~Photos by Bobbie Toner

The campaign web site of Ms. Katjana Ballantyne  for Alderman in Ward 7 has some interesting comments we found Tuesday. She goes after Alderman Bob Trane for not going to participate in a debate. She actually had the nerve to say “voters will miss the chance to hear from their Alderman, also that Trane’s refusal seems to give the impression that government is closed.” It further goes on to say, “government should be open and voters deserve to hear from their Alderman.” WOW! This from a lady who we hear called Joe Lynch up Tuesday afternoon to say now SHE WON’T participate in a candidate forum either. Why doesn’t she mention that on her web site?  Isn’t transparency wonderful when it’s one sided? So her campaign committee has Marty Martinez, who serves on the same Somerville Community Corp. board of directors (Katjana is past president of the board). Marty, who is on her committee (wonder how many other SCC board members are on her committee and if that’s legal?), is president of the PDS group that recruited her and endorsed her before the endorsements went out, but she wants you to believe that she’s transparent and for open government? She probably has a bridge for you to buy at a bargain price! Wonder if names of the SCC board of director’s past/present are also working in Ms. Katjana’s campaign?

Mayor Curtatone is calling for a fresh start and a fair chance for redemption for Cindy Hickey as she resumes her duties with the Council on Aging.

By Andrew Firestone

Following the release of a forensic independent audit, Council on Aging executive director Cindy Hickey has been cleared of any financial misdoings, and has returned to work. Hickey was found to have circumvented the financial process of the city by setting up a non-profit, called “Future Friends,” but did not benefit from the situation financially.

Members of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 2222, along with some of their family members, were out in force, advocating for their common good. - Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Andrew Firestone

Amidst the vitriolic protests taking place nationwide for the last two weeks, a few members of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 2222 found themselves picketing a Somerville Verizon office. There, they fought for their rights as workers.

How sweet it is, and sticky, too. The prototype beehive at the Somerville Community Garden is adding a new dimension to the Growing Center’s diverse repertoire of activities. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

The Somerville Community Garden hosted an informal seminar on National Honey Bee Day to share factual information on the joys and challenges of beekeeping.  The Growing Center is a microcosm of an agricultural setting and the bees are a new and important part of the garden. Emma Oster is a beekeeper at the Growing Center and she expressed her fondness for the industrious insects.  “I love bees and I think that the most important thing for people to know is that they are not bad and that you shouldn’t be afraid of them.”  Of course, that is unless you are allergic to bees, in which case it is advisable that you should avoid them.

By Jim Clark

Two suspected heroin dealers were targeted for investigation by the Somerville Police Drug Control Unit last week.

Surveillance was established for the residence of Jessica Killeen, 26, at 173 Pearl Street. Killeen was reportedly observed making several short trips away from her home over the course of a single afternoon, at times taking brief rides in vehicles and being let out to walk back home, according to police.

The mythos of the Great American Dream is something that has inspired much greatness of achievement in the past, the present, and, hopefully, the future.

Millions of people the world over embrace the dream as they long for lives with greater opportunities for themselves and for their children.

Compassionate Americans are generous in their understanding that the greatness of this country was built upon the diversity of its immigrant population. That most of our ancestors came from somewhere afar and made good in “the land of opportunity.”

Alibrandis ace pitcher Andrew Babb burns one into the plate in game three of the series match up with the Medford Maddogs. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

Game three of the series between Somerville and Medford began with Bernie Driscol’s walk to first base. This gave David Scioli some impetus to drill an RBI double into center field bringing in Bernie and making it 1-0 in favor of Alibrandis.

In the bottom of the first Medford struck back with multiple hits. In a matter of minutes the score was tied at one and the bases were loaded. Pitcher Andrew Babb dealt the pitch to the next Medford batter who lined the ball to the third baseman Sal Mendonca.  Sal missed the ball and a runner would score, but as the next Maddog runner rounded third base Mendonca redeemed himself by retrieving the ball and throwing out the base runner at home plate.

Poet Matthew Ganem writes the LYRICAL: “I’m a former resident that still hangouts in the city. I have a book coming out in the fall through Books of Hope  based in Somerville. The poem basically describes losing someone that was just with you and some of the stages of grief. Danny Nunes, James Slattery, Stephen Pacheco and Michael Sparks  were close friends that passed away and this is a piece dedicated to them. ”

Somerville Police are seeking to identify the suspect who robbed a woman early Tuesday morning.  Shortly before 8:00 a.m., a 25 year old Somerville woman was putting a bag in the back seat of her SUV on Lincoln St. at the corner of Lincoln Ave, when a male in his mid twenties approached her and ripped the Victim’s pocketbook form her right shoulder. The victim fought back but the assailant was able to get her handbag from her.  The suspect then fled easterly on Broadway toward Sullivan Square, Charlestown.