By Andrew Firestone

- Photo by Andrew Firestone

The closing of the Ames Security Envelope factory on Somerville Avenue was a local setback in the nationwide recession: over 150 local jobs lost at one of the city’s oldest businesses.

“That was a shock for all of us,” said Virginia Sorabella an Ames employee for 13 years. “We cried. We thought it was going to be the end of the world.”

For the workers, who face a sparse job market, employment prospects were grim. That’s where the Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE) entered the picture with a $79,000 grant.

At the SCALE English for Speakers of Other Languages program, 20 ex-Ames factory workers are getting on with life, learning skills in an intensive 20-hour a week course that director Janice Philpot hopes will give displaced workers a “21^st century skill-set.”

The curriculum includes lessons in English, as well as technology and communication.

The program began when SCALE administrators Betty Stone and Ngaiu Schiff applied for a grant from the Regional Employment Board after learning of the workers’ plight. Now many of the workers-turned-students reveled in the opportunity to finally devote time to enriching themselves and sharpening their skills.

DEA agent selected as police chief
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~Photo by Andrew Firestone

By George P. Hassett

Thomas Pasquarello, a regional director with the Drug Enforcement Agency, was selected this week to be the city’s police chief by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

Curtatone selected Pasquarello, a Cambridge native, over three other finalists, including acting Police Chief Michael Cabral.

Cabral will return to his deputy chief position when Pasquarello starts his tenure in 90 days.

Big news this week is the mayor’s pick for the Police Chief’s job, quite a few people were taken back when they heard the mayor picked DEA agent Tom Pasquarello over native son and acting chief Mike Cabral – one of the most popular officers on the force. A three-year contract is being offered and a  $20,000 relocation bonus for the new guy. One good thing is that he is a local, he’s from Cambridge, who might know the streets here very well, we wish him the best.

Mayor Joe Curtatone went against a lot of local sentiment when he chose DEA agent Thomas Pasquarello to be this city’s next police chief. Acting Chief Michael Cabral, a 1981 graduate of Somerville High School and in the police department since 1987, was the popular choice for many in the community.

“I am baffled as to why someone would choose an outsider over someone like Cabral who is a lifer from Somerville who has been a cop in the department for [23] years,” said one of our Facebook friends.

Cabral is a popular figure in the community – he is often seen at Little League games and community events – and he is familiar with all the history, hot spots and local characters in Somerville. As acting chief, he handled crisis (the flood and an incident in which three officers were stabbed) as well as could be expected.

By George P. Hassett

A man who sent text messages that brought a SWAT team to Somerville Aug. 4 voluntarily checked himself into a psychiatric facility after the incident, police said this week.

At 10:48 a.m., Somerville Police received a third party report from a woman who stated that she had received a text message from her brother, a resident of 98 Elm Street, stating that a male guest in that house had made threats to kill the residents at that address.  The text messages indicated that the guest was experienced in martial arts, was armed with a knife and was acting irrationally, police said.

By George P. Hassett

An 18-year-old Somerville woman pulled out a knife and told a 36-year-old Woburn woman, “Don’t make me,” early Saturday morning, police said.

The victim had already been punched in the face by a woman in a confrontation in front of the North Street housing projects. Police said she had a bloody lip and nose.

By Andrew Firestone

Being on probation is hardly a stress free situation. Home visits, required counseling and detoxification can have the effect of leaving many where they began: relapsing in serious drug use and addiction.

But many probationers under the watch of the Somerville Court House share Somerville resident Pasquale Nappi’s sentiments: “it probably helped save my life and keep me clean.”

The Boston Women's Rugby Team will be participating in this year's World Cup, which will take place in England from August 7-September 5. Photo of the team from a recent three week training program at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine

By Mike Rubin

Off the field Jamie Burke is kind and gentle. On the rugby gridiron, she’s emerged as one of the fiercest competitors in the sport.

After years of training, Burke – a Somerville resident – heads to England to participate in this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Slated to kick off last Saturday, the United States National team will serve as one of 12 teams throughout the globe.

By Mike Rubin

For the Somerville Storm’s 14 and under squad, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. In a rematch against the Wilmington Wildcats, the Storm battled to an 8-8 tie on Monday.

At the plate, Brianna Dell’Isola, Dyani Davis and Haley Rao all contributed, delivering crucial hits to keep the Storm well within striking distance while Jennifer Toner, Andrea Rao and Deidre Matthews also contributed. Also contributing was Katie Medrano and Amolee Hawkins.

Arrests

Joseph Ferreira, 51, of 157 Chelsea St., Everett, Aug. 2, 10:56 a.m., arrested on warrant charges.

Felix Mijango, 31, of 6 Lincoln Ave., Aug. 2, 11:45 a.m., arrested on warrant charges.