Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced that several Middlesex Sheriff’s Office employees received statewide recognition for their outstanding achievement at the 15th Annual Correctional Officer of the Year Awards ceremony.

The generous volunteers of the Elizabeth Stone House Wilderness Heals pledge hike.

By Tiffani M. Westbrook

Jessica Cook, a Somerville resident, is participating in the Elizabeth Stone House Wilderness Heals pledge hike.

Wilderness Heals is a unique, three-day event that raises vital funding for the Elizabeth Stone House of Roxbury. Through residential and non-residential services, the Stone House helps homeless individuals and families rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health issues.

On Sunday, June 3, 2012, (rain or shine) the City of Somerville will host the first of five SomerStreets events of the year, entitled “Carnaval,” along Broadway (from Temple Street to Pennsylvania Avenue.) The SomerStreets program encourages active living, walkability, and community involvement by closing a section or sections of road within the City, and conducting programming along the route for residents of all ages. The event will be from noon-4 p.m.and include a motion parade from the East Branch Library (at noon), Music and Entertainment on 3 stages, Foss Fest, SomerPeople Multicultural celebration, Food, Arts & Crafts, Kids activities and much more.

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.)

Every so often I have to be true to the name of this column, On The Silly Side. We chose that name because silly things are always happening around me, and to me. The column has morphed into a forum for telling stories about Somerville and its people, mostly from days gone by. Well, this week it’s about me and another Somerville person, namely, my son. It is set in the present.

(L to R)Edmund's sister Judy Medeiros, Rodsen Liberus, Jesselyn Vasquez, Emma Youte, mother Judith Medeiros, and sister Nancy Medeiros.

The Medeiros family of Somerville recently awarded the 10th Annual Scholarship in loving memory of their brother Edmund J. Medeiros who died suddenly in 2001 at the age of 38.  He was a graduate of Somerville class of 1983. He was an employee at the MDC and was well known by the Somerville youth at the Somerville Avenue Ice Skating Rink, Dilboy Field and Foss Park. Although he had MS, he never let it interfere with anything he wanted to do. Three scholarships are given, with funds being raised by events held at the Dante Club.

By Jim Clark

Last Friday members of the Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit Detectives conducted an investigation concerning illegal drug activity that was allegedly occurring on Elm St.

The investigators’ attention was drawn to a woman who was sitting on the steps of a church located at the corner of Elm and Russell Streets.

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.)

First, some thoughts about the Memorial Day Parade:
Frank Senesi, who retired last December after eight years as Somerville’s Veterans Services Director, was famous for running a great Memorial Day Parade.  He had such good luck with the weather that we were beginning to think he supernatural powers.  Frank never confirmed that suspicion, but he never denied it, either.

Susan Cattaneo’s non-stop tour makes a stop at Sally O’Brien’s this weekend.

By Max Sullivan

Internationally known songwriter, as well as Medford resident, Susan Cattaneo is continuing to slug it out as an original performing artist, stopping by Sally O’brien’s along the way on Saturday, June 2. Having already enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter for Nashville and teacher at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, the songstress decided to “hit the road” in the proverbial sense four years ago and start performing her own songs. 2012 marks the release of her third album since then, Little Blue Sky, which she will be promoting at her stop in Somerville this month.

Arrests:
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Timothy Walton, 25, of 146 Shawmut St., Boston, May 21, 10:16 a.m., arrested at 102 Fellsway W., on a charge of unarmed robbery.

Kwesi George, 21, of 20 Canal La, May 21, 1:55 p.m., arrested at home on a charge of abuse prevention order violation.

Edward L. Leathers Community Park is Somerville’s latest achievement in green space development. – Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

Park transformation wins landscape design award
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By Elizabeth Sheeran

What was once an unsightly vacant lot is now an award-winning neighborhood green space.

The Boston Society of Landscape Architects recently bestowed a Merit Award in the Parks and Recreation Facilities category on Edward L. Leathers Community Park, a welcome urban oasis along Walnut Street between Medford and Pearl Streets. It’s the third straight year such an honor has been earned by a park in the city of Somerville, which shares the award with landscape architects Reed Hilderbrand.