Eagle Feathers #131 –The Monument

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

While stacked high above the city waiting to land at Logan Airport, the pilot gave the travelers a brief history lesson. As the plane angled for a clear view, he pointed out the tallest monument in Boston, the Bunker Hill Memorial. Passengers were overheard saying, Bunker Hill? It looks more like Bunker Bump, but they soon viewed it as Bunker Mountain when informed about its historic saga.

It was a long time coming, and took quite a beating along the way, but at long last – after a torturous course of study and debate – the Union Square Overlay District zoning ordinance now stands before us. And quite a thing to behold it is.

Many different groups and individuals concerned with the planning of the new zoning regulations played a hardscrabble game of tug of war in what became an almost insurmountable battle of wills over the future of Union Square.

Norman Robert McNeal of Modesto, California, passed away June 5, 2017 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born August 9, 1946 in Somerville, Massachusetts, and he was the son of Robert and Marion McNeal.

The Boston Red Sox and Red Sox Nation celebrated the Pan-Mass Challenge during a special pre-game ceremony at Fenway Park. Pictured above: Betsy Bowman of Somerville, one of the Living Proof riders.

By Rebecca Danvers

On Saturday, June 10, the Boston Red Sox honored cancer patients and survivors with PMC Day at Fenway.

It was an inspiring evening celebrating the Pan-Mass Challenge’s fundraising efforts to-date – $547 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since 1980 – and honoring Living Proof riders, including Betsey Bowman of Somerville, all of whom have gone through or are currently undergoing cancer treatment.

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Here is an article from the archives about my experience with the late poet Robert Creeley. Shortly before his death I had the pleasure to spend an afternoon with Robert Creeley. The Wilderness House Literary Retreat founded by Steve Glines hosted him, and I happened to be on the board for the retreat. The retreat closed after a few years, but we had quite a few interesting guests like Lois Ames, Afaa Michael Weaver, and a number of others…

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Kevin Gallagher is the author of the poetry collection Loom. He sent this poem to the Lyrical.

Tree brings wires down on Heath St in Somerville.
— Photos by Bobbie Toner

A fast moving storm brought heavy rain, high winds and hail through Somerville late Tuesday afternoon.

On the episode of Greater Somerville, the tables are turned on Joe Lynch. Somerville Neighborhood News producer, Peter Levine and intern Temi Adeleye, asked Joe about his recent experiences at the Massachusetts Democratic Platform Convention in Worcester. Watch the interviewer being interviewed here.

Arrests:
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Luis Pena, of 136 Fuller St., Boston, June 6, 6:26 p.m., arrested at Central St. on charges of failure to signal, no inspection sticker, and operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Danielson Correia, of 62 Laura St., Providence, RI, June 7, 10:41 a.m., arrested at Teele Ave. on warrant charges of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended registration and unregistered motor vehicle.

Two events honoring the Grand Union Flag and Somerville’s history planned for  June 17

Did you know?  Recent research by historian Byron DeLear has discovered that the Grand Union Flag, first flown atop Somerville’s Prospect Hill in 1776, was not just the first flag of the united colonies, but the first flag of the United States?  Join the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission and Historic Somerville on Saturday, June 17 to hear DeLear present his findings about the Grand Union Flag and Somerville’s role in the Revolutionary War era. This will also be an opportunity to climb to the top of Prospect Hill Tower and appreciate the incredible views of Somerville, Boston and Cambridge.