The Somerville News Blog

Day of Action: A supply drive to benefit Somerville nonprofits

Clean out your house or office while making a difference for local agencies in need Somerville - United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is asking residents to help local organizations through the recession by donating food, clothing, toys and other in-kind donations on June 12th and 13th. A recent United Way survey of its partner agencies found that many local nonprofits are faced with the challenge of meeting growing community needs with limited resources. In the survey, 70 percent of responding health and human service organizations had seen increases in need due to the recession. Forty percent reported seeing "significant increases in need." "By helping to provide organizations with the supplies they need to run every day operations, we can ensure that mo re of their resources go toward addressing community needs," said Michael Durkin, president and CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley. Visit supportunitedway.org/dayofaction to read about 60 Massachusetts organizations, including three in Somerville, that could use your help and view a list of items they need. You can donate your gift in person at one of the 60 drop-off locations found on the website or choose to donate through the online registry. Somerville agencies in need of supplies: Somerville Homeless Coalition at One Davis Square is in need of non-perishable food items, Toiletries including, toothpaste, toilet paper, tooth brushes, deodorant, feminine products and home goods, including kitchen utensils, pots & pans, dishes. Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County at 181 Washington Street is in need of non perishable food items, art supplies, school supplies, sports equipment, first aid supplies, recreational items such as board games, rechargeable batteries and electronics, and maintenance supplies like paper towels, cleaners and soap. Art supplies- paint brushes, paints, crayons, paper. Elizabeth Peabody House at 275 Broadway is in need of clothing for children and adults, non perishable food items, toys, books and art supplies, blankets and bedding, toiletries, home goods, school supplies, a laptop computer, a TV for the game room, a copy machine or printer and a new or used van for transporting children. To make an in-kind donation to any of these agencies visit: http://supportunitedway.org/dayofaction or call 617-624-8000 to learn about items needed and drop off times or to access the online registry.

Budget crisis even affecting security

Sheriff James DiPaola is praised throughout the Middlesex communities for his efforts. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner By Steven Stafford The Commonwealth's unprecedented budget crisis is so deep that it is even beginning to affect basic security spending. The Middlesex County Sheriff's office receives a line-item budget from the Commonwealth, which can be changed at the Governor's discretion. And with the state government running a 2 billion dollar deficit, even these most important of funds risk being cut. Sheriff James DiPaola explained the problem is largely a result of the unpredictable nature of the excise tax, and not wasteful spending. "I've never overspent my budget," he said. The Attorney General will probably be taking over the Sheriff's offices, which the Sheriff believes will ultimately be a good thing. But the drastic drop in revenue due to the financial crisis has left law enforcement having to do more with less. Governor Patrick proposed an 8% cut in funding to the Sheriff's offices of the Commonwealth, and there have been rumors of a cut as much as 10%, a figure which Sheriff DiPaola has called "draconian." In contrast to these numbers, the Department of Corrections has received about a 2% cut. These cuts are especially hurtful because law enforcement budgets are personnel-driven. And, as the Sheriff points out, "it's especially tough on us because jails never close," DiPaola said. Prison overcrowding has already been a problem throughout Massachusetts for years, even in times of prosperity. The Cambridge jail above the courthouse was designed in the 1970's for 160 spaces; it currently holds 440 prisoners. In a controversial decision, the Sheriff even had to close its chapel to make room for more cells. The Billerica jail was built for 300, but may have to house as many as 1200 inmates. There are security concerns over adding 400 inmates to an older section of the jail built in 1929 that may be too old to be safe. Sheriff DiPaola has already self-imposed cost-saving measures, including restricting take-home vehicles, cell-phone usage and limiting the use of the 4-1-1 phone number directory service. But, unfortunately, DiPaola also has had to hold back on hiring forty new officers. He is currently lobbying the legislature to reduce the spending cuts. But until any legislative changes are made, the Sheriff has to get creative to find ways to save money. Energy costs have been one of the biggest drains on the budget; the Sheriff is now considering installing solar panels on the prison roofs. Transportation is also expensive; the Sheriff's Department vans transfer over 35,000 people a year, driving more than 1 million miles. DiPaola is trying to come up with ways of lowering these numbers. As with any financial crisis, there are worries that good, successful programs will be cut. Among DiPaola's many concerns is the survival of the Youth Public Safety Academy, a program for children between 10 and 12 to meet policemen, firemen, and EMS workers in a positive environment and get to know what they do for the community. DiPaola says it is a great way of giving kids good role models and building characters. But only time will tell if it will survive. DiPaola hopes that the recent decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana will free up law enforcement time, effort and money, in order to focus on more important matters. But during this difficult time, DiPaola will be meeting with the Governor and other political leaders to discuss short and long term plans for the Cambridge jail and other financial matters. It is clear that these meetings are deeply important for all of Middlesex County, and we will have to live with their results. Either way, we will pay a heavy cost, financial or otherwise.

