Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), Executive Director Kimberly Smith-Cofield.

Over 850 families in Somerville and Cambridge obtained what they need to survive the Great Recession during the last year thanks to the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), Executive Director Kimberly Smith-Cofield reported at the CAAS Annual Meeting and Celebration, October 28 at the Somerville City Club.  CAAS helped these low-income residents stay in their homes or find a new place they could afford, apply for food stamps and other benefits that lower the cost of living, obtain child care and early education through CAAS Head Start, and/or take a job readiness course that helped them land a job or enroll in more advanced training for future employment.

Craigie Bridge closure on November 6 will spill over into Somerville
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Signs in Somerville warn commuters of the impending Craigie Drawbridge closure. - Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

By Elizabeth Sheeran

Commuters headed down McGrath Highway toward Boston next week will only be able to go so far on Route 28.

The Craigie Drawbridge over the Charles River, which connects Boston and Cambridge by the Museum of Science, will be partially closed for construction as of this weekend. Beginning on Saturday, November 6, Boston-bound drivers not headed to the museum itself will have to turn left or right before they get to the river.

City officials will hold off on plans to put an off-leash dog park in West Somerville until at least September 2011.

Gewirtz said the move was “not an acceptable outcome.”

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.)

I often talk about the importance of playing hard. It doesn’t matter what your age is, an active life is a happier, healthier life.

Of course a big part of playing hard is having somewhere to play in the first place. That’s why we’ve built and improved dozens of parks and playgrounds around the city. It’s why we mark up more new bike lanes every year. It’s why we took over and spruced up Dilboy Field and Mystic waterfront along Shore Drive. And now the City of Somerville has added the Veterans Memorial Rink on Somerville Ave. to that list.

By Mike Rubin

After a slow start, the St. Clement football team has surely caught fire of late.

The Anchormen pounded Marian to a 30-8 win in Saturday’s Catholic Central League matchup last week.

Mike Julce led the way, rushing for 167 yards on 15 carries along with a pair of touchdowns while defensive tackle Ron Charles had 13 tackles, forced a fumble and returned another for a score.

By George P. Hassett

Aldermen are asking local liquor store owners to stop selling a dangerous new alcoholic drink that packs five beers worth of booze and six coffees into one dangerous bottle.

By  Lauren C. Ostberg

Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston requested the formation of a Flood Forum Committee.  Interested members of the public, most of whom came from her ward, met last week to discuss the recent floods and Somerville’s response to them with the DPW Commissioner, a City of Somerville Engineer, and local representatives.

“Many of the sewers in Ward 1 and Ward 2 were built in 1870,” Heuston said.  These flood-prone sewers, combined with the low points from Somerville’s hills, have contributed to multiple floods this year.

Veterans’ rink re-opens under city control

Veterans' Memorial Rink re-opened for business on November 1 with Somerville Youth Hockey practice. ~Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

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By Elizabeth Sheeran

Somerville kids who dream of being the next Bobby Orr or Nancy Kerrigan can now spend a lot more time skating closer to home.

Veterans’ Memorial Rink is now under city management and officials say residents can expect a longer operating season, extended opening hours, and a facility they can be proud of.

By Mike Rubin

The Somerville High Boys Soccer team finished the season with a 9-5-3 mark and will await their tournament opponent on Thursday.

With a tournament berth all signed, sealed and delivered, the Somerville High boys soccer team finished out the regular season in style.

Pierre Rodriguez knocked down a pair of goals and freshman sensation Thayrone Miranda also added a tally as the Highlanders cruised to a 6-1 win over Whittier Tech in last week’s regular season finale.