The Somerville News Blog

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.

Trane will challenge 'elitist' Sciortino

By George P. Hassett

Calling him "elitist" and "out of touch with the district" Ward Seven Alderman Bob Trane today announced he will challenge State Rep. Carl M. Sciortino, D-Medford.

Trane said he will take out the necessary forms to run against Sciortino for his Medford and Somerville state representative seat today because the district is currently being "underrepresented" in the State House.

State fully funds Green Line extension

By George P. Hassett

It seemed Somerville was not supposed to get the Green Line. There may have been a legal agreement but the history of the project was full of neglect and broken promises.

In 1990, state officials promised city residents they would complete the extension through Somerville and into Medford as a way to offset air pollution caused by the Big Dig. In 2005, the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) sued the state because it had not taken the necessary steps to complete the project on time. In November 2006, CLF and the state settled and agreed on a binding commitment to complete the project by 2011. That commitment was pushed back to 2014.

The Independent Film Festival starts this week

By George P. Hassett

Cannes. Sundance. Somerville?

That may be a stretch but the Independent Film Festival of Boston, based mostly in Davis Square despite the name, has quickly carved out a niche for itself as an important, if smaller, attraction for celluloid fanatics craving a good flick.

From the opening night party Wednesday at Orleans until its close six days later, the festival features 74 movies -- 22 narrative features, 28 documentaries, and 24 shorts - plus numerous panels, discussions, and parties.

For business owners, a long road of frustration to new Somerville Avenue

By Mia Lamar

It is a sunny Saturday afternoon in Union Square, one of the first of the new season and a good day for a walk and some shopping. But on Somerville Avenue, home to a stretch of retail shops and eateries, the sidewalk crumbles into the street. Shattered glass glints in the warm spring sun. Heavy construction equipment lies in a heap at the intersection of Somerville and Bow.

This is no Fifth Avenue.

Newstalk for Wednesday April 23rd 2008

The Mayor’s trip (Somerville goes to Italy) is filling up fast - as it’s scheduled for May 14 to visit Mayor Joe’s family’s ancestral home. So far we hear Mrs. Frump and The mouth of mouth’s from East Somerville are planning on attending - which leaves the Demo Man’s wife in charge up at the Council on Aging. We wonder if Mrs. Frump and the Mouth of East Somerville got their rooms “comped” like we heard they do when they go on Council trips to the Casinos in Connecticut.

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Speaking of Demo Man and his buddy Butchie - we hear they’re quietly still running around the city shilling that 77-90 unit building/complex they want to build in Ward 2 - we heard that in the last few weeks they had private meetings with some aldermen – we will keep you posted, because it would be very interesting to see if they get this approved.    Speaking of Demo Man, we hear that he has been moonlighting as one of the Soprano’s at the Koowloon in Saugus – he plays Tony Sopranos brother-in-law, Bobby Bacala in the hit show based on the now ended HBO series. Perfect casting don’t you think?      

Capuano calls for boycott of Olympic ceremony

By Hilary Dyer

Congressman Mike Capuano, D-Somerville, filed a resolution requesting that President George W. Bush boycott the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing on the grounds of China's inaction against the Sudanese government's genocide in Darfur.

China is Sudan's leading partner in trade, and enforces no trade sanctions on the nation. According to the non-profit organization, Human Rights Watch, China is the primary supplier of weapons and arms to Sudan. In turn, Sudan exports between 60 and 70 percent of its oil production to China.

The genocide in Darfur has killed nearly a half million people at the hands of the Sudanese government.

Why not a community center?

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 neccesarily reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News)

Alderman Bob Trane has a vision of a community center in the now-empty Powder House School. Its auditorium and cafeteria could host dances, dramatic productions, self-defense classes, musical performances, and poetry readings. Its classrooms could, for a reasonable hourly fee, provide space for trainers, community groups, arts classes, and anyone needing meeting space. 

Not much youth programming exists west of McGrath Highway. Kids could use the community center's safe and clean facilities for basketball, soccer, and general hell raising, helping to ease the city's scarcity of gym space. The grounds could host ethnic festivals, seasonal celebrations, and neighborhood gatherings.

Davis Square poet: Somerville makes you want to write

Off The Shelf by Doug Holder

Poet Ed Meek is a new transplant to Davis Square, Somerville, and damn glad of it. Meek, an accomplished writer in both the fiction and non-fiction genre, moved from the staid and tony suburbs of Belmont to the hotbed of cultural activity: Somerville.

Belmont, once labeled the “most boring” town in the state by The Boston Globe, was a bit rarefied for the writer in the man. Meek, the author of a new poetry collection “What We Love” (First World Publishing) said of Davis Square and Somerville: “Somerville is a great community. It makes you feel like writing.”

Homeless to Harvard

By George P. Hassett

At the Dunkin' Donuts on Somerville Avenue Maude Jones prepares coffee, breakfast sandwiches and makes change for customers. It is a long way from the violent, war-torn life she knew in Liberia where child soldiers with rifles were a familiar sight and gunfire a common sound.

And it is even further from the life she will know in September when she begins college at Harvard after spending the last two years as a homeless teenager living in a group home.

“Maude has an amazing story,” said Dan McLaughlin, a youth counselor at the Center for Teen Empowerment, who has worked with Jones. “I'm just waiting for someone to make the movie version of her life.”

Time to say good bye

By Joe Lynch

(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.)

Four years ago, I got a call from Mayor Curtatone's office asking me to attend a meeting with a developer who had recently purchased the five acre MaxPak site just down the street from my home. I had heard through the grapevine that the property would be developed, that a member of the Kennedy family bought it and that the developer was proposing 350 condominiums for the site.

The View From Prospect Hill

Peace Conference was a preview of Somerville's future. If the future of this city is in the hands of the young people who stood on stage and eloquently called for unity, increased recreation funding and inclusive city policies, we are in good hands.

And give Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone credit. The city sponsored the program and encouraged the critical views of the kids. “Hold my feet to the fire,” he told the crowd of 660.

And some of the speakers did. A spoken-word performance calling for the City of Hope resolution to pass took our leaders to task in the right fashion - with reason and skill.