WHAT SOMERVILLE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN UP TO DURING COVID
“We’ve built a really vibrant community, and it’s very hard to tell whether that still exists.” The last main stage show that Theatre@First hosted in-person was Anton in Show Business, which closed on March 7, 2020. Following closing night, founding Artistic Director Elizabeth Hunter held a cast party at her home with about 50 or […]
THE SOMERVILLE COMMUNITY GROWING CENTER CULTIVATES A LOVE OF HERBS
A green space that grows plants that are unique to different parts of the world The Somerville Community Growing Center is one of four recipients of the 2021 Grants for Plants program to help expand its Community Herb Project. The Center is a quarter of an acre of public land hosting a myriad of regional […]
THE LACK OF ON-CAMPUS HOUSING CREATES TENSIONS AND INSTABILITY IN SOMERVILLE
“Shortages and insecurity in on-campus housing continue to push students to look for housing elsewhere—in surrounding communities.” Housing instability within Somerville continues to worsen as universities struggle to accommodate their rising student populations. Meanwhile, rental prices in surrounding communities increase. The growing divide between students and the community puts pressure on city officials, universities, and […]
BOSTON’S BOOMING LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY MOVES TO SOMERVILLE
Image by Boynton Yards “The more we can encourage developers to build commercial properties, ironically, I think the more affordable housing that’s likely to result in.” The largest life sciences cluster in the nation, Cambridge’s Kendall Square, is reaching a saturation point. The industry, on the other hand, has no signs of slowing down and […]
SOMERVILLE MURALISTS REFLECT ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
“You don’t need to go to a museum to appreciate art.” If you visit Somerville, murals are plastered on every street corner and on business walls. Sidewalks are painted with vibrant colors and patterns. Art has played a pivotal role in the city for many years. The Somerville Arts Council created the Street Art Project […]
SHOULD SOMERVILLE IMPLEMENT MORE PROTECTED BIKE LANES?
“The thing that keeps people from biking is just being scared of doing it.” Commuting comes in many forms. The greater Boston area is accessible through personal vehicles, buses, trains, rideshare apps and even ferries. However, biking stands out among many residents as a reliable, economic and sustainable way to get around. But in Somerville, […]
