By William C. Shelton

(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.)

Two weeks ago the mayor’s staff submitted an updated Union Square Revitalization Plan to the Board of Aldermen. It would commit the city to hundreds of millions in property acquisition and public-improvements investments over the next twenty years.

The Somerville Alibrandis have successfully taken their regular season winning momentum into the playoffs.

By Benjamin Klein

The Somerville Alibrandis have had a very successful season and that success has translated into postseason victories. Somerville won their first series with ease and recently won a best-of-five series over the Stoneham Sabers in order to advance into the Yawkey Baseball League championship series against the Malden Bulldogs.

– Photos by Kristen Hale

We submitted questions to the two candidates for State Representative, incumbent Rep. Denise Provost and opponent  Harry Kortikere.

Response by State Representative  Denise Provost

State Representative Denise Provost

Short bio:

I’ve lived almost my entire adult life in Somerville, first as a law student at Boston University. I was recruited to work in the administration of Mayor Eugene Brune, as Assistant City Solicitor in 1984. I met my husband working at Somerville City Hall, and we bought a home on Albion Street and raised our two daughters here. After the birth of my children, I practiced law privately, became involved in school, church and community groups, as well as Somerville’s Council for Children. These experiences inspired me to run for city government, and I served as Alderman-at-Large from 2000 to 2006. In February 2006 I was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in a special election. Since then I have worked full-time as a legislator, even putting aside my law practice. I have maintained extensive connections with individuals and community groups in the city, and have a child still attending Somerville High School.

Harry Kortikere

We submitted questions to the two candidates for State Representative, incumbent Rep. Denise Provost and opponent  Harry Kortikere.

Response by Harry Kortikere

Short bio:

I am a resident of Somerville and am a Ward 3 Committee Member (D) and a State Committee Member (D). I have graduate and undergraduate degrees in Engineering. Prior to joining Harvard Ext to pursue a Management degree, I spent over a decade in technology, business and consulting. I have been actively involved in politics and public policy for over a decade and have been part of various campaigns. I am passionate about helping local and small businesses, trade schools, promoting art and culture in our community, protecting workers rights, women’s rights and preserving our environment. I have supported the work of local organizations like “Groundwork Somerville.” I intend to bring a decade of experience in shaping policies that will help Massachusetts.

By Jim Clark

A vote to have the adoption of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) placed on the November 6, 2012 ballot passed without objection at the August 16 Special Meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

The John T. Forcellese Memorial Fund 12th annual Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, September 8, at the Falmouth Country Club on the cape. Tee time is 8:30 a.m.    Shotgun Start. All golfers much check in by 7:45 a.m. The format is a scramble scored by foursome. Entry fee is $100 per player and includes green fees, cart, and luncheon on site immediately following. There will be lots of prizes in three divisions. This is a great fundraiser for various scholarships to be given out here in Somerville as well as Falmouth. For more information go to www.johns-team.org.

Eagle Feathers #8 – A coffee break

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Have you had a cup of coffee today? If so, there’s a chance that the grounds used in brewing it were produced, packaged and distributed by one of the most successful businesses ever to come out of Somerville. That company, which still exists today, is Chase & Sanborn. The coffee company was established in 1863 by James Sanborn and Caleb Chase.

Congratulations are in order for the successful Somerville Fight Night fundraiser held last week at Dilboy Stadium, benefiting the Somerville Boxing Club. There was a good turnout and the crowd was thoroughly entertained by the event.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Nella Nunes-Rollins.

Meet Maria – for short Nella – Nunes-Rollins. She’s our proud pick for The Somerville News Person of the Week. Nella is married to another lifelong resident of Somerville, Bruce Rollins. Nella is just your happy go lucky real nice person who loves to play jokes on people, and people do like to play jokes on her. She’s got a great sense of humor, and is a very smart lady, too. Don’t let the everyday smile throw you, she can get her Somerville girl up and then watch out. She has a great relationship with all her friends and manages to keep in touch with everyone online on Facebook.