Visitors to the historic Milk Row Cemetery got an up close and personal look at life, and death, as it once was. – Photo by Erica Scharn

By Erica Scharn

The Milk Row Cemetery was alive with action Sunday as a steady stream of attendees strolled through for The Ghosts of Somerville: Up Close and Intimate. Somerville High School Local History Club members and other volunteers, costumed and in character, brought history alive as they led tour participants around the city’s oldest cemetery. “I appreciate this,” said a resident of Somerville’s Spring Hill. “I grew up in Somerville, never had a chance to be in here. I’m glad I finally got to come today.”

The Somerville High School Lady Highlander’s Freshman volleyball team celebrated a win on Wednesday, October 15 versus Everett High School bringing their season record to 10-3. The Highlanders won set one 25-16 and set two 25-12. Captain Emily Liberato had 10 unanswered serves in the first set and 9 in the second set. Brianna Jewers and Marissa Toner had great plays at the net. Phoebe Melchiskey and Halle Hughes had good digs in the back row. “This team plays very well together. They are tough on offense and defense. When they work together, they are a very tough team,” said Coach Krista Invernizzi. The Highlanders combined for a sweep of Everett with JV and Varsity posting wins as well.

Last week Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone made it official. He will not be running for the office of Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. And the world continued turning.

In a public statement first picked up on Facebook, the mayor cited personal and family considerations in forming his decision, and thanked those who encouraged him to seriously consider the run up The Hill.

Next Tuesday, October 29, Somerville’s first local TV news program kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Somerville Community Access Television (SCATV), Channel 3, and on the station’s website – http://www.scatvsomerville.org/. The debut of this biweekly half-hour program, with reporters and anchors from the community and from SCATV staff, takes a look at the upcoming elections for the Board of Aldermen, at the Assembly Square development and local hiring, at the Fluff Festival, the Trust Act, and other issues.

~Photos by Erica Scharn

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The City of Somerville hosted the final event in the 2013 SomerStreets series with a celebration along Somerville Avenue on Sunday, October 20.  Monster Mashed-Up @ SomerStreets featured a costume parade for residents of all ages, 100-pound pumpkins carved by chainsaw artists, Oktoberfest, Milk Row Cemetery tour, live entertainment, craft fair and more along Somerville Ave. from Union Square to Wilson Square

By Jim Clark

Police officers became involved in breaking up a fight at Foss Park last Thursday morning, after receiving reports of the disturbance in progress.

The incident reportedly developed as three males who were walking through the park became the targets of threats and harassment by 3–4 other males who were following them.

Stone Soup To City Lights: Jack Powers on Lawrence Ferlinghetti with Doug Holder

****I wanted to publish this old interview I conducted with the founder of the famed Stone Soup Poets–the late Jack Powers. Many of the younger poets on the scene today may not be familiar with this granddaddy of the Spoken Word movement here in Boston. Here he discusses his relationship with iconic Beat Poet and Publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – some say. Poet David R. Surette brings the sandwich from the banal to the High Holy.

Arrests:
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Arildo Oliveira, 45, of 121 Vane St., Revere, October 14, 12:55 a.m., arrested at 608 Somerville Ave. on a charge of assault and battery.

John Wrobel, 51, of 64 Union Sq., October 15, 12:42 p.m., arrested at Fenwick St. on warrant charges of felony nighttime breaking and entering and municipal by-law or ordinance violation.

Tufts University will pay the City of Somerville more than $1.3 million over five years, waive application fee for Somerville High School students

The City of Somerville and Tufts University have reached a partnership agreement through which Tufts will contribute $1.375 million over five years to the City. As part of the agreement, Tufts will also waive the university’s application fee for Somerville High School students and provide college preparation assistance for Somerville students beginning in the sixth grade.