To Survive this Fiscal Crisis, Somerville Can - and Must - Do More to Manage Retiree Health Care Costs

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.) Thursday night (May 28th) the Aldermen face the first in a series of very tough choices on the FY2010 budget. It's not the Aldermen's fault that this vote is necessary. They didn't create this fiscal crisis - in fact, their work in recent years has greatly strengthened Somerville's financial future. But neither they nor I can ignore the position we're in as a community. Simply put - and due largely to deep cuts in state aid and rapidly escalating health care costs - this city faces a budget gap (based on the latest information from the state) of roughly $13 million. If we do everything we can to manage costs and raise revenues - and if the state closes the telecommunications property tax loophole and green-lights local option meals and hotel taxes - it's possible for us to reduce our budget shortfall to between $5 and $6 million: We'd still be facing some difficult choices - including some layoffs and service reductions - but their magnitude would be significantly reduced. In order, however, to get to that "best-case" scenario of a budget shortfall that's only $6 million, we still need to take a number of strong actions, and we need to take them quickly. Several of those actions mirror recommendations made by the Financial Advisory Committee I convened last January. The FAC was charged with examining our existing policies and procedures and recommending ways to reduce costs and improve revenue. After a comprehensive review of the City's finances and municipal operations, the FAC concluded that the structure of our health insurance system was one of the areas in which Somerville could achieve significant savings with no loss of access or coverage. Some of those savings depend on the willingness of the state to give cities and towns more control over the design of local health care plans - but one of the specific recommendations within our control is to bring retiree health care costs more in line with what other Massachusetts cities and towns pay - not to mention bringing these costs more in line with what Somerville pays to insure its active employees. When I took office in 2004, every City employee and retiree paid for, at most, only 10 percent of their total health care costs. With health insurance costs rising fast, that system was simply unsustainable. As of July 1, Somerville's non-union workforce (including city side, school side and elected officials) pays 25% of the cost of its health insurance premiums - the City pays the other 75%. In our unionized workforce, the split currently varies from 85/15 to 80/20 - and we're working through the collective bargaining process to get everyone to move to the 75/25 share. So far, however, our retirees have not been asked to play any part in addressing this problem. They still pay only ten percent of the cost for their health care plans; for the so-called "indemnity plan" (the least efficient and most expensive plan for the city, but one that doesn't provide much preventive care) 203 of our 1255 retirees pay only one percent of the cost of their premiums. In fact, it takes the entire property tax contribution of six average residential taxpayers to cover the cost to the city of one indemnity plan. It's a system that can't continue in the face of the current fiscal crisis. the Board of Aldermen votes to require retirees to pay for 25% of the cost of their premiums (which is the norm for municipal retirees in Massachusetts), and if they also raise that share to 40% for the outmoded indemnity plan (thereby providing an incentive for retirees to move to a more efficient HMO or PPO - Preferred Provider Organization - plan), they can save the City $2.8 million per year without reducing access or coverage. I understand that this is a hard vote. We can all agree that dealing with this crisis will require everyone to make some sacrifices: wage freezes, furloughs, and higher health care costs for active employees (including elected officials); higher fines and fees for residents; and if necessary, cuts in services and staff layoffs. But when that spirit of shared sacrifice is extended to our retirees, it's not surprising that some aldermen are reluctant to make the call. So I will make the choice as clear and simple as I can: Since the budget situation at the state level won't be clear for some weeks to come, and since contractual requirements mandate a minimum of 30 days notice prior to layoffs - and since the new fiscal year starts on July 1st - I must begin sending out layoff notices on Friday, May 29th. The School Department will be doing the same. If the Board approves the retirees' insurance proposal, they will reduce the potential need for city-side layoffs, substantial service reductions and cuts by $1.4 million. The Board will also reduce the cuts needed on the school side by an equal amount. There is no "splitting the difference" on this - or any future - FY2010 budget vote. We need the full $2.8 million in savings from this proposal - and we need to press ahead with other measures as well, including the raising of fines and fees. Even then, we will still face a harsher fiscal environment in which some layoffs will be necessary. But with this change to retiree health benefits - and a number of others changes, including increases to fines and fees - we will be able to preserve core services at their current level. This isn't fun, folks. But it is the math. We are all going to have to do our part to get through this. Our Police and E911 unions have already agreed to contracts with zero percent wage adjustments and a one-week furlough - the same terms as non-union employees. They have increased the share they pay for their healthcare costs. Taxpayers have had to step up, too: they'll be paying more in fees and fines. Everyone has to do his or her part in order to maintain city services. Even, at long last, our retirees.

