By Krysia Wazny

“Road Closed” signs lined the intersections of Highland Avenue from Walnut Street to Cedar Street, but traffic continued to pour through the area of another sort. People of all ages made their way on foot or bicycle from one end of the street to the other on a quest for fitness.

By Andrew Firestone

Tonight, July 27, at 6:00 p.m. begins the public forum of the city’s efforts to join the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), and thus save a possible $9.3 million. The meeting will be held as part of the Somerville Board of Aldermen Finance Committee in the Aldermanic Chambers of City Hall, and all are invited to attend.

The Finance Committee went over the ins-and-outs of the possible joining at a meeting on July 21, where a few of them raised concerns over the quality of hospitals opened to the those on the plan. President Rebekah Gewirtz of Ward 6 was especially passionate regarding the best care for those who have serious illness or injury.

The 4th place Alibrandis managed a 4-3 victory over Malden last week, bolstering their resolve to seize a playoff berth. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

The Somerville Alibrandis won last Wednesday evening against the Malden Bulldogs in a 4-3 victory. Manager Cam Lynch of the Alibrandis spoke about the night’s success. “This was a big win for us,” Lynch commented. Somerville is currently in 4th place out of 15 Yawkey League teams.  “With just a few games out of first we’ve now got the momentum to keep this up. There are 11 games left in the season and we’re trying to get our groove going for a play off run,” Lynch said.

“Bon Appétit” in three different languages. Adventurous diners sampled an eclectic mix of gastronomic delicacies during their one-night tasting tour of Union Square eateries. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

Ever taken a tour of three restaurants in one night? The Somerville Arts Council held a tasting tour in Union Square this past week to explore food and culture. The goal was to show the diversity of the square through the food offered by restaurants in the neighborhood.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police responded to calls last week of a trespasser, who had repeatedly been barred from the Clarendon Hill Property, 1366 Broadway, once again violating the order to stay away.

Responding officers reportedly spoke with security personnel at the property and were informed that the intruder had entered an apartment there.

Somerville Storm U14 split games last week with an extra inning win over Charlestown and a one run loss to Reading.

On Tuesday night, half-way into the season, the Storm grabbed their fourth win, equaling their win total from last season with a 9-8 win over Charlestown. The Storm gave a strong team effort behind the pitching of Jen Toner, who went the distance for the win. Eight of the Storm’s nine runs were scored by eight different players, with Emily O’Regan scoring twice. Amanda Grace went two for three driving in a pair of runs and Emily Woodman was a perfect three for three at the plate with a run scored.

Arrests:
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Derek Agresti, 41, July 18, 2:24 p.m., arrested at 400 Somerville Ave. on charges of shoplifting by asportation, threat to commit a crime, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

Christopher Brown, 31, of 50 River Rd., July 19, 2:09 a.m., arrested at home on a charge of assault and battery.

Laura Oliver, 39, of 79 Derby St., July 19, 4:24 p.m., arrested at 49 Derby St. on multiple warrant charges.

Parking at the Somerville Rink, Conway Park‏

(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.)

I am writing in as a concerned parent. I fail to understand why the people who work at the ice rink get front row parking and the parents who have to go there with their kids have to walk the farthest distance and carry all their equipment in the process in order to go the in the rink. I noticed today that there were people who play at the field next door and they had no place to park. I gentleman came out of the rink and confronted another person who was parked. He obviously worked at the rink and was telling the parent to move his car. That person in the SUV and the person from the rink had a few choice words with each other. I then noticed someone else had to step in to defuse the situation. This was obviously a fight about parking.

As you would expect, whenever I am in New York City I do a lot of walking. As it happens I was invited to be on a small press panel at the First Annual Writer’s Conference at Hunter College in NYC, founded by Lewis Burke Frumkes. It was a picture perfect day in June, so I walked from my brother’s apartment on 20th Street in the Chelsea section of the city, to 68th and Lexington—the home of Hunter College. I stopped at my favorite diner on the way, the “Malibu Diner’, an unlikely name for an eatery in the middle of a gritty thoroughfare. I ordered my lox and bagel and listened to the well-honed staccato chatter of a counterman from central casting with a regular: