Somerville Local First

Cambridge and Somerville Local First - 2011 Coupon Book - Shift Your Shopping to Local First

O’Connell & Rudolph: Cover Your Local Legal Needs

Jun 24 11:34 am

 

 

 

Serving the Beverly and Somerville areas, attorneys Jay S. Rudolph and Kathleen M. O’Connell of O’Connell & Rudolph, LLC have acquired a working relationship with the local community including local courthouses and local charitable organizations

Jay Rudolph

Attorney Rudolph graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Accounting and obtained his J.D. at the New England School of Law. At New England, he was an Executive Case and Note Editor for the New England Law Review, a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Property, a semifinalist at the National Environmental Moot Court Competition at Pace University Law School and twice recognized as a New England Scholar.  After graduating magna cum laude from New England, Attorney Rudolph served as a Law Clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court.  Prior to starting his own firm, Jay worked for a small firm in downtown Boston and a small firm in Woburn, focusing on residential and commercial real estate.  Specializing in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning, Attorney Rudolph also has experience representing businesses, LLC’s and individuals in the mediation and litigation processes. Additionally, Attorney Rudolph provides Probate Law and Estate Administration services.

Attorney Rudolph is a strong advocate for the local food movement and sits as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Waltham Fields Community Farm, an organization that promotes local agriculture and food access.

Kathleen M. O’Connell graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in 1997. Thereafter, she served as a Law Clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court. As a Law Clerk, she was able to gain insight into the inner workings of the Court and learn what judges are looking for from advocates to best advance their positions.

Following her clerkship, Attorney O’Connell served as an associate at the Boston law firm of Carney & Bassil. There, she specialized in criminal defense and family law, with a particular concentration in high-conflict divorce and child custody cases.  After leaving Carney & Bassil, Kathleen worked as a public defender for the Committee for Public Counsel Services where she spent every day in court, fighting to protect her clients’ rights.

Attorney O’Connell left the public defender’s office to start O’Connell & Rudolph with her husband and partner Jay S. Rudolph. Together, they strive to provide comprehensive and compassionate services to individuals struggling with major life changes and conflicts. The attorneys at O’Connell & Rudolph work hard to be responsive to their clients’ needs in times of crisis.

Filed under: Local First — SLF @ 11:34 am

Mellowing Out SLF Coupon Style: Mass Metta Massage

Jun 23 10:35 am

By Alison Preston

This month’s business exploration has reduced me to jello. After weeks of working over 40 hours, planning a wedding and searching for a new apartment, I received a Thai massage from Emily at Mass Metta Massage.

Getting Meditative at Mass Metta Massage

Getting Meditative at Mass Metta Massage

Backing up a little bit, I’m writing a series of posts celebrating participants in the SLF coupon booklet. For only ten dollars you receive over $1,000 in discounts. My journeys thus far have taken me to The Independent, The Boston Shaker, Inman Oasis, Dave’s Fresh Pasta and now to Mass Metta Massage. With all the great massage places offered in the Health and Wellness section of the coupon booklet, it was tough decision where to go. For Mass Metta Massage (MMM), the SLF coupon booklet offers $20 off a first session. The website shares:

“Emily’s approach to bodywork is greatly influenced by her background in dance. The importance of body awareness, good posture, and flexibility were emphasized in her past training at the Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education and these themes are evident in her work today.  Ballet sparked her interest in kinesiology and has informed her understanding of the human body.”

Emily’s background in dance sparked my interest, as did her offering of Thai massage. As a former dancer retired due to numerous injuries, I was excited to find someone who could understand my past injuries and help with my ongoing healing.

Located off Davis Square at 862 Broadway, Mass Metta Massage is snuggled into a small strip of shops. When I arrived at the space, we chatted a bit while Emily prepared her floor mats (Thai massage is done on the floor). Emily’s background as a dancer is evident during her treatments. She is graceful yet strong a she moves your limbs, elongating muscles and releasing the tension from your body. As a disclaimer, I know one session wouldn’t cure all the ailments I brought with me, but the massage was a start on the way to a more relaxed and healthy state of mind.