Newstalk for May 27

We here at Newstalk, along with the thousands of residents that saw The Memorial Day Parade, thought it was very successful. Frank Senesi and Mayor Joe predicted the parade would be the biggest one so far - and it was. Congratulations for a job well done to everyone involved and big congratulations to the DPW crews out on the streets immediately afterwards another job well done. *************** The Winter Hill PTA & the Student Council are having a yard sale on Sunday, May 31st, from 9:00am until 2:00pm in the Winter Hill Community School Cafeteria. Items will be selling from .25 cents and up. There will be furniture, clothing, toys, books, pocketbooks, kitchen items and much more. There will also be face painting, music, slush and snacks for sale. All money made from this event will go directly towards our school for field trips and school supplies. A portion of the profits will go towards the 8th grade banquet & award ceremony. **************** Another heroic story coming out of our Police Department - apparently early am Tuesday morning, Police Officer Cliffy Mansir was the first to respond to fire call at a house on Powderhouse Blvd. When Officer Mansir arrived he found that all the occupants were still in the house, he immediately evacuated the entire house and then proceeded to put out the fire on the porch. We heard that on Monday during the day they were varnishing the porch and left the cans lying around when somehow they ignited. *************** Somerville Public School's Music Dept Presents: the annual SPRING STRING FLING, a wonderful concert full of student string players. The event will be on Thursday, June 4th at 7pm - in the Somerville High School Auditorium, 81 Highland Avenue. Admission is free - and this will be the orchestra director's last concert - the amazing Rita Ranucci is retiring. **************** Funny how some PDSers look at things - take for instance the PDSer from Ward 5 SC member Mark Neidergang - he was the only elected official in the parade that had his clip board and nomination papers with him so he could have them signed while marching in the parade. He probably thinks that was what Memorial Day was all about - getting his signatures - and not to remember those that fought for our country! Then just prior to the ceremony at the Veterans Cemetery he got up and left, maybe he had an emergency? Well, at least he was there for the parade. You might remember he said at a school committee meeting that Good Friday should be done away with and that Bunker Hill Day was an "annoying" - we're trying to keep record of his holiday opinions. *************** The online desperate antics of the Farm Team last week accusing us here at The News of plagiarism, a charge that was posted by their Assistant Editor Auditi Guha, might have backfired in her face. We were thinking of getting her a Dictionary, but then we thought about it, and changed our minds. But Apparently she or someone realized that the heading on the blog page was too strong and they changed it...from accusing us of Plagiarism to Copycatting - but alas, not in time to be saved by one of our readers in PDF form. We have a feeling that it's not the last she's heard of this! *************** The Somerville Police Department is sadly loosing two great guys! Sargent John Christensen and Detective David Lyons are retiring after many years of devoted service to the department and the city. The two are being honored with a farewell dinner on June 5th at the Mount Vernon Restaurant. We wish them both the best in their travels and thank them for their service. **************** The Welcome Project Graduation and Celebration will be Sunday, June 7th from 4pm to 7pm at the Mystic Activity Center, 530 Mystic Avenue. This will be a special celebration for the first class of high school students to complete their training in LIPS -- the Liaison Interpreters Program of Somerville - and the progress our adult learners have made in their English for Students of Other Languages classes this year. LIPS trains bilingual high school students to assist with language interpretation at community meetings in Somerville. In addition to learning formal interpretation techniques to connect people who do not speak the same language, LIPS also builds the leadership of young people from immigrant families to be knowledgeable and engaged in issues that affect themselves and their community. Fourteen youth participated this year, learning to assist with interpretation between English and three target languages - Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Portuguese. *************** We hear that West Somerville resident Bob McNary recently suffered a heart attack and we hear he's home recovering. Bob is a popular guy around the city, and lots of Newstalk readers wish him well and back to his old self very soon. *************** Somerville youth earns Boston College High School Honors - Spencer W. Camara-Harrison ('12), of Somerville, achieved Honors for the Third Quarter at Boston College High School. For Honors, a student must have at least a 3.2 quality point average and all grades "C-" or higher. Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic, college-preparatory school for young men founded in 1863. The school enrolls approximately 1,300 students from some 100 communities in eastern Massachusetts. *************** Traffic and Parking recently approved a measure to increase meter rates across the city as well as to go citywide on Permit Parking. The hearing was this past Thursday night, just a matter of when it will take effect. *************** The "Taste of Somerville" is back, sponsored by the Somerville Chamber, will be coming on June 9th at the Holiday Inn. More then 20 Somerville restaurants will present samples from their menus and wine and beer tasting. Tickets for the event $35.00 and it runs from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. *************** Brazil @ SCAT is a new initiative to serve Somerville's vibrant Brazilian community. SCAT now offers production classes in Portuguese, and beginning on June 24th, a Brazilian film monthly screening series. The first film of the Brazil@SCAT screening series will be "Hour of the Star" (1985). After the death of her aunt, Macabéa (Marcelia Cartaxo) moves from the Brazilian countryside to the big city of São Paulo, where she lives in an all-female boardinghouse, takes a job as a typist and meets a man (José Dumont) who has dreams of becoming a congressman. Director Suzana Amaral also penned the screenplay for this coming-of-age drama based on Clarice Lispector's best-selling novel by the same name. Portuguese with English sub-titles. Time: 7:30pm at the SCAT studio at 90 Union Square. It is free; however, donations are appreciated. Only 30 seats - so get there early! ***************

The View From Prospect Hill for May 27

The Mayor said this year's Memorial Day Parade would be the biggest and best one yet. He didn't lie. Plenty of content, lots of people lining the parade route - and everyone was in a very festive mood. Events that instill a greater sense of community pride are always a big hit with us, most of us being life-long residents. Taking time out of our busy and stressful lives to pay homage to those who have served our country - and have died for it - is a very important duty and when it doesn't seem like a "chore" then it is that much more enjoyable - and pure. These are difficult times, as we will all find out in the weeks to come. The budget crisis that has a strange-hold on the state and our city in particular is a very stressful situation for everyone involved. We have said it before and we will say it again - it is important for us all to come together to not point the finger at any one person, body or administration - but to come up with equitable solutions that make sense and might sting at first, but make the most sense. The ultimate goal is to be free from the total reliance on state aid - which we will always have a part of - but not to the point where we could lose our vital services and the core elements of what we strive for as a community. So keep that sense of community pride in mind and let's all come together to make Somerville a stronger, more sustainable place to live, work and educate our children - we owe it to ourselves, we owe it to our city.

