The Somerville News Blog

Flaherty calls for recount as DiDomenico claims senate victory

By George P. Hassett Everett City Councilor Sal DiDomenico is telling supporters he won today's special Democratic primary election as the early second place finisher Tim Flaherty is calling for a recount. Flaherty alleged voting irregularities in Everett after an election day tally left him about 125 votes short, according to early returns.

Somerville Police: MS-13 gang members threaten man with slingshot, machetes

By George P. Hassett Three men flashing gang signs told a Somerville man he was in MS-13 gang territory on April 6 as the man stood at the corner of Pearl and Walnut streets, then threatened him with a sling shot and two machetes. Jose Moreno, 22, of 69 Florence Street #1R, allegedly held up a sling shot, pulled it back while holding a rock in it and told the victim, "I'm going to kill you with one shot."

Magoun Square business suffers after new parking rules in Somerville

By George P. Hassett A $3 million roadway project began in Magoun Square last week but the neighborhood's ward alderman continues to voice concerns about the neighborhood's economic struggles. Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan submitted six strongly worded items at last week's Board of Aldermen meeting regarding the negative impact new city parking regulations are having on locally owned businesses already dealing with a severe economic downturn.

Abutter's Beacon Street hotel lawsuit names mystery defendant

By Tom Nash As the city prepares to defend itself against accusations that it mishandled the application for a controversial restaurant and hotel project, a review of city records shows information required for the project's approval was never officially submitted. The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a 35-room hotel and restaurant development at 371 Beacon St. in January after a group of residents made the case that it would overwhelm the area.

Somerville students woo crowd in spring concert

~Photo by Ashley Troutman Ashley Troutman The Somerville High School Auditorium was nearly full last Thursday during the Annual Spring All-City Elementary Concert. Hundreds of local children have been studying music during school for this event. Richard Saunders, Director of Music, said, "We take students from chorus, orchestra, and band from around the city. We like to have every school represented in the ensembles. We have one concert in the winter and one in the spring." The evening began with the All-City Elementary Chorus' rendition of "Toccata for Voices." The 46 children, directed by Beverly Mosby, then wooed the crowd with "Let My People Go," followed by "Iko Iko."

Hope reigns at peace summit held in Somerville

Local youths spoke of issues affecting Somerville teens at the fourth peace summit on Saturday.~Photo by Andrew Firestone Students rap social responsibility Andrew Firestone As students got up on stage to speak truth to their peers at the fourth peace summit on Saturday there was an a air of triumph of the soul. Standing up before a packed house of over 700 people, local youths spoke to issues affecting Somerville teens, including bullying, teen pregnancy, suicide, violence and depression through drama, poetry and music.

School ready

Dr. Jayanthi Mistry, Chair of Tufts University’s Department of Early Childhood Education and the event’s keynote speaker. Somerville discusses its educational culture Lauren C. Ostberg Most communities have heard it by now: it takes a village to raise a child. But Somerville's youngsters have an entire city, and an active educational community, to get them ready for school. The Third Annual Community Conversation on Getting School-Ready united community-based childcare agencies, education-based non-profits, parents, teachers, and two local health groups on Wednesday. The conversation focused on "The Many Cultures in Our Lives." Organizers broadened the definition of culture beyond the usual national origin, linguistic and urban-rural divides to include classroom culture. "A classroom is a cultural community with shared practices," asserted Dr. Jayanthi Mistry, Chair of Tufts University's Department of Early Childhood Education and the event's keynote speaker.

Letter to the editor

(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.)

The morning of April 5th marked the beginning of the much anticipated renewal of Magoun Square along with (finally) validating those obnoxious green signs at the beginning and in the heart of the square announcing the renovation. One would think that I, both a resident and daughter of a former Magoun Square business owner, would be relieved to see the State and City walk the walk after talking the talk for so long, but I must admit that I am worried.

How to cope with stress

By Julia Fairclough Some people put their "foot on the gas" when under stress and become keyed up, overly emotional, and find it hard to sit still. Others may put their "foot on the brake" and become withdrawn or depressed. Still others may put a "foot on both" and freeze under pressure and can't do anything. "This is important for you to think about because everyone is different," said Patty Contente, LICSW, a social worker and clinical youth specialist for the city of Somerville. "Think about when you're stressed and what your typical reaction is."

DiDomenico to follow Galluccio in Somerville and Cambridge senate seat

By George P. Hassett Sal DiDomenico is telling supporters he won today's special election by a slim margin over Tim Flaherty, of Cambridge, for the state senate vacated by jailed senator Anthony Galluccio. The seat's district includes two precincts in Somerville and portions of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex counties. DiDomenico's margin of victory was under 300. DiDomeinco won Somerville with 48 percent, 212 votes.

MBTA Transit Police patrol Somerville

By William Tauro
~Photo by William Tauro The MBTA Transit Police were seen today helping patrol Somerville as they pulled over a vehicle with invalid registration. The vehicle was towed. The Transit Police have jurisdiction on all roads that allow access to MBTA public transportation vehicles.

