By Mario Barros (Lenguaviva)

(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 positive feedback I got on a recent body modification article that I published in this paper has encouraged me to do two things: I’m getting my first tattoo (very soon, I promise), and I’m devoting a few lines to another type of drawing that I find equally inspiring: graffiti.

I have been a graffiti lover since I was a kid. I used to scribble all kinds of things on the walls of my Cuban high school and felt a huge adrenaline rush whenever I did it. Man, was it exciting! I never stopped doing it, even when my girlfriend urged me to knock it off one day. ‚ÄúWhat do you have to do that for, you idiot? It’s horrible!‚Äù she told me. Needless to say, I broke up with her right there. No unappreciative young lady was going to derail my artistic dreams at such an early stage.

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 reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Memorial Day is a solemn occasion – it is a day that we remember the men and women who gave their lives – the ultimate sacrifice – for our country. As we all kept that in mind, we also took time out to celebrate their memory and their honor – let’s not forget why we had the parade in the first place.

2.3 miles – that is what someone told me was the distance from City Hall to the reviewing stand at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery on Clarendon Hill. My day started out with a hello to Grand Marshall – Mr. James O’Donovan. I then marched, and waved with the Somerville Highlander Band, led by Rosemary Sears and Rick Saunders. These two wonderful teachers and mentors did a fabulous job rehearsing and preparing these kids for their big day – for many it was their first parade. This city is very lucky to have such dedicated and talented instructors sharing their talent with our kids. Congratulations also to my son Joey – who played the alto saxophone in his first parade.

By Matthew McLaughlin

Hundreds of high school students gathered in the State House Wednesday to voice their concern over standardized testing. Speakers, including teachers and elected officials, demanded changes to a test they claim is holding children back.

Stanley Pollack, director of Teen Empowerment, a non-profit organization in the Greater Boston area, called the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam an “abysmal failure” and called on the state to make broad sweeping changes to the way the test is run.

By George P. Hassett

The state’s Supreme Judicial Court reversed the decisions of two lower courts this week, allowing Frank Senesi, the city’s director of veterans services, to keep his job.

Paul Nelson, a veteran employed at the Somerville Public Library, had challenged Senesi’s appointment in Jan. 2004 saying the city, under its collective bargaining agreement, was required to hire a member of the Municipal Employees Association. The city contended state law gave the mayor exclusive authority to appoint the position.

By Matthew McLaughlin

Somerville teenagers recently had an encounter with police that resulted in some harsh words being exchanged.

“Racism!” one youth shouted.
“Gangs!” an officer yelled back.
“Respect!” another teen hollered.
“Graffiti!” Another cop proclaimed.

The verbal exchange was not part of a street fight, however. Both groups were shouting assumptions people make about cops and teens. This was one of many activities Teen Empowerment, a non-profit organization in Somerville, used in a three-day workshop to create greater dialogue between two groups that are often at odds with each other. Police from Somerville, Medford and Everett participated in the event.

By George P. Hassett

When aldermen submit their ethics reports this week, city lawyers with black pens will stymie the public’s ability to learn potential conflicts of interest by redacting nearly all information contained in the reports.

But last week four aldermen said they planned to make their ethics reports available to the public in full and some criticized the city solicitor’s redactions as an obstacle to transparent government.

City: Trant had man committed to make a profit

By George P. Hassett

Scott Trant joined the Somerville Police Department in December 1998. He received several commendations for on the job heroics, including one incident in 2004 when he rushed into a burning building on Flint Street to save an elderly couple.

But on Sept. 20, 2006 Trant was fired from the department, forced to surrender his badge and gun, after city officials alleged that he had a mentally-ill man involuntarily committed to a mental health facility to ease his purchase of a Vernon Street home at a deep discount.

The Memorial Day Parade this past Sunday was awesome ‚Äì the weather was perfect and Veterans‚Äô Service Director Frank Sensei, who recently won his suit to stay in his job, did another fantastic job for Somerville‚Äôs pride – residents were treated to a fantastic parade. There were lots of local politicians in the parade as well as the mayor – back from his ‚ÄúSomerville goes to Gaeta‚Äù trip.   

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At the end of the parade was the memorial service at the Veteran‚Äôs Memorial Cemetery at Clarendon Hill – the usual wreath laying. Well within minutes after arriving, there was a rush to leave by Queen Pat Jehlen, our Senator, – Alderwomen from Ward 6 Rebekah Gewirtz and of course Prince Carl Sciortino, one of our State Reps – they left before the ceremony in such a rush, the word was that there must have been a strategy meeting or something going on. They were probably thinking – what the heck, the parade was over and who would notice if they didn‚Äôt stay for the memorial service? Apparently more than a few noticed, including some Veteran‚Äôs groups ‚Äì and they were not surprised.      

By George P. Hassett

For the second time in a week, a Superior Court judge today denied a motion by State Rep. Carl Sciortino, D-Medford, to have his name placed on the ballot for the Sept. 16 Democratic primary. Sciortino, who says 12 nomination papers were taken from his State House office sometime this month, asked the court to reconsider Friday’s decision to keep him off the ballot and submitted 50 affidavits of residents affirming they had signed the missing papers.

Music, produce and art at market

From the farms and fields, orchards and ovens of Massachusetts, the Union Square Farmer’s Market opens its doors to summer on June 7.  Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this summer until Oct. 25 the market offers a selection of fresh produce, a variety of home-grown herbs, homemade baked goods and breads, and a fun-filled environment for the whole family. Come to the market to hear live musical performances by local artists, enjoy market-themed activities and crafts for kids, and discover fresh recipes that are made from local produce. Now celebrating its fourth season, visit the market to experience all that Union Square has to offer in an energizing, festive and satisfying Saturday morning. Sponsored by the City of Somerville, The Federation of Massachusetts Farmers’ Markets and Union Square Main Streets, the market takes place on Union Square’s central plaza,  where Washington, Prospect and Somerville Avenue meet.