Try a Thai Yoga Massage!

Before my treatment, I spoke with Emily about the goals she hopes to achieve with her clients. As I know from previous massages and other forms of positive touch, the body responds positively to human contact. Through the power of healing one can experience through massage, Emily hopes that she can bring people to a level where they can facilitate their own healing, while creating body awareness and understanding.

Mass Metta Massage offers Swedish and Deep Tissue table massage as well as Thai massage. Thai is done with the client fully clothed on the floor, and a treatment includes the massaging and stretching of the muscles. There’s no need to be a flexible pretzel for Thai Massage, the goal is to bring awareness and teach the body where it needs to be, no matter what level of flexibility.

So whether you’re a seasoned massage client or a newbie who wants more body awareness, I highly recommend calling Emily for an appointment—she’ll have you floating on a cloud in no time!

Mass Metta Massage: Local money spent w/ coupon: 70.00 (this includes tip) | SLF savings: $20.00  | Total savings: $36.64

Filed under: Local First — Tags: , — SLF @ 10:35 am

Somerville Clothing & Coin Drive

Jun 20 1:50 pm

 

What if the outfit you’re wearing right now was the only clothing you had? And, what if you’d been wearing it for days, or even weeks?

* You’d have no protection from the sun, rain or cold.
* You couldn’t go to court to get a restraining order or to fight for custody of your kids.
* You couldn’t carry yourself with pride to a GED class, a job interview, or even a free meal at the local church.

How would you do laundry? And, how could you possibly think about creating a better situation for yourself, if you had to spend most of your time worrying about how to meet your most basic needs?

Second Chances brings people from our community together to help other community members in need. By using local resources and working through local nonprofits, we can have the greatest benefit and most efficient impact.

I hope you’ll join Second Chances at the Somerville Community Growing Center on Wednesday, June 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. We’ll be having a Clothing and Coin Drive to support people in our community who need your help. Second Chances provides free clothing, shoes, accessories and gift cards to more than 400 people in our community each year.

By donating to Second Chances, you are investing in the future success of hundreds of people in our own community who are experiencing crises or temporary setbacks. You are also offering a second life for gently used clothing, shoes and accessories, conserving valuable natural resources instead of straining our already overflowing landfills.

Have you heard of Second Chances? We’ve been quietly working in Somerville since 2005. Since then we have provided great outfits for more than 1,900 homeless and low-income people in our community and recycled or reused more than 268,000 pounds of clothing, shoes, accessories and more. Second Chances is tiny – it’s just me and a handful of volunteers each year, with donated space and lots of donated time, materials and clothing.

In a little more than five years, Second Chances has built a reputation for efficiently and effectively providing clients with the clothing they need to take the next steps to a better future, but we are still small, and the need for our services has grown every year since we began. Here’s where our community can help!

You can help by donating:

* Clothing – at our conveniently located donation bins or one of our public clothing drives. Details »
* Funding – sponsor Second Chances or make a financial contribution to support our work. Help us online or send a check. Details »
* Time and skills – volunteer with us. Volunteer your time and skills at the clothing drive or any other time. We need help with marketing, events and much more. Details »
* Space – sponsor one of our clothing donation bins at your business, social organization or congregation. Details »

Or:

* Coordinate a clothing drive or fundraising event. Details »
* Got an idea? I want to hear it. Contact me »

On Wednesday, June 22nd from 5 to 7 p.m. you can help by donating clothing, shoes, accessories and coins - we certainly won’t turn away your checks or dollar bills either – at our Somerville Clothing and Coin Drive. I really hope to see you there.

- Andrea Shapiro
Founder/CEO and President
Second Chances
Clothing Donation Program
Somerville, Massachusetts

www.secondchances.org
Follow us on Twitter »
Second Chances’ blog »
Facebook fan page »

Filed under: Local First — SLF @ 1:50 pm

Come See What the Buzz is About!

