A short sale seminar is being held tonight, Wednesday, Jan.  19 at 7 p.m. at  The Norton Group Real Estate office at 699 Broadway, Ball Square. It’s free to any homeowner or homebuyer that wants to learn how it works.   Homeowners can learn how to sell for less than market value, pay no fees including real estate commissions. The event is free with no obligations.

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With all the snow piling up across the city, we can all see how well the DPW has done their job here, compared to other cities, we congratulate them.

About one month into winter, the city has spent about half of what it budgeted for snow removal. Initially, $500,000 was set aside and now about $250,000 remains.

With a string of heavy storms that’s proof of a snowy winter not mismanagement. Eight hundred and ninety tons of salt was used and 60 plows worked to clear the snow.

Pasquarello approved as police chief

Aldermen approved a five-year contract for new Police Chief Tom Pasquarello at Thursday’s meeting.

Pasquarello, a former regional DEA  director, has been serving as acting chief since last month.

Pasquarello will be paid $185,000 per year for five years. Ward Three Alderman Tom Taylor initially objected to the length and amount but ultimately voted in favor of the contract.

By Julia Fairclough

Chris Gartland describes his experience as a love story, though one that is not about romance. It’s about the love that a son has for his mother.

Gartland, 50, has spent the past 11 years taking care of his mother, Rose. She suffered an aneurism and a grade four hemorrhage and has been bedridden every since. She has been on a feeding tube for the past six years. It was a family choice to have Gartland, one of four brothers, move to his mother’s Somerville home so that he can take care of her. He works at a homeless shelter in Nashua, New Hampshire, that has been supportive of his need for a flexible schedule. The family hired a couple personal care attendants, who have also become part of the family.

By George P. Hassett

A 16-year-old Somerville boy was arrested Sunday night after he allegedly pointed a BB gun at a man who told him to get off his porch.

The boy was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. The victim told police he was at home when he heard a loud bang.

By Mike Rubin

With a steady effort, the St. Clements girls basketball team is off to an undefeated start in league play.

Led by a solid effort, the Anchorwomen escaped with a 46-45 overtime win over Lowell Catholic followed by wins over Trinity Catholic last Monday (37-35) along with a double overtime win over Pope John (47-45). Currently, the Anchorwomen stand at 5-0 in the Catholic Central Small League and a 7-3 overall mark.

Lo Galluccio is a well-known poet and writer in the Boston area. She has had a long career in the music world as well–stretching back to her bohemian days on the Lower East Side of NYC.  A member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards, she submitted this poem ” Oh no, I’ve never been to America…”

An amazing thing happened at the Diesel Café in Davis Square on a Saturday afternoon—I actually secured a seat. Amidst the happy din of people taking shelter from a cold winter’s afternoon; I met with TV and movie critic Daniel Kimmel. Kimmel told me that after his marriage broke up he left Brookline for the balm of Ball Square, Somerville. Kimmel, 55, has written for a variety of publications during his long career including Variety, The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, The Jewish Advocate, The Boston Globe, The Christian Science Monitor, to name a few. He has also met or interviewed celebrities like Gene Roddenberry, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Jonathan Winters, and John Clesse, among many others.

Arrests
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Benjamin Ribeiro, 43, of 5 Lynnville Terrace, Dorchester, Jan. 11, 9:37 a.m., arrested at 47 Beacon St. on a warrant charge.

Kevin Raposo, 27, of 33 Horace St., Jan. 12, 7:07 p.m., arrested at home on warrant charges.

Adam Fallon, 28, of 996 East St., Walpole, Jan. 13, 12:54 p.m., arrested at 75 Mystic Ave. and charged with larceny over $250 and a warrant charge.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

By George P. Hassett

Two people died in a fire at 65 Fairfax St. today in Somerville, according to a city spokesperson.