Firefighters raise a ladder during a house fire at 84 Wheatland Street on November 3, 2012. – Photo by Ed Morrissey.

On Saturday, November 3 at 4:47 p.m., the Somerville Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 84 Wheatland Street. Fire companies arrived to find flames coming out of a first floor bedroom window of an occupied, three unit dwelling.

Participation in the General Election on Tuesday, November 6, is projected to be at least as high as in 2008, which was a modern record for Somerville.

Because this year’s ballot lists seven ballot questions as well as the usual elected offices, the city anticipates long lines, and will work to keep voting as quick and easy as possible.

By William Tauro & April Terrio

Somerville Animal Control Officer April Terrio and Rachel Taylor responded to a call regarding a coyote sighting in the Assembly Square area Friday.

Mayor selected as result of unanimous vote by Board of Directors
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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that he has received notification from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) Board of Directors that they have unanimously voted to award him their 2012 All-State School Committee Award for Urban Districts.  The award is presented to individuals every year to honor their contributions to the lives of children within their district.  Mayor Curtatone was chosen from nominees from 57 urban districts across the Commonwealth.

By William Tauro

A fire erupted on a utility pole late Friday afternoon at the intersection of Garfield and Broadway in Somerville.

Primary electric wires shorted out and caused a fire high above the street.

Somerville Fire Department units were dispatched immediately to battle and extinguish the high wire flames.

Utility crews were also on scene immediately to clear away the burned wires, correct the problem, and restore any lost power.

Tom Hanks and Halle Berry head up a top-notch cast in “Cloud Atlas,” a tremendously complex study in storytelling, now playing at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.

Review by Maria A. Cortes

Ever wondered who were you in the past life? Have karma and the idea of reincarnation ever sparked your interest? The directors of The Matrix trilogy, Lana and Andy Wachowski, in collaboration with German director Tom Tykwer (Run, Lola, Run) are presenting their new movie Cloud Atlas, a film that would definitely make you think about past life experiences and its relation to the present and the future. Based on David Mitchell’s bestseller, Cloud Atlas opened last Friday at The Somerville Theatre.

Friends taking care of friends. Anna Raphael is seen checking Flo Donoghue’s blood pressure. Didem Aytok and Abigail LaBonte from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences helped out.

On Thursday, October 25, the Council on Aging hosted over 30 local organizations for its 2012 Health Fair.

The popular event featured many highlights, including a free demonstration of simple strengthening exercises and also extensive outreach from the nationally lauded, research-based healthy living program, Fit 4 Life.

The Laughter Club is there to help you release the great belly laugh that’s yearning to be set free.

By Jim Clark

It’s an adage as old as time: laughter is good for what ails you. For some, this simple statement masks a much deeper meaning as they put into practice what most people take for granted.

– Photos By Bobbie Toner

Saturday kicked off Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival with an all-day free concert at Powderhouse Park.

Winners to be selected, presented during Historic Preservation Month in May 2013
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 The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Preservation Awards. During its annual celebration in honor of Historic Preservation Month in May 2013, the SHPC will honor Somerville residents who performed significant restoration or maintenance efforts on designated historic buildings, or on non-designated buildings erected before 1960. The nomination period is open through Friday, November 16, 2012.