The Somerville News Blog

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day to everyone and especially our troops present and past for everything they have done. Enjoy the parade and have a safe, happy Memorial Day weekend from the Publishers and staff at The Somerville  News. Ceremonies to Honor Veterans, Residents Serving Overseas; Parade Steps Off from City Hall Concourse at 1:00 p.m.

Planting and growing gardens is a community project

Dave Madan, Taryn Kincaid, Sarah Rodriguez. Taryn Kincaid, Jim Laurie, Melissa Lowitz, Kaylee Vanatta, Emily Hardt (Taryn Kincaid + Kaylee Vanatta in foreground.) ~Photos by Julia Fairclough By Julia Fairclough Who knew that even a postage stamp-sized back yard could bring you closer to nature, being nicer to the environment and mindful of your own health? Many locals could attest to this truth, especially now that the Massachusetts Outdoor Volunteer Experience (MOVE) and Somerville Climate Action (SCA) have teamed up to launch "community garden-raisings." The program entails teams of volunteers coming over to build and plant a raised garden bed over the course of one weekend afternoon. The volunteers build the raised garden bed frame out of lumber, line it with landscaping fabric to keep weeds out, then fill it with soil, and then plant seedlings (young plants), as well as seeds. "It's a great opportunity to get more connected to the sources of our food," said MOVE founder Dave Madan, who formed this organization last year for this very purpose. "Sometimes it takes a kick-start like this to start your own garden." SCA has been spearheading this project, but it is now under the direction of MOVE. SCA works to educate and prevent the effects of global warming. Residents are responsible for paying for the lumber, soil, and seeds, which usually comes to $150 to $180 for everything. People typically like to plant tomatoes, squash, lettuces, and herbs. Madan sent out a couple emails to the MOVE email list and received so many replies that 60 interested residents were on a list, which was narrowed down to 10 recipients. To truly qualify, people must have at least a plot of land in the sunlight to make the garden work, Madan said. The project will run this month and the first three weekends in June.

It's a scortcha'

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.) Here it is, the hot weather. The sweating, the shortness of breath and the scantily clad people! It's all back. We asked for it, and we got it. Please come up with a better line than, "Is it hot enough for ya ?" That one is played out. If you ask me if it's hot enough for me, I usually say, "no, my deodorant stopped working four hours ago, my underwear is stuck to me, and the air conditioning in my truck is blowing hot air.

Breathing new life into Somerville's squares

Part 1: What Happened? 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.) Wall Street's savaging of Main Street has been a common theme in recent political campaigns. Also in debate over the feeble financial reform bill that Congress passed last week.

Ted Williams baseball bat visits Somerville

~Photos by William Tauro By William Tauro Somerville District Court Clerk Magistrate Robert "Ted" Tomasone and Somerville District Court Presiding Judge Maurice Flynn, two Ted Williams fans, are shown here displaying a piece of baseball historical memorabilia. The visiting baseball bat stopped by the court house early Wednesday morning for a photo opportunity before it heads to the auction block where it will be auctioned off and it's proceeds donated to charity by the North End Athletic Association. It's one of the last few "Louisville Slugger" baseball bats that is still in existence that was manufactured by "Hillerich & Bradsby" of Louisville Kentucky with a production date of 1940. Even more uniquely about the bat, it was signed by number nine himself, Theodore "Teddy Baseball" Williams in 1941.

The non-Choice side of Healey

Eighty-seven community members commented on the three proposed options with anonymous sticky notes and small-group discussions following the formal presentation. ~Photo by Lauren Ostberg Parents, faculty, debate school's future Lauren C. Ostberg Pluralism is democratic; it can also be inefficient. A week before the superintendent's recommendation and a public hearing on the Healey School's future, parents, educators, and curriculum directors presented analyses of three proposed reform options, one of which would move the Choice program to a different building. Officials agree that the status quo - two strands of project-based Choice classroom education and one strand of traditional "neighborhood" lessons - is not acceptable.

Tensions rise at Shaw's labor protest in Somerville

~Photos by William Tauro By William Tauro Dozens of Shaw's warehouse workers protested today outside the Somerville branch in Twin Cities. Labor protesters arrived in buses and motor homes with loud speakers continuously shouting "Boycott Shaw's!" Somerville police were present. Workers are asking the grocery giant "not to take them backwards by making health care unaffordable for its Methuen Warehouse workers and their families." They are asking patrons of Shaw's to "Pledge not to patronize this store until Shaw's does what is right for their Methuen Warehouse workers and their families." The United Food Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) arranged transportation for dozens of protesters to meet at the Somerville location. The UFCW recruited protesting supporters to arrive in Somerville from local 1360 in New Jersey Protesters said, "we will stay here for as long as it takes!"

An abrupt end for Razzy's in Somerville

Get your karaoke singing in now, Razzy's closes Saturday. ~Photo by Tom Nash By Tom Nash Fans of karaoke and free popcorn have only a few more nights to enjoy a popular Somerville Avenue bar. Razzy's, which in its five years has amassed a loyal following, will be shutting its doors for good on Saturday. Co-owner Nancy Maiullari said that the five-year lease on the building is up at the end of May, and the owner is seeking to sell the building for $900,000. "We tried to make a deal and it just didn't happen," Maiullari said. The bar will be open through May 29, and she stressed that no special events have been planned. Maiullari opened Razzy's in 2005 with her sister, Ruth Aylward. Friends cautioned against it after seeing the dive bar they were replacing, Jon's Place.

