INSIDE:
Concerns Rise Over DAVIS SQUARE PLAN
NOVEMBER 12, 2018 – JANUARY 13, 2019
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A Pet Massage?
NOT SO FAR-FETCHED
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Fresh Bites For
YOUR HOLIDAY FEAST
NO. 54
O T E D I U G R YO U
40
GIFTS INSIDE!
g n i p p o h S y a d i l o H l Loca PLUS
HIDDEN HARVESTS WITH
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM A
THE LEAGUE OF URBAN CANNERS HAPPINESS COACH
As the year draws to a close, many people in our area will remember 2018 as a good
year with a robust local economy. Sadly, for many others in our community, it was a year of rising housing costs, food insecurity, and addiction issues. At this time of annual reflection, please remember to reach out to those who struggle, with donations of your time or money. There are many worthy local charities that offer direct assistance and prevention services to those who need it, including the Somerville Homeless Coalition, Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund, Community Cooks, Shatterproof, and many more as well in environment, health care, early education, the arts...the needs are great. Your contributions will help.
We wish you a peaceful holiday season and a healthy new year. Best Real Estate Agency
Best Real Estate Agent
Current Listings
10 Banks St. Unit 3, Somerville $699,000
Bright, beautiful top floor in Porter Square with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, private front and back porches, a garage space, shared yard. Steps to Porter Square T and a short walk to Davis Square T and nightlife.
5 Wesley Street, Somerville NEW PRICE $760,000
Winter Hill single family with 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, and parking, less than half a mile from Gillman Square. Owner has done some renovations and has architects plans to make it a high-performance, energy efficient home.
47 Fairmount Ave. Unit 1, Somerville $699,000
Renovated in 2013, this lovely Teele Square condo offers 2 bedrooms, study, 2.5 bathrooms, central air, private patio, and unobstructed parking— all in a great, walkable location.
4 Olive Square, Somerville $719,900
Attached 2-level single family with 2+ bedrooms, 2 full baths, and 2 parking spaces steps to Union Square. The house offers handicapped accessible baths updated in 2015. Ideal condo alternative.
Current Listings T
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Thalia Tringo
President, Realtor ® 617.513.1967 cell/text Thalia@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com
15 Everett St. Unit 2 Arlington
Niké Damaskos
$749,000
Just off Mass. Ave., this East Arlington 3-bedroom, 1 1/2 bath condo occupies the upper two floors of a 2-unit building. Two private porches, private garage plus driveway space, and basement storage.
T
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M REE
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Residential Sales and Commercial Sales and Leasing 617.875.5276 Nike@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com
Jennifer Rose
Residential Sales Specialist, Realtor ® 617.943.9581 cell/text Jennifer@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com
Lynn C. Graham
52 Madison Street, Somerville
Residential Sales Specialist, Realtor ® 617.216.5244 cell/text Lynn@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com
$999,000
Spacious Central Hill single family with 4 beds, 2 baths, fenced yard, 2-car garage, beautiful light, and sweeping views.
Brendon Edwards
Residential Sales Specialist, Realtor ® 617.895.6267 cell/text Brendon@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com
Seth Kangley
Residential Sales Specialist, Realtor ® 315.382.2507 cell/text Seth@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com
Free Classes First Time Home Buyers:
an overview of the buying process Wednesday, January 23RD OR Tuesday, February 12TH 6:30 – 7:45 pm If you’re considering buying your first home and want to understand what’s in store, this is a quick and helpful overview. Led by our agents and a loan officer from a local bank, it includes a 45-min presentation and 1/2 hour Q&A session. Handouts and refreshments provided.
How to Buy and Sell at the Same Time: Wednesday, November 28 OR Wednesday, January 30 OR Thursday, February 21 6:30 – 7:45 pm If trying to figure out the logistics of selling your home and buying a new one makes your head spin, this workshop will help make the process & your choices understandable. This workshop, led by our agents and a loan officer from a local bank, includes a 45-min presentation and 1/2 hour Q&A session. Handouts and refreshments provided. TH
ST
Basic Home Maintenance:
preparing your home for winter Tuesday, November 27TH OR Tuesday, January 15TH 6:30 – 7:45 pm Do you worry about pipes bursting? Ice dams? Clogged gutters? Broken downspouts? Heat loss? Damage from broken tree limbs? Heating system failure? Routine maintenance is the best way to prevent damage to your most important investment: your home. Come to this class to get a checklist and explanation of the things you need to do to maintain your home— and sanity. To reserve space in any class, please email Adaria@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com. Admission is free, but we appreciate donations of canned goods for the Somerville Homeless Coalition.
Residential Sales Specialist, Realtor ® 617.949.6942 cell/text Sarasvati@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com
Adaria Brooks
for homeowners contemplating a move TH
Sarasvati Lynn
Executive Assistant to the President, Realtor ® 617.308.0064 cell/text Adaria@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com
About our company... We are dedicated to representing our buyer and seller clients with integrity and professionalism. We are also commi ed to giving back to our community. Our agents donate $250 to a non-profit in honor of each transaction and Thalia Tringo & Associates Real Estate Inc. also gives $250 to a pre-selected group of local charities for each transaction. Visit our office, 128 Willow Avenue, on the bike path in Davis Square, Somerville.
NOVEMBER 12, 2018 - JANUARY 13, 2019 ::: VOLUME 54 ::: SCOUTSOMERVILLE.COM
32
contents 6 // EDITOR’S NOTE 8 // WINNERS & LOSERS On the one hand, four schools are trying out a composting pilot. On the other hand, a Red Sox banner recovery story seems suspicious. 10 // WHAT’S NEW? ONCE Somerville is back, more funding is lined up for the Kensington Underpass redesign, and Union Square’s gotten designated drop-off and pick-up zones.
14 // NEWS: DAVIS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN NEARS FINALIZATION AMID CONCERN FROM SQUARE BUSINESSES We break down the plan that maps out the next 20 to 30 years for the square, and dive into what has local business owners concerned. 42 // DO-GOODERS, KEY PLAYERS, AND GAME CHANGERS: RESPOND RESPOND has been a pioneer in supporting survivors of domestic violence. 46 // CALENDAR
CELEBRATING THE SEASON 16 // FRESH BITES FOR YOUR HOLIDAY FEAST If your traditional dishes are feeling stale, the city’s shops have you covered with gourmet, readyto-serve treats. 20 // GIFT GUIDE Not sure what to get family, friends, and yourself this holiday season? We’ve got you covered. 32 // HIDDEN HARVESTS WITH THE LEAGUE OF URBAN CANNERS The league harvests the oftenoverlooked fruits growing in the city—whether in neighbors’ yards or in public parks—and makes them into delicious preserves.
36 // HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM A HAPPINESS COACH Need more joy in your life? Try happiness coach Angela Reiner’s recommendations. 38 // UNWIND AFTER A RUFF WEEK Many of the activities we enjoy most during the holiday season— decorating, cooking, and hosting family—can actually be upsetting for your pet. This animal massage therapist is here to help.
Photo, top: Afton Cyrus. Photo by Sasha Pedro. Photo, bottom: Yule Log. Courtesy of Caramel French Patisserie. On the cover: Gift guide photos by Emily Piper.
16 Looking for a new holiday treat tradition? Caramel French Patisserie’s yule logs are filled with a beautiful swirl of cake and creme.
Come in as a customer
, leave as a friend. If we don’t have in stock ’Tis the Season the car you are to visit
John’s Auto Sales
looking for on any of our three lots, we will find it for you!
FINANCING FOR
EVERYONE
45 YEARS
SAME QUALITY SERVICE SAME LOCATION
WE PAY MORE FOR YOUR CAR! 100% WARRANTY 617-628-5511
Call John directly on his cell at
617-512-5511 181 Somerville Ave (across from Target)
johnsautosales.com
QUALITY USED CARS BOUGHT AND SOLD FOR 45 YEARS
Welcoming • Inclusive • Egalitarian Annual Hanukah Menorah Lighting on City Hall Plaza Join Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz and Mayor Joseph Curtatone Sunday, December 9th at 5:00pm CELEBRATING SHABBAT
• Weekly Friday evening services at 6:00pm, with monthly vegetarian potluck dinners on: Nov 9, Dec 7 (Hanukah), Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12, May 10, June 7 • Weekly Saturday morning services • Monthly Tot Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Eliana on: Nov 3, Dec 8, Jan 12, Feb 2, Mar 2, May 18
LEARNING
• Weekly Children’s School K-8 (monthly pre-K) • Weekly Torah Study, 8:00am Tuesdays at Porter Square Panera (no Hebrew needed) • Monthly Book Group, 7:00pm at Porter Square Panera • Monthly Song of the Heart – Come sing with us! • Adult Education – Spring semester registering soon
For membership information, events, & program details visit us at templebnaibrith.org For info about young adult programming email TBB20s30s@gmail.com
201 Central Street 02145 | 617-625-0333 | www.templebnaibrith.org | tbb@templebnaibrith.org
scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue
5
EDITOR’S NOTE
W
hile putting together this issue, we had the chance to report on the League of Urban Canners (p.32). The group finds fruit, much of which is hidden in plain sight, throughout Somerville and Cambridge. Public parks, neighbors’ yards—they’re all fair game for the leaguers (after getting permission, of course), who can the fruity goodness and eat it to get through our long winters. Much like the League of Urban Canners, this fall we went foraging for hidden gems. What we found was a happiness coach, here to give advice for a holiday season that’s often filled with both highs and lows (p.36). We found a whimsical dessert Photo by Megan Souza. yule log, ready to grace your family’s table (p.16). We found a way for your pet friends to get happy and healthy during this time of the year, too (p.38). Plus we handpicked over 40 gifts from local shops, so you can find something for everyone on your list while supporting your neighborhood businesses (p.20). In non-holiday news, we took a dive into the Davis Square Neighborhood Plan, which is nearing finalization, and listened to local business owners’ concerns about the future of the square (p.14). And we’re excited to honor RESPOND in what will become a regular feature of the Do-Gooders, Key Players, or Game Changers who are making amazing contributions to our city (p.46). We hope these stories help you close 2018 on a high note. From all of us at Scout, have a happy holiday season!
Reena Karasin Reena Karasin, Editor-in-Chief rkarasin@scoutmagazines.com
ENJOY READING SCOUT?
We always have been and always will be committed to producing honest, community-oriented journalism with integrity and passion. We operate on a very tight budget, and there are so many more stories we want to write. We want to continue growing and telling the stories that matter to you, and we’re determined to keep Scout available for free. So in order to do so, we’re asking for your help. If our work is important to you—and if you have the means to show your support financially—we ask you to consider supporting us through Patreon at patreon.com/scoutmagazines. Your monthly pledge will go a long, long way to making your Scout the best it can be.
6 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
PUBLISHER Holli Banks Allien hbanks@scoutmagazines.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Reena Karasin rkarasin@scoutmagazines.com ART DIRECTOR Nicolle Renick design@scoutmagazines.com renickdesign.com CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jerry Allien jallien@scoutmagazines.com SCOUT FELLOW Alyssa Vaughn avaughn@scoutmagazines.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Adrianne Mathiowetz EDITORIAL INTERN Lilly Milman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Eric Francis, Jillian Kravatz CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Emily Piper COPY EDITOR Joe Palandrani BANKS PUBLICATIONS 519 Somerville Ave, #314 Somerville, MA 02143 FIND US ONLINE scoutsomerville.com somervillescout
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Office Phone: 617-996-2283 Advertising inquiries? Please contact hbanks@scoutmagazines.com. GET A COPY Scout Somerville is available for free at more than 220 drop spots throughout the city (and just beyond its borders). Additionally, thousands of Somerville homes receive a copy in their mailbox each edition, hitting every neighborhood in the city throughout the year ... sometimes twice! You can sign up for home delivery by visiting scoutsomerville.com/shop.
T
he flavors of Greece can be found in Davis Square at Opa Greek Yeeros. Traditional dishes are served up daily by George and his crew with ingredients imported straight from Greece to ensure the authenticity and quality of every item on the menu. It’s not only the menu that is steeped in tradition; Opa is a family affair. George’s mother has owned and run Sophia’s Greek Pantry for over 15 years and now she keeps Opa stocked with homemade fresh Greek yogurt, delicious desserts and pastries.
We Cater
From roasted chicken and lamb to stuffed grape leaves and cheese platters, our comprehensive catering menu will wow your guests at any event. See our menu online at
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GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Work where you live, Live where you work. Risks are an inherent part of life and, particularly in business, often lead to great reward. This is exactly why we’re pleased to announce the first-ever Cleary Insurance Boston Business Risk Awards. Today through Nov. 30, you can submit a nomination for yourself or someone you know who has recently experienced success from a business risk. The winner will be honored at a celebratory event and his/her story featured in the @BostonBusinessJournal.
