– Photo by Adam Machson-Carter

A toxic mix for Somerville residents

By Adam Machson-Carter,
Groundwork Somerville

On Tuesday, February 7, more than 100 Somerville residents packed the community room at the Mystic Housing Development for a community meeting about the MBTA’s proposed fare increase and service cuts. The MBTA has put forward two proposals to fill a $160 million operating deficit for next year. One proposal includes increasing fares by as much as 43%, while the other would cut 101 weekday bus routes including the 80, 85, 90, 92, 95, and 96 in Somerville. Under both proposals, the MBTA would increase the cost of student and senior fares by 100%, while significantly increasing the cost of The Ride for disabled passengers.

We love our pets almost as much as we do our own children. Some of us maybe just as much or, sadly, more so. In our eyes they can seldom do wrong and they are always cute and lovable. Aren’t they?

“ZeroSortComeTogether:” This Grand Prize-Winning submission is a take on the Beatles’ popular album cover of "Abbey Road."

By Harry Kane

A city wide recycling contest encouraging the residents of Somerville to generate creative photos of the new 65-gallon wheeled carts was a “one of a kind contest,” Mayor Curtatone said.

Camilla Rutherford (Gosford Park and Darleeling Limited) is one of the stars of the film "Dimensions: A Line, A Loop, A Tangle of Threads," which will be shown at this year’s Boston Science Fiction Film Festival.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The Boston Science Fiction Film Festival will run through February 20 at the Somerville Theatre.

It started 37 years ago at the Orson Welles Cinemas, and it was the first genre film festival in the United States.

Boys Basketball

The St. Clement Anchormen moved closer to a State Tournament spot with a commanding win over Lowell Catholic on Friday, 68-57, upping their record to 9-8. Freshman Emaru Pena (Roxbury) led the effort with 18 points. The Anchormen hope to clinch a tournament spot this week with games against Lexington Minutemen Technical and Trinity Catholic on Thursday, February 16.

I have always been a proponent of a literary community to nurture young writers. Many a graduate of MFA programs have told me that the most important part of their experience was the community they were involved in for a couple of years. The chance to be with folks of their ilk and sensibility in a creative environment was at the top of their list. So I had this in mind when the affiliation between Endicott College and the Ibbetson Street Press of Somerville, Mass. was formed in Sept. 2010. The mission of the affiliation as we see it is to connect students with the greater Boston area literary scene, involve them in writing book reviews, interviews, and poetry, as well as literary activism–to make them solid literary citizens.

By Jim Clark 

Police responded to a silent alarm alert at the PSG Framing shop on Broadway last Sunday.

Officers arrived finding an open door at the shop while the lights in the building were turned off. Upon investigation, a man with a flashlight was found inside, appearing to be opening a toolbox, police said.

U.S. Representative Michael Capuano came into the SCATV studio for an hour-long interview with political writer and Public Strategies Group consultant, David Osborne. The in-depth interview covered the important topics of the day, such as the economy, the national debt, health care reform, tax policy, the environment, money in politics, and the upcoming elections.

Leave it to a medical scientist to get a different take on the heart during Valentine’s Day. Local poet Keith Tornheim goes to the heart of the matter and comes up with something unexpected.

Arrests:
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Paulo Neto, 47, of 414 Medford St., February 6, 10:20 a.m., arrested at Highland Ave. on a charge of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Robert Evans, 57, of 44 Stockbridge, Scituate, February 7, 9:45 a.m., arrested at 24 Porter St. on warrant charges of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.