By Samantha Hutt

A hearing was held on Monday September 13, to gather information from the public on the expansion of the Assembly Square area in Somerville. The Department of Environmental Protection, Waterways Regulation Program held the hearing at the Visiting Nurses Association where approximately 15 people gathered to voice concerns, criticism, and commendations about how project leaders were handling the mixed-use development project.

New financing plan involves 450 acres, $944 million in tax base

By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

As city officials rush to put together a 30-year-economic development plan, a proposal to allow tax revenue generated from improvements in specific neighborhoods to go directly back to those areas is being questioned by local business owners.

The District Improvement Financing Plan, presented at a Sept. 15 public hearing, could potentially turn several city properties into parking garages and the Union Square post office into a performing arts center. The plan involves 450 acres and $944 million of local tax base.

By Mike Rubin

The Somerville High School girls soccer team emerged with a key victory Sept. 15 over Malden. Freshman Rachael Berry and sophomore Natalie Henrique notched a goal apiece as the Highlanders escaped with a 2-1 victory over Greater Boston League rivals. With the win, the Highlanders improved their record to 2-1 overall.

I had my friend and Emerson College English professor Tracy L. Strauss interview the writer and humorist Malachy McCourt. McCourt will appear at The Somerville News Writers Festival Nov. 13 at the Arts Armory on Highland Avenue in Somerville – of course!
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Sez Malachy McCourt to Somerville
by Tracy L. Strauss

“I like the name ‘Somerville’,” Malachy McCourt said over the phone from his home in upstate New York, “it’s got a nice euphonious ring to it. ‘Somerville’ – sounds like the wind whistling through the trees.”

Tino Villanueva is a Somerville Bagel Bard and has also been included in The Norton Anthology of Latino Literature edited by Ilan Stevens. This is an excerpt from his poem “At the Holocaust Museum: Washington, D.C.” that appears in the anthology.

Gilmore G. Cooke

By Alexandra Botti

In the age of iPads and smartphones, Historic Somerville is giving residents the chance to look back at one of the most pivotal technological milestones in the history of communication.

Gilmore G. Cooke, Chair of the History and Milestones Committee of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Boston Section, will discuss the history of the telephone and its first commercial subscriber in 1877, Somerville’s own Charles Williams, at a Somerville Museum event on Sept. 23.

Second in a two-part series of lectures on Somerville’s technical milestones, the lecture entitled “Charles Williams of Somerville and the History of the Telephone” is a chance for residents to learn about this critical historical moment in the context of their own city’s past.

By Mike Rubin

After a slow start to the season, the Somerville boys soccer team may have begun to right the ship. Following a 1-1 season opening tie against Bedford, the Highlanders suffered a tough 3-2 defeat in the Greater Boston League opener to Medford.

Battling back, the Highlanders recovered with a pair of convincing wins over Marblehead (7-0) and Malden (4-0) before suffering a tough 1-0 loss to Billerica on Saturday. As a result, the Highlanders currently stand at 2-2-1 overall.

(L to R) Executive Director Joseph Ryan, Lt David Fallon, Chief Michale Cabral, Frank Reidy, Frank Senesi, Director of Veterans Services.~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By William Tauro

Tuesday afternoon the Army National Guard recognized and paid tribute to Somerville Police officer David Fallon and presented him with the “Patriot  Award” for his dedicated service while on a tour of duty.  The Somerville Police Department was also presented the “Above and Beyond Award” for its dedicated service.

The ceremony took place in the academy room at the Somerville Police Station.

By Mike Rubin

The Saint Clement football team went through a very tough week of practice after their 6-0 loss to Charlestown on opening day. Coach Colin Walsh made sure that the following Monday would be full pads and a lot of contact drills.