By Jim Clark

During the Somerville Board of Alderman meeting of November 20, a resolution was put forward that the City of Somerville’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development consider alternative plans to deal with the public safety and traffic concerns of pedestrians, business owners, residents and cyclists regarding the Beacon Street reconstruction project, specific to the proposed “cycletrak” installation detailed at the November 13, 2012 community meeting.

Spike’s Junkyard Dogs, Davis Square location will be closing this Friday, November 30.  Anyone looking for their Spike’s Junkyard Dogs fix should stop in by midnight on Friday.  For those customers that visit between now and Saturday, they will be given a coupon for a Free Hot Dog or Veggie Dog that may be redeemed at one of two other locations: 108 Brighton Ave., Allston or 1076 Boylston St. (corner Mass. Ave.), Boston. They thank everyone for their patronage in Davis Square and look forward to seeing everyone in Allston or the Back Bay.

Somerville honored Gene Brune by naming him Mayor Emeritus last week. – Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

At their Tuesday meeting on November 20, The Somerville Board of Aldermen presented retiring Register of Deeds Gene Brune a special honor for his ten years serving as the mayor of Somerville. Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Jack Connolly and Alderman Maryann Heuston spoke of the progress that was made during the ten years of the Brune Administration.

SHS Quarterback Phoenix Huertas, flanked by Running Back Troy Martini, calls out signals in the Thanksgiving Day game against Cambridge Rindge and Latin.

By Terence Clarey

If last Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day high school football match up between Somerville and Cambridge Rindge and Latin is going to be a new tradition, Somerville hopes that last Thursday’s outcome does not repeat itself as they dropped the first game to new Turkey Day rival Cambridge 34-30.

Eagle Feathers #14 – Day of Infamy

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, launching America into World War II, the most devastatingly destructive conflict in our planet’s history. The next day, the American Congress declared war upon Japan, immediately followed by an additional declaration of war upon Germany on December 9.

Isn’t it obvious? Somerville is a geographically small but densely populated city that has little room for frivolity in how it uses its space.

L to R: Rick’s sister Jeaneen Barletta, Mass Motorcyclist Survivors Fund President Paul W. Cote, Sue Hart and Mike “Ironside” Carpenter, BAMR President.

By William Tauro

A benefit fundraiser was held this past Saturday evening for local Rick Barletta to help support with the recovery from his horrific accident whereby he sustained permanent injuries in a near fatal motorcycle crash this past May. The event took place at the Winter Hill Yacht Club in Somerville and helped raise well needed money to help with his care for him and his family as well as monies needed towards purchasing a wheelchair accessible van. Also in Rick’s support that evening in attendance was Paul W. Cote, President Mass Motorcyclist Survivors Fund/New England Regional Road Riding Delegate to the AMA Congress and Mike “Iron Side” Carpenter President of BAMR (Boston Area Motor Cycle Riders) as well as Cindy Hickey from the City of Somerville COA Director/Toys for Local Children organizer. Also, special thanks to the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association for all there continuous support.

Victorious members of the St. Clement Anchormen (L to R): Captain John Posada, Alberto Lopez named game MVP and Jesus Gambaro.

The St. Clement Anchormen kept the St. Joseph’s Prep Phoenix from rising on Thanksgiving by stuffing them 27-8. It was the fifth straight Thanksgiving victory for the Anchormen, bringing their season record to 6-4.

The Somerville High School and Cambridge football teams kicked off a new Thanksgiving Day pre-game tradition on Tuesday, November 20. Captains of both teams came together for the first of what will become an annual pre-game luncheon, hosted by the home team. Mayors of both cities, coaches and headmasters of each team, and Superintendent Pierantozzi also joined in the inaugural luncheon. The game winner will lay claim to the Thanksgiving Day Bowl for the year.

Book Launch Dec 2, 2012: With Robert Lowell and His Circle Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Elizabeth Bishop, Stanley Kunitz, & Others by Kathleen Spivack

My friend, the acclaimed poet Kathleen Spivack has a new memoir out: With Robert Lowell and His Circle. I had the honor to interview Kathleen in 2010, and had a chance to question her about the Boston and Cambridge literary scene in the 50s, 60s,and 70s. She told me about playing ping-pong with Elizabeth Bishop, and her tutorials with Robert Lowell. She also told me about Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath and the Robert Lowell workshop at Boston University they were all in. Kathleen also has a big Somerville connection. She lived in Somerville as a single mother some decades ago, and is currently a member of the Somerville Bagel Bards. This important new memoir was reviewed in the Globe recently.  Here is some information about the book and the book launch that is to happen on Dec.2: