The Somerville News Blog

Somerville Police - Haitian Coalition joint effort

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro The Somerville Police Department and the Haitian Coalition of Somerville teamed up and celebrated Unity Weekend with a three day fund-raiser. The three day series of events is to help raise money and assist with the Haitian relief earthquake disaster efforts that have left that country in shambles last month. Proceeds from this weekend's events will help send a group of Somerville Haitian Coalition volunteers including doctors and nurses to Haiti with a container full of medical supplies, food and clothing. The container is currently being stored in the Super Stop & Shop parking lot while waiting to be stocked up and shipped by early next week. Somerville Police Chief Michael Cabral, Deputy Chief Charles Femino, Neighborhood Unity Officers Nick Stiles, Chris Ward and Alan Monaco assisted the Coalition to organize the event that helped make it a huge success.

Guns Lose to Hoses 7-0

By William Tauro

The Somerville Fire Department skated victorious over the Somerville Police Department beating them 7-0 during their 6th annual "Guns and Hoses" hockey tournament. The two rival teams faced off Saturday evening at the Veteran's Memorial Skating rink on Somerville Avenue with a reception that followed at the Holiday Inn on Washington Street.

Taking a new business venture to the tee

Julie-Ann and Jacob Burkhart. ~ Photo courtesy of Julie-Ann. By Julia Fairclough As they say, gifts come in surprising packages; which is why the story of Julie-Ann Burkhart's tee-shirt business brings to mind that losing a job can mean the opening of a new door. Burkhart, 26, was laid off from her job as a graphic designer for a Somerville marketing agency in October of 2009. Just a couple months later, she created her own business that combines the things she loves best, working with art and surfing. Bird Swell (www.birdswell.com) touts surf-inspired tee shirts (or "wearable art") featuring Burkhart's original designs. While going from graphic designer to tee shirt designer happened rather quickly, it was a process that was perking on the back burner for a while.

Enter the FilmShift

The Somerville Theater, will host screenings of the films beginning in October. By Sanjeev Selvarajah Evidence of Boston's film consciousness has been visible on the evening news with local industry shoots of big-name stars at the height of their game. The community also bands together to celebrate the medium with a local film festival-FilmShift-organized by Jeremy Hammel, who works hard to generate the support of theatre-goers and the participation of camera-ready artists. Prizes include cash prizes and professional software that will enable more projects for the recipient down the line.

Rethinking Anxiety: a collaborative workshop

Dr. Jeffrey Brown, a Harvard psychiatry professor and clinical psychologist, addressed eight forms of anxiety at Somerville's John F.Kennedy Elementary School in his lecture “Anxiety:The Invisible Bully.” ~Photo by Lauren C. Ostberg Lauren C. Ostberg Sixty parents, educators, and community members rethought anxiety this past Monday, February 22. Dr. Jeffrey Brown, a Harvard psychiatry professor and clinical psychologist, addressed eight forms of anxiety at Somerville's John F. Kennedy Elementary School in his lecture "Anxiety: The Invisible Bully." He focused on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to address these anxiety disorders, commonly diagnosed in childhood and adolescence. "Using your brain to beat the anxiety is key," said Brown, who advocates visualization, self-talk, systematic desensitization, relaxation training, and many other mind-over-matter CBT techniques. "It's not something you need to go out and buy - use what you already have. Out-think the anxiety."

ZBA sued over 371 Beacon St. approval

The special permit application for a hotel and restaurant project at 371 Beacon St.was delivered to the city missing several pieces of required information, including signatures. By Tom Nash An abutter is appealing a decision to allow a 35-room hotel and restaurant project near Porter Square to go forward, filing a suit last week alleging the city erred by accepting an incomplete application. The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the special permit required to build the hotel at its Jan. 20 meeting, while admitting it had not received a complete application until just before the meeting. Abutter Seth Goodman, who has led a group of residents opposed to the project, filed the suit with the city on Feb. 16, citing both the lack of required information and issues with the proposed plans as grounds to revoke the special permit or declare the application incomplete.

