Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

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

Last week I was ready to throw in the towel on this column. I felt burned out and depleted. I thought I covered every interesting aspect of life in the Ville. Since starting it on September 22, 2007, I gave it my all. 52 stories for almost 6 years! YIKES!!  I tried to write stories about Somerville that we could all relate to. I thought I ran out of stuff! After seeing the overwhelming and humbling response to my “farewell” article last week, I spoke to the staff and this is what we came up with. We will reprint early past stories throughout the summer, and then I will retool and revamp. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy revisiting these tales of the Ville.

Forever young: Bob Dylan.

By Max Sullivan

Patrick Coman’s For the Sake of the Song online series, taped monthly at Johnny D’s in Davis Square, will be featuring an old deity in the songwriting community this Sunday night. Coman and his team will be celebrating Bob Dylan’s birthday – technically on May 24 – but this time around it’s going to be a little different, as he’s teaming up with local folk station WUMB to present a group of solo acoustic performers.

The Nave Gallery continues to collaborate with and promote the community work of the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) with public art Yarnstorming. Throughout 2013 volunteer members of the Nave Gallery will knit and crochet colorful items to decorate trees in five Somerville neighborhoods.

Part 3: Somerville by Design
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By William C. Shelton

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

Making Somerville “walkable” isn’t just about making neighborhoods pleasant places to walk. It’s about creating a built environment that will attract investment and businesses, bring jobs and services, and generate property tax revenue to ease the burden on Somerville homeowners while paying for what we need. It’s also about empowering ‘Villens to preserve their neighborhoods, whose character often seems under attack by those who want to force outsized and out-of-character developments on them.

Earlier tonight Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 5 Alderman Courtney O’Keefe  unveiled the new sign of Maqoun Square. Temporarily removed for renovations, the new sign is located at the intersection of Broadway and Medford Street, on the CVS Plaza.

By Jim Clark

Acting on a tip, police proceeded to Davis Sq. last week on reports that a man, Daniel Matthews, 49, had been involved in an altercation with another man, and that Matthews was armed and possibly set on seeking retribution against this other man.

In continued support, the Somerville Youth Development and Boxing Club received a second donation from Lt. James A. Logan Post 6800 VFW located at 124 Highland Avenue. The donation presented by Commander Thomas Leyne and member David Fallon to board member Ed Fitzgerald.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

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

Just one hundred yards across the Mystic River from Somerville’s burgeoning Assembly Square neighborhood lies the proposed site for a 19-story casino in Everett. Somerville and other cities in the region, none of which have a vote on the proposal, are staring down the negative impacts this casino would levy on our local businesses, economic activity, social well-being and our health.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to a Radcliffe Rd. residence last week on reports of a vehicular breaking and entering.

As officers arrived at the reporting party’s residence, they were informed that two suspects matching witness descriptions had been detained by police at a nearby location.

Ward 1 residents got updated reports from city officials and analysts last week. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

On Thursday, East Somerville residents gathered at the Cross Street Senior Center to listen to presentations from city officials regarding the current affairs most important in the community.