Rebekah Gewirtz

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Summer 2009 -- update!

Summer is finally here and there's a lot to tell you about from events happening in and around Ward 6 to the conclusion of the Fiscal Year 2010 budget process. Next weekend is ART BEAT in Davis Sq. See the Ward 6 Fun Fact below for more detailed information about Art Beat 2009. I'm also interested in your feedback on several current issues so be sure to check out the Constituent Corner and let me know what you think!

As always, if you have information you'd like me to share with others through my e-newsletter, send me an email to Rebekah@rcn.com.

Alderman Committee Meetings

Joint meeting of Housing and Community Development and Land Use on Tuesday July 21, 2009 6pm at Somerville City Hall, 2nd Floor Committee room. This is the first meeting devoted to discussing the city's comprehensive community plan, which involves planning for the green line corridor. The meeting will not be a public hearing but it is open to the public and if you are interested, please come! The comprehensive planning process began with a series of City-sponsored information sessions focusing on key trends in Somerville including demographics, housing, employment industries, transportation and infrastructure, and land use patterns. Part of this joint meeting will be to discuss the establishment of an advisory committee composed of residents and businesses with diverse areas of expertise to guide the planning process. The committee will be made up of appointees by the Mayor and Board of Alderman, constituents with expertise in relevant subjects, and residents/businesses from across the city.

Tentatively schedule... Legislative Matters Committee meeting, Tuesday August 25, 2009 at 7pm at Somerville City Hall, 2nd Floor Committee room.

Public Health and Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday August 26, 2009 at 6pm at Somerville City Hall, 2nd Floor Committee room.

Upcoming Events this Summer:

Art Beat, Friday evening, July 17 and goes through the day on Saturday July 18th from 5-10pm. This event, which is sponsored by the city and the Somerville Arts Council is one of the most anticipated events of the year. On Saturday the streets in the heart of Davis Square are closed to car traffic and artists and vendors from across the country come to Davis to sell their work and to perform. 5-10pm Friday night, musical performances at Seven Hills Park. Saturday July 18th - Over 100 vendors lining Elm and Holland Streets plus performances at Seven Hills Park, on the corner of Chester and Elm Streets, and between Starbucks and Chipotle in the Davis Square Plaza.

Green Line Planning meeting for Ball Square stop on July 14, 2009 at 6:15pm Nathan Tufts Field House, Powderhouse Park Hosted by Somerville Community Corridor Planinning which is a partnership of Groundwork Somerville, the Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP), the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) and the Somerville Community Health Agenda. CCP is a grassroots, non-profit coalition committed to resident participation in planning for a livable, equitable Somerville. This meeting is one of several throughout the city where you can come talk with your neighbors about how you think the Green Line will affect: Transportation, pollution, green space/open space, rent and property taxes, and your favorite businesses.

For more information: Contact CCP at 617.628.9988, 617.776.5931x230 or communitycorridorplanning@groundworksomerville.org. Somerville Commissions Cookout on Saturday, August 1, 2009 12-2pm at the Somerville Growing Center on Vinal Avenue

Enjoy FREE FOOD and meet the members of the Commissions!

• Find out what they do,
• How to get involved, and
• Why the commissions are so important to Somerville Sponsored by: Human Rights Commission, Somerville Commission for Women, Multicultural Affairs Commission

Red Bones Pig Pickin' Fundraiser on August 10, 2009, 6 - 9 pm on Chester Street outside Red Bones 8th Annual Pig Pickin' & Benefit for the Somerville Homeless Coalition, Rain Date: Aug 17. $25 per person, $10 for kids under 10. Live music by the SAPS & other bands.

Annual Senior Picnic, Wednesday August 12, 2009 11am-2pm at Powderhouse Park The Senior Picnic is an annual event, inviting all Somerville senior citizens to enjoy a picnic lunch in the park complete with music, entertainment, food, and dancing. The event is sponsored by the mayor's office and the Somerville Council on Aging.