City given bronze-level recognition by the League of American Bicyclists
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With plans under way to expand its network of streets marked for bicycling and to extend the Community Path, Somerville has been named a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the Washington, D.C.-based League of American Bicyclists. Somerville joins a host of other cities receiving this level of recognition for its efforts to promote bicycling, including Kansas City, Mo.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Northampton, Mass.

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.)

Today is Mother’s Day. The stores are full of gifts and cards. Flower sellers are on street corners. It is a day to honor mom, whether she is still with us or not.

For me it’s a day to remember the woman who gave me life, and at times, threatened to take that life away! She was the person who believed in me enough to push me into going to college. She was the one who saved money and came up with a down payment to buy a cottage down the Cape. She was a strong woman. I felt her strength when she had to give a few “love taps” when I ticked her off. At times, Dad knew enough to just stand back and let her do her thing. She is the one who took three small children on a crowded bus and train to see the Enchanted Village in Boston every Christmas. She dragged me to Zayre’s and Filenes to buy me new winter coats and itchy pants. I remember once she caved, and let me get this hideous yellow suit jacket when I was just starting to play guitar in a band. And did I mention she paid for my piano lessons? It was a good deal. She sent me to lessons and I would play piano for her and her dinner guests. She loved having people over for lunch or dinner. Her favorite song she always asked me to play was Angel of the Morning. She has been an angel since 1986. It took me a long time to finally be able to listen to that song on the radio. Maybe someday I will try to play it again on the piano.

Meetings to be Held throughout May, early June; residents asked to visit Web site, submit survey
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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the Spring 2011 ResiStat meetings will be held in May and June, beginning on Monday, May 9th with the Ward 4 Neighborhood Meeting at the Winter Hill Community School on Sycamore St.  Mayor Curtatone, ward and at-large aldermen, City staff and police will discuss issues of importance for each neighborhood, as well as citywide initiatives and the budget outlook for Fiscal Year 2012.  Residents can raise their concerns and offer their ideas during an open Q&A.  Residents are also encouraged to visit the ResiStat website, somervilleresistat.blogspot.com, and to take the resident survey to help develop the meeting agenda.

By Jim Clark

Based on information provided by a concerned citizen, Somerville Police Department and Somerville Housing Authority officers responded to reports of suspected drug trafficking activity in the Sturtevant St./New Rd. area.
A vehicle matching the informant’s description was stopped and its passengers were searched and questioned by police. In spite of what investigating officers described as furtive attempts at hiding something, small, individually wrapped amounts of what appeared to be crack cocaine were found, along with what seemed to be a crack pipe, police said.

By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

(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.)

On Monday night, this city did something big.

When the Board of Aldermen voted for the $25.75 million bond to fund infrastructure improvements in Assembly Square, it culminated almost two decades of work. All it took was the efforts of everyone who has served on the Board during that time, three past mayors, our Congressman Michael Capuano (who was also one of those past mayors) , Senator John Kerry, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, all of our state representatives during that time, all of the Somerville residents who have spoken up about Assembly Square over the years, Governor Deval Patrick and a list too long to mention from his administration, the people at Federal Realty Investment Trust, all of the city business leaders who have been staunch supporters of redeveloping Assembly Square, federal officials who approved key funding for portions of the project, and the tireless efforts of the staff here at City Hall (past and present).

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Somerville emergency crews treat and prepare to transport a male accident victim to the hospital late Thursday afternoon. The accident took place at the intersection of Medford and Norwood street.

Although controversial, John Shea’s The Painter has passed inspection by the Somerville Human Rights Commission and others. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

While the controversy surrounding Somerville resident John Shea’s new play The Painter appeared to reach fever pitch, those who sat and watched the performance came away with a very different attitude. Members of the Somerville Human Rights Commission attended a recent performance of the one-act, starring Jered Wright and Michael Nurse, and came away without complaint.

“I thought it was very interesting in terms of talking about subject matter that, frankly, we don’t really talk in terms of race relations,” said Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, LGBT liaison for the City, who is of Dominican descent. “I don’t think it was problematic; I think it was very “in-your-face” in a way, and that sometimes makes people uncomfortable, but for me it wasn’t as much.”

By Jim Clark

Somerville police responded to witness reports that a man was jumping up and down on a car, causing it damage, at the corner of School and Montrose Streets last Thursday. Police said that he had managed to smash the vehicle’s windshield and broke a side view mirror.
Julio Dejesus, 31, was detained and handcuffed by officers on the scene. While seated on the ground, police said that he threw a lighter at an approaching officer and then attempted to escape. The officer gave chase and, while attempting to subdue the man, took a punch to the mouth by him, as reported by the officer on the scene.

A greiving mother comes one step nearer to closure following the sentencing of her son’s murderer. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

It has been two years since Denise Cosby heard the devastating news about her son Justin’s death. Found shot and bleeding on Dunster Street, May 18, 2009, Justin died a few days later, the victim of a marijuana trade gone bad. At the April 22 sentencing, Denise Cosby stood up and delivered a speech of indignation and grief towards her son’s murderer, Jabrai Copney of New York City.

“I hope you think about what you did to Justin each and every day for the rest of your life, as I do,” said Cosby. “May the rest of your life be a continuous hell on earth.”

Six Somerville police officers were recognized at the Irish American Police Officer’s Association, Twelfth Annual Awards Dinner, which was held Saturday evening, April 23, in Newton.