Celeste Alvarado and the Somerville High girls' freshman volleyball team has led the way for a 7-3 record this year. - Photo by Krista Invernizzi

By Mike Rubin

Led by several solid efforts, the Somerville High School freshman volleyball team continues to be on the rise. Guided by first year coach Krista Invernizzi, the Highlanders are off to an impressive 7-3 start with its win over Medford.

With a varsity team struggling to get wins, the freshman squad is a sign of hope for the program’s future.

“The girls continue to improve. At this level it is all about the serve. Leading the team on service is Celeste Alvarado,” said Invernizzi. “She has tremendous velocity and location on her serve.  She is scoring about five aces a game for us.  Also strong on service is Adrianna Keefe, Kayla Brown-Haynes, and Kezia Tiburcio.”

Boston Poet Laureate Sam Cornish sent me this poem that is very close to his heart. (Wouldn’t it be great if a Somerville Poet Laureate sent me a poem too?) Sam will be appearing at The Somerville News Writers Festival Nov. 13, 2010.

Volleyball beats Everett

By Mike Rubin

Led by several solid efforts, the Somerville High School Volleyball team finished the week with a 1-1 mark.

After suffering a 3-2 defeat to Medford last Wednesday, the Highlanders battled to a 3-2 victory over Everett on Friday. As a result, the Highlanders now stand at 2-8 overall.

In the Medford loss, the Highlanders were led by Tatiana Rivera, who recorded a multitude of service points while Lorenza Etienne, Nicole Genard and Jacqueline Homsi fared solid in the back row.

left to right: Former Mayor-Register of Deeds Gene Brune, SHS Foundation Scholarship Member David O'Brien, Amanda Martins and Somerville Ed Ciampa. - Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

2010 Somerville High-school graduate Amanda Martins received a one thousand dollar “Jim Goddard Memorial” scholarship check presented to her by the Somerville Lions Club.

By George P. Hassett

A 45-year-old man stole a blind man’s cane after drinking vodka and passing out in a flower bed Oct. 11, police said.

Daniel Ryan, homeless, allegedly stole a cane that belongs to his friend, a blind man who told officers he was suicidal, police said.

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

A re-election event was thrown in Ward 1 Alderman William Roche’s honor  Monday evening at Vinnys on lower Broadway.  Mayor Joseph Curtatone ,  Somerville Police chief Michael Cabral, candidate for State Treasurer  Steve Grossman and Congressman Michael Capuano as well as many other elected officials and supporters were in attendance at the packed event.

Arrests

A juvenile, of Somerville, Oct. 11, 8:49 p.m., arrested on High Street and charged with assault and battery.

Daniel Ryan, 45, homeless, Oct. 11, 9:54 p.m., arrested on McGrath Highway and charged with assault and battery on a public employee, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and a warrant charge.

Mykela Farrell, 17, of 20 Main Street Park, Malden, Oct. 12, 10:13 a.m., arrested on a warrant charge of armed robbery.

Jennifer Andre, 27, of 34R North St., Oct. 12, 7:42 p.m., arrested and charged with armed robbery.

(L to R) Giuseppe Esposito Giuseppe Esposito, mayor of Lettomanoppello Italy and Billy Tauro, Somerville News Co-Publisher/ President of the Somerville Lions Club

Giuseppe Esposito, the mayor of Lettomanoppello Italy was in Somerville this past weekend attending a function that was thrown in his honor by Somerville residents who originally originated from that town in Italy.

After a visit with Mayor Joseph Curtatone and a tour of Somerville City Hall, Mayor Esposito attended a luncheon Monday at Amelia’s Restaurant where Somerville News Co-Publisher/ President of the Somerville Lions Club Bill Tauro presented the visiting mayor with a “Somerville First Flag Raising Banner” as well as making him an honorary Somerville Lion.

Sam Cornish , the first Boston Poet Laureate, will appear at the Somerville News Writers Festival Nov. 13, to get the Ibbetson Street Press Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the small press and the world of poetry.

Too bad we don’t have a Somerville Poet Laureate to present the award-but Cornish deserves it-and I am sure the city of Boston will be pleased. Here is an article I wrote about Cornish some years ago that appeared in The Somerville News. To find out more about the Writer’s Festival go to: http://somervillenewswritersfestival.com

Advocates rally against denial of Highland Ave. project

By Elizabeth Sheeran

Danny McLaughlin, Emily Parott, Ivy Richardson and Stephanie Toews-Moeling (left to right) were among those who set up sleeping bags in front of City Hall on October 15 to call for more affordable housing in Somerville. - Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

Not long ago, Ana Ferreira was optimistic about her chances of finding a permanent home in Somerville for herself and her five-year-old son Matthew Fonseca.

The 29-year-old licensed medical assistant thought she might be a candidate for one of six units the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) planned to build at 162 Highland Avenue, as permanent housing for formerly homeless families. The SCC had secured the funds needed to buy the property and renovate the building, and the project got the green light from the Planning Board in June.

But the proposal fell one vote short of the four votes needed from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on September 15, effectively killing the project, and along with it Ferreira’s optimism.