Kaleigh, 8, with brother Matthew, and parents Karen and Brian. ~Photo by Andrew Firestone

 

By Andrew Firestone

Kaleigh Kosta was commended by none other than the Board of Alderman of Somerville, last Thursday, July 14, receiving a citation for helping her family when her home caught fire. While Kaleigh, 8, had already received citations from the Mayor, and the Fire Marshall of the state, the city itself recognized her for her quick thinking and sense of responsibility.

When it comes to discussion over plans to develop or revitalize a particular section of our community, one thing is certain. Unanimity of opinion is never even close to being in the picture.

Such is the case now as state and city officials sift through the facts, figures, and factions involved in the proposed changes to the Inner Belt-Brickbottom districts.

26 teachers from 9 countries of the Middle East and Africa participated in cultural exchange at the Armory July 12. - Photo by Erin Jenkins

By Andrew Firestone

The Armory hosted a mission of peace this last Tuesday, July 12, when 26 teachers from across North Africa and the Middle East arrived to participate in a teaching exercise with Teen Empowerment as part of their month-long odyssey through the University of the Middle East Project. Begun 11 years ago, the Teacher Education Institute at the UME has been bringing an exchange of information and culture between the U.S. and the Middle East, and this month, the teachers embarked on an exploration through what it means in the west to be an educator in the twenty-first century.

Pardon the pun in the title of the article, but “The Pennies,” a band of friends and a band of musicians are an unpretentious bunch willing to play at any number of venues for the sheer joy of it…and a little money wouldn’t hurt either.

(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.)

Sir,

I want to make clear that the Buena Vista parking lot in Davis Square is an obvious scam operation that the Mayor must be complicit in. The parking meters have been removed and there is no instructions on where or how to pay for parking, if a citizen or visitor to the city is not lucky enough to notice the parking kiosks and realize what they are, then they are entrapped into getting a $30.00 parking ticket for going to see the doctor and thinking they now pay or get validated inside the building.

Well before I ate at Sherman’s and Bloc11—I used to eat at Bickford’s, the Automat in New York City, and a whole bunch of hash joints and greasy spoons.  I was rereading Allen Ginsberg’s Kaddish and I was inspired to write this poem.

The New England District of Kiwanis International will hold its 93rd Annual New England District Convention at the Crossings, Warwick, Rhode Island, on August 18-21, 2011.  Kiwanis members from clubs in Bermuda and the six New England states will attend.

Arrests:
*

Erick Stout, 34, July 11, 2:39 p.m., arrested at Marshall St. on warrant charges of distribution of a class B drug and conspiracy to violate drug law.

Christopher Foster, 44, of 60 Washington St., July 11, 5:27 p.m., arrested at home on charges of witness intimidation and rape.

Kyle Shearer, 28, of 16 Waldo Ave., July 12, 3:10 a.m., arrested at home on charges of assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

By Harry Kane

On Wednesday the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development held a groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of Morse-Kelley and Dickerman Playgrounds. “These Parks are part of a long string of new dynamic open spaces that we have built, renovated, designed, or have been under construction since 2004 that reflect and meet a variety of needs,” Mayor Curtatone stated.

By William Tauro

Somerville Court has issued an arrest warrant for former Somerville Police  Officer John Vozzella.  The rogue ex-Somerville Police Sergeant allegedly barricaded himself in his home while police were pounding at his front door this weekend but wouldn’t let them in after reports that the former officer allegedly beat up his girlfriend this past weekend.