Cartoon of the week for May 27

Historian Aviva Chomsky debunks immigration myths

Dr. Aviva Chomsky spoke at the Somerville Library about the topic from her new book called "They Take Our Jobs - And Twenty Other Myths about Immigration". State Rep. Denise Provost addressed the role of immigration in society. ~Photos by Meghan Frederico By Meghan Frederico Historian Aviva Chomsky came to the Somerville Library on Thursday evening to speak about commonly held fallacies surrounding immigration policy, which is the topic of her new book called "They Take Our Jobs - And Twenty Other Myths about Immigration". The book identifies and debunks a number of economic and ideological misunderstandings about immigration, and Dr. Chomsky, who is a professor of history at Salem State College, focused most of her hour-long lecture on the economic arguments due to their timeliness. So are immigrants really a drain on the economy? Dr. Chomsky delivered a well-supported argument that the answer is no. She explained it this way: more consumers create more jobs, and an influx of people to a city will create more jobs overall, not less. And yet "some people act as if it's a zero sum game," she said, deconstructing that viewpoint by identifying ways in which immigration actually changes and expands existing local economies. Dr. Chomsky also addressed the misconception that immigrants who are working in the U.S. illegally don't pay taxes, and drain public funds. Everyone contributes through sales tax, she pointed out, and many immigrants working illegally in the "formal economy" with fake social security number pay income taxes since it is deducted from their paychecks. Since immigrants working and residing in the U.S. illegally are essentially paying for services that they are unable to receive, such as social security, unemployment and other benefits that come with being a tax-paying citizen, and Dr. Chomsky cited recent reports calculating that undocumented immigrant workers actually pay more in taxes than they cost the government. She also pointed out that immigrants tend to come in prime working age, after their education has been paid for, and usually plan on returning to their country of origin before they retire, thereby imposing less of a tax burden than lifelong citizens. Dr. Chomsky also spoke compellingly about how the creation of separate groups of people - "legal" and illegal" - creates room for exploitation. This second-class status benefits no one, she said, except for businesses that have less incentive to provide fair working conditions and a greater ability to intimidate its workers. Ingrid Nava from Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), a non-profit organization that provides free civil representation to low-income people, pointed out that sub-standard working conditions are not legal regardless of the legal status of the employees, and that immigrants have legal options in such cases, although they are often unaware of this and are reluctant to take action. During the question and answer period, one audience member pointed out the grammatical incorrectness of calling a person illegal. By definition "only an object or an action can be illegal," she said, and wondered whether this is an attempt to dehumanize undocumented immigrants. State Representative Denise Provost also spoke briefly at the event, addressing the role of immigration in society from both a personal and historical viewpoint. Asked for her thoughts on the contributions of immigrants to the United States, she said "I came to the conclusion that that would be basically all the contributions in this country," noting that she did not mean to disparage those made by Native Americans, but rather to point out that we are a country of immigrants. Observing the way in which some people brag that their ancestors came to the U.S. "legally" unlike some of today's immigrants, Rep. Provost asked the audience rhetorically, "you think anyone on the Mayflower had papers?" Dr. Chomsky also addressed claims like this, identifying how this sort of argument does not take into account the inequities in U.S. immigration policy, which allowed unrestricted access to white Europeans for most of our country's history. The event was sponsored by Centro Presente, a statewide Latin American immigrant organization that works for immigrant rights and for social and economic justice.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, I would like to thank the following local businesses who donated food and beverages for the Somerville High School TrackPAC to sell at the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Meet at Dilboy Stadium on May 9. Market Basket Target Stop and Shop Dunkin Donuts (Stop and Shop location) The meet drew 1,036 athletes from a total of 103 schools -- making it the largest girls meet in the state. The Somerville Track Parents and Alumni Club (TrackPAC) took on the task of running the concession stand at the meet, providing food and beverages to the huge crowd. Thanks to the generosity of local sponsors and the help of volunteers too numerous to mention, we raised $1,300 to support our student athletes. All the money raised will benefit the girls' and boys' cross-country and track teams at SHS. The TrackPAC often works very quietly, but its impact is huge. Our funds help purchase equipment, send athletes to invitational meets, provide team banquets and cookouts, subsidize team sweatshirts, and occasionally purchase running shoes for kids in dire need. (We know that if we didn't do this, the coaches would reach into their own pockets to do so.) In addition to the ongoing support of our athletes while they are in high school, we award thousands of dollars each June to graduating seniors in the form of college book awards. Thanks to the generosity our local businesses, our athletes continue to make great strides! Sincerely, Susan Moynihan Secretary, Somerville TrackPAC

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: Thank you for your recent stories about some of the great things that are happening in the Somerville Public Schools. We are writing to make sure your readers know that the global recession and declining state and city revenues are likely to have a significant impact on our public schools. The most recent draft budget that the Superintendent of Schools presented to the School Committee calls for significant cuts in the budget and reductions in positions. We are all sick at heart about having to make cuts; we run a tight ship and there is little fat to cut. But we have no choice but to play the hand that we have been dealt by the state. You can help. We invite you to attend the School Committee's Public Budget Hearing on Wednesday, June 3rd, at 7 PM at Somerville High School in the Library. We encourage you to share your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. We have some tough choices to make and we're interested in what you think. You can find the Superintendent's budget proposal on the Somerville Public Schools website at www.somerville.k12.ma.us. If you cannot attend, we hope you will share your thoughts by phone or email. You can find contact information for all members of the School Committee on the SPS website. Maureen Bastardi - Ward 1 - Chairperson Mark Niedergang - Ward 5 - Vice Chairperson Teresa Cardoso - Ward 2 Adam Sweeting - Ward 3 James Norton - Ward 4 Paul Bockelman - Ward 6 Mary Jo Rossetti - Ward 7 Alderman Walter Pero, President, Board of Alderman Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

Somerville North Opens!