Enter here: www.clearyinsurance.com/risk-awards
• It takes a diverse community to run a vibrant hotel and we hope you’ll join our team. • Hiring Somerville Residents. • Full/Part Time Jobs, Flexible Schedules. • Comprehensive Benefits. • Hotel Room Discount Program Worldwide. STOP IN MONDAY – FRIDAY, 10 A.M. – 4 P.M.
to complete an application or visit us online: www.hospitalityonline.com/holiday-boston-somerville Part of the Somerville Community since 1974. Locally, Owned and Operated 30 WASHINGTON STREET SOMERVILLE, MA 02143
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scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue
7
W&L
WINNERS
LOSERS
ECO-FRIENDLY EDUCATORS Remember that time when you threw a not-quite-empty juice bottle or a kinda dirty napkin in the recycling? Well, recyclables contaminated by food scraps can be rejected for recycling pickup, leading to large-scale waste—a phenomenon that the public schools are trying to combat, the Somerville Patch reports. This fall, students at four of the city’s K-8 schools were greeted with a revamped recycling and composting system. Recycling bins are now clear so students can see what’s in them, and buckets are provided for draining extra liquid from cans and bottles. There are also compost receptacles where students can put their leftover food and compostable lunch trays.
OLD FAVORITES Somerville—hometown of Mike Capuano, represented since 1999 by Mike Capuano, and home of the Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Education Center—tilted slightly in the man’s favor in September’s midterm primary election. While Capuano pulled out a narrow Somerville win against opponent Ayanna Pressley (50.3 percent to 49.57 percent, the Somerville Patch reports), Pressley won the Democratic nomination and went on to run unopposed for the 7th Congressional District seat in the general election. She is the the first woman of color elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts. Capuano handed over his seat gracefully, saying the state will be “well served” in Pressley’s hands.
DRAINSPOTTERS A local man was recently profiled in Atlas Obscura for his rather unusual hobby— documenting Greater Boston’s most beautiful manhole covers on Instagram. Daniel Fireside, known as @IronCovers on social media, has been drainspotting (read: admiring manhole covers) for about three years. He is particularly drawn to manhole covers with interesting rust patterns or connections to history. “You can discover this lost history of industrialization in New England … it’s like an urban treasure hunt,” he tells Atlas Obscura. HISTORY BUFFS Construction on the long-awaited Green Line Extension is finally underway, with demolition and digging happening all over the city—but the project won’t be destroying everything in its wake. When the Homans Building—once the home of grocer Reid, Murdoch, and Co.—was torn down to make way for the future Gilman Square MBTA station, some of the building’s history was preserved, the Boston Globe reports. Under the watchful eye of the Somerville Historic Commission, construction crews carefully removed a detailed lion’s head carving from the front of the building. The head will be showcased in the redesigned square, and casts made from a mold of the face might pop up around the area.
OKCUPID DATERS RIP Romance. Cambridge resident Michael Lacey was on a date when he urinated on American flags at the Somerville Veterans Memorial Cemetery, the Somerville Patch reports. Lacey’s date told police that she had met Lacey on popular dating website OkCupid, and that they’d met up three times. While she said she didn’t know Lacey well, she implied that his behavior may have been motivated by his disdain for the American government. EAGLE-EYED OPPORTUNISTS Somerville became the backdrop for some Red Sox drama earlier this fall, when Medford resident Louie Iacuzzi claimed he saw the 2018 Red Sox division title banner on McGrath Highway, climbed out of his car, and ran across the lanes to grab it, the Boston Globe reports. In a video posted by the Globe, Iacuzzi tells the confusing story of how he issued an ultimatum to the team, telling them he would return the banner if he were offered compensation (maybe … in the form of playoff tickets?). Unfortunately for Iacuzzi, the Sox already made a replacement banner, and were uninterested in his McGrath Highway treasure.
Someone rustle your jimmies or tickle your fancy?
Let us know at scoutsomerville.com/contact-us, and we just might crown them a winner or loser. 8 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
SCOUT TO THE SOUTH Here’s just some of what you’ll find in the Celebrating the Season Issue of our sibling publication, Scout Cambridge.
SPECIAL REPORT: A DEEP DIVE INTO CAMBRIDGE’S WATER Cambridge’s water may be safe to drink, but its near-limit-pushing levels of chlorides and its pH pose real problems for the coffee shops that depend on large volumes of water every day.
THE WORLD IS HER HIVE Follow the Honey’s owner wants her store to be a window into the honeys—and the beekeepers—of many nations.
DO-GOODERS, KEY PLAYERS, AND GAME CHANGERS: DR. AARONSON CHEW A professor of psychiatry, Chew has been recognized for his work advocating for multiculturalism and diversity.
Parent Cooperative Preschool celebrating 60 years in the heart of Harvard Square
Best Preschool or Daycare
UPCOMING OPEN HOUSES: November 17, 2018 and January 26th, 2019 10am-12pm
• Applications now being accepted for the 2019-2020 school year • 2, 3 and 5 day options for children 2.9-5 years old • Extended day options available www.gardennurseryschool.org • (617) 354-4229 • admissions@gardennurseryschool.org Garden Nursery School is a safe, vibrant, and nurturing first school experience. As a community, we strive to honor differences and provide a model of cooperation and respect for all children and families.
scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue
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WHAT’S NEW
CITY BEAT
DIRECTOR OF THE WELCOME PROJECT RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP IN LATINX COMMUNITY
E
xecutive Director of The Welcome Project Ben Echevarria was honored in October by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) as a “distinguished leader of the Latinx community in the 26th Middlesex District,” according to a press release. Through his work with The Welcome Project, The Boston Foundation, and the Massachusetts Latino Democratic Caucus, Echevarria fights for affordable housing, equitable educational policies, and leadership development for the Latinx community in Somerville and surrounding areas.
UNION SQUARE
UNION SQUARE INTRODUCES DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP ZONES Notice a little less road rage going on in one of our busiest boroughs? The city designated drop-off and pick-up zones at the entrance of Bow Market earlier this fall in an attempt to increase pedestrian safety and ease traffic, the Boston Globe reports. The zones are intended for taxis, rideshares, and private cars, but don’t get too comfortable—there’s a fiveminute time limit.
THE URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE MAKES A COMEBACK
Officials updated the public on the the city’s seven-year urban forestry action plan in October. According to the City of Somerville website, the plan includes reestablishing the Urban Forestry Committee, a coalition featuring seven members of the public intended to advise the mayor’s office on the upkeep of trees and shrubs in public spaces. Members of the committee 10 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
will also maintain the city’s tree inventory and support local urban forestry educational efforts. ASSEMBLY SQUARE
STATE FUNDING SECURED FOR THE KENSINGTON UNDERPASS
Somerville is about to become even more pedestrian-friendly: The city’s efforts to revamp the Kensington Underpass, which has been criticized as unsafe and unwelcoming, will be supplemented by $95,000 in
state aid thanks to State Rep. Mike Connolly and State Sen. Pat Jehlen. While no timeline or specific plans have been finalized, the underpass, which connects East Somerville to Assembly Row, will reportedly get a facelift that includes new lighting, artwork, and pedestrian safety measures. SPRING HILL
A SECOND CHANCE FOR ONCE The Highland Avenue spot that’s kind of a bar, kind of a concert venue, and kind of an
art gallery is back open after taking the month of August to “regroup,” citing several financial setbacks. Following the grand reopening earlier this fall, some new faces joined the ONCE team in October—Jackie Indrisano as General Manager and Darby Smotherman as Production Manager. The addition of the two women to the team “epitomizes the types of changes and improvements the venue promised for the purpose of boosting its stability and longevity,” ONCE shared in a press release.
BIRD SCOOTERS HIT ANOTHER SNAG
Ah, summer, when the air was warm, the days were long, and the roads were littered with Bird electric scooters. The city sent Bird a cease-and-desist letter over the summer, forcing the scooters off the streets. However, the plot thickened even after the scooters were gone: It turns out state law dictates that all motorized scooters on public ways are required to have turn signals and brake lights, according to Boston. com. That means another hurdle for the scooter manufacturer, which would have to redesign its product if it hopes to return to Massachusetts streets.
Photo, top left, courtesy of State Rep. Mike Connolly’s office. Photo, bottom left, courtesy of the City of Somerville. Photo, top right, courtesy of Hot Box. Photo, bottom right, by Holli Banks.
BOW MARKET UPDATES
UNION SQUARE
HOT BOX
North and south collide at Hot Box, the newest offering from the team behind COMING popular MOVED Bay Village’s immensely SOON Mike and Patty’s. The menu is simple: the North Shore’s signature rare, BBQ sauceand-mayo-adorned roast beef sandwiches, and the South Shore’s iconic “bar pizza,” baked in a pan with toppings spread nearly to the edges. While choosing between the North and South Shore favorites might be a daunting task, rest assured that both are perfect companions for neighbor Remnant Brewing’s pints. UNION SQUARE
REBEL REBEL WINE BAR
This ain’t your parents’ wine bar. Rebel Rebel, now openCOMING SOON in an unmissable spot right at the entrance of Bow Market, features funky
MOVED
art books, offbeat playlists, and lots and lots of natural wines. Owner Lauren Friel told Boston Magazine that it’s “a combination of all my favorite things.” Stop in for a glass of “expensive s**t that’s worth it” or “cheap s**t that doesn’t suck” (per the manifesto posted on Rebel Rebel’s door during construction), or swing by for one of the many events on the calendar, from a tarot card reading with wine pairings to a “Natural Wines 101” class. UNION SQUARE
HOOKED FISH SHOP
Craving some bivalves with your natural Sauv Blanc? At Hooked Fish Shop, just steps away COMING MOVED from Rebel Rebel, you can grab a SOON dozen oysters, clams, or pickled shrimp to munch on as you shop your way through Bow Market. The ready-to-eat menu also features bagels, sliders, and poke bowls, and locally sourced, fresh seafood is available to purchase and cook at home six days a week.
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scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue
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WHAT’S NEW
WARM WELCOMES DAVIS SQUARE
MORTADELLA HEAD
F
rom COMING the “Meat MOVED SOON Sweats” charcuterie board to the intriguing “lasagna sticks” and “chicken parm fries,” you can tell that Mortadella Head is the brainchild of the fearlessly indulgent team behind Boston Burger Company. The restaurant, which has been teasing its mile-high sandwiches and gooey pizzas on Instagram for months, is finally open for business, operating out of the former Deli-icious space on College Avenue. The menu is extensive, with long lists of sandwiches, wings, loaded fries, pastas, and—in true Boston Burger Co. fashion—endlessly customizable pizzas.
UNION SQUARE
ASSEMBLY SQUARE
Liberty Cannabis, a medical marijuana dispensary with locations in California, MOVED Pennsylvania, andCOMING Maryland, SOON opened its first Massachusetts location on Somerville Avenue in late October, the Boston Business Journal reports. Liberty is now the third medical marijuana dispensary in Somerville, joining Revolutionary Clinics and Sira Naturals. Liberty plans to apply for recreational marijuana licenses as soon as possible.
Good news for carb lovers: A shuttered North End trattoria will soon be reborn at Assembly Row, the Somerville Patch reports. The team behind Carmen, which closed in 2016, will open La Cucina Italian Eatery at the corner of Assembly Row and Foley Street. The restaurant, which will have seats for 120 diners, will serve “Italianstyle pub fare.”
LIBERTY CANNABIS
LA CUCINA
COMING SOON
DAVIS SQUARE
LOS AMIGOS TAQUERIA
COMING SOON
With Los Amigos Taqueria slated to join the ranks of Tenoch, the Painted Burro, Chipotle, and Anna’s Taqueria, Davis Square residents are one step closer to an enviable goal—being able to buy a burrito 12 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
from a different eatery each day of the week. Los Amigos— MOVED which already has locations in Newtonville, Brighton, Brookline, and West Roxbury— will open in the space formerly occupied by Blue Shirt Cafe, Eater Boston reports. Its menu follows the familiar fast-casual Mexican format, with burritos, bowls, quesadillas, and tacos that can be customized with a wide variety of fillings. DAVIS SQUARE
THE ELM STREET TAPROOM
COMING SOON
MOVED Longtime Davis standby The
Joshua Tree may be gone, but it will soon be replaced by a new watering hole. While details about the Elm Street Taproom are still under wraps, we can speculate based on one clue—
according to Eater Boston, the taproom will be managed by Hawkeye Hospitality, the same group that manages this year’s Scout’s Honored award winner for best beer program, Five Horses Tavern. ASSEMBLY SQUARE
XFINITY
Xfinity’s new Assembly Row location—its first brick and mortar in the COMING MOVED city—officially opened SOON its doors in October. The store, located on Middlesex Avenue, allows MOVED visitors to learn about Xfinity’s services and “test drive its latest products,” according to a press release. Xfinity subscribers can also stop in to manage their accounts or pay their bills.
