Project MUM

Project MUM (Meet under McGrath) is Somerville's unique way of fund raising.

Project MUM, a unique and unforgettable open-air dance party, could only take place in Somerville, a city known for its innovative use of art space. A fundraiser for the arts in Somerville, MUM is free and open to the public (with a $10 suggested donation fee.) Proceeds will benefit ARTSomerville, the Somerville Arts Council, Mudflat Pottery Studio and Somerville Community Access Television.
This year's event pays tribute to the glorious 1970s and features four hours of music spun by DJs Flack, Axel Foley and Pace, with lighting (and mirror ball) by Todd Sargent/VDA Productions that provide the perfect backdrop for your fabulous dance moves. Eye-popping video and light sculptures will include a psychedelic slideshow flashback featuring your own* authentic 70s photos. Special guest video artist jackbackrack.

To get into it even more, take some shots of you and your friends in your 70's outfits and send them in. They will be put on display during the show! Email digital images at least 4”x6” 300 dpi to: info@artsomerville.org

Project MUM
August 18th
9:00pm-1:00am
McGrath Highway
Washington St. & McGrath Highway

>>ARTSomerville
>>Jackbackrack
>>Somerville Arts Council

Harvard Square Market

If there is one thing Harvard Square is missing it is a grocery store. That should change by this fall. Luckily, not a chain, but an independent grocer will open its doors on the corner of Church St. and Brattle.

The new tenant, Connecticut grocer Peter Whang, said he’s looking forward to moving into his new store, called market in the Square, even if it means snubbing another Ivy League school to the south. For years, Whang has owned two groceries minutes from the Yale University campus in New Haven. Earlier this year, Whang sold both stores to be able to move to Cambridge.

I have lived on both sides of Harvard and I prefer the Watertown (Well technically Cambridge) Shaws as opposed to the Porter Square. But nothing compares to the prices of Market Basket. No better people watching either :) Maybe this independent market will bring some competition.

Yelp bowling

Anyone know of Yelp? A pretty interesting site full of reviews by regular people. Or as they put it "Real reviews, real people." They are starting a yelp bowling league. If you are registered (it's free) they will be bowling at Lanes and Games on Thursday's. I am pretty sure they are going to try to make this a regular event. They are starting it out on Thursday August 16.

If you are not interested in bowling, you should check out Yelp.com anyway. It is a pretty exciting site, and they have recently added an events section, which is where you will find more info about their bowling league.

Thursday's 9:00pm

Lanes and Games

195 Concord Tpk

Cambridge MA. (Right near Alewife)

Scary Poppins

Growing up, this was one of my all time favorite movies. Julie Andrews was practically perfect in every way! When I went for interviews I sang "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, medicine go dooooooooowwwnn." No I didn't, but wouldn't you just laugh so hard if I did. :)
Kidstock Creative Theatre will be at the Central Library to host the interactive show. Now I have no clue how close this is to one of my top ten favorite movies/musicals, but it seems like it could be close. Kids grades K-6 will enjoy this most.

Wednesday 8/15. 2:00pm
Central Library
Somerville

Healthy food/Movie

Community Growing Center is hosting a food/film potluck. Bring a dish with a list of ingredients. Focus on the food, and then enjoy a movie. King Corn. Here is a plot summary by Sustainable Table.

King Corn is a humorous and touching documentary about two best friends who decide to move to Iowa to grow an acre of corn – after finding out (through laboratory hair analysis) that their bodies were made primarily out of….corn. But this is not your typical buddy picture. While it does trace a year in the life of two friends, the film is really about the history of corn in modern America and the filmmakers’ relationship with the crop they’ve decided to grow.
After the somewhat shocking discovery about their bodily composition, Ian Chaney and Curt Ellis move to a small county in Iowa (where, coincidentally, both had farmer great-grandfathers) in order to find out how they (and most other Americans) ended up made out of corn. The two friends convince an Iowa farmer to lend them an acre of land to plant their corn crop. They purchase genetically modified corn for planting, and with the help of their neighbors, some heavy machinery, and lots of chemical fertilizers and herbicides, they end up growing a bumper crop of corn. But as Ian and Curt show us – this isn’t your sweet summer corn-on-the-cob we’re talking about – it’s corn bred specifically for industrial applications. The two friends decide to find out what happens to the corn they’ve grown after it leaves the grain elevator – and find that tracing their crop is easier said than done. Ultimately, however, they come to the conclusion that their corn is likely destined for one of two American industries: animal feed or corn syrup

Wednesday August 15. 6:00pm
Community Growing Center
22 Vinal Ave.
Somerville

New Noodles

Wagamama, a chain of noodle bars, is opening in Harvard Square today, Aug 13th.