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.) After a long weekend of "camping" in New Hampshire with the kids and the dog, there is certainly some silly stuff to write about. The campsite is now the summer home of five Somerville families "roughing it" in our trailers and cruising around on customized golf carts. I don't have one yet, so I am biking it. Since I am still a novice camper, I was at the mercy of my veteran outdoorsmen neighbors. The gas won't come on, the hot water doesn't work, the stove won't light, and the toilet won't flush. I called my pal so many times on his cell phone for help, he started answering it like this: "Now what's wrong?" Thanks to the patience of my friends, I think I have everything pretty much under control. I realized that if I was a pioneer in the old west, I would have crawled up into a fetal position in the back of my covered wagon and cried my self to death. I discovered some interesting things this past weekend. I can actually fit into my youngest son's underwear. I packed five pairs of his and none of mine. If he finds out, it will skeeve him big time. I only brought one pair of dungarees for myself and two pairs of shorts that got filthy real fast. I was in such a hurry to high tail it out of town on Friday, I packed like an idiot. We brought our family pug who now has spots of tree sap all over his bottom end. He looks like a flat faced half Dalmatian. The first night it poured like crazy and all my wood and chairs got soaked. I thought the sun had dried the cushions pretty well Saturday, so I sat down to read the paper and ended up with a wet butt. My two sons are getting to know the other kids at the campground. My 11 year old got in a fight with a 15 year old and my oldest son got a finger in his eye playing football. The kids finger either pushed my son's contact lens into his brain or the lens got stuck on the lad's finger. At any rate, we couldn't find the lens. My little guy, who also wears contacts, took over with a flashlight and lens solution, trying to solve the problem. I was proud of my little makeshift optometrist who showed calmness and patience with his brother. That trait definitely did not come from me. For many years I was part of the Memorial Day Parade, but this was the first year I missed it in quite a while. I used to be waving at people from the Oldies 103 van, but I couldn't get it this year. I guess they have some dumb policy about not letting DJ's who were fired use the van. Asses! So our first real camp out was a trip. Our Somerville friends up there are awesome and very helpful, but I hope I don't have to be the Barney Fife of the campground for much longer. I think I'm getting the hang of it. The highlight of the weekend was spending one my dearest friend's birthday with him and our families at the campground. Food ,fun ,family and friends is what life is all about. When you're camping, just add mosquitoes, ticks, tree sap and rambunctious kids. You can email Jimmy direct at jimmydel@rcn.com.

It's trendy to be sun safe

By Christina M. Acosta As you head outdoors this summer, don't forget to take some precautions before grabbing the baby oil and heading out on the boat. A few extra steps and knowledge about the sun can save you from a nasty sunburn which aside from the unsightly look of skin peeling, can also increase your risk of skin cancer. Here is what you need to know about protecting yourself against sun damage, becoming SPF savvy, and accessorizing appropriately. Why protect yourself against the Sun? Protecting your skin against ultraviolet (UV) rays, one of the leading causes of skin cancer, also prevents skin damage, wrinkles, premature aging and adverse changes in skin texture according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). UV rays are an invisible form of radiation from sunlight, and are capable of changing the structure of skin cells. So if cancer isn't enough to scare you into protecting your skin, then the thought of aging quickly and having wrinkles should! Becoming SPF savvy - SPF stands for sun protection factor that protects against UV rays. The AAD explains the higher SPF, the greater protection from having a sun burn caused by UV rays. Sun protection products work by absorbing, reflecting, or dispersing the sun's rays according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Sun protection is an integral part of the ongoing fight against aging. Choose a bottle of sun protection that has a broad spectrum (it should be labeled) or look for ingredients such as oxybenzone or avobenzone (Parsol 1789) to protect against UVA and UVB rays according to the AAD. Head to Sephora to pick up a Sun Safety Kit for $22.50 (valued at $110), packed with summer skincare must haves. This package will help you find the perfect army of skin protection for the summer. In addition, 100% of the net profit from sales will be donated to The Skin Cancer Foundation. Some cosmetics also include SPF - like Covergirl's Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer and Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipgloss. The CDC recommends that unless it has SPF 15, it should not be used as the only form of protection. Sun smart accessories - Wearing sunglasses and hats has always been sound advice for avoiding the harmful damages caused by the sun, however you should still be fashionable about it. Make sure that your sunglasses protect against UV rays, try Kate Spade's Veronica Lenses in green for a classy touch this summer. Going for a long day of shopping a hat might keep you cooler while preventing sun damage, I recommend Juicy Couture Women's Packable Straw Hat, the light colors will keep you cool as you enjoy the outdoors. Prepared with this information, the right accessories and sun block, you'll be able to enjoy the summer sun knowing you are decreasing your of risk of aging due to the sun and skin cancer. It's trendy to be sun safe. Tips for staying safe in the sun - Always wear sun block and reapply according to directions Sun block expires! So remember to check the expiration and always shake the bottle before applying Some medications leave skin more sensitive to UV rays, check your medications before heading out Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially during 10 to 2, when the sun is the strongest Water, snow, concrete and sand reflect the rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn, so take extra precautions Don't forget glasses with UV protection and a wide rimmed hat that will protect your neck and face If you're going on a long drive, remember that UV rays can pass through windows, so apply sun block If a mark or a mole changes in appearance, have a dermatologist check it out Seek shade whenever possible

