Newstalk – August 15

On August 15, 2018, in Commentary, Latest News, by The Somerville Times

The deadline to register to vote in the primary to be held on Tuesday, September 4, is today, August 15. It’s easy to register, just head up to City Hall, School St. entrance at the Elections Department. If you’re reading this and it’s Wednesday the 15th, today is the deadline – run, drive or bike up to City Hall before 4:30 p.m.

********************

August 13 was International Left Handers Day. So, on behalf of the few left handers here at The Times, and to all those out there in Somerville: Happy Left Handers Day! FYI, in the USA today it’s estimated that 13.1% of the population is left handed.

********************

The publishers and staff at The Somerville Times welcomes Somerville’s own Jimmy Del Ponte back as a contributor to the paper. His stories over the past several years were very popular with many current and former Somerville residents. He is not going to just talk about the past, you’ll also read about things that are happening in the city now. We wish him the very best. Let him know what you think, and if you have any ideas for topics that he might have that special insight into, go online to the paper’s website and let him know.

********************

Every now and then we like to upgrade our paper, give it a new look, and stay abreast of new online technologies. We will soon be offering an online subscription of the paper. Plus, we’ll be putting out some new boxes, adding to our present locations right here in Somerville and over in Medford.

********************

We see that Bob Massie of Somerville, who is a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts as a Democrat, has been campaigning all over in an attempt to be the nominee in the primary election on September 4. Wouldn’t it be great to have a governor from Somerville?

********************

District Attorney Marian Ryan, who grew up here in Somerville and lived here for many years, is running for re-election. She has local popular guy Bob McWatters as her coordinator. He tells us she’s working hard in the county and, as for Somerville, she’s leaving no stone unturned here in the city. He tells us he’s the coordinator for Ryan and he’s also helping out our own Congressman Mike Capuano, who lives here in the city. He’s in a tough fight, but anyone who knows Congressman Mike knows he is in it to win it. He’s gathering a large crowd of supporters and getting them ready for election day.

********************

If you’re a fan of the cooking shows, one in particular, Worst Cooks in America, is a great show with contestants from all over the country that are encouraged to become better at cooking. The new season started this past Sunday night on the Food Network and a local Somerville native was one of the contestants. Linda Martin is her name. She survived the first cut Sunday night and who knows, we might have a future winner of the Worst Cooks of America right here in the Ville. We wish her the best of luck. Watch the show. Again Sunday nights on the Food Network at 9:00 p.m.

********************

If you’re a tree lover, and more especially a bird lover, you’d be pretty upset along with the residents of Richdale Ave. It seems like the construction crew there are just plain ripping down trees and disturbing the bird’s nests, to the point where they are flying all over the place, probably looking for their baby birds. Now, we are not sure, but we thought that there would be special consideration for birds and their nests. That the crews would not just be like an army invading and ripping the birds out of their homes.

********************

Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Brandon Wilson, the Executive Director of Somerville Preservation Commission. We wish her a great birthday. Happy birthday to Donna Cassaro-Sides. We hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to Carol Fontana, a realtor with Remax Andrew Realty in Stoneham. We know Carol and she’s a totally professional business woman. We wish her the very best on this, her birthday. To all the others here in the city who are celebrating their birthdays this week and we missed you here, we wish a happy birthday to you.

********************

Don’t forget to stop by 19 College Ave. and look in the windows at Connolly, Wedgewood and Crane, where you will see the latest works of their Artist In Residence, Diane Blouin. The folks at Connolly Insurance tell us the comments have been fantastic. Word has it that a lot of folks have gone back for a second and third look! Diane was born and raised in Somerville and still resides here.

********************

It appears that our good Mayor Joe Curtatone is out of town somewhere in Central America. We hear El Salvador, checking out what we don’t know. Maybe new voters? Wonder who is in charge? By charter, it would be the President of the Board of Alderman, and that would be Ward 7 Alderman Katjana Ballantyne. Or could it be DPW Commissioner Stan Koty? We only mention his name because the various squares around the city look cleaner this week, and we know it couldn’t be him giving the orders. Or is it? He’s so tactful when it comes to talking to the union members – NOT!

********************

Rumor has it – and after all, this is a RUMOR COLUMN, that’s what we do – that a certain new member of one of the boards here in Somerville and a close friend of a certain ward alderman was recently barred from a few establishments in the city. We’re investigating the rumor to find out why. If you know, let us know – confidentially, of course.

********************

The Somerville City Club is looking to increase its membership. For the time being membership is open to any resident here in the city It’s a great organization that has been around a long time, with lots of activities that support local charitable groups here. Contact the club on Innerbelt Road across from Holiday Inn for more details.

**********************

A few weeks ago we ran the centerfold on Rosemary’s Italian Garden and received a lot of calls telling us they too have great gardens here in the city. If you are someone that has a great garden or something different and unusual that you’d like to submit to the paper, along with a brief his-tory of it, we would be glad to publish it. Email us at news@thesomervilletimes.com.

********************

Have you thought you’d like to do some writing, a little story about Somerville as either a newbie or Villen? We have about 80K people and we would love to hear about your adventures here in the city. Maybe you want to write about a particular subject like our Bob Doherty and Dorothy DiMarzio, or like Jimmy Del Ponte with his stories about the city. Or maybe you’d like to express your opinion like Bill Shelton. Not just the politicians, but those from our community. Give us a call at 617-666-4010 or email news@thesomervilletimes.com and tell us about your idea. We would love to tell it to the rest of Somerville.

********************

Miss watching the Board of Alderman meetings on TV? You can view them in their entirety on Comcast channel 22, as well as on YouTube. Watch your city at work and see how these dedicated members of our community are serving you, the public. We can’t say this enough, watch the meetings on either cable broadcast live, or go online to YouTube to watch them. You will find some pretty hysterical information there about what’s happening in the city. This should be required viewing for everyone who cares about what is happening here. Even the committee meetings are online. After all, the Board of Aldermen is voting to spend your money. Wow, the raises some department heads are getting. Of course, those friendly with the mayor are the ones that are getting huge ones.

********************

Demet’s Donuts in Medford is getting very busy, but those donuts and the large variety are like the old Day’s Donuts, huge and tasty. Almost a sin facing you when you come in for just coffee. It’s hard to not get that jelly or lemon, not to mention the coconut donuts. The Somerville Times is available every Wednesday at the donut shop. Stop in, get a coffee and few of those delicious donuts, or maybe the real – and we mean real – egg sandwiches, from real eggs.

 

Comments are closed.