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.)

Did you wear a three-piece white suit, wide collared shirts, and platform shoes? Were some of you ladies the proud owners of hot pants, mini dresses, and shoulder pads? With the recent passing of music legends Donna Summer and Bee Gee Robin Gibb, my thoughts are directed back to that golden age of Disco. What was Somerville people’s reaction to Disco? I asked some of my friends who were there to share some of their disco experiences. I can also speak first hand because I played in a disco band briefly.

By William Tauro

Four new police officers were sworn in after their approval by the Somerville Board of Aldermen.

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.)

McGrath Highway’s McCarthy Overpass is falling apart, and the Commonwealth’s transportation authorities are again treating Somerville like a second-class stepchild.

Aguacate Verde Restaurant in Porter Square recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The one year anniversary of the Aguacate Verde Restaurant, located at 13 Elm St. in Porter Square, was recently celebrated on a night that featured live music by Vicky Vega and Sergio Espinoza from Inkas Was.

This year's Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall Dan Hovanesian during his service in Vietnam (left) and receiving three medals from Major General Ross T. Dwyer on the day of his discharge.

Dan Hovanesian to be parade Grand Marshall
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By Elizabeth Sheeran

Somerville will remember all those who gave their lives for their country on Sunday, May 27, with a daylong program of events, including the largest Memorial Day parade in the state.

Sophomore Tien Phan (Somerville) at bat.

The Saint Clement Lady Anchors captured their fifth win of the season with a dramatic 7th inning win over Pope John 16-15 on Sunday, May 20, to bring their Catholic Central League record to 3-5 and overall record to 5-10.

By William Tauro

Over a hundred motorcycles from all over the state assembled on New Washington Street in Somerville on Thursday morning to ride into Boston to the steps of the state house for the annually “Storm the State House Rally.”

Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi said Somerville isn’t alone among school districts that choose to opt out of school choice

School Committee opts to stay out of inter-district program
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By Elizabeth Sheeran

The doors of Somerville’s public schools will remain closed to students from other school districts.

The School Committee this week voted to again opt out of offering inter-district school choice during the 2012-2013 school year, as it has done consistently since Massachusetts introduced statewide school choice two decades ago.

The Somerville Memorial Day Parade kicks off at City Hall this Sunday at 1 p.m., running up Highland Ave., through Davis, up to Teele, and then to Clarendon Hill. It should be a great day for it and, as in the recent past, it is said to be the biggest. Somerville does rock.

Eagle Feathers #1 – Something to Root For!

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Summer is here, so grab a cold beer! Root beer, that is. You are probably aware that root beer is not truly a “beer” in the way that most people today think of “beer”, which is the world’s most widely consumed alcoholic beverage. So why is the word “beer” part of the name of a soft drink? The answer can be traced back to one of our former Somerville residents. While there are various accounts regarding root beer’s etymology, the most popular belief is the story of a young Philadelphian pharmacist named Charles Hires and his friend Russell Conwell. Conwell, a Somerville resident, was the founder of Temple University and father of Leon Conwell, the nineteenth mayor of Somerville. Conwell Avenue, Conwell Street and the former Conwell School are all named after the pair.