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Suzanne Bremer (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.) "In budget-cutting season, politics can be brutal," wrote the author of a recent View from Prospect Hill column. With an $8.1 million budget gap, it is imperative that the city cut costs. However, the current, shortsighted approach will sow the seeds of discord for years to come. |
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Andrew Firestone Somerville honored one of its most dedicated citizens on Sunday June 14, when Vito Vaccaro, 86, former alderman and School Committee member was given his own square outside his family home. Vito Vaccaro Square was christened with a little help from current aldermen Dennis Sullivan, William White and Jack Connelly, as well as a few words from Mayor Joseph Curtatone. Vaccaro settled in Somerville after leaving the Navy in 1947, working for General Electric. Over the years, he dedicated himself to the community, eventually becoming an alderman in 1978. He has spent the last three decades sitting upon the licensing commission of Somerville. The event was attended by friends and well-wishers, including Vaccaro's four children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. |
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By Tom Nash Children who have grown up with the Washington Street Boys & Girls Club will be spending their last summer there, following a decision by Boys & Girls club directors to sell the building. The club, in operation for 37 years, cited changing needs and low enrollment as the reason for ending its programing in August. But the immediate reason became more clear last Thursday after its tenant, the Somerville Public Schools administration, received approval to move into a new building. "[The club] has been considered a second home for kids," Executive Director Chile Eng said. "We are like one big family, so it's very emotional." |
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Somerville site to create 500 housing units and 120 jobs in a series of 50 construction projects supported by the Administration that will break ground and create jobs in 2010. Monday, June 14, continuing the Patrick-Murray Administration's efforts to promote job growth and long-term economic recovery, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki today joined with state, federal and local leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Clarendon Hill Tower construction project in Somerville that will result in immediate job growth and the preservation of the city's largest rental development. This project, jump started by targeted state, federal and local funding sources, will result in 500 housing units, including low-income options, and 120 jobs. |
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By William Tauro Crews unload a truck load of trees that are being planted on Washington Street. Freshly planted trees line the street and giving Washington Street a new fresh look. |
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By George P. Hassett A Somerville drug suspect who fled from police and allegedly swallowed the evidence was held at Cambridge Hospital on Friday and treated for cocaine and oxycontin ingestion. Drug unit cops followed a man they knew as a drug user from the Clarendon Hill housing development to Rubenson Cherilus, 24, of Glendale Avenue, waiting in a 2006 Honda, police said. |
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| Monday, June 7
Damien Didas, 33, of 15 Stickney Ave., 2:35 p.m., arrested on warrant charges of unarmed robbery. Christine |
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Ard Ardalan As the race for governor heats up, Governor Deval Patrick made a stop in Somerville to address concerns of the arts community. In a campaign stop at Q Division Recording Studios on Highland Avenue Friday, Patrick also announced plans to host an international music festival in Boston as part of an to revitalize the arts economy in Massachusetts. In addressing a packed room of musicians, graphic designers and producers, Patrick immediately mentioned his father, Laurdine "Pat" Patrick, a saxophone player for the Jazz musician Sun Ra for nearly 30 years. Though he said he doesn't have his father's talent, he said he was "one of us, a member of the arts community." "The kind of stuff I go to, the diversity would blow your mind." He recounted sitting in on a 4th grade rendition of Don Quixote in Richmond, and attending events "in folk's basements." Patrick said unlike many other politicians, he doesn't "think of the arts as something nice on the side, but as something that completes us." Artists pressed Patrick on concerns that new casinos in Massachusetts may compete with existing local arts venues and stifle initiatives. In his speech, Patrick emphasized the economic woes of the arts community during the recent economic downturn and the subsequent actions of the state government. He highlighted the problems that the creative community faced as sources of funding dwindle and donors are harder to come by. |
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By William Tauro
During Friday night's Somerville Recreation Department's track meet that was held at Dilboy Stadium, a nine year old little girl sprained her ankle.
Her parents weren't there and she had no way of getting home. She was evaluated and treated by Cataldo Ambulance and her mother was notified.
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The brain child of Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, who played trumpet in the Somerville High School Jazz Band, Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival is back this year, kicking off on Saturday, June 19 at Powderhouse Park and continuing throughout the week at Somerville’s local hotspots.The festival begins with a free concert in Powderhouse Park, from 12-8 p.m. The Somerville High School Jazz Ensemble will get the crowd going with sounds ranging from American Jazz to Big Band, and everything in between. From then on, there will be non-stop music until 8 p.m.-from Latin beats to rock-hard blues to violins and fiddles. The lineup includes Professor Harp, Brendan Hogan & Band, Evan Marien Trio, The Ben Powell Quartet, Eric Hofbauer and the Infrared Band, Peter Parcek 3, and the Camelia Latin Jazz Sextet. |
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