Former “Occupy Boston” occupier Devin Mack, with friend.

By Andrew Firestone

Devin Mack has had a transformational experience with the Occupy movement and he’s not giving up.

“I’m trying to find my place in society, being fresh out of the military,” said Mack who served in several branches of the military from 2005 to 2010. He says he tried college, going for criminal justice, but stopped a few credits shy of his paralegal. “Even if I get that, is there going to be any job opportunities for me?”

Somerville Bagel Bard Dennis Daly reviews the latest book by Somerville’s Ibbetson Street Press. To order ” Choir of Day” by Robert K. Johnson  and other Ibbetson titles go to http://lulu.com/ibbetsonpress

Ah yes. The paperboy days:  my green account book, the papers thrown with a direct hit in the bushes, the ramshackle newspaper office and the smell of cheap cigars, the bark of unappreciative dogs or old men at the door when I collected. This was in the early 60’s in the suburbs of New York: remember the Long Island Press?  Poet Tomas O’Leary remembers delivering papers in Somerville in the 1950’s.

FBI and Medford Police seek the public’s assistance to identify those responsible for a  $200,000 ATM theft

A $20,000 Reward is being offered

The FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the Medford Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to obtain information about those allegedly responsible for stealing money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Medford, MA.

Arrests:
*

Daniel Merrill, 26, of 130 Morrison Ave., December 5, 9:28 a.m., arrested at 250 Elm St. on multiple charges of armed robbery, unarmed robbery, and false bomb threat.

Robert Flagg, 19, December 5, 11:57 p.m., arrested at 7 Holyoke Rd. on charges of operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, leaving the scene of property damage, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

As you know, getting a flu vaccine is one important step you can take to keep you and your family healthy, and it is terrific that many of you are trying to make plans to get vaccinated.

The City  will be conducting flu clinics (for adults and children 3 years of age and older) every Thursday evening at the Health Department, 1st floor City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Avenue) from 5-7 P.M until December 15. Parents must accompany their children in order to provide consent. They will be offering vaccine at no out-of-pocket charge during these clinic hours, but if you are insured, please bring your card with you as we may be able to recoup a portion of the cost of providing this service. Please call the Public Health Nurses at 617-625-6600, ext. 4320 or ext. 4306 if you have any questions, including scheduling an appointment after December 15.

By Andrew Firestone

Come down and check out the Artisan’s Asylum in their newly reopened and relocated location at 10 Tyler St. Featuring artist space, classes, and the headquarters of the SKULs biker gang, the new location has everything an artist could hope for. Aside from great company of 150 members, awesome art, and an emulator arcade machine with every single arcade game ever on it, the 31,000 sq. ft. facility features seven full shop and craft areas and a classroom.

Park Cards have been in circulation since 2006; New City meters, pilot programs continue to add incentives for Park Card payment; Ad Lab campaigns will be introduced in 2012.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Director of Traffic & Parking Matt Dias announced this month a partnership at Boston University’s AdLab, to work with students to create on an ongoing campaign to increase use of City-issued Park Cards.  Park Cards, in circulation since 2006, can be purchased through the City of Somerville in $20 or $50 increments, and conveniently eliminate the need to carry quarters for parking meters, as well as allowing users to recoup their money for any unused parking time.  In recent months, T&P has undergone several meter and parking kiosk pilot programs and, if implemented citywide, each device would continue to allow use of Park Cards.

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.)

Somerville is packed with intelligent people who know how to “talk proper” when we have to. But that doesn’t stop us from reverting to our language comfort zone. Maybe when we are among fellow long-time residents, or lifers, do we go back to using good old Somerville slang. Now this does not include everyone so you may say, “Hey, I never said that!” Well, you may never have said it but a lot of us have! Most of these slang terms pertain to most of the Boston area also.

Celebrate the season and contribute to the healthy development of Somerville students by purchasing a tree or wreath at the Foss Park Tree Lot.  Trees cost between $19 & $49, depending on type and size.  Wreaths cost $15 and come adorned with a red velvet bow.