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.)

Despite the fact that a lot of my snowplowing friends are understandably bummed out, this is still a great time of year. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sun, Mar 11. That’s less than a month away! (I love using exclamation points!) That’s when we spring forward and get an extra hour of daylight. I hope I don’t jinx us by writing about spring, but I can’t help it. I’m all excited! Compared to last winter we got off really easy, although there is still plenty of winter left and plenty of snow that could fall. However, the winter of 2011-2012 just may be a record breaker. Hopefully, we will continue to be spared by Mother Nature. “Red Sox pitchers and catchers will hold their first workouts Feb. 21. Position players report Feb. 23 and the first full team workout will be held on the 25th.” The Sox equipment truck was scheduled to arrive in Florida for spring training yesterday.

February 25 Open House to Enlighten, Educate, and Inform

Joining with Masonic lodges across the Commonwealth, Freemasons meeting in Somerville at 125 Highland Ave (rear building), will open their doors to the public on Saturday, February 25, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., as part of the 2012 Early Spring Open House, a state-wide celebration of Freemasonry. If you’ve ever wondered who the Freemasons are, whether they are the descendants of the Knights Templars, or what the inside of their building looks like, here’s your chance to find out.

To mark 40 years of helping the developmentally disabled lead productive, happy and fulfilling lives, the Walnut Street Center will hold its first annual gala on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at the Somerville Armory. The gala will honor the pioneering figures from the organization’s past while reaffirming its commitment to the future.

Candidate Maria Curtatone going over her campaign locations support stations in forty-four Middlesex County cities and towns

By William Tauro

Candidate for Middlesex County Registrar of Deeds Maria Curtatone held her first organizational rally tonight at Sound Bites Restaurant in Somerville.

By Ruth Ronen and Meghan Bouchard

(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.)

Many Somerville parents were surprised when a proposal to create a second charter school in the city became public late last year.  A group of concerned parents and community members organized to quickly raise awareness, drive attendance at the public meeting and lead a letter-writing campaign to oppose the charter.  The State will decide on the proposal later this month.

In a statement released this afternoon by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Commissioner Mitchell Chester announced that he would not be recommending approval of the charter application submitted by the Somerville Progressive Charter School.    Commissioner Chester announced that he will recommend that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) grant approval of four of the six final charter school proposals submitted in November of 2011, but that charter proposals from Somerville and Springfield not receive Board approval.  A vote by the full Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on the Commissioner’s recommendation is scheduled to take place at the BESE meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2012.

The art and science of acupuncture is rapidly gaining more acceptance in the West. ~Photo by Harry Kane

By Chris Leo Palermino

Tucked away in the corner of a hair salon in Ball Square is an alternative to the Western medicine that the U.S. has come to know and trust.

Begun by two graduates of the New England School of Acupuncture in Newton, the Amal Niccoli Salon recently converted one of their beauty rooms into an acupuncture treatment room.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the K-Mart store on Middlesex Avenue last Friday as the store’s Loss Prevention personnel reported that a suspected shoplifter had been detained and was becoming combative, police said.

Performance by native Somerville actor, Albert Cremin, to mark Charles Dickens’ birthday.  Event is free thanks to funding from Friends of the SPL.
The Somerville Public Library invites all interested residents to attend a unique birthday celebration in honor of Charles Dickens, who would have been 200 this year.  In honor of the literary giant, the Central Branch Library, at 79 Highland Ave.,  will host a performance by Somerville actor, director, choreographer and teacher, Albert Cremin, entitled, Introducing Mr. Charles Dickens, Sunday, February 19, 2:30-3:30 p.m .  The program is recommended for residents ages 10 and older.  Refreshments will be served.

By Harry Kane

Statistics from the most recent census data provide some insight into the economic recession. Small business owners in Somerville haven’t lost hope and are even encouraged by the growth in the last few months.

The Somerville unemployment rate sits at 4.5 percent, while the national unemployment rate dropped last month to 8.3 percent. The unemployment rate for the state of Massachusetts is 6.8 percent.