On Wednesday, April 11  at 11 a.m, Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian will announce the new Middlesex Sheriff’s Office TRIAD Program at an event with Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. The event will take place at the Winter Hill Yacht Club, 85 Foley Street and will feature a special Bingo event hosted by the Somerville Council on Aging.

Somerville Residents Ages 16 and Up Eligible to Apply for Summer Program; Job Placement in City Departments, Local Businesses

 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Youth Programming Coordinator Nancy Bacci announced that applications are now available for the 2012 Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program.  Available through April 30th, applications can be found at the City of Somerville’s Personnel Department (City Hall) or on the City’s website (http://www.somervillema.gov/).  The Program provides opportunities for Somerville youth to gain employment and job training within the public and private sectors throughout the summer.  Eligible students must be Somerville residents, enrolled in high school, and at least 16 years of age.  All applications must be returned to the Personnel Department.

Somerville Resident Erin Daly, a 28-year old speech pathologist has dedicated the past few months of her life to raising money and awareness for cancer patients and their families, and training to run the Boston Marathon for the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. Erin’s inspiration comes from her experience working with sick and hospitalized patients who are undergoing the stress and financial burdens of medical treatments. Come April 16, she will put her training to the test and hit the grueling 26.4 mile race course to help support those in need. This is the 3rd Boston Marathon that Erin will run for charity and she would like to check in to see if you are interested in an interview to discuss her inspiration, drive and dedication to the race and cause.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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 Fitness Challenge kickoff event last Saturday was a lot of fun and a great success. In a marked departure from 2011 – when a big crowd came early and left early – we had a steady stream of visitors throughout the three-hour program.  To be sure, there were lines at a few of the exhibits:  the free massages supplied by students from Lincoln Technical Institute were, as always, very popular; and the healthy recipes demonstration tables had plenty of hungry and appreciative fans.  (The “Silver Spoon” cooking challenge winner was a standout Caribbean squash soup – “tweaked” for healthy eating – from Chef Ernie Campbell of Belmont Day School.)  There were also demos and information booths on topics ranging from nutrition to boxing to Zumba to community rowing to martial arts to active senior living and much, much more.

(L to R) Harris Gardner – Founder of Festival and Sam Cornish – Boston Poet Laureate.

The Boston National Poetry Month festival

Somerville poet Harris Gardner has pulled off another one–another poetry festival, that is.  Gardner, the founder of the acclaimed literary organization Tapestry of Voices, will be hosting a showcase for 56 major and emerging poets, titled the: Boston National Poetry Month Festival.  And from the start I have been privileged to be a featured reader in the said festival. I know for a fact a few Somerville poets will be featured including: Gloria Mindock and Timothy Gager. So come and sample some of the poets, buy a signed edition, read your own work in the open mic, and enjoy. For details see below!

By Jim Clark

During the course of ongoing investigations into alleged illegal drug trafficking, Somerville Police Narcotics officers were made aware of suspicious activities involving the sale of Oxycodone Hydrochloride tablets by certain individuals in the city.

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.)

It’s a well-known fact that Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Somerville and everyone has enjoyed a Fluffernutter sandwich. I posted a question on Facebook looking for what people think should be the official food of Somerville. This is a strange time to be doing this type of survey because the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge just kicked off. I got so many suggestions that I decided to just list as many as I could. Here are some of Somerville’s favorite treats both past and present.

Youth leaders work to prevent smoking as part of National “Kick Butts Day”

Somerville Special Positive Forces Junior Edition (SPFJr.), a youth group within the City’s Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) program in the Health Department, celebrated “Kick Butts Day” on Wednesday, March 22 by chalking facts and messages pertaining to tobacco on the sidewalks.  SPFJr. youth promoted the fact that 85% of Somerville High School students DO NOT smoke and that smoking is NOT the norm as reported on the 2010 SHS Student Health Survey.  SPFJr. is a group of Somerville middle school students that works to reduce youth substance abuse and related issues.  “Kick Butts Day” is a special a day for activism where youth are encouraged to “Stand Out, Speak Up, and Seize Control of Big Tobacco.” Youth get to choose whichever activity they want to educate, attract, and inspire others around issues related to tobacco and addiction.

The McGrath Highway project was recently discussed in detail by MassDOT representatives and local officials. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Cathleen Twardzik

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is currently conducting a study entitled Grounding McGrath: Determining the Future of the Route 28 Corridor (Grounding McGrath Study).

The study will seek not only to balance the needs of all transportation users, but also to facilitate connections along the corridor, and to encourage development, which will have a positive impact on the neighborhoods, as well as on the area, as a whole.

By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to the Kmart store on Middlesex Ave. last Sunday in response to a reported case of shoplifting.

Upon arrival, officers questioned store loss prevention personnel as to the activities of the man being held.