The Alibrandis are looking good in spite of last week’s 1-0 loss to the Revere Rockies.

By Mike Stoller

With the summer heating up to exorbitant temperatures, so are the games in the Yawkey Baseball League. Suffice to say, the Somerville Alibrandis team’s 1-0 loss in 10 innings to the host Revere Rockies last week had both teams sweating it out.

Plans for significant updates to the Union Square streetscape as well as the square’s below-ground utilities took an important step forward this week. On Monday, July 8, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that international consulting firm Parsons Brinkerhoff has been selected for a wide-ranging utility and roadway improvement study in Union Square that will launch the design and pre-engineering process for the project. The design process, which will be informed by significant public input, will review and address both the above- and below-ground needs for Union Square now and into the future.

Director of Parks and Open Space of Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development, Arn Franzen explained plans for the new park, Symphony. – Photo by Douglas Yu

By Douglas Yu

To make the best use of all the green space in Somerville, the Mayor’s office is planning on building a new park, named Symphony, at the corner of Florence Street and Pearl Street. Somerville residents joined the meeting at Capuano School to give applicable suggestions.

 ~Press release from Somerville  Community Corporation

On the evening of Thursday July 11, the Somerville Planning Board will meet to discuss and vote on the proposed development by the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) and Boston-based Cathartes Private Investments (CPI) at 181 & 197 Washington Street in Union Square, Somerville. The hearing will begin at 6:00 pm at the Argenziano School, 290 Washington Street in Somerville.

By Jim Clark

Police were called to the vicinity of 206 Washington St. last Thursday evening, July 4, on a report of a fight in progress involving weapons. Officers en route were informed that one of the parties involved in the disturbance was reportedly armed with a machete and that he was part of an earlier incident related to the use of a machete.

Upon arrival, officers spotted a man, later identified as Fredy Portillo, 33, standing on the sidewalk, reportedly in a very agitated state. He was shirtless and officers noted a big bite mark on his chest.

Lawmakers seek benefits for Collier family
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Sean Collier’s sister, Jenn Rogers, lit the ceremonial flame at this year’s Somerville Special Olympics event.
– Photo by Karalyn Connolly

By Elizabeth Sheeran

It won’t bring him back. But local lawmakers are pursuing all avenues to see that Officer Sean Collier’s family receives all possible state and federal survivors’ benefits.

By Harry Kane

The greatest feeling as a kid is having the freedom to run around and play outside. When families come together with their children and let them enjoy the environment, everybody wins. That’s what ‘SomerPlay’ in Somerville is all about. It’s a new program launched this summer to encourage play for Somerville residents. A component of the initiative includes innovative play for children in urban neighborhoods.

Zip Trip is coming. On Friday, July 26 Fox 25 will do their summer weekly Zip Trip city or town live show televised from Somerville starting at 6 a.m. Now, the location is still being worked out between City Hall and Fox 25, but we will keep everyone posted so that Somerville will be welcoming them. Come and join in the fun and meet all the morning show hosts, Maybe VB will be there. We hope he doesn’t bring the Heavy Hitters though. For those that don’t know what Zip Trip is, Fox 25 over the summer months visits a different Massachusetts community every Friday morning with a live broadcast, sharing the community’s history and traditions with the rest of the Fox 25 viewers. If you’re just an individual Villen or belong to a group this is a good way to get your name out there and to let others know about our great city. We’re going to be there and everyone is on the record, so no complaining afterwards!

Eagle Feathers #30 – “Pop” of Pops

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

He was born on December 20, 1871, in his parents’ home on Myrtle Street in East Somerville and pursued a career in music that would achieve meteoric success. His name was Henry Kimball Hadley, and during his lifetime he brought the sound of music to hundreds of people in his hometown and to thousands of listeners around the world.

So, it looks as though there very well could be a big Vegas-style casino staring back at us from across the river, if the city of Everett’s intentions come to fruition.