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.)

July 4th, 1776, was the day that Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. It was a big day for the United States of America and it still is. It is the birthday of our nation and everyone loves birthdays. But July 4th means more than just barbecues and fireworks. For me, it means taking some time to really appreciate the freedoms we have. Compared to many countries, we have it made, and we sometimes take these freedoms for granted.

First Tuesdays is a monthly after hours event where friends, foodies and neighbors come out to meet one another and sample the culinary delights of the East Broadway Business District. All events are free and open to the public.

It’s time once again for a little old-fashioned flag waving, backyard grilling, and taking some time to relax and celebrate life in the good old U.S.A.

Who among us doesn’t enjoy the occasion? Who can resist the warm glow of good fellowship between friends, neighbors and families as the “birthday” of our nation comes around?

Residents and city planners share concerns over the proper development of Davis Square and its environs.

By Emmanuel Vincent

In order for a project to be efficient, it must be well thought out and carefully executed. Such is the case with Davis Square Streetscape. The follow-up event to the Davis Square Streetscape Kick-Off Tour, Project Charette, was held this past Tuesday at the Tab Building on Holland Street. Members of the community came together once again in the next phase of the process to offer a few suggestions on how the square could be improved. This time, visual maps of Davis Square were implemented to show their concerns.

2012 Somerville Little League majors city champions, Boston Closet Tigers. Left to right. Front kneeling, Joel Hancock. 2nd row, Sean Sullivan Jr., Easton Hanson, Paul Pefine, Henry Shugrue, Jalen George, Josh Frost, Andrew Atherton, Patrick Doherty. Back row, head coach Sean Sullivan, assistant coach Dan Shugrue (holding son Mac), Kyle Finigan, Conrad Demasi, coach Keith Doherty.

On Wednesday, June 20, the Boston Closet Tigers won the 2012 Somerville Little League majors championship. For the second year in a row, a team sponsored by Tom Lynch of Boston Closet and managed by Sean Sullivan has won the Somerville Little League majors city championship.

This year’s team had only two returning players from last year’s team, Sean Sullivan Jr. and Henry Shugrue. These two players, along with returning head coach Sean Sullivan and assistant coach Dan Shugrue, and a host of new players were able to pull out an amazing come from behind victory in the best two out of three-city championship.

Eagle Feathers #4 – Play Ball!

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Remember that Somerville provided a pair of red socks, a place to use them and a star to wear them.

This year marks the 100th birthday of Fenway park, the beloved home of our favorite baseball team. And with summer underway, what better time to celebrate Somerville’s influence on our nation’s favorite pastime? So, let’s start with the home team. While named the “Boston” Red Sox, the team has many connections to Somerville. Charles Taylor, founder of the Boston Globe, was a Somerville Alderman who raised his family on Belmont Street. Taylor had a son that was not particularly good at staying out of trouble so, in an effort to keep him on the right track, he did what any good old-fashioned working-class father would do and went out and bought him a baseball team.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Louise McCarthy.

This week we salute Louise McCarthy of East Somerville, wife for 45 years to former Ward 1 Alderman Jim McCarthy, as well as a mother and a grandmother. If you’ve been to City Hall and visited the election department you’d recognize her big smile and great personality at the counter. But alas, it’s now 22 years and another good City of Somerville employee has officially retired from full-time service this past Friday. Her co-workers in the department gave her a nice party and just about everyone working for the city stopped in to bid farewell and to give their best wishes. Fortunately, we hear she’s coming back part time to help out but hopefully not until summer is over. She will want to relax and enjoy her official retirement and we hope she does.

Denise Provost, in her years as editor, reviewer, columnist, lawyer, and legislator has done a lot of writing, but especially enjoys poetry. She has been most recently studying with poet Susan Donnelly. She publishes occasionally, and looks forward to the publication of her two collections of poetry, “Curious Peach” (2010) and “Desire Lines” (2011). Denise is a member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards, and a long-time Somerville resident and state legislator.

Arrests:
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Edward Cottier, 44, of 37 Harvard St., June 25, 4:54 p.m., arrested at home on a charge of trespassing.

Robert Kneeland, 60, of 78 Boston Ave., June 25, 8:42 p.m., arrested at 80 Boston Ave. on a charge of assault and battery.