Arrests
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Victor Espada, 41, of 87 Wheatland St., Aug. 23, 2:18 p.m., arrested and charged with assault and battery.

Graziano Mellone, 32, of 67 Jaques St., Aug. 25, 3:36 p.m., arrested on Marshall Street on warrant charges of breaking into a depository, larceny over $250, attempt to commit a crime, improper use of a credit card and receiving a lost credit card.

Darci Ribeiro, 36, of 24 Melvin St., Aug. 25, 6:43 p.m., arrested and charged with assault to murder and assault and battery.

Gordon Robinson, 38, of 4 Essex Place, Lynn, Aug. 26, 3:32 p.m., arrested on warrant charges.

Greek Festival staff, including co-chair Paul Loutraris.

By Lauren C. Ostberg

Opa! The 2010 Greek Music and Food Festival, set to run Sept. 10 to 12, will bring Greek dance, culture, music and, yes, homemade food to Somerville’s Central Street.

Food is one of the big draws of the festival — traditional Greek desserts, along with savory roast lamb, potatoes, moussaka, and the ever-popular gyro. “Everything is homemade,” said Paul Loutraris, who is co-chairing the event.  Much of the food will be made fresh, in the kitchen of Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, or, in the event that they opt for the lamb-on-a-spit method, out on the lawn.

Big Sam Williams

Five years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, an acclaimed New Orleans funk rock band will be playing in Davis Square. Big Sam’s Funky Nation is performing at Johnny D’s in Somerville on Sept. 4. The band has received national attention lately for their role on HBO’s original series Treme, their international touring & festival schedule, a Grammy nomination and the release of their new album, King Of The Party.
BSFN is a high energy band that is lead by “Big” Sam Williams, formerly of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaints backing band.

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.)

There are lots of things I did as an adventurous Somerville youth in the 1960s and 70s. As I look back now, some were very dangerous and careless. As I have said many times before, I am glad my kids don’t read  my articles. Here are three stories of daring, crazy, and silly  episodes in the life of a Somerville boy growing up in the era of Vietnam, hippies, and long hair.

By Andrew Firestone

Commander Bill Hardy of VFW George Dilboy Post #529 smiles with a design of his new post. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

After over a year of planning the VFW Dilboy Post #529 has finally made a deal with developer Strategic Capital Partners LLC for a land swap which includes the construction of a brand new hall on currently unused land.

The Dilboy Post, which will be turning 90 this year has an illustrious history, including three Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients, particularly the expatriate George Dilboy of World War I. However it has fallen into disrepair recently, causing many of the approximately 676 members to hope for greener pastures.

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.)

Sometimes in my job I get handed a giant cardboard check while someone snaps a picture. Those are good moments. Usually it means we have some money coming from the federal or state government which enables us to do something good.

Our Shape Up Somerville program, which now serves as a model to the rest of the nation for how to foster a healthier lifestyle for our children, got rolling thanks to a giant cardboard check from the Centers for Disease Control. Federal stimulus money paid for much of the work being done on Somerville Avenue this summer.

Somerville aldermen are looking at dismal financial forecasts and trying to get a head start on future budget issues.

Deval Patrick and Charlie Baker are feuding over the Green Line extension.

By George P. Hassett

The long-delayed Green Line extension through Somerville became a potential political wedge issue this week after Republican challenger Charlie Baker criticized Gov. Deval Patrick for the project’s cost overruns.

The cost of the Green Line extension has risen from $560 million in 2007 to $954 million.

“This is how Governor Patrick has conducted business in Massachusetts during the past four years,” Baker said in a prepared statement. “Costs have gone up on his watch on everything from a cup of coffee to renewing your license to property taxes because Deval Patrick cannot manage state government. In Deval Patrick’s mind, it’s always easier to raise costs than make the tough decisions.”

Aldermen clashed over a reappointment to a city commission Thursday night, forcing a recess and talking over one another.

By Ashley Troutman

Radio Jarocho will play at the Fandango. ~Photo by Sergio Reyes

Celebrate Mexican son jarocho music, learn to dance, and participate in arts and crafts activities at the Fandango in Union Square on August 28. The festival will feature live performances by local band, La Tuza, and Radio Jarocho.

La Tuza, an acoustic trio, plays a lively blend of son jarocho, son huasteco, and son calentano. While strumming, plucking, and rattling to the beat, they put on an exciting performance and always engage the crowd. La Tuza has the reputation of being the best Mexican grassroots band in the greater Boston area.