Construction to start this fall, opening planned for 2014
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The first new MBTA rapid transit station since 1987 is slated to start construction later this fall thanks to a $29,229,184 contract awarded today by the MassDOT Board of Directors. S&R Construction Co., Inc. of Lowell, Mass. will build the new station, which is slated to open in 2014.

FCGC Volunteer helps young girl with pumpkin decorating.

By Tiffani M. Westbrook

Pumpkin carving was the favorite activity at the 17th annual Somerville Community Growing Center Harvest Festival this weekend. Organizers packed the event with so many hands-on activities, from butter churning to cider making, that many children did not want to leave when the event was over at 5:30 p.m. The festival focused on introducing the tastes and smells of nature to the city folks of Somerville. The center invited the community into their urban oasis behind Union Square where locals were encouraged to interact with nature and create change.

Somerville Homeless Coalition fundraiser draws 900 runners



– Photos by Harry Kane

The Somerville Homeless Coalition can continue working everyday to end homelessness and near-homelessness in Somerville and Greater Boston thanks in part to the efforts of organizers and participants of the 16th Annual Somerville 5K Road Race.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police officer’s suspicions were aroused last Saturday as they observed a man pacing up and down a portion of Broadway while almost continuously using a cell phone, according to reports.

At about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Somerville Police responded to 10 Illinois Avenue for a report of gunshots.  Upon the arrival of police, they discovered a 35 year old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the front porch.  The victim was transported to an area hospital where his wounds were determined to be non-life threatening.  Police also discovered a parked vehicle that had also been struck by a single gunshot.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

The theme for this year’s parade was SHARE – sharing the road, sharing skills, resources, and the upbeat HONK! spirit. Led by the Mayors of Somerville and Cambridge, the parade featured all the HONK! bands, plus the Bread & Puppet Theater, the impromptu “community band,” and many local arts and community organizations, such as Green Streets Initiative, Bikes Not Bombs, 350.org, Open Air Circus, Puppeteers Cooperative, Livable Streets, and Sprout. The parade left Davis Square, at noon and made its way to Harvard Square’s Oktoberfest celebration in Cambridge.

Michael Glavin is ready to step in at the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development.

Brings corporate,
public sector experience

By Andrew Firestone

Last week, the city named its new head of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Michael Glavin, who starts on October 17. He is bringing with him 20 years of experience working in community finance in both the public and private sector, including a lengthy stint at Bank of Boston during its eventual transformation into Bank of America. Glavin, a Bostonian born and raised, comes to Somerville from the Boston Redevelopment Authority, where he worked on Harvard University’s expansion into Allston, but brings expansive work in urban finance and business development.

The Chamber of Commerce After Hours business meeting this month is at the Mt. Vernon Restaurant, 14 Broadway, East Somerville, from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, October 6. It’s a great time to business network and maybe a good idea for those who are seeking employment to consider attending as well. It attracts a great many business leaders here in Somerville.

No Child Left Behind ‘meaningless’

By Andrew Firestone

Massachusetts educators have apparently had enough of the federal “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) guidelines, and are seeking a waiver to get out of the program. They are joined by Anthony Pierantozzi, who said that the program, which uses test scores to determine whether a school is “failing” or not, and decides allocation of funding. One of the main gripes the state has had with the program is the requirement that 100 percent of students be “proficient” in English by 2014, or local education systems could face takeover by the state.

What goes up must come down. This fundamental law of nature is learned by all at a very young age and remains a constant throughout our lives. It even applies to the mighty works of mankind. Be it concrete and steel or bread and butter, each and every thing we can conceive of and construct will, at some point in time, outlive its usefulness and perish from this earth.