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.)

A development group wants to build thirty-one housing units on a little over half an acre on the edge of Davis Square. Neighbors uniformly oppose the project, which would instantly double the number of housing units on the long block that runs between Cutter Avenue and Willow Street.

Local musician Patrick Coman shows his respect for The Boss at the Armory for the Arts this weekend.

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

Local musicians will gather to pay tribute to The Boss when The Armory Center for the Arts hosts For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen this coming Saturday, May 28, at 8 p.m.

The group has been presenting their For the Sake of the Song events at various venues throughout the area, celebrating the music of music legends such as Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Townes Van Zandt.

By Jim Clark

A man who was detained on Derby Street by Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit officers last Thursday was later identified as the prime suspect in a residential break-in and theft, according to police reports.

While being questioned by officers, Matthew McComiskey, 31, allegedly dropped a cigarette package to the ground. Police said that the package contained a hypodermic syringe, as well as eight gold rings and a gold ankle bracelet.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone gives Testimony against the "Verizon Bill". - Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Mayor Joseph Curtatone appeared before a Joint Committee in the Statehouse last Wednesday, May 18, to voice his disapproval for the “Verizon bill” which he claimed would curtail local authority in negotiating with cable companies, and work to create an unfair advantage to Verizon.

“This bill would allow Verizon to disregard community and government access television and as the home of the nation’s first independent non-profit, community access television corporation, SCAT, Somerville finds this completely unacceptable, as well as you should,” Curtatone said to the Committee of Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy. The Mayor was joined by other City leaders, and supported by Senator John Keenan (D-Quincy), who chaired on the committee.

Susan Huszar’s Never Alone is one of the many miniature curiosities to be appreciated at the Small Obsessions exhibit on display at the Somerville Museum through June 25. - Photo by Phill Apley

By Rose Scherlis

There is a tiny alternate universe of sculpture, film, and mixed media on display at the Somerville Museum. Small Obsessions brings together unconventional dollhouses created by twenty artists. The opening reception was held Sunday, and the exhibit will run until June 25.

Artists Susan Huszar, Donna Rhea Marder, Sharon Shea, Jeff Sais, and Joyce Audy Zarins spoke to visitors about the inspiration, technique, and meaning of their work. The event is curated by sculptor Carolyn Wirth.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police units responded to a report that thieves were making off with scrap metal at East Somerville Community School last Friday, at approximately 2:26 a.m.

The school is currently under construction and is fenced off to the public and has posted no trespassing signs in plain view, said police.

I-93 presents a puzzle for environmental scientists to solve for Somerville. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

UFP research underway for people near I-93

By Andrew Firestone

This week marked a milestone in the Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure and Health (CAFEH) study, as the researchers and scientists involved presented their findings to the public. Four years in to the five-year $2.5 million grant from  the National Institute of Health, the project has gone from being merely an idea, to being a comprehensive data-driven study of the effects of Ultra-Fine Particulates (UFP), the dangerous gasses emitted by vehicle exhaust, on human health and its role in causing cardiovascular disease.

The Annual Memorial Day Parade is this Sunday. Kickoff time at 1p.m. as usual. It runs all the way up Highland Avenue, through Davis and Teele Squares, ending at Clarendon Hill.  This year Frank Sensi of Veterans Services has done another great job for the city. He has worked very hard putting this together.

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Condolences to the Capobianco and Curtatone families for the loss of Mama Elena Capobianco. She took an unfortunate fall last week in her driveway. She was taken to Mass General where she passed away on Monday. She was a wonderful women and matriarch of one of Somerville’s leading families. She will be will be missed by all who knew her. Funeral services will be at Cota Funeral Home, on Washington Street, this Thursday.

‘Villens are generally quite friendly people. Sure, there’s a grouch or two in any crowd, but all in all we measure up well in the friendliness department. Friendly to one another. Kind to kids. Charitable to Chinese checkers enthusiasts.  And we’re just crazy about bicycles. Aren’t we?

There’s a comforting something in the imagery of health conscious, nature loving individuals shunning their oversized, gas guzzling automobiles and SUVs in favor of pedaling their way to their jobs, schools, and marketplaces in the soft, pastoral glow of self-satisfaction at somehow “making a difference.”