Jun 13 4:38 pm

On Monday, June 13th, Somerville Climate Action will set-up shop in Union Square at SCAT to kick off our new campaign- the 350 Actions Challenge. We are looking for residents and businesses to take a total of 350 NEW actions that help make Somerville a cleaner, greener, healthier place to live. Have you been thinking of putting solar panels on your home but don’t know where to start? SunBug Solar will be on hand to help you sort through all the details and what will work for YOUR home. We have a goal of signing up 20 homes to get solar as part of the challenge! Learn about Beekeeping and the food that is made possible by bees. Witness a pile of ripped up asphalt from one of your neighbors who is liberating their soil! Taste honey dripping treats! Not sure what your ACTION will be? Stop by and we’ll help you figure out what’s best for you!

Somerville Climate Action encourages you to ACT!

Somerville Climate Action encourages you to ACT!

350 Actions Challenge KICK OFF PARTY!

Come See What the Buzz is About

Monday, June 13 4-9pm

at SCAT in Union Square

Joing us for an evening of festivities, fun and film as we kick off our new campaign to get 350 NEW actions to make Somerville a cleaner, greener, healtier place to live!

4-7pm: Kick off Party in Union Square

Find out more about the 350 Challenge and how you can take action!

7-9pm: Reception and Film Screening at SCAT

Join us to celebrate the kick-off of our campaign with locally made refreshments and Mead!

Vanishing of the Bees

Filming across the US, Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the realtionship between mankind and mother earth. As scientists puzzle over the cause, organic beekeepers indivate alternative reasons for this tragic loss. Conflicting options abound and after years of research, a definite answer has not been found to this harrowing mystery.

SPONSORED BY: Somerville Climate Action, Somerville Community Growing Center,SCAT, SunBug Solar, ReCover Green Roofs

For more information: email [email protected]

Filed under: Local First — SLF @ 4:38 pm

SomerFUN: A Rundown of Awesome-ness

Jun 07 12:53 pm

SomerFun is just a few days away (and the forecast looks great this year…YAY!), and we have lined up quite the day of fun for the community.  Here’s a lengthy rundown of all the fun (and mostly free) things to do at the event.  Needless to say, there’s something here for just about everyone!

And SLF would like to extend a VERY warm thank you to our event sponsors The Somerville Arts Council and ArtsUnion…you can thank them too at their table at the event!

See you THIS Saturday in Union Square Plaza from 3-7 pm

See you THIS Saturday in Union Square Plaza from 3-7 pm

Games, Activities & Demonstrations

A Tiki Hut with samples from Sponsor Polar Beverages

DUNK TANK - with our Executive Director, Joe Grafton, a special guest in a Gorilla Suit, Independent Bartenders and some surprises.

SomerMutt -  A Mixed Breed Dog Show with a guess the breed contest, sponsored by Riverdog, Canis Major Herbals and SomDog

Groundwork Somerville - butter churning, the food miles relay race, and the giant somerville puzzle map.

Mystic River Watershed Association - fish-based artwork - drawing

Mass Metta Massage - Free Chair Massage

Open Space Community Acupuncture - Community acupuncture demos

The Growing Center - An urban homesteading workshop

Shobu Akido - 20′ x 20′ demonstration area and a table with information about classes

OPENAIR Circus - Stilters rambling about the event

Music

Abbie Barrett & the Last Date
www.abbiebarrett.com

Reverend Busker & Friends

Tall Enough
www.tallenough.webs.com

Riki Rocksteady
www.spitshine.org/riki.html

Vendors

Balliro Vocal Studio - I will be promoting private vocal instruction with a video of various performances and instruction examples.

Beantown Franks ‘n Spuds - Gourmet Hot Dogs & Baked Potatoes

Canis major Herbals - Information on holistic dog health; herbal products for dogs will be available for sale, such as natural tick spray, herbal Lyme preventive, remedies for separation anxiety, etc.

