The Somerville News Blog

Dancing in Somerville streets

Ashley Troutman Carlene Campbell, Somerville Director of Community Relations, said, "Bring your bike, running gear, noise makers, or even come in costume. We want to make this extremely festive." At the intersection of Temple Street and Broadway, participate in easel art, basil planting, or a bike valet. Four bands will play on stage at FossFest in Foss Park. Open Air Circus will demonstrate for the crowd, and craft vendors will display their work.

Murph the Surf and other Somerville nicknames

Jimmy Del Ponte On The Silly Side (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.) No one's name was safe from the teasing kids unleashed on each other back in the day - everyone's first or last name became a source of adolescent taunting. They called me Jimmy the Pimmy. I still don't know what a pimmy was but it sure used to tick me off. Then there was my family's name. The teasing came pretty easily. It was "Del Monte Beans", or "Del Ponte Fruit."

DA's office provides new details on stabbing of three Somerville police officers, shooting death of woman

By George P. Hassett Authorities have identified the woman suspected of stabbing three Somerville police officers before being shot and killed as Carol Lynn Kingsley, 33, of Somerville. In a statement released this afternoon from Middlesex District Attorney Gerard Leone's office, authorities said police were called to the Sycamore Terrace home after Kingsley set fire to her boyfriend's clothes

Source: Woman who stabbed three Somerville police officers sought mental care before deadly attack

~Photos by Bobbie Toner By George P. Hassett A woman suspected of stabbing three Somerville police officers before being shot and killed Friday morning on Sycamore Terrace was released from psychiatric care shortly before the attack, according to sources inside the Somerville police department. Two of the officers stabbed - Jose Ramirez and Dante DiFronzo, according to sources - were honored with life saving medals in December. A third officer, Mark DiFava, was also stabbed in the attck, sources said. All three officers were treated for non-life threatening wounds and released from an area hospital. The woman, whose name has not been released, was known in her Winter Hill neighborhood for loud late night fights with her boyfriend, neighbors said. "Her and her boyfriend used to drink and get crazy," said neighbor Joshua Ramotar. "But whenever they spoke to me, they seemed like nice people. There had been trouble with them before but never anything like this."

It's my Party and I'll lie if I want to*

William C. Shelton (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.) Fueled by an incendiary mix of anger, ignorance, and bigotry, the Tea Party movement is hypocritical, dishonest, intolerant and self-centered. They chant "I want my country back," like an infant who imagines that the tube from his mouth to his rectum is the center of the universe. The Constitution that they profess to venerate begins, "We the people...," suggesting that it's our country.

Somerville Police on "loaner" bikes

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Somerville Police Officer Wyatt stands in front of his 2010 Harley Davidson police "loaner" motorcycle. Seacoast Harley Davidson of New Hampshire loaned the city of Somerville two patrol motorcycles until the city's new bikes arrive to replace the bikes that were destroyed by this months floods.

Eminent domain threatens Somerville businesses

Owner Bob Rosselli of Ball Square Auto Repair faces the loss of his place of occupation for forty-two years. ~Photo by Andrew Firestone Green Line extension could push out longtime businesses Andrew Firestone There's a figure of speech, "you can't stop a moving train." Among Somerville businesses who may get supplanted by the Green Line extension, the phrase is being discussed more literally. That's why as Bob Rosselli goes to work at his auto body shop, Ball Square Auto Repair, he's feeling confined. Not because he's been working at the old place for over 40 years. He's dreading the day that the Green Line extension comes to acquire his building, which falls under the space needed for the Green Line's Ball Square station, and must be acquired under eminent domain to be demolished.

