City to Designate Design Consultant to Work with Park Users and Neighbors on New Set of Proposals to Upgrade Park Facilities

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that he has directed the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) to appoint a design consultant to manage a new and more comprehensive planning process for proposed upgrades to recreational facilities at Lincoln Park.

Historical tour of Union Square

By Maria A. Cortes

One of the several events planned and sponsored by The Historic Preservation Commission this fall, The Union Square walking tour, took place last Sunday, September 23, in Somerville. Led by Edward W. Gordon, New England Chapter President of the Victorian Society of America, the tour explored the history behind Union Square buildings and its architectural features.

This Saturday, the 29th, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Union Square, Blast off! Marshmallow Fluff is out of this world and lighter than air. So for the seventh annual “What the Fluff?” festival we explore Fluff in Space! Fluffernutters were served at the International Space Station (it’s true!) and we’re bringing that glorious space dust down to earth. What the Fluff? – A Tribute to Union Square Invention – honors the illustrious Fluff creator, Archibald Query, who concocted the gooey sticky spread right here in Union Square in 1917.   Local artists, musicians, theatrical performers, inventors, and humorists pay madcap tribute to the creation of this great American foodstuff on two stages. Fluff games and shenanigans will spread the sticky goodness throughout the Union Square. Rick Linnaean, the Massachusetts-born, Fluff-loving astronaut, is sending us some special prizes to give away at our spacey fluff games, and yes, there will be a moon bounce!

Historic Milk Row Cemetery.

By Maria A. Cortes

Historic Somerville, Inc., in collaboration with Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, opens the gates of the oldest burial ground in the city, Milk Row Cemetery, for public tours on three Sundays this fall. Although locked most of the time, the cemetery, with its rich historical background, has aroused curiosity among many Somerville residents. That curiosity now gets a chance to be satisfied.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The discussion about the Union Square Revitalization Plan continued at a recent Housing and Community Development Committee, Committee of the Whole meeting.

The meeting “was a public hearing. Various topics from the public [were] discussed related to the redevelopment plan,” said Maryann Heuston, Alderman of Ward 2 of Somerville.

Eagle Feathers #10 – Somerville is a Perfect Ten

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Just as David Letterman has a Top Ten List that he shares with his audience on a nightly basis, Somerville has a top-ten list of fun and interesting facts that I’d like to share with you. Somerville is unique in that it is shaped like the American eagle. Since this the 10th edition of Eagle Feathers, I thought it might be fitting to honor the eagle this week by showcasing a top-ten list of Somerville firsts:

By Donald Norton

What looked like a possible resolution and vote this past week before the ZBA on the fate of the Armory’s request for easement of restrictions on hours of operation and other issues was not to be.

The ZBA board heard a request by Alderman Jack Connolly on behalf of Sean O’Donovan and Tom Taylor to delay the vote and have the neighbors and the Arts at the Armory go back and hopefully come up with some agreement.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Ida Azzolino.

Ida Azzolino, who turns 100 years of age this month, was born the same time as the opening of Fenway Park and the sinking of the Titanic. She went to school here, and grew up on the streets back in the day when horses were around and gas lamps needed to be lit. She has lived to see the first person on the moon. She is very nice lady who worked very hard as a young girl here, attended Somerville schools and was also in attendance at Saint Anthony’s parish and later at St. Clements. Ida still goes to church every week at St. Clements and helped them to celebrate their 100 years serving the parish.

We marvel at the audacity of those who would lead us by our hands, regarding us as lost and wayward children, unable to think for ourselves and behave responsibly.

The culture of the Nanny State has proliferated to the point of shear absurdity in these modern times. Big Brother is not only watching you, he is clocking your rate of speed, checking your credit rating, and, above all, regulating every possible civil code and ordinance that he can lay his well oiled hands on.

Kennedy school students get hands on experience in what it takes to get that stuff that usually comes out of a can in a fresher, tastier form.

Somerville Public schools served locally grown food last week to the kids at school.

Somerville Public Schools students were invited to shuck corn at breakfast on Thursday, September 20, with the Somerville Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services department, Groundwork Somerville and UMass Extension.