Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org Tue, 14 May 2013 19:01:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Alderman Meeting http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/05/14/alderman-meeting/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/05/14/alderman-meeting/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 14:59:05 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5300 Tuesday May 14, @ 7:30pm the Board of Alderman will be hosting a Public Hearing at City Hall about filling Board of Alderman vacancies. Currently if an Alderman resigns, she or he simply appoints an interim replacement. Recently, 140 registered voters in Somerville signed a petition calling for a public hearing about this matter, forcing the BoA to host this public forum. An order considering a rule change to “make the replacement of members of this Board subject to a time limited community review process when a vacancy occurs mid-term” will be put forward. Advocating for this rule change promotes transparency and community engagement, specifically the opportunity for more people to step forward and engage in the activity of leadership.

 

http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1666

]]> http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/05/14/alderman-meeting/feed/ 0 FREE Movie Showing at the Armory: Urban Roots http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/05/09/free-movie-showing-at-the-armory-urban-roots/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/05/09/free-movie-showing-at-the-armory-urban-roots/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 16:11:49 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5291 Groundwork Somerville is co-sponsoring a FREE movie showing of Urban Roots, a documentary on Detroit’s urban farming story, with Somerville Climate Action, Rep. Denise Provost, and the Somerville Community Growing Center.  It’ll take place Wednesday, May 29th from 7-9 pm on the Mezzanine of Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., with a discussion of urban farming to follow.

 

Urban Roots

When Everything Else Collapses, Plant Your Field of Dreams!

Detroit’s story of urban farming demonstrates that one good option for people to take control over their food is to feed themselves. Citizens come together to solve their problems and discover that the fiber of community is powerful. The growing movement of urban farmers is changing the way people think about food- and life in Detroit.

Watch the trailer.

urbanroots
 
]]> http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/05/09/free-movie-showing-at-the-armory-urban-roots/feed/ 0 Somerville Youth Meet with State Representatives http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/08/somerville-youth-meet-with-state-representatives/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/08/somerville-youth-meet-with-state-representatives/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 01:19:37 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5224 Youth jobs in Massachusetts are at an all-time low, and many youth-led leadership teams around the state spent the winter advocating for new revenue and funding for this cause. This Friday, April 12th, 2013, the Green Team will facilitate a meeting between local officials Denise Provost, Tim Toomey, and Somerville youth to reiterate the importance of funding the Youth Works Line Item. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the youth to get to know their representatives, to share stories, and connect outside of the State House.

Join us at 24 Park Street #7 at 4pm to support youth in developing their political voices and in securing much-needed funding for youth jobs!

]]> http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/08/somerville-youth-meet-with-state-representatives/feed/ 0 Urban Chicken-Keeping Workshop http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/03/urban-chicken-keeping-workshop-3/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/03/urban-chicken-keeping-workshop-3/#comments Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:04:17 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5216 Spring Chickens: Basics of Urban Chicken Keeping

Workshop co-hosted with NOFA Mass, led by Terry Golson

Raising chickens is not just for farmers!  Terry Golson has many years of experience caring for a small flock of laying hens in her backyard that supply eggs for her family’s table. In this slideshow and lecture, Terry will share all the information needed to get started with chickens, including breed selection, housing, feed, and how to keep the hens healthy. Terry will talk about chicken behavior, predators, and daily chores. She will also show how she composts the manure and uses it in her garden.

Cost: $25 NOFA members; $31 non-members.  Please click here to buy tickets!

For more information, please contact Drew Love by email at drew@nofamass.org or by phone at 330-801-0389.

Terry Golson

]]> http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/03/urban-chicken-keeping-workshop-3/feed/ 0 Film Screening: Empowered http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/02/film-screening-empowered/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/02/film-screening-empowered/#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:37:54 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5218 Somerville Climate Action FREE FILM SERIES Presents:
Empowered: Power from the People

Tompkins County, NY is one of the cloudiest, least windy places in the country, and yet its residents are proving that they can meet their energy needs through totally renewable resources. From solar and wind to biodiesel and geothermal, Empowered: Power from the People tells the story of one community’s role in the energy independence revolution. Come find out what Somerville is doing to advance renewable energy in our city.

