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YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City initiative

In a city proud of its diverse immigrant history and celebrated for its growing foodie scene, Somerville non-profit The Welcome Project is celebrating the community’s immigrant flavor with the 2013 YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City initiative.

The YUM Restaurant Card and upcoming April 25, 2013 YUM Celebration feature the international flavors of eleven immigrant-owned Somerville restaurants, with proceeds going to strengthen the voices of immigrant families across the city.

“Somerville has always been an immigrant city, and even as the city changes we have the ability to shape what kind of community it will be,” said Warren Goldstein-Gelb, director of The Welcome Project. “YUM celebrates and strengthens the city’s many immigrant communities while providing an opportunity for everyone to connect with these communities and explore the city’s international cuisine.”

Good through the end of December, the 2013 YUM Restaurant card offers a 10% discount off food orders of $25 or more at participating restaurants. All YUM eateries are also part of the City’s Shape Up Approved campaign, which makes Somerville a healthier place to live, work, play and eat by highlighting healthier menu options at participating restaurants.

Individuals interested in purchasing a YUM Restaurant Card or tickets to the 2013 YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City celebration can do so by visiting www.yumsomerville.org. Cards will also be available at the Winter Farmers’ Market at the Armory on February 23 and March 9.

The eleven restaurants participating in the 2013 YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City are:

Amelia’s Kitchen, Italian, Teele Square; Aguacate Verde, Mexican, Porter Square; Fasika

Ethiopian, East Somerville; Gauchao, Brazilian, East Somerville; Istanbul’lu, Turkish, Teele Square; Los Paisanos, Mexican, East Somerville; Maya Sol, Mexican, East Somerville; Masala,

Indian and Nepali, Teele Square; The Neighborhood Restaurant & Bakery, Portuguese American, Union Square; Sabur, Mediterranean, Teele Square; Yak & Yeti, Nepali and Indian, Ball Square.

 

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The Welcome Project builds the collective power of Somerville immigrants to participate in and shape community decisions. We do this through programs that strengthen the capacity of immigrant youth, adults and families to advocate for themselves and influence schools, government, and other institutions. For more information about The Welcome Project, visit www.welcomeproject.org.

Friends of Harpoon Event Tonight at Olde Magoun's!

Olde Magoun's Saloon (518 Medford Street) will be hosting a Friends of Harpoon event tonight from 7-9pm. They will have 4 different Harpoon IPAs on tap including Black IPA, White IPA, Rye IPA and the classic Harpoon IPA. There will be folks from Harpoon there to chat with, as well, along with $8 Fish Taco plates!

Daddy Jones Hosts Pop Up Featuring Villa Mexico Cafe

Villa México Café is well known amongst foodies for serving the Best Burritos in Boston. Daddy Jones is becoming a neighborhood haunt for the Magoun Square area. Two mighty food forces are joining efforts for a night of deliciousness!

On Wednesday, March 27, Daddy Jones welcomes Villa México Café for a pop-up night!

Come enjoy authentic, homemade, Mexican food, tasty drinks and good music. Guests will be accomodated in two seatings.

The first seating starts at 6:30p.m. Second seating begins at 8:30p.m. There will be vegetarian options and a cash bar. Per-person ticket includes dinner, service and gratuity.

This is a four course meal and we suggest getting your tickets early!

Business Town Meeting VIII with Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

Mayor Joseph Curtatone at a Board of Aldermen Meeting

Mayor Joseph Curtatone will deliver a one-hour presentation with information on Somerville's Business/Economic state on Wednesday March 20th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm (doors at 5pm) in the Davis Square Theatre, 255 Elm Street (Next to Foundry on Elm). The meeting will conclude with a 1-hour Question and Answer session with the Mayor.

 

The Chamber of Commerce then invites all attendees of the Town Meeting to a special Business After Hours networking event at Saloon, complete, with free appetizers and a drawing for a free two-day weekend getaway at the Holiday Inn Boston-Somerville.

 

The presenting sponsor is Middlesex Federal Savings. Co-sponsors include Bent Electrical Contractors Inc.; CPCU Credit Union; East Cambridge Savings Bank; Zonghetti Consulting. Additional sponsors welcome. Produced by the Chamber’s New Group: Federal Realty Investment Trust; Innerbelt Industrial Center; Telecommunications Insight Group; Tufts University.

This is a free admission but a limited capacity, ticketed event. Please send name(s) and affiliation(s) of guest(s) to smackey@somervillechamber.org to be added to the list.

Goodbye, 189727!

Upper Portion of Magoun Square

 

Housing and Community Development Closes out Old Magoun Square Item

The February 26th gathering of the Housing and Community Development saw the closing of an almost 3-year-old legislative item submitted by former Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero regarding business decline in Magoun Square. Ironically, the committee is now chaired by current Ward 4 Alderman Tony LaFuente and included Alderman At Large/Magoun Square business owner Bill White and Ward 6 Alderwoman Rebekah Gewirtz at the meeting.

Both Mike Glavin and I were given ample time to speak on the matter before Alderman LaFuente marked it as work completed with the blessing of Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan. I thank Alderwoman Gewirtz for sponsoring me to speak.

Legislative item number 189727 (That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development provide a written report to the Committee on Housing and Community Development after the meeting of OSPCD, the Magoun Square business owners and the Ward Five Alderman, (which will be held to work on specific concerns relating to parking and other issues affecting the decline in business in Magoun Square, detailing the progress and proposed planning for improving the business climate in Magoun Square) has been floating through the Housing and Community Development Committee since its submission at a June 10, 2010 Board of Aldermen meeting and, throughout its journey, has brought Magoun Square patrons, business owners and residents to City Hall to discuss reasons why Magoun struggled economically for years previous and why that struggle was made more difficult with new City policies on parking and constant turnover in storefronts.

This piece of legislation turned out to be a launching pad for focus on Magoun that included in-square meetings and the compilation of report by OSPCD that would eventually lead to the implementation of creative parking changes that increased capacity for business owners.

Properly placed and technologically advanced parking meters, time limits on loading zones, and increased secured bicycle parking have assisted in welcoming motorists and cyclists to the square while visibility through such organizations as the Chamber of Commerce and Somerville Local First have encouraged residents to come frequent their neighborhood business district.

A proposed pilot program of the head out/angled parking along Broadway at Trum Field is also being discussed with a possible Spring or Summer implementation time.

Magoun is turning an economic corner these days, welcoming new businesses with a renewed sense of pride. What's along the road ahead? I don’t know. I’m just happy we can leave this piece of legislation behind us.