Somerville Artist uses baseball icons for art

Chris Speakman working in his studio. ~Photos courtesy of sportspropaganda.com By Mike Rubin Over the past 15 years, Chris Speakman has developed a passion for art, history and sports. Now Speakman has been able to fulfill his dream with his own company Sports Propaganda. Four years ago, Speakman created screen prints of such current Boston Red Sox athletes such as 2008 Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia and ace John Lester. "I really just started doing it for fun, and it just took off from there," said Speakman. "I started selling some of the things on my own and then I got some interest from local teams, and it grew from there." Originally from the South Shore, Speakman's passion for art developed at an early age when he would often spend hours drawing some his favorite athletes and sports figures. "I've always had a passion for sports, art and history, and to be able to combine all three of those and make it a successful venture is a tremendous accomplishment," said Speakman. "I've been able to live a dream for the past few years, and it's just been amazing." During his college years, Speakman attended Hartford University, where he graduated with a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration in 1998. Following graduation, Speakman moved to the Somerville area where he freelanced his artwork for a variety of companies and agencies. During that time, Speakman also dabbled in his passion for creating propaganda sports art.

Somerville Police: Drunk driver nodded off behind wheel

By George P. Hassett An Arlington woman was arrested for drunk driving Friday night after a concerned citizen called police to report an erratic motorist driving with her head down. Kristen Good, 28, of 31 Highland Ave., Arlington, was arrested and charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, drunk driving and warrant charges.

'Junkie' looking teen robs man on Medford Street in Somerville

By George P. Hassett Two Somerville men were accosted and robbed of a wallet by three teenage suspects July 15 on Medford Street, according to police. The victims were walking near Tennyson Street when three males stopped them and pushed them to the ground, police said. A witness heard one of the assailants say, "Yo, yo get his wallet," police said.

Newstalk for July 21

Rumor has it that one of the remaining out of the city potential candidates for Chief of Police is just using Somerville as a stepping stone so he can become Chief of Police for his home city. We only hope that the mayor as well as the Board of Aldermen can see through this and ask enough questions so we don't have to go through this process every two years.

Cartoon of the week for July 21

The View From Prospect Hill for July 21

When the Green Line extension finally rolls through Somerville in five years, it will be justice for a community overlooked and abused by transit decisions for more than 50 years. But there will be pain too. Housing costs in once affordable neighborhoods will skyrocket and thousands of Somerville families will likely be displaced by rising rents.

Somerville's ArtBeat the summer heat with water in the street

~Photos by Dave Krugman

Artists cooled Davis Square off in the midst of a heat wave with a frigid dose of creativity and a water theme at the annual ArtBeat festival in Davis Square Saturday.

Criminal and family intrigue surround Somerville hotel plans

~Photo courtesy of the city of Somerville By Tom Nash A planned hotel at 371 Beacon Street has yet to begin construction, however, it is already bringing drama, mystery and criminal intrigue to a Somerville street corner. Exactly who wants to build a 35-room hotel and restaurant on a vacant gas station lot at Beacon and Oxford streets near Porter Square is still not available in public documents. And two people involved in the project may have been involved in a felony assault earlier this year.

Somerville Mayor outlines '100-year storm' response

By Tom Nash As repairs continue from the July 10 storm that dumped an estimated 4.3 inches of rain on the city, one alderman is questioning whether the flooding billed as a "100-year" storm was as unique as officials are stating. The city estimates that more than 3,000 properties residential and business have been affected, and that more than $10 million in damage has been sustained. At an emergency Board of Aldermen meeting last Wednesday, Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche challenged the assertion that the flooding was out of the norm for his ward's residents, many of whom he said struggled with flooding on the same scale in 1996 and 2004.

Somerville residents get tips from FEMA on flood clean-up

Norman Thidemann of FEMA fields lots of questions about flooding at Home Depot this week. ~Photo by Julia Fairclough By Julia Fairclough Homeowners this week can talk in-person to a Federal Emergency Management Association representative about how to clean out their basements, as well as hear advice on how to prepare for a possible relief grant. In the wake of the major flash floods of last weekend, FEMA has set up a table at the Home Depot on Mystic Avenue, laden with guides on how to protect your home from flood damage, mold and mildew control, and applications for help after a disaster. FEMA set up its information table last Thursday, and will be at the Home Depot this week.

Cambridge man arrested after hitting security guard in Somerville

By George P. Hassett A Cambridge man struck an AJ Wright security guard with a bicycle lock July 15, according to police. Henry Sousa, 58, of 8 Dana St., Cambridge, was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

A Green place to live in Somerville

This new condo was built with 41 percent green material. ~Photo by Ashley Troutman Craigie Street condos focus on 'green' ideals Ashley Troutman The new condominiums at 42 Craigie St. are covered in environmentally-conscious, green ideals - literally. "Anything that we could use that was recycled, we did," said developer and Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan. The entire exterior of the building is made out of a refurbished cement called hearty plank, eliminating the need for vinyl or aluminum siding.

