Question 4 on the November 6 ballot seems to be something of a hot-button topic for some Somerville voters.

It asks residents whether or not the city should adopt the Community Preservation Act (CPA), initially enacted in 2000 by then-Governor Cellucci, allowing communities to create a Local Preservation Fund to raise money through a surcharge on property taxes of up to 3 percent for open space protection, historic preservation and the provision of affordable housing. The City of Somerville has proposed a surcharge of 1.5 percent, which, in accordance with the state law, will be assessed on each piece of taxable real estate in the city.

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a report of shoplifting at K-Mart last Thursday.

Officers en route were advised that store loss prevention personnel were chasing the suspected thief towards the rear of Middlesex Avenue running towards McGrath Highway.

– Photos by Donald Norton

On Sunday October 21, the Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation unveiled the scholarship’s brickwalkway. Engraved bricks from the Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation Engraved Brick Campaign graced the walkway leading to the atrium entrance of Somerville High School.

A 91st birthday party was thrown in honor of Mama Emily Tauro this past Sunday afternoon. All of Emily’s five sons, along with their wives, thirteen grandchildren with their spouses, and eight great grand children, as well as several nephews and nieces, were all in attendance for the joyous event.

Photo by Alonso Nichols/Tufts University.

Somerville Police Department’s Lt. Dan Cotter and Deputy Chief Mike Cabral have lunch at Carmichael Dining Hall on Wednesday, October 17,  as Tufts University Dining Services hosted local Medford and Somerville firefighters and police officers for the annual Chili Fest.

Writer Elizabeth Searle

Writer Elizabeth Searle talks with a rapid-fire cadence, has an engaging laugh, and an optimistic sparkle to her eyes. But beneath this lies a writer who is interested in the darker side of American culture; the side obsessed with competition and winning at all costs. According to her website she is :

Linda Larson

Well–Halloween is coming up and Linda Larson is haunting us with a couple of her very germane poems.

From 10:30 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, October 30, just one week before voters head to the polls, the Somerville Council on Aging will host a non-partisan Voter Information Forum to provide information on Ballot Questions appearing on the November 6, 2012 Somerville ballot. The Council on Aging hopes to provide an opportunity for the city’s voters to hear information from both supporters and opponents of each Question during the 90-minute forum moderated by the non-partisan League of Women Voters.

Arrests:
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Kwesi George, 21, October 15, 9:42 a.m., arrested at 20 Canal La. on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and abuse prevention order violation.

Kendell Bell, 29, of 43 Thurston St., October 15, 5:25 p.m., arrested at home on a charge of assault and battery.

Final SomerStreets event of 2012 to be held on 2-mile stretch of Somerville Ave, includes monster pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating and costume parade, live music on three stages and much more.

The City of Somerville will host the final event in the 2012 SomerStreets series with a 2-mile celebration along Somerville Avenue, entitled “Monster Mashed-Up @ SomerStreets” on Sunday, October 28 from noon – 4pm.  An Oktoberfest celebration, co-sponsored by Sally O’Brien’s and Bull McCabe’s, has also been planned in conjunction with SomerStreets, scheduled for 1:00 – 6:00pm between Washington Street and Bow Street.