East Cambridge residents voice concern about Green Line changes

Residents expressed concern about pedestrian access across O'Brien Highway at Wednesday's meeting. By Elizabeth Sayer Roseanne Poirier, for one, is thrilled about the Green line expansion. She will finally have some peace and quiet. "I live next to the turnaround and I am so glad you people are moving." Poirier said, "[The MBTA] is the worst neighbor in the world and they have been since for forty seven years." Mrs. Poirier, a resident of lower Gore Street, was one of many residents of East Cambridge to voice their opinion about the Green Line Expansion and the various issues surrounding the impending relocation of Lechmere Station at Wednesday evening's meeting at the Kennedy-Longfellow Elementary School. While most attendees were in agreement that the Green Line expansion is a positive endeavor, the modest crowd of approximately 60 people were unanimously concerned about pedestrian access across O'Brien Highway, the newly scaled-down design of the station in comparison to that of the previously grandiose North Point Development Designs, better signage and the historic preservation of the current Lechmere Station. The meeting, held in the auditorium of the East Cambridge elementary school, began with presentations from Project Managers Kate Victor of the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) and Kristine Wickham from the consulting firm Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., or VHB. Neither the Department of Conservation and Recreation nor the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority sent representatives to the meeting. According to Ms. Victor, the relocation of Lechmere to the other side of O'Brien highway is an integral piece of the functionality of the future Green Line and is non-negotiable. The station will be relocated no later than December 31st, 2014, under legal obligation to the state. While the relocation of Lechmere Station is inevitable and will clearly inconvenience the current residents of East Cambridge, the design teams are still in the preliminary phases. There are many foreseeable benefits as well, including providing transit to the currently under-served areas of Somerville and Medford, reducing the number of vehicles on local and residential roads and improving the air quality. Ms. Victor made a strong point to welcome all concerns and suggestions about the future of Lechmere in hopes of limiting inconvenience down the line. The East Cambridge Planning Team Working Group, a group comprised of "concerned members of the Cambridge and Somerville communities," distributed handouts addressing their major concerns about the station relocation and the issues that the EOT, DCR and MBTA need to address in order to gain the backing of the immediate community, including providing a facelift to O'Brien and McGrath Highways with wider sidewalks, trees and fewer lanes where possible to create the feel of an "Urban Boulevard". They also hope to preserve the current Lechmere Station and create and community space and open-air market in order to create a gateway to East Cambridge. Questions about the MBTA's ability to meet the future needs and volume of future riders was a of concern. The Green Line, notoriously slow and crowded, drew skepticism from the entire auditorium about it's ability to meet the future needs and accommodate the volume of riders that the EOT is projecting will utilize the new lines. Ms. Victor, however met and quelled the skepticism with the already proposed idea of running both the E and D lines through to the Mystic Valley Station. Questions arose regarding the controversial maintenance facility proposed to inhabit the large and potentially developable railroad property known as Yard 8. Tempers sparked momentarily however Ms. Victor's calm voice and rationale alleviated some of the tension, just as it had throughout the evening regarding a slew of subjects. "No one wants a maintenance facility but everyone wants the train." Victor said, "We have to strike a balance somehow."

Annual Healey School Family Math Night

The Healey School Family Mathematics Night - which is being held on Tuesday, June 2nd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm this year - has become an annual celebration of math. This year will be the 8th Annual Healey School Family Math Night. This yearly event is held for children and their families in the kindergarten through second grade. On the night of this free event, approximately 80 families and over 200 participants engage in a variety of math activities, including: measurement, Mancala, card games, story problems, tangrams, block designs, checkers, chess, Connect Four and pattern blocks.

The success of the night is thanks to the numerous volunteers from across the community who come together to help before, during, and after the event. Volunteers have led and supported families in games and demonstrations to support and extend math in the classrooms. Students have also helped to count out such things as 48 counters for each of the 240 bags that were sent home last year. We need and appreciate everyone who helps us out during this event.

City launches comprehensive planning process for Somerville's future

Goal is to produce shared vision for Somerville's future; City seeks public participation. SOMERVILLE - Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development Monica Lamboy today announced that the City has begun work on an updated and comprehensive plan for Somerville's future development. The Comprehensive Plan will outline a shared vision for Somerville's future and the steps needed to achieve that vision. "Somerville is a city that has seen incredible progress over the past decade," said Mayor Curtatone. "Today, Somerville is not only a great place to live, work, play and raise a family, but is becoming a regional arts and entertainment destination and a regional center for new business development. But there is still much work to be done - and we need a fresh public process to shape some of the crucial decisions and choices we face over the nest few years. I urge all members of the Somerville community to participate in this planning process. One of our greatest strengths in Somerville is the involvement, creativity, and commitment of our residents." The comprehensive planning process will begin with a series of City-sponsored information sessions focusing on key trends in Somerville. The trends include demographics, housing, employment industries, transportation and infrastructure, and land use patterns. In addition to an extensive community process, an advisory committee composed of residents and businesses with diverse areas of expertise will guide the planning process. The committee will be made up of appointees by the Mayor and Board of Alderman, constituents with expertise in relevant subjects, and residents/businesses from across the city. "The thoughts, feedback and participation of our community members are essential to the success of this planning process is," said Lamboy. "I look forward to working closely with the various constituencies across the city over the coming months to ensure that the comprehensive plan is something we can all unite behind." The schedule of coming trends meetings is as follows: Population Trends Tuesday, May 26, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm Capuano Early Education Center, 150 Glen Street Economic Development Trends Tuesday, June 9, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm Visiting Nurses Association, 259 Lowell Street, 3rd floor Population Trends Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm TAB Building (Senior Center), 167 Holland Street Economic Development Trends Tuesday, July 7, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm Argenziano School, 290 Washington Street, Cafetorium Transportation & Infrastructure Trends Tuesday, July 21, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm Capuano Early Education Center, 150 Glen Street Transportation & Infrastructure Trends Tuesday, August 4, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm TAB Building (Senior Center), 167 Holland Street Housing Trends Tuesday, August 25, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm TAB Building (Senior Center), 167 Holland Street Land Use Trends Monday, September 14, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm Capuano Early Education Center, 150 Glen Street Housing Trends Tuesday, September 22, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm Capuano Early Education Center, 150 Glen Street Land Use Trends Monday, September 28, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm TAB Building (Senior Center), 167 Holland Street For more information about the comprehensive plan please contact Keith Craig at 617-625-6600 x 2500 or KCraig@somervillema.gov.

