State legislators are taking bold, and decidedly controversial steps in making the prospect of casino gambling in Massachusetts a reality. Many important factors have been examined and analyzed, and it looks like a solid majority of lawmakers and their constituents now stand in favor of the proposed measure.

A long time coming: Planners are actively seeking solutions to the redevelopment of the McGrath Highway corridor question.

Study to de-elevate highway in motion

By Andrew Firestone

Representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation have begun in earnest their search for a solution to the McGrath Highway question. Noting poor quality of lighting, disrepair of infrastructure, and an ultimately untenable situation for pedestrians and bikers, the beginning of the end of the elevated highway seems to be nigh.

The Somerville High School Freshman Girls Volleyball team enjoyed another victory this week, this time against Malden.

The Highlanders won in two sets with scores of 25-17 and 25-18.

Klezwoods will rock Johnny D’s Uptown Wednesday night, Ottoman Empire style.

An evening with Klezwoods and Elephant Wrecking Ball

By Jim Clark

The stage at Jonnny D’s Uptown in Davis Square has served as host to a widely diverse range of musical and performance styles through the years, but an even higher level of uniqueness may be achieved this week as two of the area’s most idiosyncratic and engaging groups join forces to bring Somerville a taste of their own especially mellifluous merriment.

Steven Ablon is a psychiatrist whose main purpose as a poet is( in his words) “to break your heart.” Ablon, a Harvard Medical School faculty member who is well-seasoned in the practice of psychoanalysis, is acquainted with heart break. In his poetry he wants his words to be strongly evocative. He wants to reach the reader on a visceral level.

And indeed Ablon achieves this with his new book of poetry “Night Call.” Neeta Jain, Poetry Editor of The Journal of General Internal Medicine writes:

“In Night Call, Ablon slows us down so we can examine moments in medicine with him. He balances harsh, clinical reality of human frailty with the sweetness of compassion. A master poet, Albon uses poems to expose this tension as he masters medicine from student to physician.”

Athena, in Greek Mythology, is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, female arts, crafts, justice and skill. Somerville singer, songwriter Jennifer Matthews sent us a poem in tribute to this ancient deity. By the way, Matthews is back in Somerville after a long trek in Alaska, New Mexico, Austin, Texas and Europe. She is recording a new album Tales of a Salty Sweetheart. For more information go to http://jennifermatthews.com

Arrests:
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Mark Bowler, 57, of 10 Sewall St., September 19, 7:00 a.m., arrested at 14 Chapel St. on charges of open and gross lewdness and indecent assault and battery.

Michele Megan, 42, of 3 Quincy St., September 20, 10:49 a.m., arrested at Broadway on a charge of resisting arrest and a warrant charge of unarmed robbery.

If you’re in a room with ten other Somerville residents, two of them are likely to be poor.

Over 13,000 Somerville residents lived below the poverty level last year, according to figures the U.S. Census Bureau released on September 22.  One out of ten families in this city struggled to survive on an income below the poverty level ($22,050 for a family of four).  Somerville is part of a nationwide trend.  Across the U.S., the 2010 poverty rate was the highest rate since 1993.

Owner and Operator of Found Meredith Bennett with her mother and co-worker Marjorie Altshculer. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Next time you are in Davis Square, why not head over to the new high-end consignment shop “Found,” located next to the Foundry. Meredith Bennett of Newton has set up shop, procuring only the best in consigned clothing and accessories from Florida, New York, and Washington D.C.

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.)

If you pass by the offices of Wedgwood- Crane & Connolly at 19 College Ave and glance into the window, you will see part of my Somerville artifacts collection.