Arrests:
*

Paul Tancredi, 35, of 179 Governors Ave., Medford, February 24, 3:37 p.m., arrested at 175 Fellsway on warrant charges of assault and battery, abuse prevention order violation, witness intimidation, and attempted murder.

The following is Detective Mario Oliveira’s Retirement Letter he sent to the Somerville Police Department  thanking them and others for their support.

S.P.D.,

I hope this email finds you well.  I am sending you this letter to thank you all and to make you aware that I will be officially retired as of March 1, 2014 with special legislation.

National School Boards Association President David Pickler presents the Shannon Award for Excellence to MA Association of School Committees 2014 President Ann Marie Cugno of Medford (left) and MA Association of School Committees 2014 President Mary Jo Rossetti of Somerville (right).

Mary Jo Rossetti, who was elected to the Somerville Board of Alderman in November 2013 but who previously served seven terms on the city’s School Committee, met earlier this month in Washington DC with Massachusetts Congressional leaders including Representatives Katherine Clark and William Keating as well as the education aides to Representative Michael Capuano and Senator Edward Markey. The focus of her discussions with the legislators and their aides concerned the financial realities confronting Massachusetts school districts and the need for increased federal K-12 education dollars if districts are to succeed in raising student achievement. The meetings, which took place in Congressional offices, were held in conjunction with a six-day School Leadership/ Advocacy summit presented by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) and attended by over 800 school board members from across the country.  Mrs. Rossetti was among a ten-person delegation representing the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) of which she concluded her term as President this past December and is currently serving as Immediate Past President.

New alternate drop-off zone Walk to School program promotes safe, active start to the school day

Starting Monday, March 3, 2014 parents/guardians and students at the Brown School will have the option of taking advantage of a new Walk to School program to support their student’s active participation in the city’s “Safe Routes to School” initiative. The Brown School is partnering with Shape Up Somerville, the Somerville Police Department, and Somerville Traffic and Parking to promote a new daily “Walk to School” pilot program that encourages parents and guardians to walk with their students to school to help their children develop healthy habits early in life. The new drop-off zone will be near the intersection of Morrison and Willow Avenues. Students and parents/guardians can then walk the three blocks to school.

Master mask maker Eric Bornstein turns fantasies into reality as he puts his magic touch on the works he produces in his studio.

By Dian Zhang

Magic takes place in Eric Bornstein’s studio. There are white unicorns, wild tigers and Asian dragons. Bornstein doesn’t need to wave his wand to create this magic; he just needs some paper, glue, paint…and imagination.

The public is invited to comment on potential adverse effects resulting from the sale of the historic Somerville Main Post Office in Union Square at a public meeting held by the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in the 3^rd floor conference room at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

A lot of us Somerville “old timers” remember The Logan Post #6800, which was located at 901 Broadway outside of Teele Square. Many of our parents belonged to the post and some of our grandmothers were Gold Star Mothers based there. Not only was it a veteran’s post, but they rented out the hall for functions. Many of us recall wedding receptions, anniversary parties, baby showers, christenings, Super Bowl parties, political parties and rallies (for winners and losers), Pop Warner events, Little League affairs, cheerleading practice, Christmas parties and reunions being held at The Logan Post.

By Douglas Yu

The city presented an executive summary of the 10 master development proposals last Wednesday to the members of the Union Square Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) at the Argenziano School.

Community input on desired characteristics and qualities of new chief will be gathered at public hearing and through survey

Somerville is seeking a new police chief and the city wants to hear from the community what characteristics and qualities they would like to see in a new chief, with a public hearing scheduled for March 5 and a survey that will be available both online and in hard copy.

By William C. Shelton

 (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

In Somerville, we:

• Celebrate the diversity of our people, cultures, housing and economy.
• Foster the unique character of our residents, neighborhoods, hills and squares, and the strength of our community spirit…