More than 200 metered parking spaces, in 5 municipal lots, to accept credit cards for first time; Rates and hours of operation remain the same

In addition to 40 new parking meters to be installed in City squares as part of a pilot program, Mayor Curtatone and the Traffic and Parking Department announced this week that new, multi-spaced parking meter kiosks are being installed in five municipal lots – Buena Vista, Day Street, Rite Aid, Magoun Square and Union Square – serving more than 200 metered parking spaces across the City.  The kiosks will accept credit cards for the first time.  Hours of operation (8am – 8pm) and rates (25 cents per 15 minutes) will remain unchanged.  The new parking kiosks will accept quarters, $1 coins, MasterCard and Visa.  A plan to incorporate the use of the City’s “Park Card,” technology is forthcoming.

Somerville receives one of fourteen “Door Knocker Awards” nationwide; St. Polycarp’s Village, Phase I, received $950,000 HOME funds to assist with project; Honorable mention awarded to VNA in West Somerville

On behalf of the City of Somerville, last week the Director of the Somerville Housing Division, Dana LeWinter, accepted one of fourteen national “Door Knocker Awards,” issued by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, through their HOME Program.  The Awards, presented in Bethesda, Maryland, honor HOME-assisted housing projects, which included Phase I of the St. Polycarp’s Village development on Mystic Avenue. The project received $950,000 in HOME funding.  She was joined in by Jeremy Wilkening and Courtney Koslow of the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC), the project developer.  Phase I of that project included the construction of 11 HOME units, and 24 total units of affordable housing.  Selected for its “Production of Sustainable Housing,” the project was primarily lauded for its use of green and energy-efficiency measures, including a green roof and solar panels.  The groundbreaking for Phase II of the project was held last week and Phase III is currently in the planning process.

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.)

Powder House Park has a history that dates back to the Revolutionary War in the 1700’s. It also has another history that dates back to the 1970’s when it was the cool place to hang around.

When Archie rode a flaming skateboard from “up top” all the way “down bottom” to College Ave., that was historic. You can see more history if you look at a tree down bottom that has the initials “JF” and someone else’s initials that are now unreadable. “JF” was a kid who dated my sister. He was quite the Romeo.

By Carrie Stanziola

Such are the words of Charles Daniels, one local artist who is featured in The Nave Gallery’s Plastic + Film: An Exhibition of Toy Camera Photography exhibit.  Daniels, whose work encapsulates his life and includes such subjects as female nudes, musicians and Somerville’s own Rosebud Diner, is one of the 22 artists featured in Plastic + Film.  His work, along with artists from such diverse locales as England, Hong Kong, California, and Oregon, as well as local artists including Somerville High School students, will be on display until May 21.  Especially noteworthy are local artist Mary Kocol’s Green House with Pink Dogwood and Rain House, which capture the unique look of Somerville homes.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police responded to a report that a man was showing a firearm in a parking lot at 9 New Washington St.

Teodoro Garcia Gonzalez, 34, was found to be in possession of two firearms and two boxes of ammunition, according to police.

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.)

Much public attention over the past eight months has focused on whether the city should take on $26 million in debt to build infrastructure that would serve Federal Realty Investment Trust’s (FRIT’s) Assembly Square development projects. Over the same period, and almost unnoticed, a consequential development has moved toward approval.

By Andrew Firestone

This weekend at the Armory, the New England Bike Expo came home to the birthplace of bike innovation May 7 and 8.

With legendary frame makers Merlin, Fat City Cycles, Independent Fabrications, and Firefly Cycles coming up from the ‘Ville, it’s no surprise that the exposition hits the same week Somerville was awarded the title of “Bicycle Friendly Community” from the League of American Bicyclists.

SHS’s Andre Rolim edged out the competition with a winning time of 2:03.9 in the 800m at last Wednesday’s meeting with the Cambridge Falcons at Dilboy Stadium.

Overcoming rainy weather and a 12-point early deficit, the Somerville High School boys track squad surged back to earn 71 to 65 victory over longtime rival Cambridge last Wednesday at Dilboy Stadium, finishing the season 4-0.

It was the last Greater Boston League dual meet of the season, and the previously undefeated Cambridge team came prepared. “Cambridge always has a strong team and Wednesday was no different,” reported Coach Dave Dickerson. “Our guys showed their resiliency by coming back strong in key events before sealing the victory in the final event, the 4 x 400 meter relay.”

By Jim Clark

While conducting surveillance in and around the Holiday Inn parking lot last Friday, members of the Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit and the Cambridge Police Department Drug Control Unit observed suspicious activity by the occupants of an older model car that had arrived at the location.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone answers questions from Teen Empowerment. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Youth activists of Somerville were called upon to discuss budgetary concerns this last Friday, May 6, when Mayor Joseph Curtatone and the Statehouse delegation of Somerville dropped by Teen Empowerment’s East Somerville headquarters.

Members of Teen Empowerment and the Groundwork Somerville green team spoke for over an hour with state Senators Pat Jehlen and Sal DiDomenico, as well as state Representatives Denise Provost and Tim Toomey, and requested more funding for teen jobs in an event organized by Marlon Remdehal, director of Somerville programs for TE, and Adam Machson Carter, GS green team coordinator.