is a fundraiser at the Somerville Boys and Girls Club on Wednesday. Children can get their hair cut for $5 by Lauren Sciaratta and then enjoy the playspace for free!
All proceeds benefit the Somerville Children's Network.

Somerville Boys and Girls Club
181 Washington St.
Wed. March 14.
9a-10:30a.

>>Boys and Girls Club

Donating gloves

Kids softball teams are being formed. Kindergarten through fifth graders-whether it is to get out some energy, make some new friends, or stick with a hobby they love. Here's the downside. They need gloves. If you have any spare gloves floating around your house please email: bgibson@cpsd.us

BBQ and Coloring for a Cause

If you have ever been downstairs at Redbones you have noticed the colorful artwork of Rob Logan. Logan and Redbones have teamed up to host a group of events in which you can create your own art cards (learn more about artist trading cards), enjoy some redbones, sip a beer, hang with the kids (if you have em, if not bring someone elses) all to raise money for the Redbones Art in Somerville Fund.

Logan has created art card workshops for kids and he's bringing them to Redbones in a series of events for all ages. "The drawing facilitates creative thinking and trading them is all about communication," says Logan who launched his Art Cards workshops in Lewiston, ME to great acclaim. No skills necessary - just come for the fun!

All events are fund raisers for Redbones Art in Somerville Fund, a partnership of Redbones and the Somerville Arts Council.

Sunday, Jan 28 & Monday, Feb 19
noon - 6 pm
$10.00 admission buys 18 Art Card Templates/2 full cards, a Redbones sandwich and lemonade.

Monday evenings - Feb 5, Mar 5 & Mar 19
6 - 10 pm
$10.00 includes 18 Art Card Templates/2 full cards and an appetizer.

>> Art Cards @ Redbones

On Ice at Charles Hotel

It's a great date idea if you have the cash. Classy snacks, cocktails, ice skating and benifits go to the The Greater Boston Food Bank.

Please join the Kitchen Cabinet on Thursday, January 18, 2007 from 6 to 9 pm, for On ice at the Charles Hotel. The Kitchen Cabinet is a group of socially-conscious professionals dedicated to raising funds and hunger awareness on behalf of the Food Bank. Guests will be treated to classic cocktails fine food and an evening of ice skating.

Thursday, January 18, 2007
6-9 pm
$75 / ticket ($50 is tax deductable)

Charles Hotel
One Bennett Street
Cambridge

>> On Ice - Greater Boston Food Bank

It's never too late!

The holiday's are a very crazy time-and I have brought this up so many times here, but I am not done! For those of you that are sad you forgot to send out holiday cards-don't wait until next year! Project Bread is offering Happy New Year Cards for those of us that enjoy procrastinating.

By sending Project Bread new year cards, you will be helping hungry children and families in Massachusetts. All of the 5 x 7 cards are printed in Massachusetts on high-quality recycled paper using soy inks.

So it's not too late to send someone a quick note, or a message of hope.

>>Project Bread Cards