Somerville man so angry, police call ambulance

By George P. Hassett A Somerville man became so enraged at his elderly upstairs neighbor on May 21 that police were concerned for his health. Austin Avelar, 23, of 48 Florence St., allegedly threatened his neighbor and when police came to the door began shouting and yelling obscenities at them.

Don't drive in Somerville with headphones on

By George P. Hassett A Somerville man speeding down Powder House Boulevard could not hear police sirens behind him because he was wearing headphones as he drove on May 20, police said. Mark Rais, 47, of 121 Central St., was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, unsafe operation of a motor vehicle and speeding. He allegedly drove 40 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone. When an officer pulled him over, Rais allegedly became irate and cursed at the officer.

Newstalk for May 26

This Sunday, May 30 at 1 p.m., the Memorial Day parade starts at City Hall and winds through the city, as folks march up Highland through Davis up to Teele ending at North and Broadway. Every year it gets bigger and bigger and this year is no different, we hear that it's the biggest one yet. Much thanks and appreciation to the Head of Veterans Services Frank Senesi who has worked hard to raise money in the private sector to pay for it. You see him in the parade say hi and thank him; we are big fans of him and his department.

The View From Prospect Hill for May 26

The residents of Bailey Road and Mystic Avenue deserve justice. The interstate highway that has disrupted the neighborhood for five decades pollutes their air with little, if any, transit benefit in return. There has been a real cost: residents of Somerville have seen friends and family die of lung cancer at significantly higher rates than suburban dwellers who use I-93 for their commute.

Cartoon of the week for May 26

Highway pollutants mark Somerville neighborhood

Phillip Trapanni looks at I-93 across the street from his house with his daughter Lucianne. ~Photos by Andrew Firestone $750k federal initiative to study rt. 93 pollution Andrew Firestone Since it first cut through the Mystic Avenue and Ten Hills, route 93 has been a source of controversy in Somerville. "I remember as a kid, we all went out and demonstrated," said Phillip Trapanni of the 1960s protests. Today, Trapanni said, the highway's effect on Somerville is clear. "It's ridiculous," he said. "It destroyed our neighborhood." After months of research and the combined efforts of several community organizations and Tufts University, the city last week was awarded a $749,893 federal grant to study the direct effects of route 93 pollution. The study will place air filtration units in 26 homes for three years, using blood samples and detailed air quality monitoring to study the effects on pollution from Route 93 on Somerville residents. Ellin Reisner, an East Somerville resident and Green Line activist, originally approached Tufts University to form a partnership in studying pollution in the city. Reisner said Somerville has the highest rate of heart attack deaths and lung cancer in the state. "The state knew that the levels of pollution [from I-93] would exceed the Environmental Protection Agency standards but they built it anyway," she said.

Mental health care of 800 in Somerville is threatened

O'Donovan: Loss could be 'devastating' By George P. Hassett A contract dispute is threatening a 35-year-old Somerville health organization and could eliminate local options for 800 Somerville citizens who need mental health treatment. The Somerville Mental Health Committee is in danger of losing a contract that allows them to provide services for children, the homeless and the addicted, Chairman Michael Dwyer told aldermen Monday.

Action!

 

Bikers tour lost movie

By Andrew Firestone

The Second Annual Somerville History Bicycle Tour made its way from Union Square, down to Assembly Square and all the way through to Davis Square last weekend in a tour of the 15 local theaters of Somerville.

Somerville School Committee debates staff cuts

Lauren C. Ostberg As officials brace for cuts in local aid and a tight city budget, School Committee members are discussing layoffs and elimination of jobs in city schools. "The most important thing is to get through one year at a time without a reduction in programs," said Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi.

Somerville Police: Drug cops find 224 grams of pot, oxy's and methadone in Somerville man's bag

By George P. Hassett A 20-year-old Boston Avenue man allegedly selling drugs in Somerville, was arrested May 19 with an assortment of pills and bags of marijuana, police said. Matteo James Passanisi was identified to police as a drug dealer by separate sources, police said. Drug unit detectives approached Passanisi as he walked along Nashua Street carrying a black backpack, police said.

Day laborers inspire new play in Somerville

Ard Ardalan Christian Gomez lines up at Foss Park at 5:30 a.m. everyday to compete with dozens of other men for an $8 an hour or less job. The hazards are many: he's gone unpaid after an eight-hour workday and he contracted lead poisoning at one work site. Now, the stories of Gomez and the laborers who gather at Foss Park each morning has inspired a play, "They Don't Tell You Anything" written and produced by Meryl Becker, which premiered at the Elizabeth Peabody House on Friday.

Tufts speaker: Students defined by energy, curiosity, inability to stop

Professor and former provost Sol Gittleman ~Photo by Tufts University Photography Ard Ardalan Tufts professor Sol Gittleman is an expert on Yiddish culture and baseball history, not motivational speaking. On Sunday, Gittleman addressed more than 3,000 Tufts University students awaiting graduation, and he left out the pep talk. "Students at Tufts don't need to hear much motivation; what characterizes them is their energy, their curiosity and their willingness to take on a lot of things they never seem to stop," said Gittleman, the day's commencement speaker. "They always seem to go to the library. There's a world out there that everybody's got to understand."