To the Editor of the Somerville News:

(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.)

Since the subject has been raised publicly, I want to confirm for your readers that this summer I have been laying the groundwork to run for the Ward 5 Alderman seat in 2013.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Joe Beckmann.

Meet Joe Beckmann, a nice guy and very congenial when you first meet him, not knowing he can talk for hours on end.  He’s someone we met about year or so ago, even though our paths have crossed many times over the years. He’s very smart, has three degrees from Columbia, Brown and University of Massachusetts Amherst. He works here in Somerville as a teacher, and although he never had to say what he does for a living, you can tell he loves his job as a teacher, which for him is giving knowledge and light to those around him.

Lawrence Kessenich.

The Somerville literary organization the Bagel Bards founded in 2004 by Doug Holder and Harris Gardner has a huge pool of talented poets, playwrights, novelists, etc… One member Lawrence Kessenich recently had a play he had written on stage. Zvi Sesling, founder of the Muddy River Poetry Reviewreviewed it for Off the Shelf:

St. Clement School announced  that Ryan Murphy has been named the school’s new athletic director. “I consider it a privilege to appoint Ryan Murphy as our new Athletic Director”, said Robert G. Chevrier (pictured right), Principal St. Clement School. “He brings great deal of energy and coaching experience to our school.” I have every confidence he will have a huge impact on our athletic program,” said Chevrier. “Saint Clement School represents everything that’s right with education and high school athletics,” said Mr. Murphy (pictured left). “I am thrilled and flattered to be given this opportunity. I look forward to working with the parents, students and faculty.”

Joanne DeSimone Reynolds

I always tell my creative writing students: “Detail, Detail!”  And in this featured poem by Joanne DeSimone Reynolds she evokes a scene–a place in time, with lush and evocative detail.

Arrests:
*

Petronilio Desouza, 42, of 56 Madison Ave., Everett, July 30, 1:42 a.m., arrested at 220 Washington St. on a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Angel Rivera, 44, of 231 Liberty St., Lowell, July 30, 9:30 a.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on a warrant charge of threat to commit a crime.

The Somerville Police are seeking assistance from the public in identifying the man shown here with regards to a bank robbery at Eastern Bank in Davis Square on Friday, August 3.  He did not show or threaten a weapon.  He is a white male, appears to be in his 40’s, about 5’8″, 190 lbs., with a green and red-orange tattoo on right bicep (possibly a fighting Irish leprechaun), wearing cargo shorts, a blue sleeveless Red Sox shirt, and a gray/blue ball cap with “Harvard” written across the front.

– Photos by William Tauro and Bobbie Toner

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche invite all interested residents and stakeholders to attend a community meeting on Monday, August 13  to present the construction schedule for the East Broadway Streetscape Project.  The meeting will be held at the Cross Street Center, 165 Broadway, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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.)

I can’t let the summer go by without doing a blurb on my favorite spot in Somerville.

We in the Davis and Ball Square areas have been blessed with a gem known as Powder House Park. Many of us have memories of sledding, picnics, playing on the rocks, snowball fights and first kisses at the park. A friend of mine was a recreation leader many years ago and he has remained friends with a lot of the kids, who are now grown up. How many of us made “gimp” key chains at Powder House Park? Remember when the draft board was in that building on the lower part of the park? I sure do because thankfully my number was a few digits off.