Photo, top left, by Shaina Karasin. Photo, top right, courtesy of Unruly Splats.
CAMPUS LIFE coding skills at Artisan’s Asylum), is now available for online order, and it’s certainly making a buzz: Unruly Splats won first place in the Small Biz Salute Pitch Off contest run by Inc. Magazine, and earned a $100,000 grant from the AT&T Aspire Accelerator, the Boston Globe reports. WINTER HILL
WINTER HILL STUDENTS LEARN TO CODE
As you shake your fist at your phone screen and yell helplessly at your Amazon Alexa, know that some of the youngest Somervillians are using blockbased programming languages to entertain themselves during recess. Inc. Magazine reports that Winter Hill Community Innovation School was one of the first schools to pilot Unruly Splats, Bluetooth-enabled floor tiles that light up and make sounds as students jump or step on them. Through an app, students can program different games with the Splats, like relay races or Whack-a-Mole. The product (created by Bryanne Leeming, who polished her
Food for thought: Getting a mortgage may be the single most important financial decision any of us make. We listen to your ambitions, learn about your finances, understand your needs, and then use our expertise to design a loan specifically for your life.
WINTER HILL
NEXT WAVE AND FULL CIRCLE SCHOOLS REVAMP
The Center for Collaborative Education will revamp the educational model at The Next Wave and Full Circle Schools, according to the Boston Globe. Next Wave and Full Circle offer sixth through 12th graders small class sizes, ample counseling, and individualized academic support. “We look forward to connecting with and learning from our peers involved in this work, and to exploring and identifying ways in which we can redesign the school model to better meet the needs and ensure the future success of Next Wave/Full Circle students,” Somerville School Superintendent Mary Skipper said in a statement.
East Cambridge. Upgrade to local.
Member FDIC Member DIF NMLS ID: #441396
LIVING SPACES METRO MAYORS COALITION PROMISES 185,000 HOUSING UNITS BY 2030
Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced at a Somerville housing construction site that a coalition of local mayors has pledged to add 185,000 housing units in the Greater Boston area by 2030. Curtatone and Walsh will work with the mayors of Arlington, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Newton, Quincy, Revere, and Winthrop to achieve the goal. However, Marc Draisen of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council told the Boston Business Journal that the past two years have seen only half the production
needed to hit the target number by the target date. “We need to pick up the pace,” he said.
APARTMENTS AT 625 MCGRATH
COMING SOON
As more offices have moved to Assembly Square, apartment complexes have followed. The apartment community at 625 McGrath Highway, which recently received $9 million in financing from Cornerstone Realty Capital, includes 34 units ranging from studios to threebedroom apartments, according to the Boston Real Estate Times. Available to rent soon, each space includes several luxury touches, including stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and NEST thermostats, the Times reports.
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Porter Square Showroom | 617-628-2410 | closet-solutions.com scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 13
NEWS
DAVIS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN FINALIZED AMID CONCERN FROM SQUARE BUSINESSES BY REENA KARASIN
WHAT’S IN THE PLAN DRAFT?
T
he Davis Square Neighborhood Plan draft maps out the next 20 to 30 years for the area, detailing how roads and building rules will be changed and reimagining public spaces. The city has designated Davis as an area to enhance, rather than a space to conserve or transform. This middle ground means that Davis won’t be turned into an “urban center” like what Assembly Square is becoming. Instead, the neighborhood plan aims to help Davis become a fully realized “local center.” To do this, the drafted plan is broken into three categories: life, spaces, and buildings. 14 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
ENHANCE PUBLIC LIFE • S quare Off the Intersection — The draft erases Davis’s iconic yet notoriously convoluted intersection and replaces it with a square one, where Holland Avenue leads straight into Highland Avenue and College Avenue flows into Elm Street. All four roads would have two-way traffic. • I ncrease Public Areas — A block of Dover Street would be shut down as part of the new intersection, and public plazas would be built on Dover Street and in the space between Highland Avenue and Elm Street. The draft also prioritizes getting food trucks into the square, and suggests making the food truck permitting process simpler.
et More Art into the Square — •G The plan suggests several options for creating more public art in the neighborhood, from Capital Improvement Budget funding to a city-wide mural program. IMPROVE SPACES WHERE PEOPLE TRAVEL AND GATHER •R evamp the Day Street Parking Lot — The plan draft prioritizes supporting the Davis Square Market, whether by giving it a power supply or even constructing a permanent building to house it. • Consider Letting Private Lots Operate Fee-based Parking — This move would allow the city to repurpose its Grove Street lot into public space.
•C hange Summer Street Lot into a Plaza • Support Pedestrians and Cyclists — Plans include adjusting intersection signal timing, adding bike parking, and repaving sidewalks. CARVE OUT BUILDING SPACE •R aise the Roofs — Currently most buildings in Davis cannot be more than four stories high. The draft of the neighborhood plan outlines mid-rise buildings at five and six stories in specific areas of the square. Five- and six-story buildings would have to have an “upper story step-back” after the fourth floor.
WHAT COULD THE PLAN MEAN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES?
T
o Magpie and Magpie Kids owner David Sakowski, allowing taller buildings in the square seems like the beginning of the end for small businesses like his. The issue, as he sees it, is that property owners will sell their shorter buildings at high sums to developers who anticipate a profit in constructing new buildings at higher heights. The displacement, whether temporary or permanent, poses a real threat to businesses, he worries. Sakowski says he no longer has a long-term lease at either of his stores’ locations, which gives landlords more flexibility to sell. The recent buyer of the Magpie Kids building, which is near Porter Square, has said he plans to tear down the building, according to Sakowski. While the Magpie Kids store lies outside of the Davis Square plan, and thereby suggests these dynamics are already at play in the city, Sakowski fears the building heights allowed by the neighborhood plan will usher the pattern into Davis. “What happened here is what’s going to start happening in Davis Square,” Sakowski said during an interview in Magpie Kids. “Landlords are going to be like, ‘Woah, I’ve got this old, rundown building that I’m charging these rents for, someone’s going to give me $3 million for it? Sure, let me sell it.’ Why would you keep it?” Magpie, which resides near the heart of Davis Square, is currently a two-floor building. The neighborhood plan, in the current draft, would allow it to become a five-story building. Sakowski worries about the effects of displacement, even if businesses could afford the presumably higher rents once the new buildings were ready. “One of the big issues that I was talking with the folks from
the city about and raised concern with the other business owners in Davis Square, is like, even if the guy said ‘You can come back and have the new space,’ it’s going to take a year to two years to build the building,” he says. “What do you do with your business for that time? If there’s nowhere else for you to go temporarily, you’re just out of business, basically.” When asked about the concerns Sakowski presented, Senior Planner for the city Melissa Woods notes that such dynamics are unfolding in Somerville already. “It’s really a private market decision,” Woods says. “The city isn’t necessarily actively involved in displacing businesses. We had a lot of hard work to do with the community about thinking long-term. Although there are beloved businesses in Davis Square ... we have to think beyond the existing tenants. Our economic development division does great work collaborating with businesses that are at threat of being displaced.” Davis Squared co-owners Melisa and Paul Christie say they have gotten a similar response
Photos courtesy of Davis Square Neighborhood Plan Draft.
“Although there are beloved businesses in Davis Square ... we have to think beyond the existing tenants.” from the city. “They were like, ‘Well you know, it’s not really our fault if the landlord does this.’ And I’m like, but you’re changing the zoning, so it kind of is your fault, or your responsibility,” Melisa Christie says. Davis Squared’s building, which is currently one story, could become six floors under the plan. “When they put that impetus for redevelopment, I think it’s hard to believe that local, independent owners are going to be able to, one, sustain themselves while their building is being redeveloped, and then also be able to reenter on a reasonable lease,” Paul Christie says. “I definitely feel like, if that happens, then all of us who are here now will not be here,” Melisa Christie adds. Somerville Local First Executive Director Courtney O’Keefe points out that the plan’s efforts to bring more tenants to the square could support local businesses, particularly
restaurants, that struggle during daytime hours, but remains concerned about small businesses holding onto a place in the square. “If the only people that can fit inside there is a Starbucks, a CVS, a Target, or other corporate spaces, then it looks like Harvard Square,” O’Keefe says. “And we don’t want Davis Square to look like Harvard Square.” In order to help with part of the equation, Sakowski suggests the city create a Bow Marketstyle building where displaced businesses that hope to remain in the square could set up shop while their buildings are under construction. Woods was responsive when she heard the idea, calling it “provoking.” Paul Christie also has ideas for ways the city could help mitigate damage to small businesses as parts of Davis get rebuilt, including by designating affordable retail rental spaces through tax breaks for building owners. scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 15
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
Fresh
Bites
F O R YO U R
Holiday
Feast T
BY ERIC J. FRANCIS
he holidays are upon us, and that invariably means traditions— especially when it comes to the dinner table. And tradition is, well, traditional. Maybe even ... predictable. Now, don’t get us wrong—we like tried-and-true family recipes as much as you do, and nobody’s suggesting that it’s time to retire your great aunt’s legendary crab dip. But if you want to make your holiday dinner party truly memorable (or even if you’re just tired of turkey), there are a lot of choices for the adventuresome Somerville host courtesy of local shops.
16 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
DAVE’S FRESH PASTA | 81 HOLLAND ST.
Italian Panforte
I
f you’re planning to serve pasta to your holiday guests, it might seem the go-to would be something that reflects the colors of the season— carbonara for Thanksgiving, perhaps, or marinara on spinach noodles around Christmas. But according to Dave Jick, owner of Dave’s Fresh Pasta, the clear favorite among his customers during this season is… “Lobster ravioli,” he says without hesitation. “We sell a lot of lobster ravioli, and we have a vodka cream sauce that goes with it.” Looking for something readymade? Try the panforte, Photo courtesy of Dave’s Fresh Pasta.
a dense and flavorful Italian fruitcake. “Ours is a chocolate panforte, and we make our own,” Jick says. “You’re going to see a dense cake of fruits and nuts, only about an inch high. It’s not overly sweet, but it is dessert.” It is crammed full of the traditional hazelnuts, almonds, orange peel, and raisins, and the top is dusted with cocoa powder. But Jick’s recipe also offers a local nod in the form of dried cranberries. “The cranberries are a New England twist,” he says. “Not a lot of cranberries in Italy.” Because of its richness
¡Feliz Navidad!
M.F. DULOCK 201A HIGHLAND AVE.
European Salamis
and strong flavor, a six-inch panforte from Dave’s will serve up to 10 people. Jick first encountered panforte while traveling in Italy—specifically Sienna, which is known for the dessert. He was already a fruitcake fan, since his mother had always made them for family holidays. The panforte struck him as something that was “right up my alley” and would do well in his store. So ... does Mom like his panforte? “She loves it, of course,” he says with a laugh. In fact, she’s passed him the baton as the family fruitcake provider.
i!
J
osh Turka is a butcher and the shop manager at M.F. Dulock, where the holidays mean selling cuts from one end of an animal to the other as people come in and ask for their favorite roasts. “The holidays are a time to be at home and have a nice cooking project with your family,” Turka says. “Maybe a bigger project, like a braised pork shoulder that’s going to fall apart and be incredibly tender.” While many folks think about the usual suspects, such as prime cuts like tenderloins, this time of year M.F. Dulock gets requests for some muchbeloved but less popular pieces: a ranch roast of beef shoulder, a sirloin spoon roast, skin-on pork shoulders, rack of lamb. The majority of their trade is in raw cuts of meat—Dulock doesn’t have an oven on-site—but they do have options you can take home and serve straightaway: Several varieties of traditional European salamis, which Turka says are very popular around the holidays. “We have a number of different flavors—fennel, chorizo, French saucisson-sec,” he says. “They’re dry-cured for three weeks and go great on a cheese board.” With what cheese? Well, that depends on the variety. Take the saucisson-sec, for instance: It pairs well with any classic French cheese, so if you’re a fan of brie this would make a great accompaniment, says Turka. But you’ll probably want more than one, depending on the size of your party; three salamis with cheeses and perhaps olives and cornichons should make an appetizer for around 10 people. And then there are those who are even more adventurous... “We have a British couple that comes in and gets a whole pig head,” says Turka. “They brine it for a couple of days and then roast it until the skin is crispy.”