Thurs. May 2, 2013 7-9pm
Arts at the Armory, Mezzanine
191 Highland Ave.
FREE
Co-Sponsored by Rep. Denise Provost
]]> http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/02/film-screening-empowered/feed/ 0 Seed Bomb Tour with the Green Team! http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/02/seed-bomb-tour-with-the-green-team/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/02/seed-bomb-tour-with-the-green-team/#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:57:01 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5209 Come on over to Groundwork Somerville’s office at 24 Park Street #7 on Saturday, April 13th at 11am to begin a tour of Somerville with a different set of eyes: we’ll be on the lookout for fallow lots and potential for beautification! The Seed Bomb Tour is a public event which is designed to encourage Peace Month in Somerville by increasing our awareness of urban farming projects and issues regarding food justice. On the tour, The Green Team will not only instruct the creation of a ‘seed bomb’, but they’ll take you on a hike through Somerville’s concrete jungle to an urban garden oasis in which to deposit your seed bombs. At one site, you’ll plant a few other vegetable seeds to practice the art of farming. We’ll head back to the office for food, dance, and revelry to celebrate and share a moment of peace in Somerville.

]]> http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/04/02/seed-bomb-tour-with-the-green-team/feed/ 0 Kennedy School Garden Build Day http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/29/kennedy-school-garden-build-day/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/29/kennedy-school-garden-build-day/#comments Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:27:09 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5206 Join us at the Kennedy Elementary School for a day of garden renovation and beautification Saturday, April 6th from 10 am to 2 pm! Volunteers and community members of all ages are welcome to come help out! All materials, including work gloves, will be provided.  Our main tasks will be: adding a new garden bed, rebuilding two current beds, moving soil, mixing in compost and fertilizer, and painting signs.

The school is located at 5 Cherry St near Porter Square; we’ll be behind the school in the playground/garden area.  For more information, call 617-628-9988 or email Lee@groundworksomerville.org.  The Kennedy Garden renovation is being funded by the Tufts University Civic Engagement Fund.

]]> http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/29/kennedy-school-garden-build-day/feed/ 0 Get Your Garden Ready! at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/19/get-your-garden-ready-at-the-somerville-winter-farmers-market/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/19/get-your-garden-ready-at-the-somerville-winter-farmers-market/#comments Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:25:08 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5190 Get your garden ready for spring, after a long, hard winter! The Green Team will help run workshops on basic composting skills and offer home compost bins for sale (with bike delivery possibly available).  There’ll also be a seed swap and organic seeds on sale, kids’ planting activities, and other urban agriculture treats–all for free! So head up to the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, from 9:30 am to 2 pm on Saturday, March 30th and get your green on.

Sponsored by the Somerville Winter Farmers Market with support from the Mayor’s Urban Agriculture Initiative, Friends of the Community Growing Center and more! Check the Market Facebook page for updates!

]]> http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/19/get-your-garden-ready-at-the-somerville-winter-farmers-market/feed/ 0 Learn How to Compost at the Growing Center! http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/19/learn-how-to-compost-at-the-growing-center-3/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/19/learn-how-to-compost-at-the-growing-center-3/#comments Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:14:25 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5188 Have you wanted to learn about urban composting or had trouble managing a healthy compost bin? Come learn the basics of turning yard and food waste into a valuable soil amendment in one of the most rewarding ecological activities that fits well in the city.   Lee Dwyer, Gardens Coordinator at Groundwork Somerville, will be leading a composting basics workshop at the Growing Center this Saturday from 12 to 1 pm, with possible help from Andrew Kopacz, Growing Center composting guru and the founder of “Compost This”.  You’ll learn the basics of what to compost, how to set up a simple worm bin, and how to run two different styles of outdoor bins, using the Growing Center as an outdoor classroom!

Suggested donation $5; all materials provided.  Workshop will be canceled only in the event of heavy rain or snow.

Attendance at a composting workshop AND a Volunteer Orientation are required to volunteer in the composting program at the Growing Center (arrangements can be made to do the workshop via a webinar, if needed.)

]]> http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/19/learn-how-to-compost-at-the-growing-center-3/feed/ 0 After-School Club Leader Orientations http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/14/after-school-club-leader-orientations/ http://www.groundworksomerville.org/2013/03/14/after-school-club-leader-orientations/#comments Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:23:15 +0000 Groundwork Somerville http://www.groundworksomerville.org/?p=5167 If you’re interested in volunteering as an After-School Club Leader with Groundwork Somerville this spring, please sign up for one of the following orientation sessions by emailing Lee at Lee@groundworksomerville.org! (You only have to attend one.)

Tuesday, March 19th, 6-7 pm

Thursday, March 21st, 4-5 pm

Monday, March 25th, 5-6 pm

Thursday, March 28th, 4-5 pm

All orientations will be held at our office, located at 24 Park St. #7, off Somerville Ave.   Parking is available on-street and in a small lot to the left of the building; we’re also easy to reach via public transit.  Once inside the building, look for door #7 on the right side of the hallway.  Call 617-628-9988 for help or directions.

Please bring a photo ID, and make sure to fill out the Somerville Public Schools volunteer form to start your background check process (under “Your Interests”, click “other” and specify “Groundwork Somerville after-school club”) BEFORE you attend the training.

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