Memorial Day Parade 2009

Photos by Donald Norton, Billy Tauro and Bobbie Toner

City's Veteran's Services vital

By Steven Stafford Frank Senesi has lived in Somerville all his life. His parents lived in Somerville their whole lives. His grandparents came to Somerville from Italy and remained there for the rest of their days. Senesi served the United States in the Vietnam War. He enlisted voluntarily in 1965 and returned home in 1968. He was wounded, and received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his service. That is why it's hard to think of anyone more qualified than Senesi to be Somerville's Director of Veteran's Services, an office created in the wake of World War II to keep returning veterans from standing in welfare lines. Veteran's Services cover a wide variety of programs to assist those who have served our country: everything from widows' pension to health care and VA benefits. Most of these vital programs are funded by the state; the remainder is picked up by the city. The office of Veteran's Services is one of the only government programs not to experience cuts due to the recent budget crisis. Senesi explains that Veteran's assistance is needed more than ever, because many veterans are returning home and living with more serious injuries than ever. Had they sustained such wounds in World War Two, they simply wouldn't have lived. Recent wars have seen an increase in the number of double-amputees, spinal cord injuries and Post Traumatic Stress diagnoses. PTSD was not even medically recognized until ten years after the Vietnam War. Many soldiers are doing more tours of duty than were customary in previous conflicts, due to the shortage of soldiers. "Some are doing up to five tours," he said. Senesi is grateful that veterans have more support coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan from the American people than they did coming home from Korea and Vietnam. That, at least, makes his job easier. The GI Bill, which helped so many WWII veterans, is more extensive now than it has ever been. Somerville has always given generously to the country: over 400 Somerville residents were killed in action in WWII, 31 in Korea and 33 of the 5800 who served in Vietnam. The city has had only one citizen wounded in action in the current wars, despite the 500 serving. Fortunately none have been killed in action. When asked why he still lives in Somerville after all these years and after so many changes in the city, he replies, "We wouldn't want to live anywhere else. This mayor is doing a fabulous job transforming the city." And one of the great traditions of the city is the Memorial Day Parade. Fundraisers have been able to garner $11,400 dollars for this year's Memorial Day parade, which will be larger than last year's parade. Senesi hopes to see all of Somerville come out to see this great yearly event.

Somerville and Cambridge Detectives Interrupt Robbery in Progress, Arrest 19-year-old Arlington Man

SOMERVILLE - A nineteen year old Arlington resident was arrested late Friday evening when police observed him committing an attempted armed robbery. Jonas Moses-Gilson was arrested inside the Porter Square MBTA Station after a brief foot chase. Somerville and Cambridge Detectives, with assistance from the MBTA Transit Police have been investigating a series of several armed robberies committed in both cities over the past month. These robberies shared a number of similar characteristics, and descriptions of the perpetrator also showed similarities. Last evening, shortly before 11:30, Cambridge Detective Sergeant Pauline Carter-Wells and Somerville Detective Michael Kiely were working together in the Elm Street area when they observed a suspect approach a male subject who was walking on Elm Street. The suspect displayed a knife and held it near the victim's throat. Fearing for the safety of the victim, Detectives immediately moved in, causing the suspect to flee. A brief foot chase by Somerville and Cambridge Police ended inside the Porter Square MBTA station with the apprehension of the suspect by Cambridge Detective Michael Regal and Somerville Detective Sean Sylvester. The suspect has been identified as Jonas Moses-Gilson, age 19, from Arlington. He has been charged with armed assault with attempt to rob, assault with a dangerous weapon (knife) and a city ordinance violation, carrying a dangerous weapon (knife). He will be arraigned in Somerville District Court on Tuesday morning. No photo of the suspect is available at this time. The victim of last night's attempted robbery left the scene before Somerville Police were able to interview him. He is urged to contact Somerville Police at 617 625-1212 as soon as possible.