Live
elpot
romexicangrill.c
Mari
ac
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om
AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CUISINE SOMERVILLE • LOWELL • MALDEN • CHELSEA
scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue
17
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
CARAMEL FRENCH PATISSERIE | 235 ELM ST.
Yule Log
F
or siblings Sophie and Dimitri Vallier, owners of Caramel Patisserie, the holidays are a time to honor tradition. French tradition, that is. “We always go for a traditional Yule log,” says Sophie Vallier, who manages the family bakery. “We have been doing this for almost four years now.” The Yule log, or buche de
Noel, is decorated to look like an actual log, and when sliced it reveals a beautiful swirl of cake and crème. They are made to order in different sizes, so no one has to go without, no matter how many or few are at the table. “Four people, six people, eight people,” says Sophie. “You don’t need to be a big family.” In fact, you technically
don’t need to be a family at all. On Saturdays and Sundays in December, you can walk into Caramel and pick up an individual Yule log in chocolate or vanilla—a miniaturized version, decorated just like the large ones, portioned for you alone. For the sharing-size Yule logs, Chef Dimitri creates three different flavors: The traditional
MACA | 1 BOW MARKET WAY
Holiday Macarons
A
fter two years of popping up at local markets and the Somerville Flea, Tamy Chung opened Maca in Bow Market so she could sell her macarons year-round. She taught herself macaron-making out of a desire to bake “something that wasn’t just a traditional chocolate chip cookie.” And when it became clear she had a knack for customizing them, well, how could she not come up with holiday versions? “I’m always having people coming in with requests,” says Chung. “I do themed boxes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other holidays.” Those special bakes feature a variety of characters and messages, such as one Thanksgiving box with macarons that spell out “Thank You” and have decorations of turkeys and maple leaves. Flavors have included maple
18 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
crème but, alas, no turkey or dressing. Her Christmas macarons have included eggnog, peppermint mocha, and bourbon crème. “My uniqueness is about seasonal flavors,” Chung says. She’s also done savory flavors on request, such as an everything bagel macaron, or red pepper and jelly. And she’s put custom decorations on them like animals and David Bowie. Clearly, these are not your French grandmother’s macarons. So, what kind of creation would Chung whip up for her own holiday table? “I’d probably make myself a macacake,” she says. “It’s a large macaron—4 to 8 inches across—with two layers of cake in the middle instead of filling.”
Photo, top, courtesy of Caramel French Patisserie. Photos, bottom, courtesy of Maca.
chocolate or vanilla, and a third he changes every year. For this holiday season, Sophie says, it will be either hazelnut or lemon. As for their family Christmas treat, the Valliers always make a Yule log for themselves, and it’s always the same flavor. “We like chocolate,” she says unapologetically.
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scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 19
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
Holiday Gift Guide ALL PHOTOS BY EMILY PIPER UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
D
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SHOP LOCAL?
id you know that when you shop locally, three times as much money stays in your home city compared to when you shop at a chain? That’s because local business owners are more likely to utilize other local services, according to Somerville Local First Executive Director Courtney O’Keefe. “They frequent other local businesses,” O’Keefe says. “They like to conduct their businesses locally, whether it’s hiring a local attorney, hiring local web designers, local HR people, local accountants, they like everything to be within an arm’s length. So when you spend money at a locally owned independent business, 20 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
you’re really contributing to other businesses.” The difference is even more stark compared to shopping online: spending your money locally keeps close to 50 times as much money at home versus when you buy “from an online megaretailer,” according to the American Independent Business Alliance. Shopping in November and December is especially crucial for small, local businesses, O’Keefe explains. “Holiday shopping can possibly be the difference between being able to remain open and not being able to remain open,” she says. “Especially for local artists and local makers, it’s a time where they can make sales that not only
carry them over throughout the new year and into the spring and sometimes into the summer, but also gives them that capital to buy new materials, maybe venture off into making more products and increasing their inventory.” If you’re already buying into shopping locally, there are still things you can do to further support your city’s businesses. First, patronize “the people who don’t necessarily have a storefront,” O’Keefe suggests: Somerville Local First will hold artist markets on Nov. 25 and Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arts at the Armory. Second, consider carrying cash when you’re doing your holiday shopping— credit and debit card fees can pose a real issue to small businesses, especially on low-priced items.
THE
ANIMAL-LOVER
“Friend to Strays” patch by Frog & Toad Press
$6, Calliope For those friends who seem to always have a new furry sidekick in their life.
THE
Cat Dad/Dog Mom mugs $20, Homeslice Perfect for coffee, tea, kibble, catnip … (we won’t judge).
Jax & Bones giraffe toy
$16.99, Petwell Supply Don’t be fooled by Jerry’s gentle smile: he’s made out of durable, non-toxic rope specifically for puppies and heavy chewers.
HOMEBODY
Mud & Yarn mug and plate
$38 for the mug / $30 for the plate, 7ate9 Bakery Nothing says hygge like a handmade mug of tea and a plate of cookies, and these pieces by local maker Mud & Yarn are perfect for a night in.
Heart Grown Wild Ritual Bath Kit
$35, Noel Herbal Skincare This kit from New England-based Heart Grown Wild has everything needed for organic plant-based self-care: fragrant violet and cedar smoke bath salts, a violet and black birch aroma roller, and a black birch and rose toner.
Plants you can’t kill
$25, Homeslice These cozy handmade cacti are not only invincible and huggable (no needles!), but they also come with names and personalities.
scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 21
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
THE
ACTIVIST
ADVENTURER
THE
“Be The Change: The Future is in Your Hands” $14.95, Magpie Kids Shopping for a budding activist? Empower your favorite tween with this guide to being the change you wish to see in the world. (Ages 8-12)
American Road Trip Field Guides
$18, Loyal Supply Co. Have a friend who won’t stay put? Wildsam’s Road Trip Field Guides are a unique mix of storytelling, historical anecdotes, and unconventional travel trips.
Activism Puzzle
$22, Davis Squared This beautiful 500-piece puzzle features a crowd with a whole spectrum of signs including “Black Lives Matter,” “Women’s Rights are Human Rights,” and “Refugees Welcome Here.”
Travel candles
Wooden pins (Audre Lorde / Marsha P. Johnson)
$10, PESTON Shopping for the activist who wears their beliefs on their sleeve (or jacket)? We love these handmade pins featuring poet Audre Lorde and transgender pioneer Marsha P. Johnson. 22 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
$14, Queen of Swords These 100 percent soy candles come in scents like tobacco, cardamom, and sweet fig, and are easily tucked into carryons, glove compartments, coat pockets ... (you get the idea).
“The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid”
$19.95, Magpie Kids Because wanderlust starts early! This gorgeously illustrated guide is sure to spark the imagination of the youngest adventurers. (Ages 8-12) Activism Puzzle photo by Holli Banks.
FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!
L E A R N M O R E A B O U T M AY O R J O E AT J O E C U R TAT O N E . C O M P A I D F O R A N D A U T H O R I Z E D B Y T H E C O M M I T T E E T O E L E C T J O E C U R TAT O N E
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
THE
R E T T E S D TREN Handmade Kids Hats
$15, 4GoodVibes Lots of designs to fit newborns through age 12.
Industrial cage lamp
$135, kmoe For that friend whose home is eternally Instagram-worthy.
Proraso Beard Tin
$45, Razors Barbershop & Shave Parlor So your favorite facial-hair-haver isn’t ready to be done with no-shave November? Help them care for their new fuzz with this kit that includes beard wash, beard balm, and beard oil and comes in four scents: Cypress & Vetiver, Wood & Spice, Azur Lime, or Eucalyptus Menthol.
BOOZE ENTHUSIAST
THE
ParTea Booze Infusers
$7, The Boston Shaker These locally made blends of dried fruits and spices are the perfect addition to any cocktail lover’s home bar. Flavors include ginger, jalapeño, and orange spice. Great for making sangria or mulled wine! 24 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
Good Measure Recipe Pitcher
$26, Davis Squared Who needs a recipe book when you have a recipe pitcher? Eight cocktail recipes wrap around this pitcher— summer sangria, salty dog, Bloody Mary, and more. Handmade kids hats and Good Measure Recipe Pitcher photos by Holli Banks.
THE
CYCLIST
Bicycle String Art by Blossoms & Knots
Lucite Hoops
$78, Queen of Swords A new spin on a classic, these 2.5” diameter hoops are made out of natural, renewable, crystal-clear cellulose acetate.
$23, 4GoodVibes Because every proud cyclist needs a bike on their wall, and this sweet, simple string art takes up less space than an actual bike.
Bowtie
$35, PESTON Step 1: Buy one of these handmade bow ties for your fashionforward friend. Step 2: Watch as they show up on everyone else in six months.
Urbana Sac paper backpack
$85, Filomena Demarco Jewelry These sustainably handcrafted paper backpacks are lightweight and surprisingly durable.
Remnant Brewing Glass and Metal Beer Glasses
$8 for glass / $14 for metal, Remnant Brewing Give the beer aficionado on your list a little piece of their favorite local brewery with these glasses.
Bicycle repair kit
$18, Magpie The cyclist on your list will be prepared for anything with this compact kit, which includes a six-headed allen set, patch repair kit, two metal tire levelers, glue, buffer, and bone tool.
Giro Ambient 2.0 biking gloves
$50, Somervelo Help keep the bravest winter cyclists’ hands warm and dry this winter with these waterresistant, fleece-lined gloves.
“Drinking Like Ladies: 75 Cocktails from the World’s Leading Female Bartenders” $24.99, The Boston Shaker Not only do we love this book’s combination of delicious and innovative drinks, but the authors are local Boston bartenders as well. Cheers!
scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 25
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
THE
THE
NEW T PAREN
FOODIE
Wooden Spoon Herbs Rosy Cocoa
$34, Noel Herbal Skincare Give your new-parent friends a pocket vacation with this chocolatey herbal blend. One tablespoon in warm milk or hot water promises decreased stress and increased bliss.
6-Pack Nuts Gift Basket
$29.99, Q’s Nuts Can’t decide which flavor your foodie friend would prefer? Pick six different ones! With flavor choices like cayenne mango, bananas foster, sea salt rosemary, and Mexican chocolate, there’s something for every palate.
FLOAT gift certificate
$60 for 60 minutes / $90 for 90 minutes / $180 for 3-pack / $475 for 9-pack, FLOAT Every sleep-deprived new parent could use some time alone in a silent tank, floating in warm saltwater.
Off the Beaten Path Food Tour
$60, offthebeatenpathfoodtours.com Somerville is full of hidden gems and little-known history. Eat your way through Davis or Union.
Summerlulu Teething Necklaces
$34, Magpie Kids Not only do these locally made teething necklaces save hair and earrings from being yanked by curious new babies, but they double as chic statement pieces.
26 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
Handwritten initial pendant $75 for silver / $325 for rose or yellow gold / $225 for 14k with silver chain, e. scott originals These delicate pendants are the perfect subtle nod to the arrival of a new mini-human.
“Cookies! An Interactive Recipe Book”
$16.95, Magpie Kids Is the tiny foodie in your life making a mess of your kitchen? This interactive recipe book is perfect for the preschool set: colorful, educational, and best of all, cleanup-free. (Ages 2-4) FLOAT Gift Certificate photo courtesy of FLOAT. Food tour photo courtesy of Off the Beaten Path Food Tours.
MAKER
THE
6-in-1 multitool pen
$14, Davis Squared Mild-mannered pen by day. Ruler, level, mobile device stylus, flat-head screwdriver, and Phillips screwdriver by night. This thing is Inspector Gadget-level cool.
“Fabric Hoarder” sewing machine pins
$12, Homeslice It’s time to thank that friend who hemmed all your jeans this year.
Moulin Roty Sewing Kit
$65, Magpie Kids Know a kid who’d rather sew than Snapchat? This kit comes with everything that future Etsy seller needs: five balls of wool yarn, a tape measure, childsized wooden knitting needles, seven spools of embroidery thread, a thimble, buttons, scissors, sewing needles, and a crochet needle. (Ages 6+)
FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS
everything, GIVE THE GIFT OF nothing “I ALWAYS THINK NOTHING IS HAPPENING. THEN I STEP OUT AND MY SHOULDERS AREN’T EARRINGS ANYMORE AND I WALK DOWN THE STREET LIKE THE CHILLEST HIPPIE TO GROOVE OUT AT WOODSTOCK”
515 MEDFORD ST (MAGOUN SQUARE) • 844-44-FLOAT
FLOATBOSTON.COM/GIFT
scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 27
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
THE
FREE SPIRIT
THE One Cool Cat beard oil
R E V O L C I S MU
$16, Queen of Swords Sure, beards have been hip for a while now, but a well-groomed one? Timeless. This balsamscented blend of hempseed, neroli, and jojoba oils is great for facial hair as well as any other colortreated, dry, or damaged hair.