Building evacuated on Innerbelt Road

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro The Somerville Fire Department responded early Tuesday morning to an alarm sounding at Coresite Corp, located at 70 Innerbelt Rd. The building was evacuated while fire units searched the building. The source of the alarm was found to be a ruptured sprinkler head. The alarm was reset and occupants were allowed to re-enter the building.

Somerville welcomes Del Ponte Square

Photo left to right, Marie (Del Ponte) Di Salvo , Gilda (Del Ponte) Cecchini, Gemma ( Del Ponte) Lavey, Olga (Del Ponte ) Beninati, and Claire (Hughes) Del Ponte. By William Tauro The City of Somerville welcomes "Del Ponte Square" to the Ville. The Square was dedicated Saturday to Somerville's own Jimmy Del Ponte's family for dedicated service in the armed forces. The ceremony took place at the intersection of Elmwood Street and Elmwood Terrace and it was dedicated to Guiseppe Del Ponte (Jim's grandfather) for his service during WW1, Ferdinando Del Ponte (Jim's dad) for his service during WW2 and for Joseph P Del Ponte (Jim's uncle) a former Somerville Fire Fighter for his service during the Korean War.

Harris will interview for girls basketball job

Brian Harris could be out as Somerville High School Girls' Basketball coach after leading the Highlanders to 260 wins, seven Greater Boston League titles and three trips to the Tsongas Arena during his 18-year tenure. Harris denies “bullying” players after last week's dismissal By Mike Rubin For 18 years, Brian Harris guided the Somerville High girls basketball team. Now the long time coach's future with the program is in doubt after his contract was not renewed by Athletic Director Nicole Viele. Harris, who won 260 games for the Highlanders and seven Greater Boston League titles, received a letter from Viele last week declining to bring him back as coach. The letter accused Harris of inappropriate body language and a confrontational attitude toward players.

One injured in Somerville's 'Breakfast War' restaurant dispute

~Photo by William Tauro By George P. Hassett The Breakfast War erupted in Ball Square Saturday afternoon, leaving one breakfast hot spot owner heading to the hospital and another claiming he was assaulted. The fisticuffs are the latest chapter in a feud that dates back to 2007 and has caught the attention of television producers, the city's mayor and people looking for good french toast.

Somerville Open Studios happens May 1 and 2

Jeremy Ogunsky's pottery will be on view during Somerville Open Studios. Francisco de la Barra is known for his innovation of painting with spices. ~Photos courtesy of Jeremy Ogunsky and Francisco de la Barra. By Julia Fairclough Jerry Ogunsky likes to create a home setting when showing his pottery so that people can visualize what his ceramic stoneware would look like in their own home. He decided to showcase his art by turning his home into a gallery, where visitors can select what they like from the kitchen table or a shelf. Like 360 other artists throughout the city, Ogunsky is preparing for the big annual event: Somerville Open Studios (SOS), which runs May 1 and 2 from noon to 6 p.m. In its 12th year, SOS has grown and improved in numerous ways. But most important of all, is the sense of community. "What better way to let my neighbors know what I like to do, to show them my pottery, and get to know other people in the community," said Ogunsky, who is a newbie to the event. Ogunsky moved to Somerville two years ago. He has never participated in a Somerville artist event before and thinks that showing off his utilitarian pots will help him break into the artist community here. SOS has a 60 percent turnover of artists each year, with the bulk being new artists, said SOS event coordinator Peter Belford. This year's theme focuses on the perceptions, history, contradictions, and diversity of Somerville. Two long-time SOS venues at either end of town anchor the 101 studio sites-the Nave Gallery in Teele Square and the Brickbottom Gallery off Washington Street heading into East Somerville.

Teen Empowerment Peace Conference held in Somerville

By William Tauro Over 800 students attended the fourth annual Teen Empowerment Peace 2010 Conference held  at Somerville High School and hosted by the City of Somerville.

May brings deployment to Afghanistan for Major Marques

By Cathleen Twardzik In June 2009, James Marques, who grew up in Somerville, was informed that he would be deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. Marques is part of the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion and was promoted to the rank of Major in the US Army Reserve in January 2010. He has been in the Guard Reserve, in several different units, for 27 years.

Man on bike shows gun

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro A woman at the intersection of Mystic and Temple Avenue was approached last night by a man who flashed a gun, the woman reported. Police said the man did not point the gun at her. The woman fled the scene. The bicycle was described by police as silver.

Somerville Mayor to city: What kind of chief do you want?

Interim police chief, Deputy Chief Michael Cabral. City solicits input for next top cop Lee Durocher What do you want in a new Somerville police chief? That's what city officials are asking residents in a new survey after former chief Anthony Holloway left for Florida. The results of the survey will be included as part of the search agenda.