Walnut Street Center celebrated 40 years at their Annual Gala Saturday at the Art at the Armory. For more information about the Walnut Street Center go to www.wscinc.org.

By Denise Provost
State Representative
27th Middlesex District

(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.)

A perfectly beautiful Saturday a few weeks ago was one of those rare occasions when Prospect Hill Tower was open to the public. I joined many others who were to enjoying the tower’s panoramic views, and its historic significance; it proved to be a great place for reflecting on Somerville’s past and its future. As I had climbed up into the tower – for the first time ever – I noticed the plaster and mortar crumbling from its walls, the paint scaling off the rusted wrought iron of the balustrades on the spiral staircase.

The City of Somerville is looking at options and recommendations that may raise non-union city workers’ salaries.

By Cathleen Twardzik

At a recent Legislative Matters Committee, as a Committee of the Whole meeting, a possible pay raise for non-union City of Somerville employees was discussed.

This Friday night at Radio Bar, 379-381 Somerville Ave., (across from Market Basket) come to “White Trash Night, punk, bluegrass, rock country music night” along with a chili contest. It all starts at 7:30 p.m. You must be 21 or older and the cost is $20. It sounds like a lot of fun, both the live bands and the chili contest.

L to R front row: E-Board Joe Dunne, Commodore Bill Rogers and Vice Commodore Joe Basile. Back row: E-Board William Tauro, Frank Palmisano, Bob Foley, Cynthia Snow Murphy, Ken Webber, Chairman Ray Snow and Peder Acres.

By William Tauro

Somerville’s only yacht club, the Winter Hill Yacht Club, turned 100 years old this year. Members of the century old club celebrated this past Saturday evening with a formal centennial gala in the club’s main ballroom.

Eagle Feathers #11 – It was a graveyard smash

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

The “fiftieth” anniversary is also known as the Gold Anniversary, and if there ever was a golden song to come out of Somerville, it was The Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett. For fifty years, The Monster Mash has delighted those who enjoy celebrating Halloween and has become legendary, forever securing a spot in American pop culture.

By Cate Blancard

Somerville’s voters head to the polls in less than three weeks to decide if the city should participate in the Community Preservation Act (CPA), a Massachusetts law that enables municipalities to impose a property tax surcharge and collect funds from the state’s CPA Trust Fund to support affordable housing, open space, historic preservation and recreational projects.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Patricia Reardon.

Meet Patricia Reardon. “Pat” to her many friends and acquaintances throughout the city. She’s a lifelong resident of the city, married, and is very devoted to her husband and family. Pat’s now retired from her banking career. She was the branch manager at the old Somerset Bank on Broadway in East Somerville. People from all over Somerville, in particular, East Somerville, got to know Pat very well. With her big smile and professional attitude, she was always helpful to anyone who came into the bank. We first met her at that bank back in the 80’s and we know, along with a lot of old time residents, exactly how much of a nice person she is.

Arrests:
*

Ryan Moran, 21, of 37A Dunstable St., Charlestown, October 8, 12:19 p.m., arrested at 5 Middlesex Ave. on warrant charges of misdemeanor breaking & entering and larceny under $250.

Rowena Golay, 56, of 11 Orrin White Dr., Randolph, October 8, 12:46 p.m., arrested at 775 McGrath Hwy. on charges of forgery/misuse of an RMV document, distribution of a class B drug, and conspiracy to violate drug law.

How cool is Somerville? Really, now. We ask you.

Not only was the ultimate Halloween song, Monster Mash, composed and performed by a native son, but many other illustrious personages have emerged from within our relatively diminutive borders to strike out and touch the world with their talent and ingenuity.