By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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.)

In a densely populated community like Somerville, we’ve all had the experience of seeing someone, often someone we know, who appears to be having problems related to mental health.

By Jim Clark

While directing traffic last Wednesday at the corner of Medford St. and Broadway, an area which was having its crosswalk repainted, two officers on paid detail witnessed an impatient driver go around four stopped cars then speed away, narrowly clipping one officer with the vehicle’s mirror, according to reports.

At about 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Somerville Police responded to a report of a robbery at the Central Bank, 401 Highland Avenue, in Davis Square.  The suspect reportedly entered the bank, demanded cash from the victim teller and threatened the employees.

No weapon was shown and nobody was hurt. He was described as a white male with average height and build. He was wearing a green tee shirt and black Stanley Cup baseball cap.

The suspect fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police have recovered the hat and shirt which were discarded nearby.

Teen Empowerment youth present photos on safety in Somerville

“Brick Wall to Nothing” by Stephanie Santiago. “This is a burnt down building next to Broadway Breakers. Inside there is broken glass, beer bottles, alcohol containers, and trash. This is a forgotten place where terrible things can happen, especially at night. This building is on the left side of the street when I walk down Broadway to Sullivan Station. I have personally passed this building many times, wondering why nothing has been done, and ultimately speeding up to be safe and spend less time around it. This building should be taken down and rebuilt in a way that would benefit the residents of this city.”

On Tuesday, August 21, The Center for Teen Empowerment, Shape Up Somerville, Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello held a Community Safety Summit at City Hall in the Board of Aldermen Chambers.

The Somerville Alibrandis earned a spot in the semifinals after defeating the South Boston Saints in a best-of-five series.

By Benjamin Klein

The Somerville Alibrandis opened the 2012 Yawkey Baseball League playoffs as the No.1 seed and have advanced to the semifinals after winning a best-of-five series against the No.8 South Boston Saints.

102 year old Somerville resident and U.S. Army Veteran Joe Piro enjoying history in the making.

By Michelle Sinclair

On Sunday, August 19, Somerville’s Winter Hill Yacht Club’s Commodore Bill Rogers, along with Somerville’s Council of Aging Director Cindy Hickey, President Juan Gallego, and Past President Ken Webber from the Chelsea Rotary, hosted a Veterans Parade for the Somerville COA Veterans along with the veterans from the Chelsea Soldiers home.

Union Square has come a long way since the “good old days.” Planning for its future could prove to be a long, arduous process for city strategists and officials.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The Union Square Revitalization Plan was discussed at a recent Board of Aldermen special meeting.

“There is an extensive process that must be followed for [the Union Square Revitalization Plan] to be implemented. First, the Board of Aldermen must hold a public hearing. Then, the Board of Aldermen would have to approve the plan, as well as the Planning Board, and then, the plan would have to be approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. Thus, the presentation at the August 16 meeting was very preliminary,” said William A. White Jr., Alderman At Large.

This Friday night big night here in the ‘Ville is the Somerville Fight Night, presented by the Somerville Boxing Club, at Dilboy Stadium. Doors open at 6:000 p.m., first bout at 7p.m. A great night supporting a good Somerville organization that works with our youth.

By Emmanuel Vincent

Trial and error is a constant theme when attempting to make improvements. This holds true for the Davis Square Streetscape Project, which is an ongoing process.

Somerville is at the forefront of the urban farming movement.

By Jim Clark

In a move that is certain to please both seasoned and amateur backyard farmers alike, the Somerville Board of Aldermen passed the Urban Agriculture Zoning Amendment last week, making the homegrown movement more robust and vital than ever.