Boombox print
$25, Sarah Dudek Paintings & Prints Finally: A way for your favorite music lover to celebrate their love of loud music without annoying the neighbors.
“Lunar Love Flow: Practicing Yoga with the Moon” $26, Noel Herbal Skincare This beautifully photographed book is the perfect gift for that friend from your yoga class who always makes sure to remind you when Mercury is in retrograde.
“ABC Mindful Me”
$16.95, Magpie Kids The youngest free spirits will love this colorful, engaging alphabet of mindfulness. Their parents will love its emphasis on calmness, awareness, and compassion. (Ages 3-5)
THE
$20, Vinyl Index Gift the vinyl lover in your life with this perfectly record-sized tote (and slip a Vinyl Index gift card in there while you’re at it).
PROUD LOCAL Somerville Magnets (Alewife, Davis, 02144)
$4, Davis Squared Give the gift of the Red Line, without any of those frustrating service delays. 28 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
Gracie’s Onesie
Canvas tote bag (or gift card)
$16, Gracie’s Ice Cream The tiniest local on your list may not actually be old enough to eat ice cream yet, but there’s no reason they can’t still rep your favorite Somerville ice cream spot!
Prospect Hill Monument 8”x10” Collage
$38, 9000 Things So your favorite proud Somervillian didn’t get that condo with views overlooking Prospect Hill Tower? Here’s the next best thing.
Get the Goods 4GoodVibes
Magpie Kids
7ate9 Bakery
Noel Herbal Skincare
(781) 218-9361, 199C Highland Ave. 7ate9bakery.com
(617) 784-0259, 689 Somerville Ave. shannon-noel.com
9000 Things
Off the Beaten Path Food Tours
(617) 764-0234, 483 Somerville Ave. 4goodvibes.bigcartel.com
1 Bow Market Way shop.9000things.com
Boston Shaker
(617) 718-2999, 69 Holland St. thebostonshaker.com
Calliope
1 Bow Market Way calliopepaperie.com
Davis Squared
(617) 666-6700, 409 Highland Ave. davissquared.com
e. scott originals
(617) 776-2814, 199B Highland Ave. escottoriginals.com
Filomena Demarco Jewelry
(401) 301-5382, 1 Bow Market Way filomenademarcojewelry.com
Float
(844) 443-5628, 515 Medford St. floatboston.com
Gracie’s Ice Cream
(617) 764-5294, 22 Union Square graciesicecre.am
Homeslice
1 Bow Market Way homesliceshop.com
kmoe
1 Bow Market Way kmoe-ptown.com
Loyal Supply Co.
(617) 996-6930, 21 Union Square loyalsupplyco.com
Magpie
(617) 764-4110, 95 Elm St. magpiekids.com
Offthebeatenpathfoodtours.com hello@offthebeatenpathfoodtours. com
Peston
1 Bow Market Way pestonshop.com
Petwell Supply
(617) 741-3104, 201B Highland Ave. petwellsupply.com
Q’s Nuts
(617) 764-3741, 349 Highland Ave. qsnuts.com
SOMERVILLE NATIVE JASON FAULKNER HAS PARTNERED WITH DIRTY OLD BOSTON AND AUTHOR JIM BOTTICELLI FOR A COLLECTION OF SHIRTS CELEBRATING OLD BOSTON AND SOMERVILLE BUSINESSES
Queen of Swords
(617) 718-0373, 17 Hawkins St. shopqueenofswords.com
Razors Barbershop & Shave Parlor
(617) 625-4444, 308 Highland Ave. razorsbarbershop.com
Remnant Brewing
(617) 764-0641, 2 Bow Market Way remnantsomerville.com
Sarah Dudek Paintings & Prints
etsy.com/shop/SarahDudekPaints
Somervelo
(617) 628-0328, 361 Somerville Ave. somervelo.com
“I’m passionate about stories and memories of what Somerville/Cambridge and Boston used to be. Hearing my Uncles talk about sneaking into a Led Zeppelin concert through the roof of the old Boston Garden or a neighbors car being torched over gambling debts (not by them, by bookies) are maybe better left in the past, but certainly not forgotten. Dirty Old Boston shares old photos and stories through Facebook, Instagram a weekly Blog and its Podcast.”
Vinyl Index
(617) 764-3667, 1 Bow Market Way vinylindex.com
W W W. D I R T Y O L D B O S T O N . C O M
SAVE 10% CODE: SCOUT10
(617) 623-3330, 416 Highland Ave. magpie-store.com scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 29
shop local modern gifts for modern kids CLOTHES, TOYS, BOOKS AND MORE!
CBD VAPE JEWELRY SMOKE PIPES NOVELTIES GIFTS & MORE!
95 Elm St, Somerville | 617-764-4110 | www.magpiekids.com
Join us at MUDFLAT STUDIO,
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CELEBRATING THE SEASON
HIDDEN HARVESTS WITH THE
LEAGUE OF URBAN CANNERS BY JILLIAN KRAVATZ | PHOTOS BY SASHA PEDRO
S
ome things are hard to miss: the leaves changing to vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange, the impossibly long line at that one ramen restaurant in Porter Square, the traffic in Union Square at 4:15 p.m. Other things—like the hundreds of fruit trees tucked away throughout Somerville and Cambridge—are not so easy to notice. Many people walking the cities’ streets aren’t aware of the food growing around them, according to Sam Katz-Christy, the founder of the League of Urban Canners. He knows because he was once one of them. “Initially, you are just blind to it,” Katz-Christy says, recalling how once he began to notice the plethora of fruit trees growing in the area, he was shocked that he hadn’t seen them before. After watching so much fruit go to waste, he decided to gather a group of friends and do something about it. “We have these ideas about food, about what it should look like or where it should come from; I think we need to break down the barriers of what we think of as food,” he says. The League of Urban Canners (affectionately known as LURC among participants), aims to do just that. They find and harvest the often-overlooked fruits growing in the city— 32 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
whether in a neighbor’s yard or a public park—and make them into delicious local jams, preserves, dried foods, and fermented snacks to enjoy throughout the whole year. Since its start in 2012, the group has managed to find and record nearly 300 fruit trees in Somerville and Cambridge, at least 100 of which are harvested annually. The two cities, it turns out, offer a wide range of fruits for curious LURCers—including peaches, pears, crabapples, mulberries, sour cherries, Concord grapes, and a few lesserknown fruits such as juneberries, cornelion cherries, and quince. You can often find LURCers gathered together with a ladder, a tarp, a few boxes, and sometimes bike helmets to protect their heads from falling fruit. Once they harvest, they share 10 percent of the resulting canned goods with the tree owners as a courtesy. LURC is a laid-back, decentralized group, operating from an email listserv where tree owners and experienced members announce harvesting opportunities and organize harvesting gatherings throughout the cities. Harvests depend on when fruit is ready to pick and are announced sporadically, sometimes with just a few days, or a few hours, of notice.
MEMBER PROFILE:
CLAIRE MINEY
ELEVATE DESTINATIONS WHAT DO YOU DO FOR ELEVATE DESTINATIONS?
As a recent college grad, I am one of the newest members of the Elevate Destinations team. A leader in eco-luxury travel, the company was founded and operates as a social enterprise; philanthropy and positive social and environmental impact are key to our mission. Elevate Destinations has pioneered the field of donor travel and is able to provide responsible travel to any region of the globe. I currently work as an assistant program manager at Elevate where I help with trip planning, materials, and logistics for our Donor Trips.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE OUTSIDE-OF-WORK ACTIVITY? I recently relocated to Cambridge from Philadelphia, so I spend a lot of my free time exploring the city with friends. I love trying out new restaurants & breweries and trying my best at trivia night with my coworkers (we haven’t won just yet...).
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT IL?
I LOVE the people at IL. I have only been a member for two months but already I have been wholly welcomed into the community. Everyone is incredibly friendly and helpful which lends itself to a relaxed yet productive working environment. Plus, it is always easy to find a dog if you are in need of some puppy cuddles.
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AFTERNOON UNDER THE ARBOR
O
ne LURC harvest happened on a crisp September afternoon. The bittersweet, musty smell of fresh grape juice filled the air as the group gathered at the end of a driveway on (the aptly named) Concord Avenue in Somerville. The driveway was splattered with crushed grapes as Danny, 3, and Alex, 5, of Somerville shuttled bunches of grapes from box to box beneath a tall grape arbor strung with twinkle lights. Their father, Andy Whynot, stood on a ladder, reaching up to snip clusters of grapes from the vine. Meanwhile their mother, Jeanne, stacked some white cardboard boxes in a corner, readying them to be filled with the bounty. Jeanne, who has been participating in LURC harvests for three years, says she wants her children to understand where food comes from. Since joining LURC, she’s managed to keep two energetic young boys fueled with
enough PB&J sandwiches for the year without buying any jelly at the grocery store. Sitting on lawn chairs by their back door, Maria and Humberto Rego watched as the grapes they planted in 1962 were harvested by the LURC members. They learned about LURC through their daughter, and are grateful to have extra hands helping them harvest their grapes. “Me and him used to pick all the grapes,” Maria said, gesturing toward her husband, “but we’re getting old,” she added with a laugh. The Regos, like many tree owners, find that they cannot use all of the fruit their trees produce each year. “We have so many grapes, and I already made my jam,” Maria said. On another ladder at the Rego property, Bethany Ericson, a local jewelry artist, reached up to pluck a few clusters of her own while her daughter, Lyra, emptied the grapes into a bigger box. “This is the first time I’ve done this,” she said. When Maria asked if she’d had
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CELEBRATING THE SEASON
the jam to the jars. However intimidating canning might seem, Hallman and Cyrus both mention the satisfaction and security in hearing the lids of the cans pop as they cool down, meaning that the air has escaped and the food inside is sealed and protected. “It’s very easy to tell if everything is sealed properly,” Hallman says. “You just listen for the pop.” Cyrus loves canning
SEASON’S GREETINGS
enough, Ericson reassured her. “I have way more than I need.”
W
YES YOU CAN
C
anning and preserving has always been at the heart of what the League of Urban Canners does in the community. One apple or pear tree has the potential to produce well over 200 pounds of fruit per year, more than even a few families could consume, according to Jascha Smilack, who manages a few harvesting sites for LURC. Ericson is an experienced jam and jelly canner, though the grape harvest in September was the first time she gathered her fruit through LURC. She planned to make some jelly with the grapes and then pass along the rest to friends and family. “It can be a little nervewracking at first,” Ericson says of canning, “but it’s really simple if you follow the instructions.” Many people fear home canning because of possible threats of botulism, a rare but serious food poisoning from bacteria that can develop in improperly canned goods. Afton Cyrus, who founded her own small-batch jam and jelly company, Jam Sessions, and now sells her jams at farmers markets throughout Somerville and Cambridge, understands the hesitancy of first-time canners. “It’s scary stuff, when you don’t know what you’re doing,” she says. “But once you read a little bit and find a trusted, reliable source for your recipe, it’s really quite simple and very safe.” “Acidity is key,” she adds, noting that the surest way to
34 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
explains. For first-time canners overwhelmed by the prospect of being buried in jam, Cyrus recommends thinking about what you will really eat and trying a small batch first. The same goes with recipes— start simple with a trusted recipe before getting too creative. Though Smilack and his family like making sour cherry and mulberry jam, they started out using simple recipes from wellknown canning cookbooks.
