‘Bernstein’s Wall’ delivers a complex and layered portrait of an American music icon

 A prodigious musical talent who embraced the role of public artist with all its rewards and dangers, achieving a storybook level of success but never circling the square of his public persona with his gay identity in the sexually repressive milieu of 20th century America. That’s... The post ‘Bernstein’s Wall’ delivers a complex and layered portrait of an American music icon appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Kitsch and coffee in Union Square: Nostalgia

What’s in your closet? In that bottom drawer or box in the basement? If it’s brightly colored, even garish and of little practical use, it’s a candidate for Nostalgia, the recently opened vintage gear and coffee house in Union Square.  Union Square, like a lot of Cambridge... The post Kitsch and coffee in Union Square: Nostalgia appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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The Perfect Cheese at Mortadella Head

$4.50 Claims to perfection are nothing new for Davis Square – Redbones for years sold the One Perfect Rib. Quality started to slide long ago, and that promise of perfection is no longer on the menu of the barbecue joint, which changed owners last year. Its just... The post The Perfect Cheese at Mortadella Head appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Reviewed: ‘Designated Stranger’ is a poetry road trip that isn’t trying to escape

In a world with two Trump administrations, one could be forgiven for rejecting out of hand the American myths that allowed such an abomination to happen. The “self-made man” always provided cover for the wealthy and the powerful. “Self-reliance” and “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” always... The post Reviewed: ‘Designated Stranger’ is a poetry road trip that isn’t trying to escape appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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As stories of Cambridge permitting nightmares accumulate, officials and staff seek systems that work like a dream

Decisions about public safety and surveillance technology drew emotional debate at Monday’s special summer meeting of the Cambridge City Council, but a movement toward streamlining business and construction permitting was something members could feel excited about.  There was action on the longtime goal of a smoother permitting... The post As stories of Cambridge permitting nightmares accumulate, officials and staff seek systems that work like a dream appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Tuesday office hour in Davis Square (Diesel, 5:30-6:30 p.m.)

The Independent sets up shop briefly this week at Diesel Cafe, 257 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville. Bring story ideas, questions, concerns or complaints to one of our convenient locations – or, even better, come with proposals about how you can become part of a team interested in bringing news... The post Tuesday office hour in Davis Square (Diesel, 5:30-6:30 p.m.) appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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ShotSpotter gunfire tech is restored for 90 days as Cambridge turns to new ‘resident assembly’ for answers

The gunfire-detection system ShotSpotter will be restored for 90 days while city manager Yi-An Huang brings the question of a permanent return to residents, Cambridge city councillors decided Monday in a 6-3 vote. The decision will be made with a form of direct democracy novel to Cambridge:... The post ShotSpotter gunfire tech is restored for 90 days as Cambridge turns to new ‘resident assembly’ for answers appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Boston Tap Party has found a new rhythm at Somerville’s Deborah Mason dance center

There are many tap dance festivals around the world, timed throughout the year to avoid overlap. The Boston Tap Party, the area’s only such gathering, is small but mighty, and dancers and instructors from as far as Wyoming, Chicago and Korea came to Somerville’s Deborah Mason Performing... The post Boston Tap Party has found a new rhythm at Somerville’s Deborah Mason dance center appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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The Magazine Beach bathhouse debate and the politics of public hygiene

Massachusetts built a powder magazine in 1818 on what was then known as Captain’s Island in Cambridgeport. Over the next half-century, the magazine was used to store gunpowder and ammunition, lending its name to the area and the street leading to it (Magazine Street). But in 1863,... The post The Magazine Beach bathhouse debate and the politics of public hygiene appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Tax tip of the week: You pay income taxes until you die, your estate pays taxes on income afterward

Q: Why would a deceased person’s estate have to file and pay income taxes? A: An estate may have to file its own income-tax return when assets left behind continue earning income after the person’s death. This is different from an estate tax, which is based on the... The post Tax tip of the week: You pay income taxes until you die, your estate pays taxes on income afterward appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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In stating cases for election, 27th Middlesex candidates have parallel experiences and a working-class divide

The hyphenates debated Saturday for a state House of Representatives seat in the 27th Middlesex District, covering much of Somerville: city councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, a Harvard grad and scientist with a track record of municipal legislative accomplishments; and former Beacon Hill staffer Olivia Gilligan-Corsetti, a University of... The post In stating cases for election, 27th Middlesex candidates have parallel experiences and a working-class divide appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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We deserve a state representative who works for us

I’m a constituent of the 25th Middlesex District and share a lot in common with my current state representative, Marjorie Decker: I grew up in Cambridge, I lived in public housing, I’m a product of the Cambridge Public Schools system and I’m a first-generation college graduate. Despite... The post We deserve a state representative who works for us appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Cambridge meetings, Aug. 3-10: SpotSpotter gunfire tech and a new school standardized test

These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City Calendar and in the city’s Open Meetings Portal. ShotSpotter and crisis response  City Council special summer meeting, 5:30 p.m. Monday. This sole council meeting in August has... The post Cambridge meetings, Aug. 3-10: SpotSpotter gunfire tech and a new school standardized test appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Somerville meetings, Aug. 3-10: Assembly Square from the walkers’ point of view

These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City of Somerville website. Combining two public schools New School Building Project School Building Committee, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday. More work on construction of a 925-student complex... The post Somerville meetings, Aug. 3-10: Assembly Square from the walkers’ point of view appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Zoning Amendments to Promote Sensible Neighborhood Development

