The Somerville Times

Immigrant Somerville teens open photo exhibit in State House

On June 16, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

Dimas Avila stands in front of his art work,
part of an exhibition at the State House by the teenage artists of
Centro Presente, an immigrant advocacy group in Somerville.

~Photos by George
P. Hassett

By George P. Hassett

Two weeks
after Massachusetts senators passed a far-reaching crackdown on illegal
immigrants, a group of Somerville immigrant teenagers opened their
photography exhibit at the State House.

The teens, working with
the immigrant advocacy group Centro Presente, took pictures of their
everyday life in Somerville – lower Broadway barber shops, stores,
landmarks, Mr. Quintanilla, "one of the few Latino teachers at
Somerville High" – to add a face to the simmering immigration debate.

The
exhibit is on display through Friday.

"We want to show people
that we can contribute to the future of Massachusetts," said Dimas
Avila, who graduated from Somerville High School last week.

The
photo exhibit is the latest pro-immigrant measure to come out of
Somerville, where 30 percent of residents were born in a different
country and ethnic restaurants are a staple of the local economy.

"[Immigrants]
don't get harassed in Somerville," said Juan Carlos Acosta, an eighth
grader at Winter Hill Community School with a photo in the State House
exhibit.

Police investigate double stabbing in Somerville

On June 16, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

By William Tauro

Somerville
Police are investigating today's double stabbing at 60 Washington St.
Two males were transported to an area hospital and are in stable
condition, police said. Somerville police are investigating the
incident.

Somerville Police break up Davis Square fight

On June 16, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

~Photo by Donald Norton

By William Tauro

Somerville Police responded to a call at Statue Park in Davis Square to break up a fight between two males. Later Officer Jack Leuchter placed one of the alleged combatants under arrest for disorderly person. Acting Somerville Police Chief Michael Cabral was also on location and assisted Officer Jack Leuchter in the arrest.

Newstalk for June 16

On June 16, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff


Local 25 was standing out on Broadway in Magoun Square for the past few days during a labor dispute with Marchese Construction. Marchese is the private contractor that the city hired to do all the street construction project in that area. Apparently Marchese is being accused of using non-union workers — that didn't sit right with Local 25.

The View From Prospect Hill for June 16

On June 16, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

Congratulations to Somerville Community Access Television. The local access channel – the oldest in the nation by the way – is still a leader: this week they brought home two awards from a national media contest. They won for overall excellence for the fifth time in six years and for "In Tune with Rasta" a documentary produced by student Anthony Soto on Rasta culture in America.

There's not much to be excited about in media these days. The supposed most cutting-edge medium, the web, is filled with link laden sites that do little more than compile the best of a few strong competitors. National outlets do little more than pump up phony outrage from both political extremes. And when was the last time you saw a great movie in the theater?

Somerville teens ‘Rock Out’

On June 16, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

By Andrew Firestone

Centennial auditorium blazed bright on Friday, as student musicians from all over Somerville came together for a night of jamming at the second annual Somerville Students Rock concert.

Organized by Jimmy Del Ponte, youth Arts Coordinator and Rick Saunders, a music supervisor for city schools, the concert gave many students the opportunity to step up and showcase their musical talents.

‘Pain is here’ for laid off Somerville workers

On June 16, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

School custodian jobs outsourced

By Tom Nash

As Mayor Joseph Curtatone prepared to present the city's proposed FY11 budget on Tuesday, he stressed jobs would not be spared if services can be maintained in other ways.

The $8.1 million budget gap faced by the city, due mostly to aid reduction from Beacon Hill, means another year of layoffs. Eighteen city positions and 49 school custodian positions have been cut. City officials said they would outsource.

World Cup fever kicks off

On June 16, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

~Photo by Andrew Firestone

Andrew Firestone

Filipe Augusto and Fabio Andrade react to Brazil's first goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup as they watched in a crowded Cafe Belo on Washington Street.

Housing inspector arrested on OC charges

On June 16, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

George Duffney

James Chiodo

Drug investigation leads to City Hall worker

By George P. Hassett

A Somerville housing inspector arrested for selling oxycontin on Friday, allegedly met drug customers as he conducted lead inspections for the city, court records show.

George Duffney, 53, of Norwell, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate a drug law, possession to distribute a class B drug and drug violation near a school or park.

He told drug unit investigators he met James Chiodo, 60, of 11 Dresden Circle, when he did a lead inspection in his home. Police said this week the two men conspired to sell oxycontin. Chiodo was also arrested with two ounces of marijuana.

Duffney was hired by the City in October, 2008. He worked as a lead inspector inside the city's Housing and Community Development office.

Somerville Aldermen approve Shaw’s strike resolution

On June 16, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

By Tom Nash

Faced with an audience of striking Shaw's supermarket workers, the Board of Aldermen approved a resolution last Thursday asking for the grocery chain to get back to the bargaining table.

Around 300 warehouse workers went on strike in March after the final contract presented by Supervalu, the parent company of Shaw's, included steep benefit cuts. Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero had earlier tabled the resolution, sponsored by Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan and Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, saying it was not the board's place to get involved.