Melanie Demattia, Kung Choyang and Yenifer Velasquez (left to right) sample herbs in the Healey School garden, with Gardens Coordinator Tai Dinnan. - Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

Somerville school gardens sow the seeds of smarter food choices

By Elizabeth Sheeran

At lunchtime recess on a sunny fall day, the Arthur D. Healey schoolyard is swarming with third and fourth graders playing ball, tag, or just hanging out. Off to one side, a few kids pick leaves off an interesting-looking plant, and each takes a nibble.

Time to call Poison Control? No, they’re just getting a taste of the licorice-flavored herb anise hyssop in the Healey School garden, under the watchful eye of School Gardens Coordinator Tai Dinnan.

The Somerville Homeless Coalition's Annual Early Thanksgiving Dinner provided a home-cooked meal for over 50 homeless and low-income individuals. - Photo by Jen Merrill.

Local food pantries face challenge year-round

By Elizabeth Sheeran

Thanksgiving in the United States is traditionally a time to celebrate abundance in a land of plenty. But for many local residents, hunger doesn’t take a holiday.

The Greater Boston Food Bank reports that as many as half a million people in Eastern Massachusetts are now getting help from its regional network of food pantries, including as many as 170,000 children and teens. That means one in 10 area residents faces hunger on a regular basis.

- Photo by Winelle Felix

Teen activists give thanks

By Winelle Felix

Baby blue walls and dent in ceilings held a cozy Thanksgiving Dinner at the Somerville Teen  Empowerment with youths 14 to 21 165 Broadway Ave.

“At Somerville Teen Empowerment we approach teen issues at Somerville in positive ways,” said Nelly Thermitus, a 19 year-old employee. “We allow them ways to express their talents through activities like rapping theater and spoken words. it helps them workout the negativity from the cops.”

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.)

Everyone hopes that their Thanksgiving dinner goes off without a hitch. There are in-laws and future in-laws to impress, and hungry stomachs to satisfy.  If you are the host or hostess, there is a lot of pressure on you to present a flawless feast. But in reality, we know that whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. Here are some turkey  day testimonials by some of my friends about Thanksgiving dinners, gone bad.

By George P. Hassett

Police arrested two men accused of smashing a car window and stealing a GPS device in Davis Square on Nov. 18.

Michael Barnett, 30, of 500 Mystic Avenue, and Adam Leal, 26, of 500 Mystic Avenue were arrested on Broadway and charged with receiving stolen property over $250.

By George P. Hassett

Tax hikes passed unanimously

Taxes in Somerville are going up for residents and business owners, even as one aldermen points out that business profits and family savings are down.

“They’re not making money and we’re going up on taxes,” said Ward Seven Alderman Bob Trane at Tuesday’s meeting.

Developer Don Briggs addresses aldermen this week about the tenuous future of Assembly Square. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

City plan to fund Assembly Square development questioned

By Andrew Firestone

Mayor Joe Curtatone is pushing aldermen to make a final decision on a plan to fund Assembly Square development but one alderman is saying the rushed process is like “a gun against our heads.”

The measure is an effort to close a $23 million funding gap for Assembly Square development. U.S. Rep. Mike Capuano had touted $25 million in federal funding since 2005 but the city will receive only $2 million for a project that has stalled for years in legal and political disputes during decades of unrealized potential.

Don’t forget this Saturday night at the new Somerville rink the Somerville Police Department Hockey Team faces off against the Boston Bruins Alumni Hockey Team. This is going to be a great night so come out and enjoy the game, meet and greet and celebrate the newly remodeled rink.

***************

Does she have the sixth  vote or not? Alderwoman Rebekah is working the votes for Board of Aldermen President and although the caucus is usually held the week of Thanksgiving, and as of Tuesday she wasn’t sure who or where the sixth vote was coming from. We have it from sources that a couple of aldermen are telling her that they are up in the air, and not committed but would be committed if they get prized chairmanships of certain committees. Won’t be long now, she’s working overtime, we hear, to get that vote.  Alderman Tom Taylor wants to be vice president and he doesn’t seem to have a problem. One person who would like to stay  president and has told people, some say  too late, is present President Jack Connolly.

Thanksgiving is here. Next it will be Christmas and then 2010 will be history.

At all levels – from families to local businesses to City Hall – we’ve all felt the effects of the recession this year. Beyond economics, there was a natural disaster far away in Haiti but felt locally in Somerville and tragic incidents in the city where people lost their lives.