Elections committee member Tony Alibrandi verifies the ballot votes while Captain Paul Trant qualifies them late Tuesday for the Ward 7 Alderman primary. ~Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

The Ward 7 primary came in with a close call this last Tuesday, September 13, when Katjana Ballantyne narrowing lost to the incumbent Robert Trane 531 votes to 538. The two will meet again at the polls in November for the general election for alderperson.

“I’m proud that I topped the ticket,” said Trane in a statement, “I believe that tonight’s vote is an endorsement of my record. I look forward to discussing issues as I walk the streets of Ward 7.”

– Photos  and video by Harry Kane

On Sunday afternoon Somerville paused to grieve the victims of 9/11. The remembrance ceremony brought people of all races and creeds together to mourn those who lost their lives ten years ago. Police, firefighters, and residents made their way into Davis Square about ten minutes before the hour.  Those who had congregated around the circular memorial waited in anticipation of the Mayor’s speech. “At one o’clock exactly, around the country sirens and bells will chime, ring, and declare in memorializing those we’ve lost on that day,” stated Mayor Curtatone.

The Book of Arrows the poetry of Mike Amado as edited by Jack Scully and Nancy Brady Cunningham has been just released from the Cervena Barva Press of Somerville, Mass. Mike was a member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards and died of kidney failure at age 34. I decided to use a poem from this collection in the LYRICAL. Here is a statement from the editors:

Total votes  1256*

Alderman Robert Trane  538

Katjana Ballantyne  531

Joan Whitney Puglia  187

Arrests:
*

Shawn St. Laurent, 32, of 56 Broadway, September 6, 5:14 p.m., arrested at 88 Broadway on warrant charges of attempt to commit a crime, disorderly conduct, trespassing, defacing property, and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Carolina Lopez, 31, of 86 Wheatland St., September 6, 7:00 p.m., arrested at home on charges of threat to commit a crime and assault with a dangerous weapon.

( L to R) Somerville Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi, Somerville High School Headmaster Tony Ciccariello, Italian Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli, Mayor of Gaeta Italy Antonio Raimondi and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. - Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Mayor Joseph Curtatone hosted a luncheon Monday  honoring Somerville’s sister city Mayor Antonio Raimondi of Gaeta Italy and Italian Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli at Pescatore Italian Restaurant in Ball Square.
Mayor Antonio Raimondi was born and raised in a home on Somerville Avenue  before becoming the Mayor of Gaeta , Italy.

Collecting sports memorabilia can become a game changer once the bug bites you. - Photo courtesy of Kenneth Gloss

By Kenneth Gloss

Since the incredible World Series win of 2004 by the Boston Red Sox, interest in all sports has increased and over the past 25 years, interest in sports collectibles has continued to skyrocket. Baseball has been particularly popular – it is the epitome of America. There is a little bit of baseball woven throughout much of the American story, and there are books to collect for every era, every team, every league and every standout player in the history of the game.

On Sunday,  the 10th anniversary of the September 11 events in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, Somerville will remember those who lost lives or loved ones with a vigil walk into Davis Square as we do annually.

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.)

The summer of 2011 is officially in the books. It was a busy summer in Somerville. Many city run activities kept the kids occupied. Older teens got jobs through the Mayor’s summer Jobs program. There were camps, concerts, and festivals. SomerStreets closed down stretches of busy roadways so we could enjoy entertainment and purchase food and crafts from local merchants. We saw a rise in bicycle riding throughout the city. We also got to enjoy The Sunsetters at various locations throughout the city. The Boston Bruins gave us a thrilling start to summer when they clinched the Stanley Cup on June 15. The Senior Picnic was a smash as usual with perfect weather.

September may be upon us, but lots of summertime fun can be had at the Saturday, September 10 SomerStreets event – Rolling on the Mystic. The festivities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. along Shore Drive.

Like the other SomerStreets events that have taken place this summer, the street will be closed to vehicular traffic and opened up for walking, biking and skating. Music, children’s activities and craft vendors all will be part of the mix, with the Mystic River set as the backdrop. Canoes will be available at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse.