The Somerville News Blog

No plates, no go

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro This unregistered motor vehicle was detected at the city line by Somerville Police and pulled over on Washington Street. The vehicle's owner was cited for operating an unregistered/ uninsured motor vehicle on a public way. The vehicle's license plates were confiscated, the vehicle impounded and towed away to the impound lot. The incident occurred Monday 2:10pm

Smile you're on radar

~Photo by William Tauro Somerville Police Traffic officers are cracking down of drivers who speed thru the Union Square area. Under cover traffic vehicles are out on patrol tracking down posted speed offenders and other violators who don't obey the everyday traffic laws here in Somerville.

Expect delays in Magoun Square

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Somerville Police Officer Steve Jones on his Medford Street detail has his hands full with an overwhelming volume of vehicles that travel thru that section of Magoun Square everyday. With road construction going on at the intersection for the next few weeks, expect delays.

Old Glory overlooking Somerville

By William Tauro The gigantic American flag that is located in front of the Herb Chambers Somerville Automotive dealership was visible for miles this past Saturday. Flapping in the breeze during gusty winds, motorist driving through Somerville coming to and from Boston who drove past it on McGrath Highway's upper deck got a bird's eye view of Old Glory.

2nd Annual Shape Up Somerville Road Race Scheduled for Sunday, May 2nd

2.7 Mile Road Race, Children's "Fun Run" to be Held in Conjunction with Mayor's Fitness Challenge; Proceeds to Benefit Somerville Recreation Foundation, Youth Athletics. Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the 2nd annual Shape Up Somerville Road Race will be held on Sunday, May 2nd beginning at 10:30 a.m. with half-mile children's fun run for youth ages 12 years and younger. Following the children's race, a 2.7 mile walk will begin at 10:45, with the race beginning at 11:00 a.m. Both the children's and adult races will begin at the Somerville High School/City Hall Concourse, 81 Highland Ave., and will conclude with a community BBQ.

Somerville Playwright Colleen Hughes Writes a Drama Set in Teele Square

By Doug Holder Off The Shelf Somerville playwright writes Teele Square drama Somerville playwright Colleen Hughes walked into the Au Bon Pain in Davis Square on a cold and rainy April Saturday morning and navigated the maze of chattering poets of the Bagel Bards, so we could conduct an interview.

Bullying Part II

(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.) I know that the column's name is "On The Silly Side" and hopefully next week I will get back to being silly. But a few weeks ago I merely scratched the surface of a problem that is reeling out of control.

Five from Somerville injured in Mass Pike

By George P. Hassett

Five Somerville residents were hurt in a crash on the Mass Pike in Milbury this morning, State Police said.

A 1984 RAM Wagon carrying 10 people and on its way to New York had its rear tire blown out at 5:55 a.m., according to police. Two people were ejected from the vehicle, according to authorities. The van then rolled over at least twice.

Somerville clothing line Villen releases first film

By George P. Hassett

You've seen those "Villen" stickers stuck to various traffic signs in the city. Or maybe you've seen the shirts, with Villen on the chest, representing a new take on the concept of "Somerville Pride." Now you can watch the movie. The clothing line, inspired by Somerville resident Brian Liberatore, has a new Spring 2010 selection and they produced a stylish short film for promotion. From Davis Square to East Somerville, it's love interests and high speed chases for three minutes in this slick new commercial. Watch and be mesmerized. 

 

Papercut Zine Library celebrates new Somerville space

Librarian Dave Taber receives assistance from trouble!, who edits the Somerville arts zine High Five, for a reading during the reopening celebration of the Papercut Zine Library at 226 Pearl St. The library has more than 13,000 titles, available to check out by anyone who signs up to be a member. ~Photos  by Tom Nash By Tom Nash A former Harvard Square landmark devoted to free expression and radical thought opened Sunday at its new site on Pearl Street in Somerville. Volunteers and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of the Papercut Zine Library in an artist space at 226 Pearl St. The library, dedicated to the independent and often Xeroxed publications ignored by mainstream libraries, operated out of the basement of the Democracy Center in Cambridge since 2005. The library was forced out in August 2009. Librarian Dave Taber said the search for a new home included much of Boston and Cambridge, but eventually led to an artist space on Pearl Street. "This happened to be where the good spot was," Taber said, noting the possibilities of the larger space. "We're going to be doing a lot more art stuff." Taber said he hoped the turnout for the April 18 grand opening, which featured performances and refreshments provided by anti-hunger activists Food Not Bombs, was evidence that the more remote location wouldn't deter visitors.

