Everywhere you look in Somerville there’s evidence of residents transforming spaces meant for one thing into something completely different. So was the case when artist Be Sargent transformed a burned-out foundry into a theater more than 30 years ago. In … Continue reading
We in Somerville are really lucky to have an incredible library with three branches that provide residents with books, resources and special events. The Teen Room at the Central Branch (79 Highland Ave.) never seems to be empty, you can … Continue reading
As with most major life changes, becoming a parent has its ups and downs. What can be a joyful experience can also be isolating, especially during New England’s cold winters and humid summers. Longtime Somerville resident Alison Hook experienced all … Continue reading
Forty years ago, four women in Somerville opened their homes as safe houses for women fleeing domestic violence. In doing so, they created RESPOND Inc., the first domestic violence agency in New England. Four decades later, RESPOND is now the … Continue reading
When Mark Alston-Follansbee first moved to Boston nearly 30 years ago, he knew little about homelessness. After realizing that many of the people who asked him for money were veterans like himself, Alston-Follansbee began volunteering and eventually working for local governments … Continue reading
Jillian Karlsson has a lifelong love of baking, a degree in business management and an apartment in Somerville. When Karlsson got laid off from her job, it became clear to her that it was time to turn her baking hobby … Continue reading
Today is a very special day. It marks two years since I pressed publish on the Beat’s first post. In some ways that feels like a lifetime ago and in other ways it feels like just yesterday. I started the … Continue reading
What a wonderful weekend for Somerville Open Studios! One of my favorite stops this year was Mad Oyster Studios in Gilman Square, home to some terrifically creative artists. I really enjoyed chatting with them and snapping some photos of their work. … Continue reading
It’s easy to get wrapped up in our culture’s current obsession with food and forget that many people in our community still go hungry. While most of us can go to the local farmers market or hot new restaurant when … Continue reading
When Aeronaut Brewing envisioned its new space at 14 Tyler St., the company knew it wanted to include other local food businesses in a sort of incubator. So when Aeronaut’s Ben Holmes approached Barismo, an Arlington coffee roaster, about shifting … Continue reading
