Two men were arraigned Tuesday in connection with their involvement in an extortion scheme, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public.

Howard Winter, aka “Howie”, 83, of Millbury and James Melvin, 70, of Braintree, were arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on charges of extortion (two counts) and conspiracy to commit extortion. Winter and Melvin are accused of engaging in a months-long conspiracy to extort cash from two businessmen.

By Margaret Ryan

THREADS BARED: Art Inspired by Fiber, currently featured at the NAVE Gallery, exposes the creativity and edginess of contemporary fiber art. There is little in the way of traditional handcrafts in this exhibit.  Instead, Somerville curator Tori Costa puts together a show that challenges the viewer to redefine fiber as a medium for making art.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the City of Somerville is loaded with smarts, talent, and resolve. We know it and rightfully feel the satisfaction that comes with this certain knowledge.

An elderly couple came to the offices of The Somerville News and asked that we publish the following poem. They felt they had been somewhat forgotten by their children, and that many of their elderly friends felt the same thing about their children. The poem is a message to these children, one expressing a need for recognition and love – before it is too late.

Kirk Etherton.

More than once I have heard a knock on my door late in the evening and it turned out to be my School St. neighbor Kirk Etherton. Etherton is a very creative Somervillian and when the germ of an idea germinates in his head about the promotion of an artistic project neither the dark of night nor the cold blasts of winter can keep him from his appointed rounds. He has also been known to drop off artful notes in my mailbox, or stop me in the street to tell me about the latest fascinating person he met, something like a Tibetan monk who has a knack for kosher cooking, and is an excellent break dancer.

Well …a few houses down from me on School St. in Union Square is the home of Lucy Holstedt and Kirk Etherton. Both Lucy and Kirk are accomplished poets and musicians and very much part of the fabric of our artistic community. Here are a couple of poems from this duo that I am sure you will enjoy.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone welcomes John P. “Skip” Bandini to the City of Somerville to serve as the Director of Capital Projects and Planning.  Mr. Bandini officially assumed the position on November 20. He holds a B.S. in Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and most recently served as the Director of Facilities for the Waltham Public Schools, a post he held for the past ten years.  He also holds Certifications from Northeastern University and Peterson School of Steam Engineering.  Skip brings to the City 25 years experience in engineering, planning, and issues pertaining to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He is also a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Officer (MCPPO), a Certified Facilities Administrator (CFA), and a Certified Plant Engineer (CPE), and maintains affiliations with numerous local committees and associations.

Arrests:
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James Mento, 33, of 20 Wyman St., Lynn, November 26, 2:01 p.m., arrested at 775 McGrath Hwy. on warrant charges of possession of a burglarious instrument, daytime felony breaking and entering of a boat or vehicle, and violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon.

John Ahern, 60, of 20 Everett Ave., November 26, 5:22 p.m., arrested at home on a warrant charge of statutory rape of a child.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the city’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Thursday, December 6 on the City Hall Concourse, followed by a meet and greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Highlander Café (atrium entrance).  For the first time, this event will also include a ceremonial lighting of a Hanukkah Menorah, which will remain on the concourse throughout the season.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

This article originally appeared in The Somerville News on November 26, 2008.

(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.)

What do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving? For me, it’s giving thanks, then eating a huge turkey dinner with the family. Before the actual day, it’s the preparation ritual, which includes going in stores and seeing overflowing displays of foil cooking pans, gravy master, stovetop stuffing, Bell’s Seasoning, frozen Butterballs, endless pies and endless lines. On Wednesday afternoon you won’t be able to get near McKinnon’s or Lyndells. The big grocery chain stores will be jammed as well. That’s when we become thankful just to find a parking space, so we can be part of the lines.