By Jim Clark

Police officers took notice of suspicious activity in Davis Square last Thursday as a man joined two women in a car that took a short drive from nearby the Statue Park area to the driveway of the Tedeschi market on College Avenue, just a few dozen yards away, according to reports.

Access to the Inner Belt through the "tubes" can be an issue at times, but how long until the problem is solved?

By Andrew Firestone

With a few of the Mayor’s major developments on their way, City and State officials have begun considering the further development of another site nearby, the Inner Belt / Brickbottom neighborhoods of Somerville.

While Assembly Square may be an example of transforming a huge, dormant area into a lively urban village, the 125 acre Inner Belt faces another issue: how to transform a landlocked area with businesses already there into a transit-oriented urban center. The Inner Belt currently houses some industry, including the Angelica Linen Service, the city’s largest employer, and 200 artists at the nearby Brickbottom artist’s refuge.

By Krysia Wazny

Maybe it was the open air on a warm night or the refreshing glimpse of original art. Perhaps it was the coming together of friends and family for some laughs. Or maybe it was just the shorts. Whatever the reason, all felt welcome in Union Square last Saturday.

The Annual Somerville ArtBeat is this Friday and Saturday in Davis Square. It’s a great time with lots of activities for the entire family. It gets bigger and bigger every year. This year the planners, the Somerville Arts Council, were busy making sure a wide variety of things will be going on.  There is a suggested donation of $3. This is a wonderful two-day event. Bring the entire family.

By Andrew Firestone

This year, the City raised $104,589,916 in Real Estate or Personal taxes for the 2012 fiscal budget, an increase of over four million dollars from the previous year. While four million dollars is a good deal of money, it is important to note how this came to be; through Proposition two and a half, a measure approved by voters almost 30 years ago. The City was able to raise their levy by a two and a half percent limit, or the most that they are able to in a fiscal year, and then got the rest through new commercial properties. They cannot exceed this limit in the taxes on properties that already exist.

The Pirates of Pancake Island animation team in action: (L to R) Jeanne Flanagan, Bill Trudell, Melitta King, and Shannon Daly.

By Michelle Cooper

Since 2005 Somerville Community Access Television  has won the National Alliance for community media award six times. This year it was for best animation film by non-professionals. Never mind all the other awards they have received for being a great community access television center. The winner this year was Pirates of Pancake Island by Jeanne Flanagan, Bill Trudell, Melitta King, and Shannon Daly.

Surf’s up, kids! Let’s hit the beach, the woods, the art gallery – whatever gets you out there. Summer is here and it’s time to go places, see people, and enjoy life to the fullest.

Whether it be camping at its best while visiting our friends and neighbors to the north, or sliding down for a lazy sun-drenched weekend at the Cape, ‘Villens know how to make the most of what the season has to offer.

The Somerville Storm U14 increased their winning streak to three games this past week with a pair of wins over Belmont and Woburn.

After falling behind Belmont 3-0 in the first, Jen Toner took the mound and the Storm defense allowed only two runs in the next four innings to win the game 12-5.  The Storm defense recorded nine put outs in those four innings, anchored by solid shortstop play from Brianna Dell’Isola in the infield, Brenna Foristall in the outfield and a running catch at second by Dierdre Matthews to end the game.

Rep. Sciortino is regarded as a stalwart champion for rights and benefits to social workers, children, and families by the National Association of Social Workers. Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Representative Carl Sciortino of Medford and Somerville has won the 2011 Legislator of the Year award from the National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter, sharing the award with his colleague state Senator James Eldridge of Acton.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police and fire department officers were called to the Central Street and Highland Avenue area in the early hours of Saturday to reports of unruly crowds of people who were fighting and shouting in the middle of the street.

Authorities managed to break the gathering up into smaller groups, ordering participants to disperse and leave the area. Certain individuals, though, were reportedly not cooperating and continued to shout at local residents who were, in turn, yelling at the street rabble from the windows of their homes, complaining about the noise on the ground.