Somerville residents in grades 7 – 12 sought for summer performance group; auditions to be held Monday, May 16th
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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.)

Long before there were lines to get into those restaurants in Ball Square, they were lining up to get into a Davis Square eatery called Kay and Chips. Anyone who is over the age of 40 probably has a memory of this historical restaurant. It was opened every day of the year except Christmas and Thanksgiving but the weekends was when things really started moving and shaking.

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.)

Any investment involves some level of risk. Aldermen should carefully consider whether the Assembly Square District Improvement Financing proposal before them this evening is a gamble.

Before Adolf Hitler ordered Erwin Rommel’s assassination, the great general had made a distinction between a risk and a gamble. With a risk, if you lose you can still recover, and return to your original position with acceptable losses.

By Ashley Taylor

Irish singer and harpist Orla Fallon, known as an original member of the Irish band, Celtic Woman, will perform songs from her new CD, “My Land,” at the Somerville Theatre Saturday at 8 p.m.  Fallon described the music in the show:  “We do some American hymns, like ‘I’ll Fly Away’ and ‘Down To The River To Pray,’ but it’s very Celtic centered, as well, so it’s a lovely mixture of Celtic music with a few American treasures thrown in.”

Fallon, who lives in Ireland, is touring 17 cities in the Northeastern US this April and May. She will be back again in August to complete her US tour.  Touring with her is the Nashville folk band, Tin Cup Gypsy.

(L to R ) Adele Fleet Bacow, wife of the president; President Lawrence S. Bacow; and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jim Stern. - Photo by Alonso Nichols/Tufts University.

Tufts University broke ground for the Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center on Tuesday, April 12.  The 42,000 square-foot center will strengthen a university-wide commitment to healthy living while enhancing competitive athletics at Tufts, which recorded its first NCAA team title in May 2010 when men’s lacrosse won the Division III championship.

The center, located on College Avenue in Medford, will feature a dramatic new central plaza leading visitors into the heart of the new facilities, which adjoin the existing Gantcher Center and Cousens Gymnasium. An expanded fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment will meet increased student demand. Student athletes and coaches will have access to new locker rooms, a film classroom for off-the-field instruction and an expanded sports medicine suite.

State Rep. Carl Sciortino's bill, known as the Clawback bill, is a three-part reform of corporate tax breaks and expenditures in Massachusetts, estimated to be valued at $2.2 billion. ~Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Fellow delegates joined Somerville Representative Carl Sciortino this week in front  of the Joint Committee of Revenue. Along with co-author Senator Jamie Eldridge, Sciortino presented the “Act to Promote Efficiency and Transparency in Economic Development” for approval.

 Sciortino’s bill, known as the “Clawback bill”, is a three-part reform of corporate tax breaks and expenditures in Massachusetts, estimated to be valued at $2.2 billion by State Auditor Suzanne Bump.

Fifth peace conference Saturday

By Andrew Firestone

Inside the old fire station turned Teen Empowerment’s new headquarters on Broadway, Somerville teens are working together, creating a compelling and soulful show for this year’s fifth annual Peace Conference.

Coming together, these young artists craft original melodies and rapturous lyrical performances in hopes of building a community for them and their peers.

By George P. Hassett

Drug unit detectives arrested a Brook Street man Friday suspected of distributing large quantities of prescription drugs.

Brian Costa, 24, of 26 Brook St., was arrested and charged with possession to distribute a class B drug after police allegedly found 99 percodan tablets in his car. Police allegedly saw Invi Aliaj, 24, of 33 Highland Ave., Saugus, place an unknown object in the area where they later found the pills.

The annual Guns and Hoses hockey game was Saturday at Veterans memorial Skating Rink. The firefighters continued their dominance of the Somerville Police hockey team with a 15 to 3 victory remaining a perfect 7 and 0. Proceeds from the game went to support Somerville youth Hockey.

The proposed Washington Street station, a point of interest for much of the Green Line process, was thoroughly redesigned, changing the format to a more modern site. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Contractors of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin presented some of their final plans to community members April 5 and fielded questions about its use. The proposed Washington Street station, a point of interest for much of the Green Line process, was thoroughly redesigned, changing the format to a more modern site.

“The big difference is that we took the station that was here and slid it up right up against the abutment of the proposed bridge, so you’ll actually be accessing the station from the existing sidewalk level up the rail bridge,” said VHB’s Mark Louio.