Esoterica/ Smileybaby Hats - Handmade jewelry and baby hats.

ideaka - I am selling t-shirts, wallets, soap & maybe some lights. I have a pop up tent with a minimal display.

JoJo - Handmade design and one of a kind pieces that are seasonally appropriate. For the summer I have sundresses, skirts/pants, halter tops and one piece jumpsuits, lightweight cape-like tops plus some housewares like table runners and napkins, totes.
Mike’s Automotive - Information and swag from your local mechanic right across the street.

Monkey Chow - Irreverent illustrations rendered in bright popping colors and injected with heartfelt emotion.

Mystic River Watershed Association - Booth Set-up includes a map (on an easel if possible), reports, newsletters.

Picture Renewal - Sample books to view and 3-4 pairs of larger, framed samples and Swag:

Proxy Apparel - radical,  ethical fashion and accessories. With a raffle and fashion giveaways.

Swellr - The table will have a variety of individual activities designed to interest the public in Swellr. We will be handing out flyers and talking with the Somerville community and asking them about their favorite businesses and causes.

Rebecca J. D’Antonio - Handmade high quality one of a kind and limited edition jewelry. From now to the end of September, $1 from every sale will be donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank. I also offer “Creation Station” where people can pick beads to have custom pieces made

RESPOND, Inc - Brochures, trifolds presentations, people to answer questions.

RiverDog LLC - pet supplies for dogs and cats information on sevices and samples

Taza Chocolate - We have a sign to hang up behind us, as well as a 4″ table with chocolate samples and some pictures of our chocolate.

Thalia Tringo & Assoicates Real Estate, Inc. - We will display some marketing materials and Q&A on taking care of a home, buy v. rent, etc. We’ll give away some swag.

Two Little Monkeys - 1-2 rolling racks of childrens clothing, as well as a small selection of toys and books.

Truly Good - Info about my design business, as well as a few promo items from a few of our clients.

The Welcome Project - YUM restaurant cards and talking with people about our programs and volunteer opportunities.

 

Filed under: Local First, SomerFun — SLF @ 12:53 pm

Redbones 14th Annual Bike Party & Benefit

Jun 01 2:30 pm

The 14th Annual Bike Party and Benefit for MassBike and the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) at Redbones is almost here! On June 6th, bike, walk or drive to Redbones in Davis Square to celebrate and support cycling with two advocacy groups and a block party outside the restaurant that includes great food, drink, live music and an amazing raffle.

Date: Monday, June 6   (rain date: June 13)

Ride By for the Biggest Bike Party of the year!

Time: 5 - 9 pm, raffle drawing @ 7:30 pm

Place: Redbones, 55 Chester Street, Somerville

Information: 617.628.2200 & www.redbones.com

Entertainment: Live music by The SAPS - Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band: We aim to please if the cause is true and the time is right.

Tickets: $15.00 includes bicycle valet parking, a Redbones sandwich, soft drink or beer & a raffle ticket.   All tickets purchased on site. No advance sales.

Additional raffle tickets: 1 for $2.00 & 3 for $5.00

Proceeds from entry & raffle ticket sales go to: MassBike & NEMBA

Sponsors & Raffle Prizes:
The Grand Prize, a custom made cargo bike, is being donated by returning lead sponsor, Alternative Needs Transportation (ANT).   Many additional sponsors have donated awesome prizes for the raffle including  bikes, gear & lots of swag.

For a complete list of sponsors, please click here.

 

Bike Party Background:

Previously held in May during Bike to Work Week, the party moved to June three years ago to benefit from warmer weather, additional daylight, and more cyclists on the road for the season. The June date has proved to be a popular choice, attracting more people and proceeds every year - each of the last two, over $11,000 was divided between MassBike and NEMBA.

Redbones first Bike Party was conceived in tandem with Redbones free Bicycle Valet parking introduced in 1996.  Robert Gregory, co-owner of Redbones and a mountain biker initiated the valet parking for the cyclists who ride to the restaurant, as well as other destinations in Davis Square.   Success of the parking lead to the Redbones Rib Rider, a custom designed cargo bike from ANT, used for free dinner delivery in neighborhoods surrounding the restaurant.
Fifteen years later, the party is eagerly anticipated by cyclists, sponsors, and beneficiaries alike.