It takes a village to heal

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.) We say that it takes village to raise a child. It also takes a village to keep that child alive. And it takes a village to mourn and heal when our child is taken from us. Since the turn of the millennium, Somerville has lost at least twenty of its young people to suicide, murder, misadventure, or drug overdoses. Their passing has devastated family and friends, leaving wounds that are slow to heal and scars that fade only with the passing of years. Recognizing that the more we are connected with those who share our grief, the more effective the healing seems to be, Save Our Somerville (SOS) will conduct a healing vigil on Sunday May 31st, beginning at 6:30 PM in front of Somerville High School. SOS wants to cast the net of community as widely as possible, and anyone who has felt the pain of losing a loved one is encouraged to participate. When we see young lives ending at a rate that is so disproportionate to our population, we must inevitably ask, "Is this in some way systematic?" SOS president Matthew McLaughlin talks about the "Somerville slump." He sees a pattern of young people who are about to leave high school or have recently left and are facing the demands of adulthood. They realize that the life that they had dreamed of will be much more difficult to achieve than what they have been led to believe. Matthew recalls that as a child, options seemed limitless. But options have narrowed, and this is not merely a matter of the changes in perception that come with aging. He believes that demands on young people, including definitions of "success," have increased significantly, while opportunities have decreased. Drugs become a means of managing despair. And one gives little thought to reckless behavior if one is uncertain about whether life is worth living. Indeed, once embraced, drugs undermine one's capacity to make life worth living. We grow when things get hard and we have to develop new ways of thinking and acting to make them better. If instead, we use a drug to numb the pain, we never learn the skills required to change our circumstances, and we feel hopeless when we try. Drug-prevention educators often emphasize the dangers of taking drugs. In fact, anyone who uses hard drugs is already aware of those dangers. But they know that if they put their preferred substance in their arm or up their nose, they will feel good for the next few hours, and nothing else in their life offers that same promise and certainty. The incidence of drug use and suicide attempts among Somerville's youth had been growing when, in late 2001, Matty O'Brien's death from an overdose captured public attention. Some informal leaders began coming together. Stephanie Almeida, a Somerville native who worked with Somerville Cares About Prevention spent many long hours pouring over death records. Her labor of love quantified a pattern that had gone unrecognized. The official response was less than effective. The mayor established a task force and sent football coach John Hannah to...I don't know what. When notices were posted at the high school to announce the task force's first meeting, administrators insisted that the word "suicide" be removed, because it might upset the students. Of course the students were already upset, already knew well what the adults were discovering, and needed reassurance that someone was doing something. Tears and rage are not hurt. They are the means by which we heal from the hurt. When they are interrupted, healing becomes more difficult. Local community leader Alex Pirie participated in the task force. He observes that those who were most affected were the last to be listened to. "As with any community, it's difficult to face something that's seriously wrong. You have to face the problem before you can deal with it. Because we didn't, there were young people who died unnecessarily." Many friends and loved ones felt an impulse to create physical memorials for those who died-photos, drawings, notes, flowers, artifacts, expressions of grief. City officials and private property owners removed these memorials. Instead of tidying things up, they would better serve us by embracing them as an expression of community. Intending to create their own memorial, SOS encourages those who attend the vigil to bring artifacts that remind them of their lost loves ones. They will become part of a commemorative art project. Those whom I know who took their lives through intent or neglect did so because they felt hopeless about making things better and they had become disconnected from the network of relationships that holds us in this life. If we are serious about creating a believable future for our young people, we must change the objective conditions that produce despair. We must reweave the fabric of community that hold us together, and we must acquaint our youth with their own capacity to transform their lives. SOS is working to accomplish this. One of its many concerns is gentrification. While Matthew McLaughlin hastens to say that gentrification was not a reason why anyone took their life, he believes that the increasing threat of being priced out of the community that one has always been a part of contributes to the overall sense of despair. Yet SOS is not hostile to newcomers. The organization is reaching out through the Immigrant Service Providers Group on Heath to invite immigrants to participate in the healing vigil. Funerals are one of the few times that we still come together as a community. SOS hopes that we can come together more often, so that we attend fewer funerals.

New York Man Ordered Held Without Bail In Connection With Shooting Death At Harvard University

CAMBRIDGE - A New York man was arraigned today and ordered held without bail in connection with Monday's shooting death of Justin Cosby, 21, of Cambridge, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today. Jabrai Jordan Copney, 20, of New York City, New York, turned himself in to authorities at the Cambridge Police Station yesterday at approximately 7:10  p.m. He has been charged with murder, accessory after the fact to murder, and possession of a firearm.   At today's arraignment, he was ordered held without bail in Cambridge District Court. His next court appearance is scheduled for  July 15 for a probable cause hearing.              According to authorities, on Monday, May 18, at approximately 4:48 p.m., the Harvard University Police responded to the Kirkland House located on Dunster Street in Cambridge on reports of shots fired. Cambridge Police were also notified and responded to the scene.              Cosby, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen, had left the Kirkland House and stumbled to the intersection of Dunster Street and Mount Auburn Street. He was transported to Beth Israel Hospital and was pronounced dead  early on the morning of May 19.              Massachusetts State Police assigned  to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, Cambridge Police, and Harvard Police began an investigation into the  circumstances of the shooting.              Based on that investigation, it was determined that the defendant, who is not a student at Harvard University, was visiting friends at the campus. It is alleged that the defendant, along with others,confronted Cosby in a common area inside the Kirkland House. During the course of the confrontation,multiple shots were fired. One of those shots struck Cosby, resulting in his  death. It is believed that the defendant and Cosby were known to one another.   The defendant and others involved fled the scene.   This investigation is ongoing into the circumstances of the shooting as well as into other suspects who may have been involved.   The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant District Attorney and Senior Trial Counsel Daniel Bennett. The victim witness advocate is Helena Clarke. The case is being investigated by Harvard University Police, Cambridge Police, and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

Statement from the family of Justin D. Cosby

June 13, 1987 - May 19, 2009 The immediate and extended family of Justin Cosby is extremely grateful for all of the love and support from friends, neighbors, childhood and college friends, and everyone that has extended support in this trying time. Justin was loved and respected by everyone that he came into contact with, as there as there are so many that have a positive story to tell when speaking of his kind heart, comical ways and loving nature. "The boy with the smile that would always lend a hand" is how so many have referred to him through the hundreds of people that have been to visit with our family over the last couple days. We are still in disbelief of the horror and shock of Justin's murder. He was not a "hoodlum" or "gangster" - people actually laugh at the thought of him being referred to in that manner. Justin was a fashion trendsetter, basketball player, student and self-admitted "mama's boy". He was looking forward to picking up new studies, furthering his aspirations to become successful and marrying his long-time girlfriend. We know that Justin's wings will be on our shoulders to help us survive God bringing him home for bigger tasks than he can do here on Earth. In support of the family, the Justin Cosby Memorial Fund has been established and donations can be received at any Bank of America nationwide. The Wake will be held on Saturday, May 23 from 3:30 - 4:30pm at The Concord Baptist Church at 190 Warren Avenue (at West Brookline St.) Boston, MA 02116. The Funeral service will immediately follow the Wake at the same location. Justin will be buried in his hometown of Richmond, VA. Our angel Justin will be missed and will always be in our hearts and memories.