The Somerville News

Next stop…“Meffa”

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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.)

Having the Red Line extend to Davis Square was a great achievement - the stop has become a huge asset to commuters as well as businesses. Too bad it wasn't there when I was going to Emerson College - taking a bus to Harvard Square and then changing to the train at Charles Street.

Anyway, Somerville recently received approval and funding to build that new “Orange Line” stop at Assembly Square - which is soon to be multi-developed - but what I am really excited about is that Somerville has recently secured the addition of six new “Green Line” passenger train stops through the city - all the way into Medford.

The View From Prospect Hill

There is always, always two sides to every story - in just about any circumstance in life, be it personal or business or whatever - the only exception being when it comes to the health and safety of our children - there's little room for error and no allowance for risk.

There has been quite the controversy and finger pointing over the City of Somerville and the School Department's involvement in the decision to not issue a permit for the “Hip Hop Concert for Justice” organized by Centro Presente this past week. The finger pointing indirectly insinuates that the decision was made arbitrarily by a community that just didn't want them in their city and that we influenced Cambridge to do the same thing.

Local art added to your commute

By George P. Hassett

With the roar of passing trains in the background, officials from the city and Tufts University came together inside the Davis Square T station on Tuesday morning to celebrate the unveiling of nine original works of art on the train platform.

The previously displayed art pieces were generic and gloomy with no connection to the community surrounding the station, said Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz who led the replacement efforts.

“In my view this is a historic day for Davis Square and Somerville,” she said in between the rumbling sounds of arriving and departing trains. “We now have a new gateway to our city that 10,00 people will see everyday.”

Alternative comedy is not an alternative to comedy

By George P. Hassett

Brian Joyce was at a comedy show in Dublin but he was thinking of Davis Square. Joyce, who grew up on Pearson Avenue and went to St. Clement's elementary school in the city, said the “independent, boutique-style comedy festivals” he performed at and attended in Ireland inspired him to put on this weekend's Alternative Comedy Festival at the Somerville Theater.

“The festivals overseas are in small towns and villages and I always thought a Davis Square venue would fit perfectly [for such a festival]. It's a more intimate setting, there is less to separate the performer from the audience,” he said.

Mayor hesitates to sign sewer contract

By George P. Hassett

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone is “taking a harder look at the contract” of a sewer and water company that has been working with the city for more than 70 years, according to a city spokeswoman.

Lesley Delaney Hawkins said PT Kelly was the only bidder to handle Somerville's water and sewer work but Curtatone has not yet agreed to hire them for another year.

No justice concert for youth group

By George P. Hassett

A hip hop concert promoting unity, justice and peace was cancelled twice last week - once in Somerville and, after organizers had secured a new venue, once in Cambridge.

Centro Presente, a youth and immigrants rights group, had organized the concert as a way to unite black and Latino youth in the area, promote positive hip-hop and call attention to a new campaign supporting immigrant rights, said Wil Renderos a Centro Presente organizer. But that goal was thwarted by city officials who cancelled Friday's event and then pressured Cambridge officials, who had agreed to host the event on short notice, to cancel again, he said.

'Prime developable land' may be lost to Green Line

By George P. Hassett

The Green Line is coming to Somerville but it may bring with it a 10-acre maintenance facility that could strangle commercial development in a part of the city with great potential for commercial development.

At a Monday meeting, state officials unveiled a plan to run seven Green Line stations through Somerville - with stops by the Brickbottom artist studios, in Gilman Square at Medford Street, on Lowell Street on the eastern side of the MaxPak property -- and in Medford by Ball Square, on Boston Avenue and on Medford Hillside.

Newstalk for Wednesday May 7th 2008

A lot of construction around the city lately - in particular we find what’s going on over on Rogers and Kidder avenues…seems the contractor had the streets torn up Friday and on Monday when they returned to work, they found that about 20 of the new sewer rings and manhole covers along with all new water covers missing. The economy must really be in the tank for someone to actually steal those things – and there must have been more then one person to lift them out and into a truck - all those heavy covers and no one saw anything?

