A culmination of good financing plans and sound economic development strategy, Conway Park will have a new ice rink completed in 2012. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Conway park saw  the inklings of a new era this last Friday, September 9, when Mayor Joseph Curtatone, flanked by aldermen and representative Tim Toomey broke ground on the new rink adjacent to the Veteran’s Memorial Rink.

The Yawkey League Champion Alibrandis fought hard their well earned victory over the Maldem Bulldogs. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

The Somerville Alibrandis won the Yawkey League Championship in the playoff series against the Malden Bulldogs. This is the twelfth year in fifteen years that the Alibrandis have won the championship and the second year in a row. Ted Dzuiba and Chris Foundas received co MVP’s. Dzuiba finished the post season with a .529 AVG. Chris Foundas had a 1.00 ERA in his 4 winning games of the post season.

By Jim Clark

Undercover officers from the Somerville Police Department Narcotics/Vice Unit became suspicious of certain activities in the Morrison Avenue and Willow Avenue area last week and took steps to investigate further.

According to reports, two males were observed hanging out in the area, coming and going from a local variety store, sometimes pacing up and down the street, and frequently making use of a cell phone. On occasion, one man would duck into a nearby driveway as the other man appeared to be standing as look out, police said.

Elections committee member Tony Alibrandi verifies the ballot votes while Captain Paul Trant qualifies them late Tuesday for the Ward 7 Alderman primary. ~Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

The Ward 7 primary came in with a close call this last Tuesday, September 13, when Katjana Ballantyne narrowing lost to the incumbent Robert Trane 531 votes to 538. The two will meet again at the polls in November for the general election for alderperson.

“I’m proud that I topped the ticket,” said Trane in a statement, “I believe that tonight’s vote is an endorsement of my record. I look forward to discussing issues as I walk the streets of Ward 7.”

– Photos  and video by Harry Kane

On Sunday afternoon Somerville paused to grieve the victims of 9/11. The remembrance ceremony brought people of all races and creeds together to mourn those who lost their lives ten years ago. Police, firefighters, and residents made their way into Davis Square about ten minutes before the hour.  Those who had congregated around the circular memorial waited in anticipation of the Mayor’s speech. “At one o’clock exactly, around the country sirens and bells will chime, ring, and declare in memorializing those we’ve lost on that day,” stated Mayor Curtatone.

The Book of Arrows the poetry of Mike Amado as edited by Jack Scully and Nancy Brady Cunningham has been just released from the Cervena Barva Press of Somerville, Mass. Mike was a member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards and died of kidney failure at age 34. I decided to use a poem from this collection in the LYRICAL. Here is a statement from the editors:

Total votes  1256*

Alderman Robert Trane  538

Katjana Ballantyne  531

Joan Whitney Puglia  187

Arrests:
*

Shawn St. Laurent, 32, of 56 Broadway, September 6, 5:14 p.m., arrested at 88 Broadway on warrant charges of attempt to commit a crime, disorderly conduct, trespassing, defacing property, and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Carolina Lopez, 31, of 86 Wheatland St., September 6, 7:00 p.m., arrested at home on charges of threat to commit a crime and assault with a dangerous weapon.

( L to R) Somerville Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi, Somerville High School Headmaster Tony Ciccariello, Italian Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli, Mayor of Gaeta Italy Antonio Raimondi and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. - Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Mayor Joseph Curtatone hosted a luncheon Monday  honoring Somerville’s sister city Mayor Antonio Raimondi of Gaeta Italy and Italian Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli at Pescatore Italian Restaurant in Ball Square.
Mayor Antonio Raimondi was born and raised in a home on Somerville Avenue  before becoming the Mayor of Gaeta , Italy.

Collecting sports memorabilia can become a game changer once the bug bites you. - Photo courtesy of Kenneth Gloss

By Kenneth Gloss

Since the incredible World Series win of 2004 by the Boston Red Sox, interest in all sports has increased and over the past 25 years, interest in sports collectibles has continued to skyrocket. Baseball has been particularly popular – it is the epitome of America. There is a little bit of baseball woven throughout much of the American story, and there are books to collect for every era, every team, every league and every standout player in the history of the game.