Vinyl rules at the Annual Somerville Rock and Roll Yard Sale, hitting Union Square this Sunday. – Photo by Annie Messier

The annual  ArtsUnion Rock  &  Roll Yard Sale takes place Sunday, August 19, from 11 a.m.  to 5 p.m. in Somerville’s Union Square Plaza.

By William C. Shelton

(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.)

Many of us fondly remember the time when Somerville was a tight community with commercially vibrant squares and dozens of volunteer groups. Here’s a good indicator of how closely-knit neighbors were:  If a kid smoked or cussed anywhere in the neighborhood, someone would probably tell his or her parents. Such a sense of community is rare in American society.

By Kristen Hale

This coming Saturday, Comicazi Comic Shop presents a new event called ComedyCazi. What is ComedyCazi, you might ask? It is a comedic stage show of the improvisational nature concocted by Emerson graduates Sam Kusek and Gideon Bautista. It features a unique mixture of performers from Improv Boston, Emerson, to Destination Imagination.

Plan Includes Several Property Acquisition Phases, Provides Framework for Development Surrounding GLX and Next Steps for Zoning

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that, following a vote by the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) at its August 15  meeting, he will submit a draft of an Urban Revitalization Plan (“The Plan”) to the Board of Aldermen this evening during their Special Meeting, scheduled for 7:00 p.m.  The Plan, covering 117 acres in the Union Square area and including seven development blocks slated for acquisition by the city over a period of several years, would implement the development vision set out through the re-zoning that was approved by the BOA in 2009.  Phase 1 of The Plan, including acquisition of properties east of Prospect Street between Somerville Avenue and the existing rail bed– “North Prospect Block” – will begin by early 2013.

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a report of a vehicular crash on Conwell Ave. last Friday evening.

According to reports, a reckless driver had hit a parked car and then struck a house immediately thereafter.

By Jim Clark

A report of an assault brought police to the vicinity of Taylor and Dane Streets last Tuesday morning.

Responding officers were told by the alleged victim that as he was crossing the street a car stopped short at the crosswalk and that a heated verbal exchange ensued between himself and the driver of the vehicle.

Mayor Curtatone, with his mother, holding a Tiella de Gaeta, one of the many recipes featured in the book.

By Tatiana Kombo

As part of the Somerville Arts Council’s Arts Union Project, the book Nibble: Exploring Food, Art & Culture in Union Square—and Beyond, tells the culinary story of Union Square.

As Rachel Strutt, program manager at the Somerville Arts Council, puts it, the book aims to “cultivate and celebrate the Square’s food landscape.”

The Somerville Alibrandis earned top spot as they wrapped up the regular season.

By Benjamin Klein

The Somerville Alibrandis will enter the Yawkey Baseball League playoffs as the No. 1 seed after finishing their regular season schedule with the league’s best record. Somerville still has one game remaining against the Revere Rockets, but has already clinched the top seed with their 24 victories.

By Kristen Hale

The thunderstorms managed to hold off for the 2012 Hungry Tiger Food Festival taking place at 70 Union Square on August 11.

The cast and crew of Project Star: (front, left to right) Melissa Gay, Fatima Nolasco, Jack Papendorp, Gianluca Oppedisano, (rear, left to right) Ciara Happas, Jennifer Silva, Karma Perez, Jimmy DelPonte, Lyle Doherty and Andrew Silva. Not pictured: Valerie Farley. – Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

Project Star youth to perform August 16

By Elizabeth Sheeran

A little comedy. A little song. A lot of fun.

The youth cast of Project Star promise all that and more when they perform Time for a Change, free to the public, on Thursday evening.