AFTON CYRUS
“You open up a jar in the middle of winter and have a taste of summer.” prevent any bacteria from forming in your canned goods is to make sure you are canning high-acid foods. Julia Hallman, an avid homecanner and the lead buyer at Formaggio Kitchen Cambridge, agrees. She often ensures her canned goods will be safe by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to the mix. There are also FDAapproved boiling times based on what, and how much, you are canning. The times can be found easily online, Hallman says, as well as on most Ball jar packages and in canning books. Hallman adds that working in a clean space with clean equipment is very important. While some canners like Cyrus choose to sterilize their cans in a hot water bath before adding the jam, others, including Hallman, use the bottom rack of a dishwasher right before adding
because it gives her an outlet for creativity. When canning, she says, you know exactly what is going into your food. She opts for a low-sugar pectin—a substance that gives jam its gelatinous consistency—called Pomona’s Pectin, which requires less sugar and lets the natural flavor of the fruit come through. Though not a member of LURC, Cyrus only includes locally grown produce in her jams and doesn’t want to mask the flavors. Smilack also mentioned Pomona’s Pectin as his family’s choice of pectin. Other canners, like Hallman, prefer not to use pectin at all, resulting in a looser, more French-style jam. Schreiner often cans his fruit plain without any sweetening or pectin, he says, joking, “I could just eat fruit with a spoon.” Canning also doesn’t have to be a huge event, Cyrus
inter is coming, and after the joys of the holidays, frost and ice will bring bitter cold days when luxuries like strawberries and apples will be but a faint memory. “I think that now that people are realizing the benefits of eating locally, they are also realizing the dearth of things available in the wintertime,” Hallman says. Katz-Christy doesn’t think this dearth is a bad thing. “Being in tune with the seasons is really important,” he says. “Learning to eat with the seasons gives you a greater appreciation of food.” As the holidays approach, Cyrus suggests canning as a way to make thoughtful gifts for family and friends. “People like consumable gifts,” she says, adding that giving canned goods is a way to offer someone something they can enjoy later, after the glut of holiday eating is over, when winter comes in full force. Smilack has used LURC as a way to stock up on gifts for the holidays. “A jar of homemade jam is special and economical,” he says, adding that with two children in two different schools and after school programs, his family’s list of holiday gift recipients has gotten quite long. It’s not too late to get started on some holiday canning. While local apples are still in season, Cyrus suggests making apple butter or applesauce. Hallman also advises making butter or jam out of pears. “The season is so short here,” Cyrus says. “Canning is a way to make it last. You open up a jar in the middle of winter and have a taste of summer.”
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CELEBRATING THE SEASON
Happy
HOLIDAYS FROM A
Happiness
COACH
NEED MORE JOY IN YOUR LIFE? HERE’S WHAT HAPPINESS COACH ANGELA REINER RECOMMENDS. BY REENA KARASIN
36 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
I’d love to hear a bit about you. I focused most of my career in HR, but doing it in primarily international companies and organizations, so I really wanted to do it in a lens that was benefiting the world. Through a series of events I had an epiphany, change of heart, whatever you call it, reckoning, and made a huge leap and quit my job and started my own business, and just went after my dreams to create what I really want to give to the world. So I call myself a happiness coach, because that’s what I really believe I’m doing. I studied positive psychology, I did a year-long certification under the Wholebeing Institute. That kind of just lit me up to the possibility of doing good and changing people’s lives by helping them live a happier life—whatever that means to them. So what was the epiphany? I was at Partners In Health, I was doing support for the humanitarian aid workers that were going to really remote countries all over the world. They had the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, so our organization did decide it was the right and moral choice to go into West Africa. At that point I was working HR for them, and they said, ‘You know what Angela, we need you to solely focus on our West Africa staff, you’re going to be helping the doctors ramp up that are going to West Africa, and you’re going to be helping the doctors when they come home.” And it was really hard, the level of secondary trauma that I experienced from people who experienced real first-hand trauma in those countries. After the emergency subsided, things started to wind down and just go back to normal. I felt a sense of meaninglessness, and I looked around the office and I saw a lot of other people were feeling a sense of meaninglessness. I felt like something had to shift. I stumbled upon a [life] coach. It was super transformative, my whole Photo courtesy of Angela Reiner.
outlook on life changed, a lot of my coping mechanisms changed around staying more balanced and present, she helped me accomplish a lot of personal goals that I had in my life, and in return I’d go back to work and I started coaching staff. They’d come to me with a problem and I’d be like, “OK, how do we think about this differently, what do you want to do about it, how do we set goals that make you feel more fulfilled.” And people started really loving it, I started doing positive psychology all over the office. I turned to my coach and I said, “I want to do what you do.”
that really excites you in your job, what is it that really excites you about life, what was your biggest dream? A big question I have for clients starting out is to create a vision with me, and so I say, “Imagine with me, 10 to 15 years out, your life is as ideal as possible, everything has gone perfectly for you. What does it look like?” And then we can take those answers and say, “What about that can you start applying, what steps can you take to move closer to that vision?”
How would you describe positive psychology?
Holidays are really complicated. A big thing about positive psychology that I would like to acknowledge, [is that] I don’t want people to think I walk around with rose-colored glasses and think everything is awesome—it’s not. If you are feeling mixed emotions around the holidays, or let’s say quite negative emotions around the holidays, whether it’s family dynamics, financial stress, work stress, whatever it could be, take that extra time around the holidays. I cannot emphasize self-care enough in the winter months. We in Boston have very dark skies— get your vitamin D, get your blue lamp. Taking breaks is really important to our well-being, we can’t be plugged in 24/7, whether it’s with work or with our families. Also, gratitude is huge. I think we all often forget what these holidays are built around, it can become very commercialized, but these holidays are built around people coming together, connecting, sharing love and sharing gratitude, what they’re grateful for. Gratitude can make us happy—it’s actually one of the bigger indicators.
It’s the science of happiness, it’s the science of what makes us happier and more fulfilled and gives us more meaning in our lives. Marty Seligman has his PERMA model. PERMA stands for positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments. In positive psychology, we’re looking at how to fulfill those five tenets. To put some of this into practice, there are techniques we use, like mindfulness and meditation, we use elements of self compassion, we use [character] strengths, gratitude, savoring the moments, social support is huge. Those are just some key approaches we use that do shift your outlook day to day. Happy people live longer, they earn more money, they’re more creative, they’re more philanthropic, the options are endless. The happier you are, the higher you are performing in your life. And that’s pretty awesome. That stuff lights me up—there’s a key to unlocking all this, and it’s right there. What’s the difference between you and a therapist? Coaching is a lot more actionoriented. What it is for is, “Hey, I just need help mapping how I’m going to get from A to B, and I want to find, with intention, more meaning in my life.” So I ask questions like what is it
I would love to hear about ways that you speak to your clients about holidays.
Angela Reiner is the founder of Angela Reiner Coaching and The Flourishing Co., a consulting business. To schedule a complimentary happiness coaching consultation, visit angelareiner.com. Editor’s note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and conciseness. scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 37
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
UNWIND AFTER A RUFF WEEK BY ALYSSA VAUGHN PHOTOS BY ADRIANNE MATHIOWETZ
38 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
B
ella Rich is 105, but she never forgets her weekly massage appointment. In fact, she conducts the entirety of her Wednesday with her 6 p.m. massage in mind. She rises from her orthopedic bed about mid-morning, then spends the day strolling around the Lesley University campus before returning to her home, a secondstory Porter Square apartment. Afterward, she recovers from the exercise by settling in with a warm compress on her hip (a treatment her massage therapist recommended) and eating an early dinner of white rice and rotisserie chicken. When the doorbell rings at 6 on the dot, she
hastens to the top of the stairs, eager to greet one of the people she loves most in the world. “Hi, lovebug!” Julie Polvinen coos, crouching down to scratch Bella’s ears. Bella barks, wagging her plume of a tail and stamping her four little feet on the floor. “Oh, you’re so pretty.” Bella Rich is a “lovebug,” a “princess,” a “baby,” and a 15-year-old Pekingese dog with bulging eyes, a short snout, and a tongue that tends to loll. She and her brother, 12-year-old Bacio, are two of the 26 animals who regularly patronize Polvinen’s massage therapy business, Zen Animal Massage. As one of Somerville’s best-
known certified small animal massage therapists, Polvinen spends her evenings delivering relaxation to a menagerie of clients—from Great Danes to domestic shorthair cats to Pomeranians to rabbits. This is Polvinen’s eighth year in business, and she’s built up a substantial fan base over that time, boasting a perfect 5.0 rating and nearly 30 rave reviews on her Facebook page. Typically, animals get an hour-long full body massage from Polvinen, including the head, ears, and face. But Bella and Bacio are a special case. “Whoever wanders into my space is whoever I work on,” Polvinen says as Bacio settles
down on the carpet in front of her. We are sitting in the living room, a kingdom that Bella is currently ruling from the memory foam bed that Polvinen recommended for her. Polvinen begins to slowly trace her fingers down the length of Bacio’s back. “My fingers are right and left of the spine, so I can compare the muscles on either side,” she explains to me. Polvinen’s voice is exactly the kind of voice you’d expect a massage therapist to have—low, reassuring, a little like a yoga instructor’s and a lot like your kindly next door neighbor’s. Bacio begins to close his eyes. Dana Rich, Bacio and Bella’s owner, first met Polvinen at the Somerville Dog Festival. She took Polvinen’s card, but didn’t call her until five years later, when she had a bit of extra cash. “I got a bonus at work, and I told my husband ‘I’m going to get the dog massaged!’” Rich says. Rich immediately saw the impact Polvinen’s massages had on Bacio. As he aged, Bacio had gotten stiffer from degenerative discs in his spine, but Polvinen was able to help restore some of his mobility. “You can see how calm he is during his massage,” says Rich. “He’s a high-strung dog, but when Julie’s here, the whole atmosphere is relaxing in the house.” While her voice could easily lull the listener to sleep, Polvinen’s hands are far from sluggish. She often says that her fingers are her eyes, and they’re traveling a practiced route around Bacio’s back, relaxing muscles, loosening knots. She’s on high alert for anything that feels off—it’s not uncommon for her to make critical discoveries about her clients’ bodies. “I had seen this one dog every week,” Polvinen says. She remembers the dog settling in as usual, but then rolling over to expose his abdomen to her. “In the process of that abdominal massage, I found a mass about 5 inches around. And my heart sunk.” As she remembers having to tell the owner about the mass— which the vet later diagnosed as a lethal tumor on the dog’s spleen— she gets choked up. “The woman just started sobbing … and she said, ‘Julie,
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CELEBRATING THE SEASON
PET HOLIDAY WOES Many of the activities we enjoy most during the holiday season—decorating, cooking, and hosting family—can actually be upsetting for your pet. “Animals love routine, and overstimulation can be triggering for them,” says Polvinen. However, this doesn’t mean you need to go full-on Grinch. Rather than putting all your seasonal merrymaking on hold, try these tips from Polvinen to cure your furry friend’s holiday woes.
PROBLEM: It’s too cold for your dog to go outside for her walk.
PROBLEM:
When you arrive back home after your holiday vacation and pick your pet up from the kennel, he seems nervous and upset.
PROBLEM:
As you wrap your gifts and bake your cookies, your dog decides to scratch the furniture or chew your shoes.
PROBLEM:
You notice your pet’s gait getting smaller or stiffer as the temperature drops.
PROBLEM:
You’ve already used all your good gift ideas for your aging pet and have no idea what to stuff her stocking with this year. 40 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
SOLUTION:
When the weather outside is frightful, it’s your responsibility to make sure your dog is getting the exercise she needs indoors. “Have a playtime experience in the house with a ball or a bully stick,” says Polvinen. Younger dogs can use up their energy jumping up and down for a snack, she suggests, and older dogs can exercise their minds with puzzle toys that conceal treats inside.
SOLUTION:
Pets always need an adjustment period when their routines are disturbed—and when you send them to the kennel, that period might last a couple of days. “Sitting down with the pet is really important,” Polvinen says. “Pet them and be calm with them.”
SOLUTION:
No one feels the stress of the holidays quite like your pet. As you’re frantically crossing off items on your holiday checklist, your pet is picking up on even the smallest indicators of stress, which makes him stressed out, too. “We might be pacing, or tapping pencils,” Polvinen says. Your dog’s misbehavior, she explains, is the equivalent of these nervous tics. In this case, you need to readjust your own behavior—make an effort to relax, and you might notice that your pet does, too.
SOLUTION:
During the cold season, your pet’s joints can get just as stiff as yours—luckily, the treatment for human joint pain can work for your pet, too. “Give them a heating pad with gentle and low warmth,” Polvinen says.
SOLUTION:
There are plenty of products that Polvinen recommends to give your older pet a happy and healthy holiday. “Definitely try an orthopedic bed to better support the spine, neck, and tail,” she says. She also recommends paw pad moisturizer, probiotics, or a yoga mat to provide more traction for paws on wooden floors.
we just came back from the vet,’” Polvinen remembers. “The vet never spotted it.” Polvinen emphasizes that as an animal massage therapist, she is only allowed to discover, not diagnose. This is why, she says, it’s highly valuable to have multiple people working on your pet. Working in alternative therapy alongside regular vet visits is “the best possible care you can be giving your animal.” “I can’t cure arthritis,” Polvinen explains. “But I can bring comfort and ease of movement and lessen the pain.”