Somerville cops nab one after complaints of drug dealing in Davis Square

By George P. Hassett Drug-unit cops busted a Somerville man Friday after receiving tips from citizens and business owners about drug dealing in Statue Park in Davis Square. They also had some help from a loudmouth friend of the drug suspect. Somerville police investigator James Hyde allegedly overheard an unidentified man tell David Goggin, 44, "I would like to try a sample."

Final farewell: Somerville's Cataldo funeral home to auction contents five years after closing

A funeral home that for decades served as a final farewell for Somerville families will now have its own goodbye with a behemoth auction. Crown Auctions of Medford will be conducting the sale at 374 Main Street in Somerville on August 7. The massive house was the original location of Fisher College from the 1920s until the 1950s when Frank and Lillian Cataldo purchased the property. Lillian Cataldo was one of the first female funeral directors in Massachusetts. The Cataldo's purchased the property to relocate their funeral home business from the North End. The family occupied the upper two levels of the home and operated the business out of the first floor and the basement. Three generations operated the business for six decades. The house is a treasure trove of antiques and vintage items, said an auctioneer. "When we first arrived at the house, our original intention was to remove everything and bring it back to our auction facility, but when we saw how much stuff was there and how large the space was, we decided to hold the auction on site," said Arthur Crisafulli, Crown Auctions senior auctioneer. From highly carved federal couches to mid century modern clocks, to dozens of crystal chandeliers and fine porcelains, the house is like a time capsule of the 20th century. The contents of an additional house on the property, which was also occupied by the Cataldo family, will be auctioned off as well. The items from that house including the furniture, clothing, ephemera and more, will most likely be moved into the main house for the auction. Other items of interest include the casket stands, statuary, kneelers, flower holders and the signage from the funeral home.

Somerville Police Department Orders 8 New Cruisers, 8 Motorcycles in the Wake of Flash Flooding

26 Public Safety Vehicles Damaged or Destroyed in Flash Flooding Last Weekend; 10 Additional Vehicles Still Being Assessed (from the city of Somerville) Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that the City of Somerville has placed an immediate order of eight new Ford Crown Victoria Interceptors, and eight new Harley Davidson motorcycles for use as the Somerville Police Department's front line vehicles. During severe flash flooding on Saturday, July 10, 2010, 26 police vehicles were damaged or destroyed, including 18 marked cruisers and Detective vehicles, and eight Harley Davidson motorcycles. The 16 vehicles, which will cost an estimated $324,182, will be purchased as part of an emergency expenditure by the City. Also damaged in the flooding were eight police radios. The remaining 10 cruisers are still in the process of cleaning and sanitizing, and will be assessed for damages in the coming weeks.

Somerville teen authors lend their voice to Haiti

Keisha Jean-Louis, holds a copy of her book, Love Hurts. ~Photo by Lauren Ostberg Kelsey Keating As relief efforts in Haiti fade from the headlines, a group of young Somerville authors are giving a voice to the pain of a struggling nation. After the January earthquake, Haiti was the focus of the world. As the tragedy begins to fade, these young writers are working to remind their listeners and readers that the struggle is continuing and that help is still needed. On Friday, the authors from Books of Hope - a writing and publishing program founded in 1999 and based in the Mystic Housing Development - took to the Seven Hills Park Stage Friday as part of ArtBeat to share their own original works Friday.

Poet Laureate of Portland Maine comes to Somerville

By Doug Holder Off The Shelf Poet Steve Luttrell is the newly appointed Poet/Laureate of Portland Maine. He is also the founder of the well respected, and much lauded small press literary journal "The Cafe Review." I was glad to speak to Luttrell so I could ask him how it has been being a Laureate, and pick his brain about his fine literary journal. It is always good to have a poet laureate on my show on Somerville Community Access TV "Poet to Poet: Writer to Writer," especially when there is no official Somerville Laureate selected by the city to interview.