Presentation will focus on the economic impact of public transit

An analyst with the city’s SomerStat department has been selected to present at the annual Urban Affairs Association Conference in New Orleans this month.

 The UAA is an international scholarly organization that publishes the Journal of Urban Affairs, an academic journal dedicated to urban research and policy analysis.  A recent graduate of UMass Boston’s Master of Science in Public Affairs program, Harding submitted a proposal based on his recently completed Capstone project, titled “Public Transit in Boston: A Catalyst for Economic Development?” and was selected by the UAA to present at a panel discussion focusing on the topic.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone would like to invite all interested community members to participate in the second annual Mayor’s Fitness Challenge.  The program will kick off with an event at the Somerville High School gymnasium on Saturday, April 2  from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.  The Fitness Challenge will incorporate both a Team Fitness Challenge and a non-competitive “Lifestyle Pledge.” Individuals who enroll in the team challenge will earn points for weight loss and changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), while those signing onto the Lifestyle Pledge only will not be issued points based on those indicators, but will receive incentives for attending fitness and health-related programming throughout the Challenge, as well as other prizes and bonuses for being health conscious.

By George P. Hassett

A man who approached a woman near Porter Square asking for directions allegedly exposed himself to her March 1.

At 9:44 p.m., the woman said a male motorist stopped alongside her on White Street and asked for directions to Davis Square. As the woman provided directions, police said the suspect moved his right hand and began to manipulate himself.

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.)

As I walk and drive through the streets of Somerville during my busy day, I pass by many places that had former lives. When you have lived in the same house in the same city for almost 60 years, you see a lot of changes. There is a sign in the window of one store that says, “All you can eat Sushi.” It’s in the block of a few stores that used to sell submarine sandwiches, and hamburgers and white chocolate and barley pops. To this day, the smell of an Italian sub takes me back to that sub shop near Powder House Park. It was called Bella Meos and the candy shop next door was Louds.

By George P. Hassett

A Tufts student was robbed on Wallace Street March 1 by a man who told him he had a gun, police said. The victim was approached by a man who said “Let’s get that bag, I’m strapped” and punched him in the face. The victim refused to give up his bag, police said. The suspect was described as a black or Hispanic male in his mid-20s with stubble facial hair under his chin.

All-Stars named in the Catholic Central league
*

Athletes in St. Clement winter sports earned all star and MVP honors in the Catholic Central league.

Senior hockey goalie Sean Simas won the league MVP award despite losing his starting defenseman along with five other seniors from last season. “I knew we were going to be young so I would have to face a ton of shots, but I was up for challenge,” said Simas. The team finished tied for last in the league posting a 1-6-1 record, but despite that, he earned MVP getting three of five votes from other coach’s in the league. Simas is the first player in the school’s history to receive a hockey league MVP award.

Join Ward 5 Alderman, Sean O’Donovan in a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day tonight at the Arts At The Armory!

Featuring the Old Brigade Irish Band and light refreshments.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m.  at Arts At The Armory, 191 Highland Ave

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.)

Much as I hate to sound like an infomercial, you have only three weekends left to take part in the social event of the season. I’m talking about the Winter Farmer’s Market that’s been running at the Center for the Arts at the Armory on Highland Avenue every Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

When we first planned the market, we figured local interest would be high, but it’s exceeded our wildest expectations. We have had lines of people trying to get into the Armory and vendors selling out of product on a consistent basis. The Facebook page for the Winter Farmer’s Market has 1,894 followers. Another 255 follow its Twitter feed.

The authors of Citizen Somerville: Growing up with the Winter Hill Gang will be at the Somerville Public Library Saturday at 2 p.m. to sign books and speak with the public about the hot-selling crime saga.

Can’t get enough true crime stories? The authors of Citizen Somerville: Growing up with the Winter Hill Gang will be at the Somerville Public Library Saturday at 2 p.m. to sign books and speak with the public about the hot-selling saga.

Bobby Martini and Elayne Keratsis wrote the best selling book that everyone is talking about. In the early 1960’s a bloody war broke out between two powerful Irish Mob families in Winter Hill.  Over 60 men were murdered, including the leader of the Winter Hill Gang, James “Buddy” McLean.  Leadership of one of the most influential non-Italian crime organizations in the United States was inherited by his childhood friend, Howard T. “Howie” Winter.

By George P. Hassett

The owner of a Somerville auto body shop enhanced the damage to as many as 80 vehicles to collect inflated insurance claims, according to a State Police auto theft task force.