You've been warned - terror comes to Somerville screens next week

Jeffrey Sullivan

From “Psycho” to “Saw,” horror movies and their infinite number of sequels have always been an important part of American culture.

With this in mind, J. Cannibal and Garen Daly are hosting Terrorthon 2010; a nine-day film festival of feverish proportions aimed at scaring and exciting all who attend. The festival runs from Friday until Oct. 2, and boasts a variety of classic and modern horror films. Opening night features the U.S. premier of the documentary “Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore.”

Annual celebration highlights the Whoopie Pie
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Get ready for Fluff Fest, Somerville.

It’s a Marshmallow world in Union Square. Archibald Query invented Fluff right here in 1917 so every year Union Square Main Streets hosts a madcap festival. This year’s event is Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Union Square Plaza. Raindate is Sunday, September 26. The event is free.

From the city of  Somerville Police Department

The Somerville Police Department is organizing a Haunted House to be held at the West District substation, 1154 Broadway on October 29th and 30th. In these tough economic times, I am hoping that we can provide the community a safe, scary and FREE Haunted House for their children. 

Tango 5

By William Tauro

Somerville’s  police traffic unit  motorcycle #5 (Tango-5) is back.  Shown here in this photo with a complete police package and with only four miles on it’s odometer.

The Somerville police department received a delivery on Wednesday of four brand new 2011 Harley Davison police motorcycles.

The new bikes were purchased to replace the bikes that were damaged and destroyed during the July flood at the police station that destroyed most of the  department’s fleet of police vehicles.

Eight other new bikes are scheduled to arrive in the next few weeks.

By George P. Hassett

A 17-year-old Somerville man was arrested Friday night after a large house party on Broadway got out of control, police said.

By Mike Rubin

After a slow start to the season, the St. Clement’s girls volleyball team can finally savor the taste of victory.

Car break-ins up 67 percent
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By George P. Hassett

Burglary rates in Somerville dropped to a 10-year-low this summer, but local thieves have found a new target – unlocked cars.

Burglaries in Somerville were down 42 percent from 132 in the summer months of 2009 to 77 this summer – the lowest number since 2000. However, larcenies from motor vehicles increased 67 percent since last year, from 110 to 184, according to statistics presented to aldermen this week.

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.)

Buffalo Bob Smith, Clarabelle the clown, and a  wooden puppet named Howdy Doody entertained all of us members of  the peanut gallery in the early days of television. They don’t make TV shows like they used to do they?

Did you know the first person to play Clarabelle was none other than Bob Keeshan, who went on to play Captain Kangaroo? Remember the Captain’s friends, Mr. Moose, Dancing Bear, Mr. Green Jeans and Bunny Rabbit? Remember his dungeon master key ring and huge pockets full of carrots?

East Somerville school plans well received, Scott Brown’s ‘thick skull’ and more

By George P. Hassett

The Somerville School Committee met Monday, Sept. 20 with all members present and voting.

East Somerville Community School plans may be scaled back due to costs

The city’s plans to rebuild the East Somerville Community School, destroyed in a December 2007 fire, were well received by state officials, said School Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi. Parts of the plan may have to be scaled back due to cost concerns but Pierantozzi said no academic programs por learning spaces will be reduced. He said new plans may limit stairwells or green space but not instructional space.

Ward Six School Committee member Paul Bockelman said, “It’s important to maintain costs but we want to fight for as good a school as possible.”

"Social Network" star Jesse Eisenberg visited the Thirsty Scholar in Somerville today.

By George P. Hassett

There’s a Somerville connection to Hollywood’s most controversial upcoming release. Barroom scenes in “The Social Network” – about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg – were filmed in The Thirsty Scholar on Beacon Street in 2009. Today, the film’s star Jesse Eisenberg visited the local Irish pub surrounded by publicists for a private, locked door affair.