Some interesting info about Wagamama from wikipedia:

Wagamama has a number of features that set them apart from other restaurants. These include:

• Orders are taken via PDAs, and wirelessly networked to the kitchen, so that as soon as an order is taken it can begin to be prepared.
• Food is delivered to the table as soon as it is ready, they sell sides instead of starters and these and the main courses can arrive in any order.
• Customers sit on either side of large tables—one table-set can seat up to 20 people.
• All restaurants are non-smoking, by Law in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland and recently England.
• Green tea is supplied free on request.
• Reservations are not taken; all customers are seated on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Wagamama merchandise can be bought in the restaurant, including a cookbook, dishes and cutlery.

>> Wagamama

WWW-TONIGHT!

World Women's Wrestling at the Good Time Emporium tonight! 8/12. Apparently Good Time Emporium is the place to be for wrestling fans with this AND the MWF 2 weeks ago. If Rachel lives up to all her smack talking, Tanya Lee is going down!
WWW champion Tanya Lee defends her title against Lexxus, the Diva Killaz Reunite, Rachel Donovan (jk, jk), and more!
Tickets $16, $12 for kids under 12 or students with an ID.

August 12 7:00pm
Good Time Emporium
30 Assembly Square Dr.
Somerville.

Recraft an Eco-Friendly Craft Fair

Mark your calendars for this environmentally friendly craft fair. Spend the afternoon checking out vendors, enjoying live music, and get this, decorating your very own reuseable grocery bag! If you got the skills you can hit up the free style crafting activity, what can you do with a pile of random stuff?

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE...RECRAFT!
An eco-friendly craft fair brought you by Magpie
and the Somerville Arts Council.

Saturday August 18 (rain date 8.19)
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Union Square’s Central Plaza
Union Square, Somerville

>> REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE...RECRAFT!

Somerville drivers

This is a rarity. I am about to rant about Somerville for a second. I know this blog is about activities, but this concerns the well being of all Somerville citizens. Cambridge too, since I live literally right on the line. OK, so, I know you have all seen this. Anyone who has ever been on a road with a traffic light has seen this, or even looked out your window at a traffic light. The super left on red move. Now, I am not talking left on red onto a one way so it is kinda like a right on red. No-cross through a busy intersection, probably because you are stupid, left on red. Somerville drivers-why is this OK!?!? I have seen this too many times to count in the last four years, and it only seems to happen in Somerville. Particularly at the Somerville/Beacon intersection lights. Anyone else notice this? As I said, if you are denying it, you are probably one that has done it. I think I am done ranting, but i beg of you, for the children! Know the left on red is not Ok, it will NEVER be ok. And people behind you laugh, some may wish bad things on you, others will curse up a storm. But they all think the same thing. "IDIOT!"

Home Movie Day

Got some tasty films you have been working on using that second hand camcorder, no not the ones that happen behind closed doors, the other ones. Maybe a little artsy, maybe a little cheesy, who knows how you like to do it, but now there is an event to salute you. Home Movie Day!

What Is Home Movie Day?
Home Movie Day is a celebration of amateur films and film making held annually on the second Saturday in August at many local venues worldwide.

Home Movie Day events provide the opportunity for individuals and families to see and share their own home movies with an audience of their community, and to see their neighbors' in turn. It's a chance to discover why to care about these films and to learn how best to care for them.

Saturday, August 11
12:00pm - 4:00pm

Harvard Film Archive
24 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA
(617) 495-4700

>> Home Move Day

Somerville Mural

There will be a community meeting held by Mayor Joe Curtatone, Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan, and Save Our Somerville (a non-profit group whose goal is to provide a voice for those who feel they have no voice.) in attempt to gather Somerville's thoughts. There is to be a new mural painted at Lexington Park and they want your input.
Tuesday August 14.
7:00pm
Visiting Nurses Association.
3rd floor Community Room
259 Lowell St.
Somerville
For more information please contact Carlene Campbell at (617)-625-6600 x3303.

Same Sex America Art Exhibit

On 9.6 the Same Sex America Art exhibit opens in the Porter Exchange Gallery. Get a chance to meet the artists and enjoy free wine. The exhibit will include the award winning Same Sex America documentary and photographs from Amber Davis Tourlentes.