Truck load of spring shows up in Somerville

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Ricky DiGiovanni owner of Ricky's Flower Market in Union Square unloads a truck load of spring flower arrangements and hanging plants that just arrived.

Tufts searches for cheap energy

One of the panelist for "Evolving Fossil Fuels", Howard J. Herzog, a Senior Research Engineer in the MIT Energy Initiative. Kathleen Di Simone Global warming. The quest for alternative energy. The finite nature of the fuels we have been using for centuries. These are all valid concerns to scientists and the general public alike. So it's no wonder that when Tufts University held its Energy Conference this past weekend, hundreds of students and professionals attended, each trying to make more of a mark than the standard carbon footprint. On Friday night, the conference began with a panel talk on "Evolving Fossil Fuels." The panel consisted of enthusiastic proponents of fossil fuel use, including Howie Herzog, program manager of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Carbon Capture Initiative; Joe Stanislaw, founder of energy and technology investment group JAStanislaw Group LLC; and Jon Robbins, senior scientific advisor for Exxon Mobil. According to all three men, the case for fossil fuels was the same as it has been for years.

Police use Sony tracking process to recover stolen Play Station

By George P. Hassett Somerville police and Sony worked together in a three month investigation to nab a Play Station thief last week. In January, a Somerville man told police his Beacon Street apartment had been burglarized and his Sony Play Station 3 had been stolen.

Flags honor popular Somerville veteran

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Friends and neighbors of lifelong Somerville resident John McKenzie lined Irving Street in Somerville with a sea of American flags to honor the popular WWII veteran who passed away this week. Neighbors decorated fences, utility poles, trees, signs and homes with American flags and bunting that stretched the length of Irving Street from Broadway to Holland Streets. McKenzie was also well known for many years for his Wednesday lunches on College Avenue at the Baptist Church. He was a popular member of Somerville Lodge and King Solomon's Lodge here in Somerville

Somerville seniors hit the stage

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro The Somerville Council on Aging and The Somerville Lion's Club joined forces at Giggle's Comedy Stop on Route 1 Tuesday evening for a night of laughs for a good cause. A packed room of over 90 Lion's, including a bus load of local seniors, enjoyed the evening with pizza, comedy and a lot of fun as they raised money for local Somerville charities. Tony V, a former Somerville resident, was among the three comics who kept the crowd in stitches all night long.

Cartoon of the week for April 21

Newstalk for April 21

The annual Patriots Day ceremony is getting more popular each year and hopefully we'll see crowds there like we used to. Paul Revere arrived at Foss Park on Monday and all the children and adults greeted him on his run to Lexington. Every year it's a shame to see that certain elected officials don't show up. But Mayor Joe was there to greet Paul and everyone present. Hopefully next year he has more company.

The View From Prospect Hill for April 21

Some experts are saying the recession is over. Ask most business owners in Somerville if we're still in an economic slump and the experts may get an earful. In Somerville, however, we have a significant economic advantage: the arts.

Film fest starts today at the Somerville Theater

Somerville filmmaker Chico Colvard's "Family Affair" is part of the Independent Film Festival lineup this week in Davis Square. ~Photo courtesy of Chico Colvard and C-Line Films. Somerville director's film featured By George P. Hassett When the Independent Film Festival of Boston opens in Davis Square on Wednesday, filmmaker Chico Colvard won't have to go far to see his movie premiere. Colvard, who lives in West Somerville, will take a short walk to see "Family Affair" at the Somerville Theater on Saturday but the screening is part of a long journey it took to make the film.

Benton Road project criticized by aldermen, public

By Tom Nash City officials and neighbors are seeking to make an example of a proposed Benton Road condominium project, with one alderman telling the Planning Board last Thursday it has a chance to "end the madness" of over development in crowded Somerville neighborhoods. A group of developers operating as MLN Trust is hoping to subdivide 1 Benton Rd., which includes a house built in 1890 by HP Hood that they converted into three condos, in order to build three more units in a new building.