Financial and design assistance provided to businesses and commercial property owners who renovate or restore building facades

The City of Somerville’s storefront improvement program is expanding to provide even greater financial assistance through reimbursable grants to businesses and commercial property owners who renovate or restore building facades, revitalizing business districts and making storefronts more attractive, safer and accessible to all.

Committees would advise the city on strategic planning decisions and development in both squares over the next two years

The City of Somerville is seeking residents, property owners, members of the business community and other community representatives to serve on two advisory committees for Union Square and Gilman Square that will advise the city on strategic planning decisions and development in both squares over the next two years.

Friends taking care of friends at last year’s fair: Anna Raphael checking Flo Donoghue’s blood pressure. Didem Aytok and Abigail LaBonte helped out. The Somerville Council on Aging’s Annual Health & Wellness Fair will be held on Thursday, October 24 at the Holland Street Center, 167 Holland Street. Exhibitors will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and include flu shots, blood pressure readings, chair massage, health insurance information, healthy snacks and recipes, hearing and glucose screenings and so much more. Guest speaker at 11:30 a.m. is Roberta Robinson, who will be speaking on our theme: Live Better Each Day: Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies. Lunch is at 12 noon. Register by October 21st and be entered in a special raffle. RSVP 617-625-6600, ext. 2300.

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)

With all the new restaurants and bars that have popped up in Davis Square over the past few years, there has been one local favorite that has been a constant in the area for 44 years.

Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club on Holland Street has been owned by the DeLellis family since 1969. It started out as a place to hear country western music bands such as John Lincoln Wright and the Sour Mash Boys, and The John Penny Band.  In later years, pantomime groups such as The Fabulous Pharaohs, Solid Gold and The Amazing Sensations packed the place. Today, they offer top rated national acts as well as local favorites. Owners Johnny and Tina were always in the club to welcome the patrons with a friendly word and a smile.

“Monster Mashed-Up @ SomerStreets” includes costume parade, chainsaw pumpkin carving, Oktoberfest and more

The City of Somerville will host the final event in the 2013 SomerStreets series with a celebration along Somerville Avenue on Sunday, October 20, from noon to 4 p.m.  “Monster Mashed-Up @ SomerStreets” will feature 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 were called to the Home Depot store on Mystic Ave. last Saturday morning on reports that a shoplifter had been caught and detained by store loss prevention personnel.

Upon arrival, police officers were advised that the suspect, Paul Flaherty, 51, of Quincy, had entered the store and placed several items in a shopping carriage while making a show of referring to sales receipts that he had pulled from his pocket.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

I’m the first generation son of immigrants. My parents came to the United States from Gaeta, just north of Naples, Italy. My older sister Maria taught me English in our Italian-speaking home. My parents were among the immigrants who have made Somerville the vibrant and booming community it is today. From the Italians, Irish and Greeks who came to our city in the early part of the 20th century, to the Portuguese, Brazilians, Hondurans, Salvadorans, Haitians, Nepalis and many others who have arrived since, these people chose Somerville. They are what makes Somerville stand out. It’s our diversity. It’s the people you see every day that enrich your life, who introduce you to foods you’ve never tried, songs you never knew, and wisdom you’ve never heard. That’s what defines a neighborhood. It’s not geographic borders, it’s the people there. These people make Somerville what it is: a home.

Eight days of events to celebrate healthy, affordable, sustainable food;

“Where’s Sam?” contest sends Shape Up Sam mascot dressed in Red-Man suit running about Somerville to Food Week events: Spot Sam and be entered to win great prizes

Thursday, Oct. 24, is national Food Day, a celebration of healthy, affordable and sustainable food. And because one day just isn’t enough, the City of Somerville’s Shape Up Somerville program is leading a citywide Food Week from Oct. 17 to 24. Eight days of Shape Up Somerville partner and community events will highlight Somerville’s diverse and exciting food culture, while the “Where’s Sam?” contest invites residents to learn about healthy dining and living by watching for Shape Up Sam mascot sightings about town.

– Photos by Matt Hichborn/Boston Bruins

Somerville Youth Hockey players and staff were treated to a special visit by Boston Bruins defense man Doug Hamilton last week at the Somerville High School gymnasium.

Hamilton led the kids in a spirited game of street hockey and later posed for photos and signed autographs.