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:
*

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
*

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.

Mayor Joe Curtatone, Paul Bockelmann, laborers and students celebrated ESCS’ “Topping Off” ceremony last Friday. – Photo by Francisco L. White

By Francisco L. White

A ceremony known as Topping Off was held at the construction site for the new East Somerville Community School on Friday, May 25. According to a banner that hung proudly from the building, topping off is an ironworkers tradition. The ceremony, which involves signing and placing the final beam on top of the structure, attracted several elected officials from the city and state levels, including Rep. Denise Provost.

Join with Mayor Joe Curtatone and the state legislative delegation Thursday evening, May 31, at the Argenziano School at 290 Washington Street to discuss the McCarthy Overpass. Should the state repair it or ground it? Which do you want?  The meeting will be held starting at 6 p.m. running through to 8p.m.This is a public hearing on the matter. Go and voice your opinion on what should happen.

Alderman Bruce Desmond praised the accomplishments by SCAP in substance abuse prevention education. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

Somerville Cares about Prevention conducted many new initiatives this past year with the desire to save underage kids from abusing drugs and alcohol.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Rod Kreimeyer.

Meet Rod Kreimeyer (with his wife Nancy) who lives here in Somerville and operates his business that he started and founded himself back in 1984. He is the proud owner of Best Pest Control Services on Elm Street right outside of Porter Square. Ron is a nice guy, and well liked by a lot here in the ‘Ville. He’s sort of semi-retired in the winter while he is in Florida, but he rushes back to the ‘Ville every early spring to get back into the thick of things.

The red hot Alibrandis are currently 3-1, looking to repeat their championship performances of 2011 and 2010. – Photo by Benjamin Klein

By Benjamin Klein

After winning their second consecutive championship last season, the Somerville Alibrandis looked to make it a three-peat with another strong year. Through their first four games of the 2012 Yawkey Baseball League season Somerville sits second in the Ted Williams Division at 3-1.

SomerVision’s twenty-year plan goes into action in June, impacting many Somerville neighborhoods.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Strategic Planning and Community Development Director Michael F. Glavin announced that the twenty-year plan, approved last month by the Somerville Board of Aldermen and City Planning Board would serve as the basis for a new round of initiatives across the city. The first of these will kick off in June with a release of a study of the RA and RB zoning districts that encompass the majority of Somerville’s residential neighborhoods.