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.)

This year, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Somerville’s Greek Orthodox Church, celebrates its 95th anniversary. Throughout its history as a place of worship, it has also been the center of an engaged, cohesive, and vibrant community.

By Ashley Taylor

On her blog, Susan Senator, quotes Leo Tolstoy: “Happy families are all alike; unhappy families are all different in their own way.” She goes on to argue that all happy families are not alike and that even though her oldest son, Nat, has severe autism, a developmental disorder that affects social and communication skills, her family is happy in its own way.

Finding happiness in the face of adversity was the subject of Senator’s talk Monday night at the Kennedy Elementary School. Senator, who lives in Brookline, is the author of two books on raising children with autism and teaches English at Suffolk University. The talk was co-sponsored by the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative, of Somerville Public Schools, an organization to reach out to all families raising children in Somerville, and the Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SPED PAC), an organization for Somerville parents of children with special needs.

The St. Clement Lady Anchors were upset in the state tournament last week after their star player was sidelined for most of the second half.
The Lowell Catholic Crusaders advanced to the quarterfinals with a 60 to 49 win.
Christy Novembre scored 52 points in two regular season wins over the Lowell Catholic Crusaders but went to the bench with bad cramping in her thigh in the third quarter and played only three of the final 16 minutes in the tournament game.

By George P. Hassett

Drug-unit investigators busted an East Boston man with two ounces of cocaine last week, calling him the “principal supplier” in an East Somerville drug ring.

Investigators developed information that a Hispanic man believed to be of Colombian descent driving a white Mercury would arrive on Glen Street on Feb. 22, police said.

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Hundreds of protesters picketed the KSS Realty construction project on Cedar Street  Thursday morning.

The protesters marched in support of union workers for the lack of local jobs at the construction site.  The protest  blocked access to Somerville’s bike path with their large member participation.

Photos of out of state license plates from the workers at the MaxPac site. - Photo by William Tauro

Mary Jo Rossetti presented her resolution, “Impact of Student Mobility On Education” in Washington.

Transient students face MCAS challenges
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By Ashley Taylor

In 2010, almost one in five Somerville students entered or left the Somerville school district, according to data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Yet if they were students in Somerville during state’s standardized test, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), Somerville schools would be held accountable for their performance.

Glenn Koocher, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, described the situation with an analogy:  “It’s like blaming the hospital if someone walks in severely ill for not having them cured the next morning.”

By Andrew Firestone

Between the two units of the first Battalion, 182nd Infantry regiment, rivalry has always been a healthy way of fostering bonds between soldiers. As the infantry unit of the Army National Guard Battalion prepares to ship out to Afghanistan next Saturday, this rivalry turned to the ice, as the infantry unit faced off against their artillery cohorts in a game for the ages.

By George P. Hassett

A 29-year-old Cambridge man was shot in the leg Thursday in what police believe was not a random attack.

The victim was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for a non-life threatening injury. Police said the victim may know the suspect, who has not been identified.

By Andrew Firestone

PA’s Lounge became a battleground for glory Thursday, Feb. 24, as the third annual RPS, or rock, paper, scissors in layman’s terms, brought the rain for all involved. Thirty-two contestants entered, but only Jeremy Doyle  of Stoneham, had the skill to take home his $40 cash prize.

Bill Cosby took the stage along with friend and professor Alvin Poussaint to accept the Eliot-Pearson Award for Excellence in Children's Media. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

Bill Cosby honored for decades of family friendly media
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By Andrew Firestone

Students at Tufts were treated to an enduring American personality when legendary comedian Bill Cosby took the stage along with friend professor Alvin Poussaint to accept the Eliot-Pearson Award for Excellence in Children’s Media.

Along with the Harvard Professor Poussaint, Cosby’s presence proved to be an inspirational one, as he reminded the students to work hard to improve their world.