Harvard Vanguard Physical Therapy question

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Here's a ridiculous question: do you know if the Physical Therapy office in the Harvard Vanguard in Davis Square has a shower? I have an early appointment tomorrow, and forgot to call and ask :(. Thanks in advance for the help!!

Construction and street closures: Orchard, Chester, and Holland streets

[ron_newman]

The Somerville Department of Public Works will start repaving work on Chester and Orchard streets today (Wednesday 8/15). The first step is to "mill" the street, which means removing the asphalt pavement layer. The resulting grooved surface will be pretty much unridable for bicycles, until the DPW applies new pavement late next week. Expect both streets to be intermittently closed while this work goes on.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation will close Holland Street, between Winter and Dover streets, from 2 am on Sunday 8/19 until some time on Wednesday 8/22. The DOT will be installing a raised crosswalk here. I hope this will include a new curb cut to connect to the recently paved bike path that now goes around the T entrance instead of through it.

Robert King from the city DPW told me that "casting adjustments [on Orchard and Chester Streets] will be completed Friday and Monday with minimal traffic interruptions to the detour route [for Holland Street traffic]."

This Sunday: SomerStreets "Going Green on Route 16" festival

[ron_newman]

This Sunday, August 19, Alewife Brook Parkway will be closed to car traffic from Broadway to Dilboy Field for the annual SomerStreets Going Green on Route 16 festival. The event runs from noon to 4 pm.

For this unique event where "roads are closed to cars and open to you!" programming will extend along Route 16 in West Somerville, and will include live music, recreation programming, environmental exhibitions, sports demonstrations and much more. This event will celebrate environmentally-friendly programs and policies and invite residents of all ages to learn more about what the City is doing in these areas, while having fun! SomerStreets is the City's Open Streets Initiative, which closes sections of roadways one Sunday per month to promote and support active living - walking, biking, running, dancing, etc.

So leave your cars at home, but bring your walking or running shoes, rollerskates, skateboards, scooters, bicycles, or other human-powered transportation.

This Friday is deadline to register to vote in September 6 primary election

[ron_newman]

The state will hold a primary election next month, on THURSDAY, September 6 (not the usual Tuesday). To vote in this election, you must be registered by this Friday, August 17. That's also the deadline for changing your address or your political party enrollment.

In Somerville this week, the Election Department at City Hall will be open today (Wednesday) from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; Thursday from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm; and Friday from 8:30 am to 8 pm. I think other towns and cities are holding similar registration hours. You can register at any city or town hall, not just the one where you live.

You can also register to vote by mail. The official voter registation form is now online as a PDF. Either fill the form out on your computer and then print it out, or print out the blank form and fill it in by hand. Attach postage and mail it to your local election official. It must be postmarked by this Friday.

Republican Senator Scott Brown and his Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren are unopposed in their party primaries.

In Somerville, Congressman Mike Capuano and State Senator Pat Jehlen are both unopposed in the Democratic primary, and no Republicans are running for these seats.

Somerville is divided among three state representative districts. Representative Denise Provost has a Democratic primary challenger, Harry Kortikere. Representatives Tim Toomey and Carl Sciortino have no opposition on the Democratic primary ballot, but will face Republican challengers in November.

There are also Democratic primary races for Governor's Councilor (6th district) and for Middlesex South Register of Deeds (six candidates, including two from Somerville - Maria Curtatone and Maryann Heuston). I have no idea what basis to use in choosing candidates for these offices.

As a result of the 2010 census, district and ward and precinct boundaries have changed. Use this form to find out who your elected officials are and where your polling place is now. (Somerville residents can also use this form, or look at the new ward and precinct map.)

Please feel free to add comments about races in neighboring towns and cities, about the Governor's Council and Register of Deeds candidates, or about anything else related to the September primary.

Davis Square Streetscape Improvements: New Meeting Date/Location

[sarahsomerville.livejournal.com]

Dear Davis Square Residents, Business Owners, Visitors, and Fans:

At our August 7^th meeting on Davis Square’s streetscape, the City’s project team gave some updates on potential schemes for improving the square based on public input.  We also discussed some of the options for the aesthetics of the square, including pavements and street furniture.  The slides from this meeting are now online, available through our new blog post:

http://somervilleresistat.blogspot.com/2012/08/discussion-continues-on-davis-square.html

We have also scheduled a fifth meeting to discuss these alternatives.  We will meet on September 11^th, at 6pm at the Ciampa Manor Community Room, 27 College Avenue.

We look forward to seeing you in September.