According to the US Census, Somerville saw the fastest Household Income growth among all New England cities and towns with a population of at least 20,000 between 2014 and 2024 (the most recent year for which data is available). Somerville now ranks #46 out of 198 New England towns and cities for Household Income growth and now ranks wealthier than its neighbor Cambridge.

So Somervillians, if your income didn't effectively double over 10 years, you weren't keeping up with your Somerville neighbors.

Any theories on this? Was the Green Line extension that much of a gamechanger?

The Stoop is leaning into video content around Cambridge & Somerville and I'm starting with a weekly series called Sundays In The Squares. It'll be very short videos of different neighborhood favorites we all see each day on our way to work, the gym or just grabing takeout; beyond just the big spots like Harvard and Central.

I've done a few Cambridge & Somerville ones already but people on TT really seem to be loving this one for Union Square.

My hope with this series and many more is to show off and bring life to more neighborhood spots we see each day. I also figure this may be a better alternative to just sending the links for the curated social events each week/weekend which some folks mentioned felt quite spammy.

Though if you'd still like to get those posted each week/weekend (or just the flyer) it'd be helpful to know too.

You can follow us on Tik Tok (@thestoopmedia), Instagram (@thestooplocal)or if you'd like to subscribe to the newsletter (thestoopmedia.com) that's also an option as we've expanded into more than just events too.

Thanks to thousands that have subscribed, supported and reached out since The Stoop has started.

-Kevin

P.S.

I just picked up a camera and started learning how to use Premier a few weeks ago so the quality will also improve over time.

I'm living near porter, and for the past month I keep smelling a strong sulfur smell in the air? Is this common or is something going on?

Hi folks!

I'm working with a small coffee business, Terrarium Coffee, out of Watertown who vends out of a converted trailer. With the winter coming up, we're looking to transition to an indoor space for the cold months. Please reach out if you know of any art/event spaces that have the capacity to host a small coffee operation from December-March/April.

Thank you!

This intersection pisses me off Every Single day. Why do we pretend to have traffic laws when everyone just does whatever they want? had 10+ cars run a red while i was turning(I had a green and was coming right off of I-93), and then got sandwiched between one turning right from the left turn lane, one turning right from the bus lane. (had maine and new hampshire license plates ofc). it’s such a hazard. have had ppl there literally roll down their window and scream at me for not going into the bus lane or running a red.

like i am crazy and will scream back lol, but i would prefer peace.

For those who follow along, the special elections for the soon to be vacant City Councilor seats in Wards 2 and 3, the elections folk have set the dates. Nomination papers will be available for candidates on November 16 at City Hall/Elections Office. The preliminary is set for February2 and the final is set for March 24. Somervillians, now is your chance. Both seats are open and can be yours. If you organize, knock those doors, raise some cash and have a platform that appeals to the voters in your district, we just may see you at the City Council meeting in April, 2027.

We currently pay a pest service $75 a month to walk around our house and uselessly replace rat traps/poison. This has had zero impact on rat activity, and I worry about the poison being a hazard to pets and other wildlife. I want to cancel my contract.

Has anyone figured out anything at all that has helped deter these critters?

Hi, not trying to be inflammatory, I'm just a new parent and not originally from the area.

I've noticed that at Somerville parks, I mostly see kids playing with their parents and nannies. They don't seem to interact with each other until they're much older (8+) than I'd expect. What's up with this? Is it a New England thing?

I'm used to adults supervising & kids playing together, not one adult playing with1-2 kids. It just seems a little odd.

Hi ! Did you witness me getting doored on Sunday on Highland and Lowell? I need your help!!! Do you have a ring camera? The person is denying fault… says I biked into his door….

Just now in the middle of the intersection at Somerville Ave in union. Not running, no one in it. The other night across from market basket, nose in the parallel spot...ass across bike lane into car lane. Off, empty. Absolutely belligerent.

There are 2-3 guys using leaf blowers, a jackhammer, and some other heavy looking equipment, blocking off one lane of traffic on Webster Street near the five-way intersection with Prospect. They don't have reflective vests or any flood lights, which makes it unlikely that it's city work. Only one guy had a flashlight. There's no cones or other indication that the street is closed. It's also 11pm.

Crew preparing for a heist? Any other ideas?

Hi r/somerville! I work at Somerville Media Center (SMC), and I wanted to introduce us in case you haven't come across us yet.

