Attendees of last week’s vigil in support of Nepal earthquake victims stood in solidarity as they remembered those who lost their lives as well as those recovering from the devastation. — Photo by Douglas Yu

 By Douglas Yu

Somerville is over 7,000 miles away from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. When the historic earthquake traumatized the region by killing 7,500 people and injuring over 10,000 near the end of last month, the Nepalese community in Somerville was deeply saddened.

Tonight Wednesday May 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 celebrate with Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente at his third annual Cinco de Mayo fundraiser Party at Cantina La Mexicana in Union Square. Tony sure is popular. It seems like no one is going to run against him again this year. Many of us here at The Times reside in Ward 4 and we think he’s doing a great job. Join him, his family and friends in helping to kickoff his campaign.

By Josie Grove

“We exist to implement your vision of the city,” said the head of the Transportation and Infrastructure Division in the Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development, Brad Rawson, at last Thursday’s Ward 6 ResiStat meeting held at the offices of web design firm Velir in Davis Sq. Despite their stated focus on participatory planning, Rawson and Mayor Joseph Curtatone also made it clear that Somerville is reacting to forces outside its control, from the regional housing shortage to the blizzards of last winter.

By Jim Clark

While monitoring a peaceful demonstration in the Davis Sq. area by students from Tufts University last Thursday afternoon, police were reportedly forced to place several individuals under arrest after they failed to clear the roadway as requested by officers.

One of the foods I enjoy, especially in the spring and summer is fresh tomato salsa. I use it in a variety of ways. I serve it with my favorite tortilla chip, on a taco, and on the side along with grilled chicken or a piece of fish, adding freshness to any dish.

On Sunday, May 3 the Massachusetts Sons of Italy presented Mayor Joseph Curtatone (pictured right) with the 2015 Public Service Award in honor of Law Day. During his twelve years as Mayor and eight years as a Somerville Alderman, Curtatone brought reforms and redevelopment to Somerville earning it distinctions by regional and national organizations, including the “Best Run City in Massachusetts” by the Boston Globe, and a winner of the 2009 All American City Award. Somerville Attorney Phil Privitera (pictured left) serves as the Sons of Italy’s Massachusetts Commissioner on Laws. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kathryn Polito (pictured center) served as Toast Master of the celebration. Both Privitera and Polito are members of the Sons of Italy Greater Boston Renaissance Lodge.

For four days last week Somerville firefighters conducted training using a vacant, commercial building at 311 Highland Avenue. Firefighters trained on rescuing an injured firefighter trapped in a basement during a fire. They also practiced using thermal imaging cameras to see through smoke, practiced using search ropes and two newly purchased Pak Tracker firefighter locating devices that lock on a signal produced when a downed firefighter activates an emergency alert. Firefighters were tasked with entering the dark and smoke filled basement, searching for and locating an injured firefighter, providing him with an air supply and removing the firefighter to safety. The training took place in a darkened, windowless basement that was filled with “smoke” from a fog machine to create realistic conditions. The Somerville Fire Department would like to thank Marshall and Gwen Simpkins for allowing firefighters to utilize this property to provide critical training for Somerville firefighters.

Somerville offers many opportunities for writers and other creative types. There are a plethora of writing groups and organizations where the aspiring poet and writer can hone their skills and network. But just beyond our borders, I found yet another place, the Newton Writing and Publishing Center. This nascent Center, has many writers  on its board that I have worked with and know, such as Somerville’s Timothy Gager, a stalwart of the literary community. Robin Stratton, whose poetry has appeared in the Lyrical Somerville column in The Somerville Times, is the founder of the said organization, and is a force of nature in the local writing community. In addition to publishing my new lyrical memoir Portrait of an Artist as a Young Poseur… through her affiliated Big Table Publishing  press, the center will be awarding me their first Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award, with a ceremony this August. 

The poet David Lombino looks beyond the happy horse…. (well you know what I mean), to what he sees as a rotten underbelly to this new vision of Somerville that is taking place under our noses.  There is always two sides of the coin–and you got to look carefully at both. Lombino writes The Times: 

Arrests:
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Brian McCarthy, of 237 American Legion Hwy., Revere, April 28, 11:18 a.m., arrested at Broadway on warrant charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, marked lanes violation, operation of a motor vehicle with a revoked license, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license and failure to wear a seatbelt.