I
t was Polvinen’s first dog, an arthritis-inflicted beagle named Dillon, who initially introduced her to animal massage therapy. Diagnosing the severity of Dillon’s arthritis would require anesthesia, which made Polvinen wary. She opted instead to research some holistic treatments, and came across an animal massage therapist. Polvinen was so impressed by Dillon’s improvement that she decided to not only become an animal massage therapist herself, but to attend the exact institution Dillon’s therapist did: the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester. The 200-hour program was no joke—Polvinen studied for six months before she was even allowed to touch a dog. After the class passed the technical exam, however, their days got a little livelier. “The people in the class would bring their dogs to class after that,” Polvinen remembers. “They would allow us to work on their dogs. It was so fun!” It’s hard to imagine someone being uninterested in getting a degree in what seems like glorified dog-petting. But one look at Polvinen’s calendar demonstrates how taxing her career is. Her 60-minute massages may be the core of her work, but Polvinen also regularly spends time before and after her appointments helping owners make their homes friendlier for their mobility-impaired animals, connecting them to her personal network of acupuncturists and holistic vets, or even helping them make the difficult decision of when to put their pet down.
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In other words, animal massage therapists don’t simply love animals—they have to love people, too. “When we were in school, they said—I’m going to choke up saying this—‘As much as you affect the dog, you affect their owner,’” Polvinen says. “And I was like, ‘I don’t get it, I’m not massaging the owner.’ And now I’ve come to understand this, eight years into the business. They are looking at anyone who works on their dog as someone who can help. And oftentimes they’re in a desperate state … I’m with people on this journey a lot of the time. It’s sometimes like a constant state of grieving.” In the month of September alone, Polvinen had to say goodbye to three clients who “crossed the rainbow bridge,” as she calls it. Some owners have even asked her to be present when their animals “cross,” to provide a gentle massage for their pet and emotional support for themselves. To her amazement, many of these owners stay in contact with Polvinen after their pets are gone. “I’m seen as a connection still, to that animal,” she says. “It’s amazing and beautiful.” Pet owners, Polvinen says, typically contact her when they realize that their pets’ health is declining, or when a vet hasn’t been able to provide adequate
treatment. This means that the very nature of her work is to constantly build intimate, trusting relationships with frantic owners and animals who simply don’t have a lot of time left. “We’re doing everything we can to try to give quality of life during the time that is left,” Polvinen says. “And this restores peace of mind to a lot of the owners.” As Polvinen delivers firm, long strokes to Bella’s ears with her thumbs—in the same way you might make a sharp crease in a piece of paper—Rich is in the kitchen, outfitting an IV bag with a needle. After Bella stopped eating and dropped from 10 to 7.4 pounds five months ago, the vet diagnosed her with kidney disease. “I really thought we were going to lose her,” Rich says. Bella requires intravenous fluids every other day, but Rich can’t bear sticking her with needles—so naturally, Polvinen has stepped in, administering fluids after Bella’s massage appointments. “It’s happening, Dana,” Polvinen calls from the living room with a smile, finishing up on Bella’s ears. “She’s getting well.” Bella shakes herself off, licks the air furiously, then scurries into the kitchen to check if there’s any chicken left in her bowl.
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scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 41
DO-GOODERS, KEY PLAYERS & GAME CHANGERS
DO-GOODERS, KEY PLAYERS, AND GAME CHANGERS
RESPOND BY LILLY MILMAN
JESSICA BRAYDEN
W
hen four local women formed domestic violence agency RESPOND in the early 1970s, the organization was the first of its kind in New England and only the second in the nation. Since Jessica Brayden became the CEO of the organization roughly a decade ago, she’s noticed organizations crop up across the region and the country following the same model that RESPOND has employed since its inception. According to Brayden, on just one day last year 316 requests for domestic violence shelters in the state went unmet due to lack of space. This is exactly the problem that RESPOND is trying to tackle with its services. The organization provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, free counseling, support groups, legal support, education programs, and emergency shelter for up to eight families at a time. RESPOND 42 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
representatives are also embedded in police departments in Woburn, Reading, Malden, Melrose, and Wakefield. “I think those women really were pioneers in that time in Massachusetts,” says Brayden. “I’ve seen other organizations replicate the model, and we need more. We need more organizations doing this work. We need more funding and support to do our work. What we have seen from the beginning of time is more agencies pop up, more domestic violence shelters, more prevention organizations. And we all kind of come together to create this system, but it’s still not enough. It’s just kind of keeping our heads above water.” In 2010, RESPOND extended all of its services to men—a decision that was controversial at the time, but has since become integral to the organization’s mission.
“We realized that men were presenting as victims of domestic violence, and the message they were getting back was, ‘You’re not a victim, this isn’t domestic violence, this somehow doesn’t count,’ which was the same message women were getting in the early ’70s when RESPOND was started, and is the message that many women still get to this day, as well,” says Brayden. “It wasn’t a popular decision with everybody back then, but we now are thrilled to say we seamlessly serve men in all of our service offerings, which means men are welcome to attend any of our groups for D.V. survivors, they can have individual counseling here in our community service center, if they are at imminent risk they are welcome at our shelter.” By opening its existing shelter to men, RESPOND increased the number of beds available for male victims
of domestic violence in Massachusetts seven-fold; when the 21-bed facility, which now houses people of all gender identities, began sheltering men, only three other beds were available to men in the state. One of the reasons Brayden, who has always worked in nonprofit organizations, began admiring RESPOND was its commitment to helping every person who enters the office or calls the hotline, regardless of what their problem is. “We don’t turn anybody away,” she says. “We work with whoever comes to us. Oftentimes, we’ll get people who don’t fall in our wheelhouse, but we’ll find that person the right connection. And people often follow up with us and let us know how that worked out. I love that ‘turn nobody away’ feel of the organization.” Brayden says the “tough and often tragic” work of RESPOND is only possible because of the support it receives from the Somerville community. “We couldn’t do it without the city of Somerville,” she says. “We work very closely with our police departments, all of the folks in the city who have supported our efforts through donations of time and treasure and talent and in-kind things. RESPOND is truly a community organization, and I can’t say thank you enough or underestimate that. Without the help of any one of those entities, the house of cards folds. We’re genuinely, truly grateful.” Anyone suffering from domestic violence, or worried about a loved one who may be suffering, can reach the RESPOND crisis hotline at (617) 623-5900. Live representatives answer the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more about RESPOND’s services, visit www.respondinc.org. Photo by Adrianne Mathiowetz.
Small
Large
Lamb N’ Beef Shawarma Paneer Kathi Roll Chicken Kathi Roll Chicken Tikka Naanwich Paneer Naanwich
Wraps
Steak Tip (10”) Chicken Parm (10”) Chicken Kebab (10”) Chicken Cutlet (10”)
Subs
10.95 9.95 9.95 10.95 10.95
10.95 8.95 8.95 8.95
Cheese 7.95 10.95 BBQ Chicken 8.95 13.95 Pepperoni 7.95 12.95 Chicken Tikka 8.95 13.95 Vegetable 7.95 12.95 Buffalo Chicken 7.95 12.95 Palak Paneer 8.95 13.95 Chicken Chili 8.95 13.95 Spinach 8.95 13.95 Chicken Palak 8.95 13.95 Loot 8.95 13.95 Red onion, pepper, sweet corn, jalapeños, pineapple, masala sauce, topped w/ fresh cilantro Chicken Chili 8.95 13.95 Ketchup, crushed pepper, onion, pepper, tomato & fried chicken Cholay 8.95 13.95 Marinated chickpeas, red onion, pepper, white sauce, topped w/ fresh cilantro Additional Toppings .50 .75 Tomato, Onion, Pepper, Mushroom, Black Olive, Pepperoni, Garlic, Ginger, Bacon, Broccoli Extra Cheese or Sauce 1.00
Pizza
3.95 2.95 2.95
4.50 2.95 2.95 5.95 2.45 1.50
2.95 3.45 3.95 3.95 3.95 2.95 2.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95
20 OZ. Drink 2.45 Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, Ginger Ale, Orange Fanta Powerade or Vitamin Water 2.95 Water 1.50 Glass Bottle Soda 2.95 Coke, Sprite or Fanta Sparkling Water 1.95 Lassi Mango 3.95 Sweet 1.95 2 Ltr. Drink 2.95 Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, Orange Fanta
Beverages
Kheer Lal-Mohan Rasbari
Dessert
French Fries Basmati Rice Rice Pilaf Waffle Fries Plain Yogurt Chuira
Side Orders
Naan Garlic Naan Cheese Naan Chilli Cheese Naan Tawa Naan Tandoori Roti Plain Paratha Aloo Paratha Onion Cheese Paratha Chilli Cheese Paratha Malabari Paratha (2 pcs) Laccha Paratha Chapati (2 pcs) Aloo Kulcha Onion Kulcha
Bread
Reminder: Some items are cooked to order and may be served raw or undercooked. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase risk of food-borne illness. Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.
Subject to Mass & local meals tax. Prices and menu are subject to change at any time without prior notice. If you have any questions regarding menu, please call 617-623-9068
PURCHASE OF $75 OR MORE
Coupons valid only for pick-up and callin delivery orders. Not valid for online or other orders.
PURCHASE OF $75 OR MORE
Coupons valid only for pick-up and callin delivery orders. Not valid for online or other orders.
20% OFF 20% OFF
Order online at himalayankitchenma.com
Call or Text your order 617-623-9068
40 Bow Street, Somerville
WE DELIVER • WE CATER
NEPALESE • INDIAN • AMERICAN
Appetizers Soup of the Day Vegetable Samosas (2pcs) Aloo Chaat Samosa Chaat Chicken Chaat Vegetable Pakora Chicken Pakora Garden Salad Grilled Chicken Salad Grilled Chicken Caesar Steak Tip Salad Battered Shrimp (8pcs) Chicken Fingers (Reg, Buffalo, BBQ) Mozzarella Sticks (8pcs)
3.50 3.95 4.95 5.95 5.95 4.95 6.95 5.95 6.95 6.95 7.95 7.95 6.95 6.95
Jumbo Chicken Wings Med (8pcs) 8.95 Lg (12pcs) 11.95 Buffalo, Teriyaki, Honey BBQ or BBQ (Fried Only) Punjabi or Bombay (Roasted or Fried)
Lunch Specials Served daily 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
13.95 13.95 13.95 15.95 15.95
10.95 10.95 10.95
Served with fresh salad, basmati rice, and naan Vegetable 8.95 Choice of aloo gobi, palak paneer or chana masala Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Curry or Chef’s Special Goat Curry 9.95
Sandwiches w/ French fries or onion rings Barbecue or Teriyaki Chicken Pulled Pork Beef Burger
Kebabs Chicken Tikka Kali Mirch Ke Tikkey Beef Tandoori Shrimp Chicken Seekh
Himalayan Cuisine Mo Mo Handmade dumplings (8pcs) chicken, pork or vegetable Steamed 4.95 Pan Fried 5.95 Johl (Tangy Soup) 5.95 Spicy (c- mo mo) 6.95 Chow Mein Pan fried noodles sautéed w/spices Vegetable 7.95 Chicken 8.95 Mixed 9.95 Chicken Fried Rice 8.95 Vegetable Fried Rice 7.95 Sekuwa Meat marinated w/ Himalayan spices & yogurt, then charbroiled. Served w/ salad & sauce Chicken or Pork 8.95 Goat or Beef 9.95 Chilli Meat seasoned & sautéed w/ onions, green & red pepper, served with house special chili sauce Paneer 8.95 Chicken w/bone 6.95 Pork 7.95 Beef 9.95 Bara (2pcs) Black lentil patties served w/ house gravy Plain 7.95 Topped w/ Egg 8.95 w/ Egg & Meat 9.95 Chatamari Rice flour crepe w/ house gravy Veg & Egg 7.95 Meat, Veg & Egg 8.95 Chyoila Spicy charbroiled meat marinated in ginger, garlic, red pepper, cilantro, spices & mustard oil. Served room temp. Soya chunks 8.95 Chicken or Pork 8.95 Beef 9.95 Bhuton Marinated goat orange or chicken gizzard sautéed with onions, ginger, garlic, cilantro & herbs Chicken 7.95 Goat 9.95 Sukuti Sauteed buffalo jerky 10.95 Aloo Dum 6.95 Nepali Thali Napali set w/ Basmati rice, lentil soup, veg, pickle, salad & curry Veg Curry (Aloo Bodi Tama) 13.95 Chicken Curry w/ Bone 14.95 Goat Curry 15.95 Newari Samay Baji Thali Newari set w/ chuira, black eyed peas, soy beans, ginger, garlic, bar, chyoila, potatoes & curry Veg Curry (Aloo Bodi Tama) 14.95 Chicken Curry w/ Bone 15.95 Goat Curry 16.95 Taas Set w/ pieces of goat w/ skin and bone marinated overnight and shallow fried w/ Nepalese spices until tender. Served w/ puffed rice, pickled radish, salad & roasted ginger garlic 11.95
Entrees
Below served w/ rice pilaf & grilled veg Grilled Salmon 15.95 Cajun Chicken 13.95 Below served w/ rice pilaf & fries or onions rings Baby Back Ribs 15.95 Sirloin Tips 13.95 Barbecue Chicken 13.95 Teriyaki Chicken 13.95 Shrimp N’ Ribs 15.95 Chicken N’ Ribs 14.95 Chicken N’ Beef 15.95 Shrimp N’ Chicken 15.95
11.95 11.95 12.95 10.95 12.95 12.95 10.95 11.95 11.95 12.95 12.95 12.95 10.95 11.95 11.95 7.95
Vegetarian Entrees All served w/ basmati rice
Stuffed Pepper Aloo Gobi (Vegan) Lasuni Gobi Chana Masala (Vegan) Malai Kofta Shahi Paneer Masalo Dal Tadka (Vegan) Bhindi Masala (Vegan) Aloo Mutter Mutter Paneer Navaratna Korma Palak Paneer Jeera Aloo (Vegan) Aloo Bodi Tama (Vegan) Kwati (Vegan) Mustard Greens (Vegan)
Chef Special Curries
11.95 13.95 14.95 15.95
The Curry Chef ’s own typical home style curry w/ fine blend of spices. Served w/ Basmati rice Chicken 11.95 Fish 13.95 Shrimp 14.95 Goat Curry 15.95 Chicken Dhaniwal Korma 13.95 Chicken Do Piaza 12.95 Chicken Madras 13.95 Chicken Chili 12.95 Chicken Makhani 13.95 Chicken Tikka Masala 13.95 Shrimp Masala 15.95 Chicken Palak 13.95 Chicken Vindaloo 13.95
Biryani
Indian basmati rice cooked with aromatic spices
Vegetable Chicken Goat Shrimp
HEALTH & WELLNESS DIRECTORY
Please consider shopping with these and other Scout sponsors.