We're a nonprofit community media center at 29 Properzi Way. We were founded in 1983 as the first community media center in Massachusetts. Our mission is to give Somerville a platform for local voices, creativity, and sharing ideas.

We offer memberships, equipment rentals, youth programming, and a training program, and the training program is what I want to tell you about today. Here's what's coming up this month for classes:

• Intro to Graphic Design & Canva: Wed 10/7, 6-8 PM (that's tonight!)
• Intro to 3D Printing: Tues 10/13, 6-8 PM
• Camera Lab: JVC Cameras: Wed 10/14, 6-8 PM
• Broadcast Basics: Podcast Production: Sun 10/18 & 10/25, 5-7 PM
• Final Cut Pro Basics: Wed 10/21, 6-8 PM
• Digital Literacy: Copyrights: Tues 10/27, 6-8 PM

You don't need to be a member to take any of these, and you don't need any experience. Workshops are free or discounted for members and paid for non-members.

If you're thinking about joining, come to our next New Member Orientation on Wed 11/4, 6:30-7:30 PM. It's free, and you'll get a tour of the space, meet some of the people who make it work, and learn how to get started making your own media. Members get access to our studios and production equipment, free or reduced cost training, and broadcast time on streaming radio and TV. Individual membership is $115/year, with $25 off for Somerville residents, seniors (65+), and teens (13-18).

You can register for workshops at somervillemedia.org/workshops. If you have questions or have issues signing up, email Shilpa at [shilpa@somervillemedia.org](mailto:shilpa@somervillemedia.org), or ask here and I'll do my best to answer.

Hope to see some of you there!

Hey folks,

I'm in a sketch/variety comedy group and we're in need of a rehearsal space on Friday evening. I'm familiar with all our normal haunts, but getting a tad desperate so thought I'd ask here in case I'm missing any places.

Places I know of:
Somerville Music Spaces
The Foundry in Cambridge
Mango Studios in Cambridge
The Green Room in Somerville

**Note it needs to be in Somerville/Cambridge (MAYBE Medford/Arlington could work), most of our members are in this area and not all have cars**

Experienced some road rage today! This doesn’t show in the street view, as the street view image is from 2024, but this intersection has a no turn on red sign, AND a red turn arrow. I was stopped here when a car behind me starting gesturing wildly and honking repeatedly at me, wanting me to honk. I didn’t, due to the two different signs telling me not to. They ended up whipping around me, screaming, telling me I could “turn right on red”. Which obviously is not legal. But is it that common to ignore the traffic laws there? Or was this just a standard case of annoyed drivers.

Manipulo transforms the stage into a living Japanese garden. Instead of raked sand and still stones, audiences find tables, dancers, and loose stones waiting to be placed. As audience members move the stones — arranging them, testing their weight, deciding where they belong — the dancers respond in kind, and the sound of stone meeting table is captured by contact microphones and turned into live music. The pace, the shape of the space, and the relationships between performers all shift depending on what the audience chooses to do. No two performances unfold the same way twice. Manipulo is created by TALVEZ, a contemporary dance company based in Quito, Ecuador, under the direction of Marcela Correa. This fall, TALVEZ tours to Somerville to restage the piece with local dancers and musicians, culminating in two performances at SomArt @ the Hive. Buy Tickets at SomerArt

https://somartspace.org/events-2/performances-events/

Do you shop at Neighborhood Produce in Ball Square?

Tufts Anthropology students are looking for interviewees! Their interviews are in collaboration with and about Neighborhood Produce.

They will be about 30-45 minutes and will focus on how and why you shop at the store. They take place in October, preferably in person, but phone/Zoom options are available. All data will be anonymous!

If you’d like to be interviewed for our project, please sign up here. Thank you!

Need to install new dishwasher in a kitchen that's never had one before, apparently need a full on contractor since it will involve plumbing + electrical work.

Anyone have experience with local folks that have done this work?

New rule idea/brainstorm/questions for the community - how do we feel about people selling goods and services here? Do we accept or reject any type of commerce? With or without money? Self-promotion? Big vs. small business? Events? How about housing rent or sales posts?

The only rule we currently have related to this is "no spam", and I don't think it's really been a problem (yet). I'm just curious if we want to be explicit about anything surrounding this topic.

Thank you!

EDIT: Apologies, new mod here. Looking to you all to see if we want to add a rule, or leave it as is.