By Andrew Firestone

Mario Oliveira returns to work

Sometimes heroism is as plain to see as the nose on your face. In Somerville, Detective Mario Oliveira proved that in spades. Wounded in an attempt to arrest a suspected gun-seller, Oliveira proved his mettle by quietly returning to work in March.

By Savath Yong

The Somerville Arts Council’s 15th annual Illuminations Trolley Tour took place on Saturday, December 17, to sold out crowds who ventured bravely into the chilly New England air to experience the holiday lights display of East, Central and newly added to the tour this year, West neighborhoods of Somerville.

Happy New Year to all our readers and fans. We hope that everyone has a great New Year in 2012 and that the economy gets better.

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This Sunday, January 1, is the 236th Anniversary of the “Grand Union” Flag Raising. George Washington stood on Prospect Hill on January 1, 1776, watching the British. The ceremony will begin with a march from City Hall to the monument on Prospect Hill at 11:30 a.m. with the ceremony beginning at 12 noon. Join with Mayor Joe Curtatone at the ceremony. Again, this year’s ceremony was planned by the Historic Preservation Commission. Director Brandon Wilson is the host.

The New Year’s celebration is a time to examine what has transpired in the year that has gone by, and to look forward to what may be coming in the future.

This past year has brought many challenges to the fore. Whether it was dealing with the faltering economy, unemployment problems, or any number of other troubling issues, most Somervillians enjoy a certain resilience and tenacity of spirit that inspires us to hang in with an optimistic attitude.

By Andrew Firestone

After some urging from Stan Koty, director of the Somerville Department of Public Works, the Somerville Board of Aldermen has refused to issue any work permits to NStar Electric until they negotiate a proper resolution to the constant power outages, unfinished street paving and unresponsive streets lights. This means that, until they have made proper concessions to the City, no new work will be done.

Poet and writer Ralph Pennel met me in the comforting confines of the Bloc 11 Café in Union Square, Somerville to talk about the writing life. Pennel has moved from his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Somerville, Mass. He lives in the hinterlands of our town, where the Spanish eatery Dali looks across the street to the Wine Cask. Pennel reflected on the differences of the Midwest to that of New England:

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a report of a disabled vehicle in the roadway in the early hours of last Saturday.
Upon arrival, police reportedly observed two vehicles stopped in the middle of Alston Street. The female driver of one car was questioned and reportedly said, “This car in front of me will not move and has his hazards on.” As police did not readily spot the driver of the other vehicle the woman was then asked if she knew where the driver went to and she replied that she did not, police said.

After a full day of head-to-head Pokémon™ Trading Card Game (TCG) battles, Somerville youth,  Adon Goodpaster clinched second place at the 2011 Somerville Pokémon City Championships, earning a top city ranking and Championship Points which count toward a potential invitation to the Pokémon U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana next summer.

By Jim Clark

While making a random query of Massachusetts Registration utilizing the CJISWEB application, a Somerville police officer on patrol last week discovered outstanding warrants applying to the vehicle in question.

In the winter we need poetry of the days of summer to warm us. So I decided to make the Lyrical a literal “day at the beach,” with a poem by  local poet Denise Mostacci Sklar.  Sklar  is a dancer who has taught and performed in New York City and Boston.  She is a personal trainer in the Gyrotonic method of body work. She practices Tai Chi and has recently begun to write poetry, studying with Marc Olmsted  and  Dan Sklar.