Fox 25 visits Buddy's Diner

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Buddy's Diner - located at 115 Washington Street here in the 'Ville - hosted Fox 25's VB and his "Diner Wednesday" show this morning. There was a steady stream of local residents and political figures visiting the location during the show, which ran from early to mid-morning.

Newstalk for February 24

Early this morning (Wednesday 24th) from 6am to 9am at Buddy's Truck Stop on Lower Washington Street, Fox 25's own VB did the "Diner Wednesday" show. There were lots of local residents and certain local politicians on hand for a few hours. Although this is a popular place to have breakfast and has been for over 50 years, we bet the owners needed extra food on hand for the crowd. ***************

Cartoon of the week for February 24

The View From Prospect Hill for February 24

Shopping carts in the Mystic River. Not bodies, not vehicles, not even a missing Traffic and Parking desk - just shopping carts everywhere. It seems silly that this is even an issue, but it has been for years. Kids, homeless people and nitwits have been throwing them into the river for years and years, but it has to stop, and soon, otherwise "Assembly on the Mystic" will not be as attractive to potential condo buyers as the developers would like.

Mystic River waterway clogged with shopping carts

Submerged shopping carts rusting in the river. ~Photos by Andrew Firestone Andrew Firestone Hikers along the eastern bank of the Mystic River might be ogling more than they bargained for recently. Spurred by comments made at a recent Board of Alderman meeting by Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan, The Somerville News discovered the presence of dozens of aluminum shopping carts littering the bottom of the river. Looking out over the Wellington Bridge may inspire some to remember the famous ending scenes of poignant film "Mystic River" which showcased the very location. Looking down, however, presents the eye with an altogether different sensation: submerged, for the entire length of the 200 yard bridge, are dozens, possibly as many as a hundred, shopping carts rusting in the river. The river is seemingly saturated in shopping carts, presenting a notable blemish to the area. Sullivan, who brought the situation to the attention of his fellow Aldermen, spoke about finding the source of the problem. Examining some of the carts, Sullivan noted that several of them came from a local Kohl's store, on the other side of the bridge in Medford.

Let's Move! First Lady Michelle Obama's National Initiative Hits Home in Somerville

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.) By now, it's no secret that First Lady Michelle Obama recently asked me to participate in the national launch of her initiative to combat childhood obesity, entitled "Let's Move!" A few weeks ago, I had the great honor of speaking alongside the First Lady, my fellow Mayor from Hernando, Mississippi, Chip Johnson, and representatives of top health and non-profit organizations at the heart of this important issue. Certainly, Somerville is no stranger to the fight against childhood obesity, having spearheaded our own successful program in Shape Up Somerville, yet the First Lady's initiative sheds new light on the national epidemic, and provides additional support and guidance to local initiatives - both in Somerville and across the United States.

Somerville Sings For Haiti

Booty Vortex. B.E.A.T.S. ~Photos by Ashley Taylor By Ashley Taylor Musicians, comedians, speakers, philanthropists and fans gathered Thursday at the Somerville Theatre to raise money, raise spirits and raise the roof. The Somerville Sings For Haiti benefit concert, sponsored by the City, the Somerville Chamber of Commerce,and Tufts University, collected a total of $5,548 for the Red Cross's earthquake relief efforts. Proceeds came from ticket "sales" (a minimum $30 donation was recommended for admission), a silent auction and several raffles. Somerville's Green and Yellow Cab Company made the largest single donation of $1,000. The City planned the fundraiser after a magnitude seven quake devastated Haiti's capital, Port-Au-Prince, on January 12. The Chamber of Commerce mobilized local businesses, including the event's host, the Somerville Theatre, to support the event. Member restaurants donated gift certificates, which sold at the concert for $20 each, and also provided food for the performers, according to Chamber President Stephen Mackey. Tufts University "provided a lot of volunteers, we had three student groups perform last night, and we did some publicity for the concert," according to Director of Community Relations Barbara Rubel.