For more information regarding NEMBA or MassBike, please visit their websites.

Redbones, 55 Chester Street, Davis Square, Somerville, is open 7 days for lunch, dinner, and late night dining plus Sunday brunch.  Redbones is known for its authentic, real pit barbecue, carefully chosen selection of draft and bottled beer and full bar.  Take out, delivery and catering available.

 

Filed under: Local First — SLF @ 2:30 pm

Why come to SomerFun on June 11th? Why WOULDN’T you.

May 26 11:00 am

By SLF Community Board Member E. John Feig

Come join Somerville Local First, the ArtsUnion and us at the second annual street fair and festival, SomerFun: A Romp for Independents, in Union Squre, Somerville on June 11th 3-7pm for some open-air activities.

Something fun for Everyone!

Something fun for Everyone!

The theme of the event is local independents and we are pleased to welcome a new sponsor this year, Polar Beverages. Polar is locally owned and operated in Worcester, MA and has been for over 125 years.  That’s our kind of sponsor!

This year we are welcoming the participation of Somerville Dog owners and pet enthusiasts, with SomDog, Riverdog and Canis Major Herbals all confirmed participants. SomerFun will feature live music, the SomerMutt Showcase (Sign up YOUR dog here) and a Guess-the-Breed contest. This event is a showcase of local mutts who will strut their stuff across the main stage, prizes will be awarded to the cutest dogs, the weirdest breed combination, and the dog/owner couple that looks the most alike. Attendees will be able to enter a competition as a spectator to “guess the breed”. The most right answers will win a prize from SLF.

SLF has also lined up an eclectic mix of local musicians to entertain us at the event. Expected to perform are Abby Barrett a folk band, Riki Rocksteady a local reggae singer/songwriter, Tall Enough a rock band and a jazz band or two.

Along with the main activities, there will be lots of family activities at SomerFun this year. There will be face painting, a dunk tank and other activities that kids will enjoy. For the dunk tank, we are working hard to put some people in it that you will want to dunk. There will be a canning workshop by Green City Growers, food justice games with Groundwork Somerville and a martial arts session with Shobu Aikido.

We hope to see you and your family at SomerFun in Union Square on June 11th at 3pm.

Filed under: Local First, SomerFun — SLF @ 11:00 am

The Somerville Arts Council and SLF present an ArtsUnion Event: SomerFun

May 20 1:34 pm

The Somerville Arts Council and Somerville Local First are excited to present an ArtsUnion Event, SomerFun:A Romp for Independents. Join us for our 2nd annual FREE street festival and market and sample local cuisine, take part in a square-wide scavenger hunt or send one of your favorite local celebs in the dunk tank. Whatever you choose, with a variety of participating businesses, artisans, musicians and activities, SomerFun has something for everyone!

Event Description:

Something fun for everyone!

Something fun for everyone!

SomerFun: A Romp for Independents is a celebration of local and independent businesses in Somerville and across New England with activities and games, local arts and musical performances and the culturally diverse performances that define the Somerville Community.

At SomerFun, you can:

  • Enjoy a wide variety of games and activities including a Mixed Breed Dog Show, Square-wide scavenger hunt, farm and food demonstrations, a selection of carnival games (i.e. dunk tank with local celebrities) and on-stage entertainment from local youth, dance and musical guests.
  • Peruse tables from great local retailers, food producers, artisans and nonprofits.
  • Enjoy an art installation curated by local arts nonprofit Artisans Asylum.

This event will engage all segments and demographics of our community: From entrepreneurs to teens. From seniors to families. SomerFun is for everyone and we look forward to seeing you there!!

 

Filed under: Local First, SomerFun — SLF @ 1:34 pm

NELBF 2011 Spring Gathering Sign Up

May 18 5:14 pm

Join us for our next regional gathering, Friday June 3rd at the Cambridge Innovation Center.

