“Occupy Somerville” participants focused on their grievances against Bank of America last week. – Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Politico-economics took on a local flavor this last Saturday, December 10, when Occupy Somerville took to Davis Square. Organized by local activist Matt McLaughlin, the protest included passionate speeches, a march to the local Bank of America branch, and the closing of at least three accounts there by local residents.

Riverfront Park along the Mystic River is slated for a major upgrade, paid for by the Assembly Row developer.

Riverfront Park gets facelift from Assembly Row project

By Elizabeth Sheeran

A place to stroll or bike along the riverbank under the shade of trees. To look out over the water, watching the sailboats and birds as they come and go. To take in an outdoor concert, have a picnic or toss a Frisbee. You soon won’t have to head to the Esplanade for that kind of a place. It will be right here in Somerville, along the Mystic River.

By Max Sullivan

After months of struggling, outreach group Groundwork Somerville finally made progress in getting people living in Clarendon Hill involved in the North Street Park renovations, drawing around 50 people to Friday night’s meeting.

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:
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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.