Boys track, hockey off to good starts

By Mike Stoller

Two-time Massachusetts and New England champion Andre Rolim, the state record holder in the 600 meter run, is the top returnee to the Somerville High Track and Field team this winter. Rolim is one of three Highlander captains along with Kevin Ma and Marcelo Brociner. Other top returnees include sprinter Anderson Jupiter and Ngawang Tsang.

Arrests:
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Cheikhou Gueye, 43, of 18 Irving, Medford, December 10, 1:35 a.m., arrested at 366 Somerville Ave. on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Ericka McLaughlin, 35, of 199 Pearl St., December 11, 1:33 p.m., arrested at Fellsway West on a charge of larceny over $250.

– Photo by Jim Henry

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick read the holiday classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to children last Wednesday at the state house. Patrick then handed three-year-old Xavier Rodgers of Somerville, who stole the show during the event, the microphone for the countdown to the annual state house tree lighting.

– William Tauro

At a recent meeting of the Somerville Bagel Bards, I met with artist Anne Johnstone and Tufts University student Libby Schrobe. Both Johnstone and Schrobe are involved with the Outside the Lines Studio near the Tufts University campus. The studio is a sort of clubhouse serving people from the Somerville and Medford area with mental disabilities. Schrobe, an intern at the studio said they offer classes in art, cooking, and other activities for members. The studio has hosted shows of various students’ artwork at local coffeehouses like True Grounds in Ball Square, and others.

Poet Meghan Perkins is a poet who kisses and tells.  And she tells it in this provocative poem Wash Your Mouth. 

Fire at 82 Heath Street, Somerville. – Photo courtesy of Somerville Fire Department

On Tuesday, December 18, at 12:04 p.m. the Somerville Fire Department responded to a house fire at 82 Heath Street.  The fire heavily damaged a second floor apartment in the two story duplex and resulted in water damage to the first floor and basement.

Ward 4 Alderman, Tony Lafuente has submitted a Board of Alderman Order that would dramatically increase fines to Absentee Landlords when their properties become a nuisance or are identified as problem properties, such as illegal activity and disrepair. The measure would also call for police details – paid for by the landlords of problem units – at properties that continue to cause problems for neighbors.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Historic Preservation Commission Director Brandon Wilson announced that the 237^th annual “Grand Union” flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park will be held on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.  A processional led by a re-enactor portraying General George Washington on horseback will leave from the City Hall Concourse at 11:30 a.m.  As always, members of the public are invited to participate, and are encouraged to wear traditional colonial clothing.

El Sistema Somerville, an intensive after school music program for students in third and fourth grades, is conducting a Concert Clothing Drive this month in advance of their inaugural holiday concert, “Community in Harmony,” scheduled for December 18.  The program is asking for “gently used” concert performance attire in children’s sizes, which will be worn by the 42 students in the program, currently run through the East Somerville Community School during their first-ever concert performance. The holiday concert will be held at the East Somerville Community School (Edgerly School campus, 8 Bonair Street) at 6:30 p.m.