NELBF gatherings have strengthened both local-first business networks and relationships across the region, and we are hoping for and expecting a repeat performance at our next meeting.

Also, we are pleased to announce that Steve Fischer, Executive Director of the New England Independent Booksellers Association will be participating in a panel discussion: The Local Movement Today & Tomorrow. The panel will investigate and discuss re-localization from the perspectives of a network leader, a business person and an industry advocate and offer insight on what is next for the movement.

Here’s a draft agenda for the day:

9:00 - 10:00 Breakfast & Networking
10:00 - 10:15 Introductions & Welcome
10:15 - 11:15 Sharing & Networking workshop (Each attendee will discuss key wins and challenges over the past several months)
11:15 - 12:30 Work group focusing on key recurring themes from Sharing & Networking discussion
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch
1:30 - 2:45 Panel Discussion: The Local Movement: Today & Tomorrow
2:45 - 4:00 Working group with peer networks
4:00 - 5:00 Closing discussion, learnings, next steps

When:

Friday June 3rd, 9:00 AM to 5:00PM 

Where:

The Cambridge Innovation Center,
1 Broadway Cambridge, MA
Cost: $10 to cover the cost of lunch.



The Cambridge Innovation Center map and directions can be found here. There is parking on site, with a daily rate of approximately $25. You may also drive to Alewife T Station and take the Red Line to Kendall Square. Parking at Alewife costs $7 per day.



We hope to see you and members of your board and network on June 3rd.

This event is being organized by the New England Local Business Forum and hosted by the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston.

Filed under: Local First — SLF @ 5:14 pm

Spring Has Sprung: A Wonderful Night at the Foundry

May 10 12:47 pm

By Katie Riedman

Spring Has Sprung Networking Event

It was only 6:15 when I walked into the Foundry on Elm for Somerville Local First’s Spring Has Sprung Networking Event. And while the party had only started 15 minutes earlier, the Somerville community was already a few sample cups deep in socializing, munching, and good old fashioned networking.  At one end of the room, Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project set up shop, offering guests a selection of their quirky beers.  At the other end, MS Walker highlighted an array of fine wines from the classic pinot to an adventurous zinfandel.  And in between these two sampling stations were the familiar, and not so familiar, faces of the many villen’s who made it out to celebrate. Not to mention, the delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by the Foundry’s Executive Chief.

Among the crowd floated SLF members Somerville Cleaning Company, YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City, Recover Green Roofs, Centering Touch Massage Therapy & Bodywork, Union Square Main Streets, Truly Good Design, Union Square’s Grand, and SLF Community Members—just to name a few.

As I waited in line to sample one of Pretty Thing’s unique beers, I caught up one attendee. She had just arrived from work, and although she didn’t know many people at the event, she was eager to meet the other faces who representative and supported SLF.  Making my way through the crowd, I stopped to hello to a few of the SLF board members who introduced me to the Recover Green Roofs crew. Why did they stop by the Foundry that night? To catch up with friends, check out the venue, and support an event that brought the community together.

Social Networking

One newer SLF Member decided to check out the event in order to expand his network, connect with other members, and promote his business. A group of SLF Community Members said they attended because they’ve enjoyed previous SLF events while others attended simply to welcome in spring. Some guests came as plus ones, twos or threes, while some flew solo to sample the Foundry’s delectable dishes. A few couples were even on date night. However, by the end of the evening, the unanimous reason for attending wasn’t the delicious flatbread pizza. It was to join together and support the work of Somerville Local First.

Well after the event ended, there was a small crowd still mingling and catching up with old friends. When I asked one of the remaining guests what they thought of the event, he replied there is no better way to greet spring than by being in a room, surrounded by people who share a common goal and passion— to engage business and community leaders in building economies that are green, local and fair. With that, Somerville Local First has taken one step closer to strengthening the unique community of the Ville.

Filed under: Local First — SLF @ 12:47 pm
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