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The PT Kelley contract last week - seems to be a lot of speculation around the city about what happened, and we heard a lot of different stories. It’s hard to believe that so many different angles were being spread around through the Somerville rumor mill but we think the one about the city simply deciding to see what or who else is out there is probably the right one. PT Kelley has been doing the city contracts for way over 50 years now.                                                             

475 pound heist on Josephine Avenue

By George P. Hassett

Someone stole 475 pounds of cast iron metal off the new pavement of Josephine Avenue Sunday night, according to police, and no one saw a thing.

The suspect traveled along Josephine Avenue, from Kidder to Broadway, and stole 20 manhole and 15 water gate covers, police said.

The manhole covers weigh at least 20 pounds and the water gate covers weigh five pounds, said Somerville Police Captain Paul Upton. They had been taken from the street and stacked on top of one another as work crews repaved the road and replaced sewer infrastructure, according to city spokeswoman Lesley Delaney Hawkins.

Did we forget?

By 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.) In gratitude for all those who…gave their last full measure of devotion, lest we forget. - Honor Roll,   City Hall Concourse We can't forget. - Vietnam Memorial,   City Hall Concourse Every marine, soldier, sailor, and airman takes an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Six monuments on the Concourse that runs between City Hall and the Public Library commemorate Somervillians who gave their lives to uphold that oath-78 in World War II, 31 in Korea, and 33 in Vietnam.

Somerville philosopher examines what's behind the 'Veil'

Off The Shelf by Doug Holder

For a year or so Ajume H. Wingo and I sat across from each other at the Sherman Café in Union Square. We would nod politely to each other and then resume our respective reading. We never really talked. Of course I wondered about this tall, and distinguished African man who seemed to have a scholarly bent. But as fate had it, on a rainy April evening we found ourselves walking together just outside Harvard Yard and started to chew the fat.

A few days later we met at Sherman's to converse some more. Wingo is an associate professor of Philosophy at UMass-Boston, a senior fellow at the McCormack Graduate School of Public Policy for Democracy and Development, and also a fellow at Harvard's Du Bois Institute.

Police: Fatal crash on Beacon Street

By George P. Hassett

A Hyde Park man died today after he struck a Beacon Street building early this morning, according to police.
Marc Filsaime, 59, was the driver and only occupant of a Boston taxi that struck the building at 260 Beacon Street shortly after 2 a.m., police said. He was the owner of the cab. He was rushed to Somerville Hospital where he later died.
The crash is being investigated by the Somerville Police Crash Reconstruction Unit and the Massachusetts State Police.

Down with tattoos

By Mario Barros
of Lenguaviva

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not neccesarily reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News)

Don't anybody get the wrong message here: I hate tattoos! I don't want anything to do with inked body art, ok? And I hate tattoos even more since I found out that the beautifully famous (or famously beautiful) Angelina Jolie has no less than fifteen of those on her voluptuous body (plus another seven that she has either erased or modified). Somebody please tell me, what is she smoking? As hot as she is, what's the point of becoming a human billboard? Where is the logic in suffering through hundreds of painful little jabs and carrying more ink in the skin that the amount needed to print this paper? What were last night's lottery numbers...? (Oops! Sorry.)

Hey, isn't that what's his name?

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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.)

If you drive in Somerville, or any place in the greater Boston area for that matter, I have the consummate cure for road rage. Do not roll your window down and shout an expletive and do not flash any sign language out the window. Why you ask? Because it is not polite and the guy might be a nut and come after you? Nope. Because chances are the person in the other car is someone you know from Somerville or someone who knows you, just saying hi. My conditioning has been hear a beep, flash the bird and then check it out.

The View From Prospect Hill

Enough is enough - over the past few years, there has been talk here and there in this office about changing the web site from a weblog-based format to a more enriched, user friendly and functional environment.

One of the reasons we held off for so long is because we have spent a vast amount of time, energy and most importantly - money - fostering the creative end of the newspaper and not focusing so much on the day to day rigors of operating it as a business. Another reason we held off was because we didn't quite know how the online readership would take a new environment - we want to keep the people we have, attract newcomers and bridge the gap that exists with most community newspapers between their print and online audiences.