Nicholas Marchuk is a local author and engineer. His work is available at major retailers and on his website, nicholasmarchuk.com. Comments and questions can be directed to his contact form and may be responded to in this publication. The post Zoning Amendments to Promote Sensible Neighborhood Development appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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A buffet of familiar tropes for fans of the series in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

 When we last saw Peter Parker as Spider-Man in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” thanks to some ornate manipulations within the multiverse, he had to contend with the death of his beloved Aunt May and had been erased from the memories of his closest friend, Ned, and,... The post A buffet of familiar tropes for fans of the series in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Candidates for 34th Middlesex take big swings for an $8.7B millionaire’s tax and lower barriers to homebuilding

A race for a state House of Representatives seat serving Somerville and Medford got its first and only stage time Saturday in the Somerville High School auditorium, with Will Mbah, Christopher Oates and Paul Ruseau debating for voters in the 34th Middlesex District. Though Mbah has the... The post Candidates for 34th Middlesex take big swings for an $8.7B millionaire’s tax and lower barriers to homebuilding appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Larry Aaronson, progressive educator at CRLS, is reported dead at 86

Larry Aaronson, 86, an educator retired from the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, died peacefully in his sleep at 7:11 a.m. Saturday, according to friends posting through Aaronson’s own social media account. For more than four decades he taught history and social sciences with a specialty in... The post Larry Aaronson, progressive educator at CRLS, is reported dead at 86 appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Second escalator incident at Davis Square station ends with a rescue

An incident Friday at the Davis Square T station in Somerville was reminiscent of a death this year when a man fell and get stuck in the escalator, dying because his clothes tightened around his body. In a 7 a.m. Friday incident, a woman’s clothing got caught... The post Second escalator incident at Davis Square station ends with a rescue appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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A stylish director delivers both the sizzle and the steak in ‘Her Private Hell’

 Nicolas Winding Refn has spent his directorial career making proudly divisive arthouse films with a grimy pulp sensibility and his latest, “Her Private Hell,” is a mesmerizing synthesis of his creative interests, merging the neon-drenched jealousies of 2016’s “The Neon Demon” with the stoic vigilante warriors... The post A stylish director delivers both the sizzle and the steak in ‘Her Private Hell’ appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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How to Pedal and Park at T stations

Party like it’s 1985, because the red line subway reopened Friday between stations at Alewife and Park Street. Over the past 10 days, the MBTA replaced rail and floating slabs and upgraded a signaling system, among other work. During the shutdown, riders found alternate transportation options, such... The post How to Pedal and Park at T stations appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Why Big Belly trash compactors so often seem stuffed and ignored: It takes just one pizza box for indigestion

The Big Belly is a minor municipal miracle – a solar-powered trash compactor that stores five times the waste of ordinary trash cans, goes longer between cleanings and is rat-resistant. The bins have foot pedals that open their mouths to accept garbage, and some have sensors that... The post Why Big Belly trash compactors so often seem stuffed and ignored: It takes just one pizza box for indigestion appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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A thank-you note addressed to summer fun

Did summer just peak? There comes a moment at the midpoint of every hot season when the weather, the good times, the energy of bright and sunny days builds up like a swelling wave and finally breaks onto the shores of our collective longing. The dog days... The post A thank-you note addressed to summer fun appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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DIY directors get real in the age of AI and Internet aesthetics

Grrl Haus Cinema, an independent film showcase, screened a mostly local program, consisting of women, trans and nonbinary filmmakers in DIY and experimental cinema, at The Brattle Theater in mid-July. The Independent caught up with four of the featured filmmakers – Charlotte Benoit, Bre Vergera, Matilda Morales... The post DIY directors get real in the age of AI and Internet aesthetics appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Three neighborhoods, rent aid and immigrant support is identified as priorities by Somerville human rights board

Somerville needs rental assistance programs, more services for older adults and people in East Somerville, West Somerville and Winter Hill, and a Minnesota-style, coordinated community response against immigration enforcement tactics, the city’s Human Rights Commission says in an annual report released Thursday. Immigrant rights and equitable access... The post Three neighborhoods, rent aid and immigrant support is identified as priorities by Somerville human rights board appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Go fast, break things: Cambridge did it with how it builds housing

Go fast, break things. So goes the motto of Silicon Valley titans. Cambridge has also been home to brilliant researchers whose thoughtful work has long-term influence worldwide, yet city leadership has hopped aboard a powerful policy without a map or even a well defined destination. The Multifamily... The post Go fast, break things: Cambridge did it with how it builds housing appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Somergloom is the final boss of the summer festival season

The ’Gloom descends! The annual heavy music jamboree Somergloom returns as a four-day spectacle Aug. 6-9, spanning stages from the Crystal Ballroom in Davis Square to Deep Cuts in Medford. Last year marked the festival’s fifth anniversary. The young upstart that was born out of the hot... The post Somergloom is the final boss of the summer festival season appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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Keeping up with the CSOs: Waste flowed Wednesday and Thursday into the Mystic and Alewife Brook

Rain remains likely in the forecast for Thursday and Friday, but just the estimated 1.5 inches that landed Wednesday and lasted overnight resulted in four combined sewer overflows, the term for releasing waste into public waterways when sewer and water systems get overwhelmed. The area has seen... The post Keeping up with the CSOs: Waste flowed Wednesday and Thursday into the Mystic and Alewife Brook appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

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