When
we became teenagers, I can remember a few places we went to for fun
during the summer. One was the Sheepfold area of the Middlesex Fells
Reservation in Stoneham. We would arrive there in several carloads with
a guitar and a few coolers. We had a lot of fun, but if I remember
correctly, there were a couple of run-ins with the authorities as well.

Breakheart
Reservation in Saugus and Wakefield was a favorite spot for us also.
One year I tried to swim to the "island," only to be rescued by my
former girlfriend, who I was trying to impress. I dove in, swam like
Hell for 3 minutes, but somehow had managed to turn myself around
halfway to the island. So I was out of breath and yelling for help.
Good thing she was an avid swimmer and former member of the Medford
High School swim team. I learned a lesson about showing off.

We
popped into Sandy Beach in Medford every once in a while, as well as
Wrights Pond. At Wrights I believe you had to have a Medford Resident
sticker, but we still got in. My pal Bob is a Park Ranger up there.

Today,
the closest place I have found to Revere Beach is Old Orchard Beach in
Maine. We hit that fun spot a few times a year. They have a pier area,
a great beach and a decent amusement park. I call it Somerville with
water, because I always seem to see a familiar face from the "Ville" up
there.

We have our little trailer in New Hampshire, which is a lot of fun for a summer escape on weekends through October 15th.

Some
of you people are lucky enough to have a "cottage." They are usually
passed down from generation to generation. You kids are lucky! And if
its close to a lake or pond you are even luckier. We had one in Wareham
for a few years, but dad sold it when we stopped going down there. I
wish we had it now, that's for sure. My timing was all off. If my kids
had already been born he would never have sold it. Oh well, you can't
go back. I am happy with the options I have.

It's fun thinking
about the ways we kept cool in those summers of the 60's and 70's.
Driving our old clunkers packed with our friends to have a little fun.
Sure we were a bit careless, but somehow most of us made it. I think I
still have one of those matchbooks with the discount offer for Paragon
Park someplace in the cellar.

Thank you for the fantastic turn
out last Wednesday for the Project Star production of the mini-musical
"Back in the 'Ville." Keep your eyes and ears open for news about an
encore performance. You can email Jimmy directly at : jimmydel@rcn.com.

According to the OSPCD, the goal of this project is to improve access to existing and future rapid transit stations, better the potential for businesses in critical locations and many other major benefits and opportunities. As it lies now, the OSPCD believes that Broadway has the capability of being a central point of business and residence, one that can improve the overall quality of life for Winter Hill and East Somerville residents.

The plan currently is to first rezone Broadway so that the city can regulate the uses, setbacks, lot area coverage, floor area ratio and building envelope of the lots that businesses buy on Broadway. The Broadway Corridor is envisioned by the OSPCD to have safe, vital streets with both daytime and nighttime activity, a mixture of businesses that would attract both Somerville residents and passer bys, green spaces as well as plazas, a reduced zoning burden, and act as the gateway to the city.

They believe that the economic revitalization of the Broadway Corridor is imperative to the improvement of life within the neighborhoods Broadway falls into. Some of the key organizing principles that the OSPCD cited were to facilitate development in opportune areas, respect the transition between commercial and residential districts, a balance of amenities, ensure design quality and compatibility and encourage sustainable development. Mr. May stated that the new zoning would "say something," and that "the most sustainable area is one with its own residents walking and shopping in their own areas."

Most of those in attendance had major concerns and questions for the OSPCD, as well as straightforward objections to the project. One resident was concerned about the Central Business Grounds zoning of the Nunnery Grounds. Others seemed to be very interested in where the call of action came from for this project to begin. The OSPCD stated that a board appointed by the Aldermen in response to a neighborhood outcry began this study. Still, a number of residents in attendance at this meeting states that they 'love the character of Broadway' as it is, and that if they wanted a more commercial and heavily populated neighborhood they would move to a different one.

Congressman Mike Capuano was one of the concerned residents in attendance on Wednesday night. He made it very clear that he was not there as a congressman or elected official, but rather as a resident of Winter Hill that was not sold on the concepts and objectives of this project. He stated that the plans would encourage no setback or parking, and a higher density of buildings and people, which would lead to somewhat of a canyon leading all the way down Broadway. He asked the representatives of the OSPCD, "Why would we want to do this, where is the negotiation for the city," and "who advocates higher density in their own area?" Mr. Capuano believed that the proposed zoning would encourage businesses to build the maximum.

The OSPCD stated that this plan is now a 'magic wand,' and that there is still a very public process to go through before any of it solidifies. The plan as is serves as a concept and nothing more. In addition to this plan, though, Mass Highway is carrying out a engineering study of Broadway, which could lead to the remapping of streets, sidewalks, lighting and the like. In 2010, the City is scheduled to invest $5 million toward the street beautification project of Broadway from Garfield Street to Sullivan Station.

The OSPCD cited that there are still many steps in the process that are intended to tweak the plan and raise the interest and voice of the community. Next, the OSPCD will draft a Staff Report for submission to the Board of Aldermen in early September, which will lead into the Board of Aldermen referring the proposal to the Planning Board and Board of Aldermen Land Use Committee. From there, a joint hearing of the Planning Board and the Land Use Committee must be held, at which abutters, community members and property owners will be able to provide testimony.

For any more information on this project, as well as an extensive plan of the proposed new zoning of Broadway and a more detailed description of the concepts and findings of the OSPCD, either call City Hall at 311 or visit the City of Somerville's website. Remember to keep up with this project; the best chance of making it all work is to have as many resident voices as possible speak up at these meetings.