Thursday, September 6
6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Art Institute of Boston Gallery at University Hall
Porter Exchange Building
1815 Mass Ave
Cambridge, MA

>> Same Sex America Exhibit Opening and Wine Reception

yumm blueberries...

Cambridge Common is holding a blueberry beer dinner on August 9th. If this wasn't 35 bucks or I wasn't cheap, I would be all about this. Not only are blueberry beers delicious, they are going to have chilled blueberry soup, which is freaking delicious. If you are a fan of that berry that is blue, check you might want to check it out.

Thursday, August 9th
$35 (excluding tax & gratuity)

Cambridge Common
1667 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

>> Blueberry Beer Dinner

Mardi Gras in Cambridge!

Close! The Cambridge Carnival International is hosting the Taste of Cambridge Carnival on Sunday August 12.

A kick-off fundraising event to support the 15th year of Cambridge Carnival International a Caribbean and Mardis Gras style festival in Cambridge. This event will feature a cultural presentation from a historical and social perspective of Cambridge Carnival.

Steel pan presentation, drumming, folkloric, dancing, and educational exhibits.
Tickets are $10. $5 for children. (Includes refreshments.) People are encouraged to buy advance tickets due to limited seating. Call 617-492-2518.

Broad Institute
7 Cambridge Center
Kendall Square.
Free Sunday Parking in the MIT lot across the street.
Sunday, August 12th.
3:00p-7:00p

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

MWF Soul Survivor IV.

I am sure most of you read how much Rachel loved Good Times. She went on and on about the place. I wonder what she will think about this event then!
MWF Soul Survivor IV at Good Time Emporium. Tickets range from $16 to $30. Event includes:Live Wrestling, VIP Q&A, Autographs, Photo's and Fanfest. (?)
Wrestlers include: Iron Sheik, Road Dogg, Joey Mercury, and Alex Shelley.
I don't know much about wrestling, but I guess this is a big deal. My question is, where is this going to happen. Is there a place in Good Time for this event. Obviously the answer is yes, i just don't know where.

VIP-6p Bell time 8p.
Good Time EMporium
30 Assembly Square Dr.
Somerville MA.

>>MWP

Mystery Customers

The city of Somerville is focusing on customer service and is seeking volunteers to help them do so. If you become a mystery shopper, you will evaluate your transaction with various city offices and then provide valuable feedback and customer service suggestions. Read Instructions carefully. After you have done so, you can take the quiz. If you have done well, they will contact you via email to sign you up.

The first 25 people to review 5 offices will get a Somerville T-shirt. Also, all "customers" will be invited to a reception to review all transactions and discuss results of the new program. Wow, I am there for the T-shirt!



>>If the above links do not work, click here. Somerville's customer page. You will be able to get the quiz and instructions there.

Free Ice Cream in Davis - TONIGHT

I wrote about the RCN free ice cream truck a few weeks ago, but here I go again. Word is the truck will be in Davis Square tonight from 5-7. Since I owe someone an ice cream I might be heading that way.

RCN free Ice Cream
Davis Square T stop
Tuesday, July 31
5 - 7 pm

>> Free Ice Cream Today

Calling all Somerville Artists!

Davis Square is next on the list for renovations. Included in this new look will be an installment of community art throughout the station. When walking through the Davis station, i notice all the art and think-anyone I know? Of course not! The current panels were placed in 1984 when the station was first built. Some of the art panels will be replaced, but the structural art and children's panels will remain intact.

A number of the existing panels will be replaced with 4’x 4’ art panels that reflect the vibrancy of the City of Somerville, Tufts University, and the linkages that join them. The Somerville Arts Council has released a Call to Artists with specific parameters relevant to the scope, size, and materials required for the 4’x 4’ panels. A jury comprised of representatives from Tufts University, the MBTA, and Somerville will review all submissions and will recommend approximately nine for display within the T station.

All artists who live or work in Somerville are encouraged to contribute. To participate, submit a photo, sketch, painting, or image for consideration. Submissions are due to the Arts Council by September 14 2007. Contact Gregory Jenkins of the Somerville Arts Council at (617) 625-6600, ext.2985

Nobody puts Baby in a corner.

Contestants get to compete by re-enacting their favorite Patrick Swayze moment and go for the prize!

Also shown will be Doug Harry's spoof "The Real World: Capes." It comically answers the question: what would happen if you put 7 superheroes together and taped their lives?

There will also feature stand up comedy of Don Diego, Josh Gondleman, Dan Hirshon, and Katie McCarthy.

Middle East
Central Square
July 31
10p
18+

>>Anderson Comedy