Matt Desmond pulls papers for Ward 3 Alderman on Monday morning. – Photo by William Tauro

This week started the process for running for the local election. Monday, May 6 began with a rush on the Somerville election commission. The following took out nomination papers as of Tuesday, May 7:

– Photo by Donald Norton

By Donald Norton

This past Sunday, May 5, Fraternal Chapter Order of Eastern Star #136 celebrated their 100th Anniversary here in Somerville. In attendance were over 130 members, their families and friends, to help celebrate this milestone here in Somerville. 100 years ago this Chapter was charted and had its first meeting in Davis Square with over 100 candidates joining the chapter within months of their first meeting.

(R) Doug Holder (L) Meikle Paschal at the Somerville Community Access TV studios.

When Meikle Paschal arrived at his first meeting of the Bagel Bards at the Au Bon Pain in Davis Square, Somerville, he was the only black man in a sea of white, pasty faces. But he did not seem fazed–he weaved through the crowd like he was at home at the joint—striking up conversations, and cracking the dry air with his wit.  30 or 40 years ago this may have not been the case. Paschal, a native of the mean streets of Roxbury, was a self-described Angry Black Man.  He was uncomfortable in his own skin, fighting the pressure of a racist society that he felt kept the cards stacked against him. Now, in his 60’s, he is a very different character.  He found his way through the practice of Buddhism, and is transformed into a rather contented  man in the  autumn of his years, as  Frank Sinatra once sang.   Today he is a  respected educator with the pedigree of a PhD, and a home in the tony suburb of Lexington, Mass.  I interviewed Paschal about his new memoir The Black Buddhist: A Spiritual Journey (Ibbetson Street Press) on my Somerville Community Access TV show Poet to Poet: Writer to Writer.

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Visiting Somerville poet Paige Bluhdorn, is a former ballerina and model. Paige danced for the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City where she was discovered as a model; she subsequently graced the runways and campaigns of leading fashion houses such as Chanel, Valentino, Missoni and Giorgio Armani. Additionally, she has appeared in fashion magazines that include Vogue, Marie Claire and Glamour.

After taking time off to raise her twin daughters, Paige resurfaced in the fashion arena to launch her debut handbag collection Paige Bluhdorn.

Arrests:
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James Shannon Jr., 50, of 18 Pamela Cir., Malden, April 30, 10:11 a.m., arrested at Packard Ave. on a charge of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Dillon Hughes, 22, of 19 Hancock St., May 1, 3:57 p.m., arrested at 366 Broadway on charges of possession of a class A drug and conspiracy to violate drug law.

Throughout the month of May, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC)  partners with other local organizations to host events honoring Somerville’s history and historic districts. All events are open to the public and free unless otherwise noted.

The world of jazz collecting can be wild, cool, and swinging.

By Kenneth Gloss

A great way to enhance warmer weather is to start a new collection of books and what better way than with than to focus on books about American-born music: jazz! If you happen to own a rare and used bookstore, as I do, and you happen to have a wife who collects books about jazz, as I do, it makes it pretty easy to find that elusive birthday or anniversary gift. Throughout the year, I put aside books that I know my wife will like, saving them for a surprise.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

This article first appeared in the July 16, 2008 edition of The Somerville News.

(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.)

Well, we just lost another longtime family home on my street (near Davis Square). They had been here for over 50 years – both parents are deceased and the adult kids decided it was time to sell – they had been my neighbors for 48 years. I heard that the new owner is going to convert the two-family into condos, what an original idea!

The SHPC, in concert with Union Square Main Streets, is sponsoring a “Jane’s Walk” to honor urban activist and writer, Jane Jacobs, Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 10 a.m.  A world-wide event, this year’s walk will be a leisurely stroll through Union Square, to explore some of the mid 19th and early 20th century housing and industrial buildings that established the area as a place to both live and work. Local residents and business owners are encouraged to share their knowledge of the Square’s history, as well as their visions for the future. The walk will be led by community leaders involved with the rebirth of the Square and will start from the Union Square Plaza. It will end in time for lunch in the Square and visits to various Somerville Open Art Studios from noon to 6 p.m. Rain or shine. For more information about Jane’s Walks see http://www.janejacobswalk.org/