No more 'No place for hate'

By Mia Lamar

The city of Somerville suspended its relationship with the Anti-Defamation League's “No Place for Hate” anti-prejudice program last Thursday, in protest of the ADL's failure to “unequivocally” recognize the Armenian genocide, according to a city spokeswoman, Lesley Delaney Hawkins. Hawkins added that the city specifically chose to make its announcement on the annual day of remembrance for the genocide, April 24, a message Hawkins called “significant.”

Where will SCAT go?

City plans to sell local station's home

By George P. Hassett

The city's cable access television station, the oldest in the state, is facing an uncertain future as city officials plan to sell off the station's building in Union Square.

At the April 25 Somerville News contributors meeting, Somerville Community Access Television Executive Director Wendy Blom said the station has a temporary contract to remain in the old Union Square fire station free of charge until June. She said city officials assure her they will not displace SCAT but will not agree to anything in writing.

How do you spell Kakistocracy?

Photos by Donald Norton and James Norton

Kakistocracy. Definition: government by the worst possible people. Origin: Greek. That was the word The Somerville News team lost on at Friday's Spelling Bee fundraiser for the Capuano School PTA. More than $3,000 was raised for the school during the event. Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan's team won -- without Sullivan (we hear he was injured during the spelling of a particularly difficult word) and donated the winning prize money back to the school. Longtime Superintendant of Schools Albert Argenziano hosted and John Roderick handled pronouncing duties.

                                       

City will charge non-profits for water

By George P. Hassett

Non-profit and religious organizations will receive their first ever city issued water bills later this year as city officials depart from a longstanding policy of exempting those groups from paying for water.

Department of Public Works Commissioner Stan Koty said the change is mandated by law. He said non-profits are exempt from paying local property taxes but not fees and services. By allowing free or discounted water use to non-profits the city would be unfairly aiding non-public institutions, he said.

In past years, private property owners were essentially paying non-profits' water bills. Koty could not immediately say if the change would mean lower bills for residents.

Newstalk for Wednesday April 30th 2008

The Capuano PTA spelling bee was a lot of fun Friday night - there were about 17 teams that competed and they raised just over $3,000 for the PTA. Everyone there had a great time and we hope they will do it again next year. The winning team was Alderman at Large Dennis Sullivan’s team (in name only we have to point out in all fairness) - narrowly beating out the mayor’s team. The Sullivan team donated the first prize of $500 (which was donated by ERA The Norton Group), back to the PTA at the end of the night – that was a nice touch.

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Alderman Bob Trane from Ward 7 pulled papers Friday at the Secretary of State’s Office in Boston for the 34th Middlesex District against incumbent Carl Sciortino - funny how the first remark out of Sciortino was that he wanted to confirm Bob was running before making a comment. We believe that he really wanted to check in with his leader - the Queen of the Progressives - Senator Jehlen. Some of us here at Newstalk are thrilled Bob decided to run - we’ve known Bob for years and know how much energy he has when it comes to tireless campaigning - he’s going to need several pairs of shoes.   

Police: Man set six fires in one night

By George P. Hassett

Ten foot flames shot out of garbage cans on Tufts and Dell Streets on Saturday as a man allegedly set fire to six neighborhood trash barrels as he walked his dog, police said.

Daniel L. Villarreal, 25, of Cambridge, allegedly lit fires in front of 53 Tufts Street and 8, 10, 14, 16 and 22 Dell St. early Saturday morning. And, police said, he returned a short time later to survey the damage.

The first officers to arrive on scene shortly before 4 a.m. witnessed intense flames from the garbage can in front of 53 Tufts St., police said. The fire spread to a nearby car – which was destroyed – and melted the vinyl siding of the home, they said.

Celebrate the Americas with art on lower Broadway

By Hilary Dyer

Local artists representing 12 countries of the Americas are showcasing their art on lower Broadway by participating in the Colors of the Americas, East Somerville Art Walk.

