The 2004 season at North Shore Music Theatre will be remembered as a year filled with innovative programs designed to introduce new audiences of all ages to the Theatre, as well as a year of recognition for the Theatre’s contributions to the community and the arts.

In spite of the bone-chilling temperatures and mountains of snow, a band of brave souls  came out Friday, Jan. 28^th to “The Somerville News @Toast Poetry Series,” held at the “Toast” lounge in Union Square,  Somerville, to hear poets Ryk McIntyre and Regie Gibson strut their lyrical stuff.  

By Neil W. McCabe

Somerville residents attended a Jan. 27 neighborhood forum at the John M. Tobin School in West Cambridge, where the city’s former mayor and congressman led a frank discussion of current events.

After thanking the more than 100 citizens attending, Rep. Michael E. Capuano, D-Somerville, said he wanted to keep the evening informal. “Then, let’s open it up and keep it fun.”

By Julia C. Reischel

Across the city, rumors have been swirling about possible candidates for this fall’s Board of Aldermen races. 

“I’m keeping all my options open,” said Elio LoRusso, the owner of Somerville Ornamental Ironworks in East Somerville who ran for alderman-at-large two years ago. “I’ve been keeping abreast of the problems of the community.”

By Neil W. McCabe

The city’s fire chief, along with the state’s fire marshal, announced Feb. 1 that the cause of the Jan. 29 fire at 504 Somerville Ave was probably was electrical. Investigators determined that the point of origin was a pinched extension cord in the bedroom of a rear apartment, said Somerville Fire Chief Kevin W. Kelleher.

After the blizzard dumped 30 inches of snow blanketed the
city Jan. 22 through Jan. 23, and even more fell last in the following days,
the DPW worked overtime to keep its
citizens safe and informed. 

"Everyone is doing their part
and we appreciate it,” Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone said on Jan. 28, a day after Somerville

officially emerged from almost a week of snow emergency status.

“We’re finally catching up with this storm, which is the worst in more than two decades,” the mayor said.

Phillip J. Fitzgerald, the 34-year-old Irish-born bartender , who was struck by a Red Line Jan. 26, lost his life today.