By William Tauro

- Photo by William Tauro

Somerville fire units responded to a three alarm fire that started at a residence on Houghton Street around  6 p.m. on Monday evening turning the evening drive into a commuter’s nightmare.

Firefighters from Somerville, Medford, Cambridge and Boston were called in to battle the blaze.

By George P. Hassett

A drunken, shirtless Somerville man stole a police cruiser and drove into a utility pole Aug. 17, according to police.

Marc McKenna, 24, of 14 Atherton St., stole Somerville police officer Derrick Dottin’s cruiser after Dottin offered him a ride home, police said. McKenna was stopped for being drunk at 5 p.m., he had his shirt tied around his head and was unsteady on his feet at Medford and Lowell streets, police said.

By George P. Hassett

Police are warning residents in the Union and Porter square neighborhoods of an early morning assault in the area of Park and Eliot streets Sunday.
Police sent a phone message to neighborhood residents.
“Early Sunday morning, shortly after midnight, a female resident of your area reported that she had been indecently assaulted in the area of Park Street and Eliot Street,” Deputy Chief Paul Upton said in the message. “She reported that an unknown male suspect approached her from behind and assaulted her, and subsequently fled from the scene on foot. The scene lasted only a few seconds, but the victim was able to provide a limited description.  She described the suspect as a light skinned male, possibly Hispanic or Asian, with short dark hair, of medium build, and between five feet eight to five feet ten inches tall.  The suspect appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties.

~Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Nature’s fury unleashed strong winds that caused a tree to collapse at the side of an apartment building located at 333 Broadway in Somerville.

Dpw crews were out in force cleaning up after Monday’s storm.

The USA Rugby team led by captain and Somerville native Jamie Burke, cruised to a 51-0 win over Kazakhstan.

By Mike Rubin

For the United States Women’s Rugby team, the quest for a 2010 World Cup kicked off on the right note.

Led by Christy Ringenberg’s 26 points, the USA cruised to a 51-0 win over Kazakhstan in the opening round of pool play last Friday.

In the opening minutes Riggenberg capitalized on a penalty kick while Nathalie Marchino delivered a try. Ringgenbenrg also cashed in on another try, increasing the lead to 13-0 before the half.

In the second half, the USA continued to dominate following scores by Victoria Folayan and Ringgenberg en route to a 20-0 edge. Another try and a conversion by Ashley Kmiecik paved the way for a commanding 27-0 cushion.

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

A Sunday morning water main break at the intersection of Conwell Ave and Hillsdale Rd in Somerville kept the Department of Public Works crews busy for hours. Water service to neighboring homes was  interrupted.

The DPW and police closed off and detoured streets leading to the break while repair crews worked diligently to repair the leak and restore water to  the Somerville residents  that were affected.

By Rose Scherlis

Mario Barros

A humor festival is coming to Boston Sept. 9 through 12, organized by Mario Barros of Somerville.

The first Boston International Humor Festival, BOSTOONS 2010, will include graphic humor, literary humor, and stage humor. It will contain an exposition of 210 cartoons on the subjects of freedom and the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, and three free nights of stand-up comedy at Cambridge College.

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.)

Even though I have been out of school for over 33 years, there is something about this time of year that makes me nervous. I write  about this condition every year because it is a recurring ailment. It’s like a rash that returns once a year at the same time. Although I know the importance of school and education, and all that jazz, I still get butterflies in my stomach around the middle of August. School still makes me uneasy. I have  also been having  the same dream for years. I am still in high school trying to graduate. In the dream, I am usually in my pajamas, and there is a teacher tormenting me.

By Julia Fairclough

Car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers, which is why Congressman Mike Capuano has introduced legislation to create programs for teen traffic safety initiatives.
The Students Taking Action for Road Safety (STARS) Act would establish a grant program within the Department of Transportation focusing on teen driver safety. While a number of safety programs have been created for bicyclists, motorcyclists, older drivers and infant passengers, a dedicated program for younger drivers—who are three times as likely to die in a car accident as all other driving populations—does not exist, according to Capuano.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Project MUM - photos by Charles Daniels photography of Project MUM 2009.

Saturday, August 21 is sure to be a jam-packed, fun day in Union Square for copious Somerville residents.  Four events will occur: Bazaar Bizarre, Ice Cream Showdown, Bloom: An Art Installation by Hannah Verlin and Project MUM.

Bazaar Bizarre is celebrating its tenth year. However, “This is the first year it is presenting an event in collaboration with the Somerville Arts Council (SAC),” said Meagan O’Brien, ArtsUnion Coordinator of the Somerville Arts Council.