As you walk along lower Broadway in the next month, you will catch glimpses of scenes from far away countries. From now until May 18, you will see artistic masterpieces hanging in some very unusual places, from an abstract oil painting at Taco Loco to portrait photography in the windows of Sovereign Bank. 

Somerville poets host Dylan Thomas' daughter

Off The Shelf by Doug Holder

I found myself on a cool evening in April walking to Dunkin Donuts in Harvard Square with Aeronwy Thomas, daughter of the late great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Aeronwy Thomas, a well-regarded educator and poet in her own right, is on a national tour talking about her father Dylan, who wrote some of the most revered verse in the 20th Century, as well as a critically acclaimed play “Under Milk Wood.”

Somerville resident, Wellesley College professor, and owner of the famed Grolier Poetry Book Shop, Ifeanyi Menkiti hosted a reading with Aeronwy Thomas, her husband Trevor Ellis, and Peter Thabit Jones, a respected Welsh poet and editor of the Swansea Poet Magazine. I asked Menkiti why he decided to host this event organized by publisher Stanley Barkan of Cross-Cultural Communications. Menkiti said:” I Love Dylan Thomas' sense of community. His work releases a poetic impulse across the world. It travels across borders.

When technology boosts productivity

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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.)

Earlier this month, our police department unveiled a new weapon in the fight on crime.  As is so often the case these days, that weapon isn't a firearm or a special vehicle, but a computer-based technology that enhances communication, reduces paperwork, and allows police officers to spend more time on the streets instead of behind their desks.

That new weapon is the VideOversight interrogation recording and case management system - and it is already changing the way the police conduct and manage interrogations. Anyone who watches “Law and Order” or “CSI” knows that interrogations work best when they are viewed by multiple personnel - and when tapes are made to preserve the context and detail of statements made to the police.  Yet interrogations can be more productive if they are managed by one or two skilled police officers working to build trust and reduce apprehension on the part of a suspect. That's why so many TV shows feature two-way mirrors with assistant district attorneys and police commanders watching from adjacent rooms.

The 64-year-old virgins

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not neccesarily reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News)

34 years ago, I met a Somerville guy who I have been friends with ever since. We have become surrogate family members and he has remained one of my closest friends. We worked together for years and every day he would mention how his dream was to buy a little place and retire in Florida. I would just listen and casually nod and politely agree, but never thought much about it - wouldn’t we all like to buy a little land and spend the harsh Somerville winters in Florida!

Horton to lead charter reform committee

By George P. Hassett

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone wants to examine possible changes to how city government is structured but he does not want to limit his own power.

“I believe in a strong mayor form of government,” Curtatone said in February. “I think it makes the mayor more accountable to the voters. I don't believe in the Cambridge model of a city manager and a weak mayor. I'm accountable to the voters every two years, if they don't like what I am doing they can vote me out of office.”

Somerville lineman set for NFL career

Cherilus expected to go late first round today

By Jack Nicas

Gosder Cherilus  has always been a mountain of a man. When arriving in Somerville from his native Haiti, Cherilus turned heads around the city for his then 6 foot 5 inch, 220 pound frame. Now, two inches and 100 pounds larger, the former Somerville High standout is about to become an NFL lineman. Cherilus completed his senior season at Boston College in January and is now predicted to go in the first round of today's NFL draft.

Cherilus grew up with his mother in Haiti, kicking a soccer ball around. Yet, at an age when most young men are struggling to balance homework and videogames, his mother sent him off to America alone to help his father support the family.

The View From Prospect Hill

Standing there at Foss Park on Monday waiting for Paul Revere to ride up on his horse, it made us think back to years past, when the crowds who would come out to take part in this annual tradition numbered in the hundreds, if not thousands.

How sad it was to stand there, in April 2008, and realize that: a) if it wasn't for the dedication and hard work of the Somerville Historical groups; b) people who live within 8 blocks of the park itself, and c) the handful of elected officials who really care about our local history and traditions (read Newstalk to find out who they were) - Paul Revere would have shown up to an empty grandstand and maybe some illegal immigrants looking for day work.