Dracula comes to Somerville

Ronald Lacey as Dracula. ~Photos courtesy of Theatre@First By Ben Johnson The Somerville theatre scene has jumped on board with the vampire craze that is sweeping America today. Theatre@First, Somerville's largest community theatre organization, is performing "Dracula" this month as its annual winter production. The play, adapted by John Mattera from the original novel by Bram Stoker, is a faithful retelling of Stoker's famous vampire saga. Directed by Theatre@First veteran Michael Babish, "Dracula" pays due homage to the gothic origins of the Dracula myth. The play is littered with innocent characters that have no idea that vampires move and live amongst them. Most of the characters don't even know what a vampire is. "Dracula is a story of horror, corruption, infection, and fear," writes director Babish in his director's notes. "It is a story that inspires countless interpretations, from Nosferatu to Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Theatre@First's interpretation of "Dracula" takes much inspiration from its source material, Bram Stoker's novel. The production's costumes, designed by Cara Chiaramonte, resonate with the plays late 19th century and Anglican setting. The stage set is simple but effective, with beds and tables strewn about. Ominous, magically opening doors loom in the center of the stage, perfect for Dracula's dramatic entries.

The Somerville Auxiliary Fire Department helps homeowners and more

Squad 1 is the Lighting Plant,it provides lighting at fires and other fire department emergencies, as well as lights at crime scenes and police investigations. ~Photo by Steve B. Machado By Cathleen Twardzik To more actively spread the word, as spring and the flooding of basements around Somerville approaches, residents are reminded that the Somerville Auxiliary Fire Department (SAFD) operates under the direction of the Somerville Fire Department. Members provide support services to the fire department and various agencies, including the Somerville Police Department and the Department of Public Works (DPW), according to Captain Jason Castle of the SAFD. He has volunteered there since May 2000. The delivery of auxiliary fire services requires volunteers who demonstrate sound judgment, physical and moral courage, fidelity and personal integrity, according to the City of Somerville's website.

Family Matters

(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.) One of the many things I love about my dear city of Somerville is the strength of the family unit. We have some great families in this city and they are constantly growing and getting stronger.

Somerville Fire respond to fire house call

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Six SFD engines responded to an alarm that sounded from 255 Somerville Avenue at 1:43pm today - the same location that houses SFD Engine Company 3. The call was based on smoke in one of the upper floors of the building, but was determined to be only a loose belt on a heating unit in the building.

Best Retail Practices Workshop Returns to Somerville

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) Monica Lamboy announce the return of the City's Best Retail Practices program, designed to assist small business and restaurant owners, and to provide storefront improvement support by providing professional advice and grant money in the areas of store and restaurant design, window and merchandise displays, signage, and cost-effective marketing tips. The three-part program will begin on Thursday, February 25th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Somerville City Hall, and will include visual presentations by the City and GraberMarketing.

City of Cambridge to welcome new Cambridge Lions Club

 

 

If you are interested in joining the new Cambridge Lion's Club that is being formed please contact Somerville Lions President Bill Tauro at: Somervillelionsclub@yahoo.com

 

Wednesday March 24th "Kick Off Meeting" Celebration of The New "Cambridge Lion's Club" being held at The Mount Vernon Restaurant located at:14 Broadway Somerville MA  02145 at 6:15pm  Hosted by The Somerville Lions Club!  Dinner $15 per person

 

Please visit us online at: www.SOMERVILLELIONSCLUB.com

 

Joshua Tree and Pearl Plum Vodka's Haiti Relief Fundraiser, Feb. 24

The Joshua Tree and Pearl Plum Vodka will be sponsoring a Haiti Relief Fundraiser Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Proceeds from a specific cocktail list featuring Pearl Plum will go towards the fund raising efforts. There will be a variety of prizes from local contributors that will be auctioned off. The proceeds from the auction will all go to Haiti as well.