The King Organization cordially invites you to join Somerville’s Mayor Joseph Curtatone for a ribbon cutting ceremony and breakfast on Monday, September 19,  2011 at 9:30 a.m.

New policy takes effect
Monday, September 26
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Starting Monday, September 26, the City of Somerville will begin issuing parking violations to motor vehicles with expired registrations and inspection stickers. The new policy was approved during the City budget deliberation process in June and the violations will cost $50.

By William C. Shelton

(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.)

Over the last two decades, the in-migration of people who make their living as professionals has changed Somerville. In some ways this continues an immigration pattern that goes back to the mid 19th Century.

Between 1850 and 1900, the city’s emerging industrial economy drew thousands of Irish immigrants. When Italians came here between 1900 and 1930, many of the incumbent Irish greeted them with suspicion and, often, discrimination.

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Way, way off
on his final road
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From the introduction of “ Way, Way Off the Road: The Memoirs of The Invisible Man” by Hugh Fox (Ibbetson Street Press)

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Several years ago the Ibbetson Street Press published a Hugh Fox poetry collection “Angel of Death.” I had never actually met Fox in the flesh, but I was aware of his substantial contributions to the small press over the past 40 years. Fox was a founding member of COSMEP, (a seminal small press organization), a founding member of the PUSHCART PRIZE, and edited the groundbreaking anthology “ The Living Underground,” to name just a few achievements.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police responded to a report of a trespasser last Friday at Clarendon Hill Towers on Broadway.

After a prolonged search the alleged unwanted man was finally spotted sitting in the stairway on the eighth floor, smoking a cigarette, police said.

Sarah Davila and Anne Herzberg work with English Language Learners at the Welcome Center of SHS. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

Welcome Center the ‘envy’ of systems

By Andrew Firestone

Somerville is a city celebrated for its diversity, a fact that has been translated at times to ill effect among usual statistics in education ranking systems. A total of 52 percent of all students in the public schools come from families where English is not the first language spoken at home, while a total of 18 percent are classified as having limited proficiency.

By Harry Kane

On Saturday the Brasileiro Festival at Union Square brought Brazilians from around the area to meet the local community and highlight their music and food. “It’s part of our arts union series,” said Rachel Strutt, Program Manager at the Somerville Arts Council. “This series is about promoting cultural and economical development at Union Square. So, that means we want to celebrate culture and contribute to stimulate the local economy.”

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a Broadway residence around midnight last Saturday on a complaint of naked individuals in the rear of the house.

Upon arrival, officers reportedly made their way to the rear of the building, whereupon two individuals, a man and a woman, were allegedly found to be in a state of undress and engaged in sexual activity, police said.

– Photos and video by Harry Kane

The festivities along Shore Drive began around noon on Sunday. “This is the fourth out of five events in the Somerstreet series,” said Carlene Cambell, the Director of Community Relations. “This is our second year in existence. The whole theory behind this is shutting down separate parts of the city and exploring it.”

Federal Realty Investment Trust, with the City of Somerville, is celebrating the future of Assembly Row with the fourth annual Riverfest event on Saturday, September 17th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The event will feature music, performers, family activities, and food. Riverfest will conclude with a fireworks display along the Mystic River. All Riverfest food sales will benefit Not Just Lego, a new after school program launching at Somerville’s Arthur D. Healey School.

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Happy Birthday to some ‘Villens here – A big Happy Birthday to School Committeewomen from Ward 1 Maureen Cuff-Bastardi this week. She is very popular down in East Somerville. We wish her well and hope she is having a great day. Also, Matt Ferreira. Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane turns 50 this week. Wow! We thought he was older – LOL. Finally, this week HB to Vivian Quinlin and Gary DeCicco, and to everyone who is celebrating this week. We wish you a great day for yourself.