REAL ESTATE DIRECTORY
REVOLUTIONARY CLINICS
TEAM JEN & LYNN
67 Broadway, Somerville 617-213-6006, revolutionaryclinics.org Professional, well-respected medical marijuana clinic offering natural solutions to a wide variety of illnesses and chronic conditions.
Thalia Tringo & Associates Real Estate Lynn 617-216-5244, Jen 617-943-9581 TeamJenandLynn@ThaliaTringoRealEstate.com
Bringing our expertise and good humor to help you find a perfect home or say good-bye to your old one.
DR. KATIE TALMO, D.M.D.
CHARLES CHERNEY TEAM AT COMPASS REAL ESTATE
Prices are already up quite a bit over 2013, which was the strongest market in years. More inventory has started to appear, but it is still not enough to satisfy demand. Consequently, prices should continue to rise in 2014.
180 Highland Ave., Somerville 617-864-6111 Dr. Talmo provides a personalize Please call us for more information on the market, approach dental care. Come or to get a sense to of the current value of your home. enjoy ~Thalia, Todd, Niké, Jennifer, and Lynn a comfortable dental experience in Our New Listings her newly renovated office space.
617-733-8937 CambridgeRealEstate.com SomervilleRealEstate.com Making your next move a reality.
RESTAURANT DIRECTORY LEONE’S SUB AND PIZZA
292 Broadway, Somerville 617-776-2511, leonessubandpizza.com Pizza and subs fit for a king since 1954. Now being delivered by Dash!
MIKE’S FOOD & SPIRITS
9 Davis Square, Somerville 617-628-2379, mikesondavis.com Pizza, Pasta, Seafood, Burgers and more! Dine in our casual dining room open to Davis Square or watch a game at the bar!
~ $1,495,000 This is a very rare opportunity to own a single family home with garage on one of the largest lots in Davis Square . The Victorian-era house has 4 bedrooms and one and a half baths on two levels. The detached garage
SOMERVILLE FAMILY PRACTICE
the Morrison Ave. and Grove St., is the very large, open, level yard. Owned by the same family since 1955, this unspoiled home is ready for a new family to make their own updates and memories.
1020 Broadway, Somerville Lovely Agassiz 2 bedroom/2 bath condo with private porch on a pleasant side street between 617-628-2160 Harvard and Porter Squares. Near great shops, restaurants, and Harvard campus. ~somervillefamilypractice.net $349,000 Roomy Ten Hills 2 bedroom/1 bath condo with charming details, reonvated kitchen, parking, and storage. Now accepting new patients. ~ $519,000
Jennifer Rose
Residential Sales Specialist, ealtor R ® cell/text Jennifer@ThaliaTringoRe alEstate .com
Lynn C. Gr aham
Residential Sales Specialist, ealtor R ® cell/text Lynn@ThaliaTringoRe alEstate .com
IRENE BREMIS THE IBREMIS TEAM
OPA GREEK YEEROS
THALIA TRINGO & ASSOCIATES REAL ESTATE
MASS AVE DINER
617-905-5232, irenebremis.com irenebremis@gmail.com Real Estate Consulting, Listing, Marketing, Sales & Rental Specialist.
378 Highland Ave., Somerville 617-718-2900, opayeeros.com Authentic Greek cuisine and a lively atmosphere. Expanding soon!
~ $229,000 Near Medford Sq., this 1 bedroom/ 1 1/2 bath condo is in an elevator building with parking.
Coming Soon In the heart of Davis Sq., this 2 bedroom/1 bath condo in a brick building has a parking space. Equidistant from Davis and Porter Squares, this 3 bedroom/1.5 bath condo on two levels has in-unit laundry, 2 porches, private yard, and exclusive driveway for 3 cars. Renovated 1 bedroom/1 bath near Prospect Hill with central air, in-unit laundry, private porch, and shared yard.
617-616-5091, thaliatringorealestate.com
Our agents strive to make your experience of buying and selling as smooth as possible. From start to finish, we are here to help you. Free classes.
SHOPPING DIRECTORY MAGPIE
416 Highland Ave., Somerville
DAVIS SQUARED
Unique jewelry, apothecary, art, edibles, housewares and more!
409 Highland Ave., Somerville 617-666-6700, davissquared.com Fun, modern gifts for him, her, house and baby.
MAGPIE KIDS
PORTER SQUARE BOOKS
617-623-3330, magpie-store.com
95 Elm St., Somerville 617-764-4110, magpiekids.com Modern gifts for modern kids. Clothes, toys, books and more!
906 Mass. Ave., Cambridge 617-864-5301, massavediner.com Since 2010 Serving Killer Brunch and Diner Fare. Now Open Late and Serving Craft Beer and Wine!
LA POSADA RESTAURANT
505 Medford St., Somerville 617-776-2049, laposadasomerville.com Somerville’s spot for delicious, hand-crafted Latin American cuisine.
25 White St., Cambridge 617-491-2220, portersquarebooks.com Porter Square Books is your fiercely independent source for great books, magazines, fun gifts and more. scoutsomerville.com | The Holiday Issue 45
CALENDAR
NOV. 17 & 18 | ARTS
Photo courtesy of Joy Street Studios
JOY STREET OPEN STUDIOS 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Free Joy Street Studios—86 Joy St., Somerville Missing open studios season? Don’t worry: Joy Street Studios will open up over 35 artists’ studios this fall. “Celebrate the arts, find out about new workshops, and even find a special gift for a loved one ... like yourself,” the event offers.
DEC. 2 & JAN. 6 | CRAFTS
Photo courtesy of Somerville Public Library
NOV. 18 | BOOKS & FILM
Photo courtesy of the Harvard Museums and Science & Culture
FANTASTIC BEASTS SCAVENGER HUNT 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Regular museum admission rates Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology— 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge This event is perfect for people who are pumped about the “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” release. Don your robes, the event suggests: “Come touch ‘unicorn horns’ and consider which species of snake Nagini might have been. Examine the ingredients for Polyjuice Potion. Meet Harvard’s Quidditch team, the Harvard Horntails, and try scoring with a Quaffle.”
DEC. 8-9, 14-16, 20-23 | SHOPPING
HARVARD SQUARE HOLIDAY FAIR Times vary, Free 29 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge The Harvard Square Holiday Fair can be a great way to knock some items off your gift list. From jewelry to pottery to clothes, this market—which turns 33 this year—is one you’ll want to catch.
DEC. 8 & 9 | ARTS
NOV. 22 | FITNESS
Photo by Jim Rhoades
GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE RUN 9 a.m., $30 registration Davis Square and throughout Somerville Every year, 3,100 people run through Davis Square on Thanksgiving Day as part of the four-mile Gobble Gobble Gobble Run. Proceeds go to Project Soup and Somerville Track PAC. It sells out every year, but if you don’t get a bib (or running on Thanksgiving seems totally unappealing to you), the race always needs volunteers and spectators. Strollers are allowed in the run, but not pets.
Photo by Katrina Hill
NOV. 24 | SHOPPING
ETSY MAKERS AT BOW MARKET 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Free Bow Market—1 Bow Market Way, Somerville Bow Market’s celebrating Small Business Saturday by bringing Etsy makers to offer their wares alongside the market, which is also filled with retailers and restaurants. Etsy vendors will pop-up until 3 p.m., and the market shops will stay open for the full day.
NOV. 25 | HOLIDAYS
Photos by Irina M. / IM Creative Photography
HOLIDAY GIFT MAKING WORKSHOP AT 4GOODVIBES 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $22 4GoodVibes—483 Somerville Ave., Somerville Who doesn’t love receiving a homemade gift? Learn to make soap and candles at this 4GoodVibes workshop, plus materials will be available for card making. This event is BYOB for those over 21.
46 The Holiday Issue | scoutsomerville.com
12 DANCERS DANCING Times vary, $23 general admission, $16 for children and seniors The Dance Complex—536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge 12 Dancers Dancing is the Dance Complex’s ode to the holidays, and offers “diversity, originality, quirky style, and offbeat fun.” A host of dance companies including Rainbow Tribe, Disco Brats, and North Shore Civic Ballet, will perform.
DEC. 15 | COMMUNITY
NOV. 23 | STEM
FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING (F.A.T.) CHAIN REACTION 1 p.m.-4 p.m., $12.50 for adults, $5 for kids, seniors, and military 106 Vassar St., Cambridge Hosted by the MIT Museum, this event promises “a giant, Rube Goldberg-esque chain reaction” sure to entertain onlookers.
GETTING COZY AT THE LIBRARY 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Free Somerville Public Library—79 Highland Ave., Somerville Hot chocolate, a fake fire, and the library—what more can you need? The Somerville Public Library’s monthly events offer free, cozy winter activities. The December event’s craft project will be hand-stitched felt ornaments, and the January date’s will be herbal sachets.
Photo by Bill Manley
ILLUMINATIONS TOUR 4:30 p.m.-9:45 p.m., $15 for adults, $8 for children and seniors Throughout Somerville The Illuminations Tour is a highlight of the season for Somerville. You can out the most decked-out houses in the ’Ville on this trolley ride, but tickets (available in person only at Blue Cloud Gallery on Dec. 2 at 10 a.m.) go quickly. If you miss out on the trolley, starting on Dec. 17 you can get a map of the tour for $3 and walk it. The tour’s snow date is Dec. 16.
DEC. 15 | PARTY
SILENT DISCO AT THE ROCKWELL 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., $10 before Dec. 8, $20 after The Rockwell—255 Elm St., Somerville A Silent Disco is coming to Davis! Three DJs will take turns feeding music into partygoers’ headphones. “Don’t like what’s playing? Change the station! Volume too loud? Turn it down! Want to chat with someone? Take off your headsets and it will be nice and quiet, and chuckle while you watch everyone dance and sing in virtual silence,” the event, run by Dreamland, promises.
FAMILY RECIPES WITH MODERN TWISTS.
SERVING SOMERVILLE HAND-CRAFTED LATIN AMERICAN CUISINE MADE WITH THE FRESHEST INGREDIENTS
FROM SCOUT’S HONORED WINNER FOR BEST TACOS AND TWO-TIME FINALIST FOR BEST TAKE OUT ONE BIG REASON TO DINE IN
FULL BAR OPEN NOW! Fresh ingredients Naturally sweetened with agave
Try Michelada recipes from Mexico, Colombia and our native El Salvador Our cocktail menu features delicious traditional Latin cocktails and American cocktails with a Latin twist La Posada is Somerville’s spot for delicious, hand-crafted Latin American cuisine. Chef Johe Posada and his family crew develop and prepare original meals with the freshest ingredients daily. The menu is filled with unique family recipes and classic Latin American dishes.
Best Tacos
505 Medford St. Somerville • 617-776-2049 ORDER ONLINE on our website: laposadasomerville.com
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67 BRoadway, SoMerville 110 FawCett St, CaMbridge
617.213.6006 617.800.0813
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