The proposed merging of residential zones was discussed extensively at the April 7 BOA meeting on the new zoning. The planning department’s pitch is based on a particular framing of the development issues that face our city. In order to address the philosophical differences that Alderman White and others have highlighted, it may be helpful to expose this framing, and the more or less hidden assumptions and agendas behind it. This would be a useful step towards reframing the issues in way that’s more beneficial to the community. The key assumptions that need to be challenged are as follows:

Eagle Feathers #76 – Somerville Sweets

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Through the years of Somerville’s existence, she has had a sweet tooth; and some of her natives have made their fortune trying to fill it. Sugar and spice and everything nice were the products of Rufus Stickney of Winter Hill. Rufus is long gone, but in his name, the Stickney & Poor Spice Company lives on. It is the oldest spice company in the nation. It opened in 1815 and begins its third century this year.

Calling all Somerville youth! The city is seeking talented, energetic and music-loving teens between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the historic Somerville Sunsetters for summer 2015. The Sunsetters is a traveling performance troupe that performs classic show tunes and modern musicals in Somerville neighborhoods throughout July and August.

The Sunsetters is led by local entertainment specialist and Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator, Jimmy Del Ponte.

Jane Regan.

Jane Regan, founding News Director of Somerville Neighborhood News, will be leaving her position in May to pursue other journalism opportunities.  The staff and volunteers are sorry to lose Regan’s outstanding contributions to Somerville Neighborhood News.

By Tom Bannister

Hundreds of pre-Kindergarten students from around the city and their teachers and families joined local dignitaries and early education leaders from around the state at Somerville’s City Hall on Tuesday morning for a special one-hour event highlighting the Week of the Young Child.

The event provided some of Somerville’s youngest residents the opportunity to sing, tour various city hall offices to learn about city management, participate in a civic engagement activity, and be part of a proclamation reading by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

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I remember years ago meeting with January O’Neil, and the founder of the Mass. Poetry Festival, Mike Ansara, at the home of my friend Paul Stone in Cambridge. Paul Stone was the Creative Director of W.B. Mason, and I thought bringing someone experienced in advertising would be a good idea. I don’t know how much (or if anything) was taken from that seminal meeting, but there is no doubt that the Mass. Poetry Festival is on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Over the years many Somerville poets have been presenters at the festival, and this year is no exception. Offhand, I can think of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Lloyd Schwartz and Somerville Poet Laureate Nicole Terez Dutton. I caught up with O’Neil, who is a professor of English at Salem State University, one of the many hats that she wears, and wears well. The festival will take place in Salem, Mass. from May 1 to May 3. For further details go to: http://masspoetry.org.

To hell with fried clams; I’ll have the freakin’ oysters!

Come join in on the patriotic fun next Monday at Foss Park as Somerville celebrates its Revolutionary War era heritage.

By Rebecca Danvers

The city’s 240th annual Patriots’ Day celebration will be held at Foss Park next Monday, April 20, 10–11:30 a.m.

The day’s events will include Colonial games and songs, light refreshments, youth readings, and a visit from Paul Revere on horseback on his historic ride from Boston to Lexington through Somerville.

Arrests:

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John Wrobel, April 6, 11:44 p.m., arrested at 150 Highland Ave. on a warrant charge of attempt to commit a crime.

Anthony Morales, of 1 Mill Ct., Chelsea, April 7, 1:46 p.m., arrested at 133 Middlesex Ave. on a charge of shoplifting by asportation.

UPDATE: A juvenile Suspect has been identified by Somerville PD.

On  April 6, 2015 at approximately 9:15 p.m., four male suspects surrounded and robbed two female victims at the corner of South St. & Willow St., Somerville.
One suspect displayed a firearm and, despite encountering no resistance, pistol-whipped both victims.