The performance was held at the Somerville Armory with over 100 people in attendance, including teens, parents, community members, police officers, and representatives from Save Our Somerville and Teen Empowerment. Everyone was there to support youth in Somerville and the Performance Hall was buzzing with energy, music, laughter, and a real sense of pride for the teens that put on the event.

The teens spoke, rapped, and read poetry that reflected their experiences in Somerville and touched on some of the night's themes of teen pregnancy, lack of resources, and drug and alcohol abuse. The event gave the youth of Somerville a voice, and they spoke out loud and clear, their accents showing their local roots as well as the diversity that makes up this All American City.

There were many laughs, lots of cheering, and even some tears as the teens showed their strength and told stories of overcoming the difficult situations they have lived through. The common message to other teens was, "Wake up, see what's happening, and make a change for the better." Sean Post, one of the performers, said it best when he rapped, "Ignorance is the rain and our message has been written in chalk." Teen Empowerment is raising awareness among adults and youth in Somerville through events that encourage an exchange of ideas.

The evening was full of memorable performances and readings, but it also included a dialogue with the audience about issues teens are facing in Somerville. One of the biggest concerns is lack of activities for youth. Some of the ideas generated were support for bringing a proposed Sky Zone Sports facility to Union Square. Danny McLoughlin of Save Our Somerville championed the conversation around bringing a skate park to Somerville. Many neighboring cities have skate parks, including Charlestown and Boston, and the youth of Somerville are asking for positive outlets and places to be active. McLoughlin says, "Events like this [Teen Empowerment] night show that we value youth. The community needs to support youth by pushing politicians to provide positive spaces for teens."

Through Teen Empowerment, these teens are talking to the community about their needs, and finding connections with other youth in Somerville. Kathleen Portillo, a senior at Somerville High School, says she applied for the job of Youth Organizer with Teen Empowerment because she thought it would a good addition to her college applications. But after working with other teens in the community and participating in Teen Empowerment events, Portillo says, "I realized it's so much more important than that, because it provides a positive outlet for youth in Somerville."

The performances were emotional and powerful, bringing to light issues teens in Somerville are facing through real stories of their struggles. It wasn't a passive event, where the audience sat and listened. It was alive, with people moving through the performance hall talking with each other and engaging in dialogues with the Youth Organizers of Teen Empowerment. One of the last performances of the night was by Rob, a teen who says hip-hop saved his life. His rap used a call and response that embodied the movement of Teen Empowerment and the feeling of the entire evening: "United we stand, divided we fall." These teens are coming together to bring their voice to Somerville, standing together as an important part of the community.

Join the movement at www.teenempowerment.org.

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To bad the show
"Sex and the City" is in reruns, although most of us here might not
have been great fans of the show, they probably would be interested in
the recent shenanigans involving a couple of city employees. One
particular rumor going around is that a certain department head and
another city employee were having an affair on city time no less. We
heard several different stories on this, and it is clear that the
administration had to step in and put their foot down. Like we said,
the rumor mill has been churning like crazy over what took place, the
best one we heard was that that these two individuals went overboard
and obviously didn't manage to keep it a secret – that the final straw
what was supposed to be a recent out of town work-related seminar, but
no one left the hotel room.

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We heard
that The PDS chair Marty Martinez, who claimed he owned property here
in Somerville a few years back, for one of his many unsuccessful runs
for public office and who has moved many times over the past 10 years
is once again on the move, this time we heard from reliable sources he
was looking to move back to Ward 7 – he lived there before to run
against Bob Trane.

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Another rumor from
sources tells us that a certain highly visible name at the DPW was
tested recently (and tested positive) and for his punishment was
suspended for about 2 weeks, he's back to work now.

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Life
long resident, great guy from a great family, we hear will be getting
married in October. Douglas Carriger recently popped the question to
Bonnie Raboin, at the Red Sox game at Fenway Park one night with the
proposal up in lights. His family is thrilled, especially his mom, who
is seen around the city with a huge smile on her face…
Congratulations and best wishes from us here, Doug & Bonnie will
tie the knot on October 3rd down in Orleans, we wish the both of them
many long years of happiness.

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Well-known
local political pundit Fergal O'Toole is busy in Boston working hard
for several candidates for Council – but one candidate he's working
extra-hard for is Sam Yoon – who is a candidate for Mayor of Boston, so
hard that Fergal is having a cookout for him at his East Somerville
residence.

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Condolences to the Privitera
family on the recent loss of Jean Privitera, wife, mother and
grandmother. Her passing last week was very sad not only for her family
but a lot of Somerville residents who knew her over the years, she was
a nice lady.

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Condolences also to the
Carroll Family of the famous Roofers here in Somerville, for the loss
of David Carroll, he was a nice guy and well known, he will be missed.

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Middlesex
Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Michael A. Sullivan, Esq. is having his
annual fundraiser Wednesday September 9th at the Sheraton Commander in
Cambridge. Mike is a nice guy who has a lot of family and friends here
in Somerville.

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Somerville Lions Club is
hosting a last race night at Wonderland Park in Revere this Thursday
August 20th, dinner at the clubhouse $35 pp – contact King Lion Billy
Tauro at 617-293-2016.

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Also on the 20th
(Thursday), Corey Norton will be returning to England to start school
and in October he will be moving to Dover, Maryland. His sister Kaitlin
will be living here in Somerville with her father, our own Jamie
Norton, and attending Somerville High in this, her sophomore year.

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Summer
campaigning is in full swing at least in Ward 4 and Ward 5; all the
candidates are out there knocking on doors already working hard.
Including campaigning on a Sunday in the later hours of the night no
less. We heard from several residents that were not happy about being
bothered on a Sunday night, sometimes you lose more than you gain when
you do things as an inexperienced political wannabe.

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