~Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Connie Blazyk and Adelaide Smith are two residents that reside at the Brickbotton Condominiums who join a team of community volunteers from that building in "pre-cleanup day" in their neighborhood. The team of volunteers spent a good part of the entire day picking up and disposing of trash that has been discarded on the ground as well as next to McGrath Highway.

Jimmy Del Ponte
On The Silly Side

(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.)

Remember those small, cheesy crackers that were shaped like tiny submarines sandwiches? They were made by Nabisco, and they were the cousin of the Cheez-it. I loved them and now they are gone. They came in a little box and also in a big box and they were very tasty. It has left a void in my snack repertoire. But I am not going to write this entire column about little cheesy snack crackers – I am going to write little tid-bits of information and stories. I am going to toss out some names, facts and situations – and see what sticks.

~Photos by Andrew Firestone

Andrew Firestone

Carl Sciortino, Representative of the 34th Middlesex District has taken a somewhat unorthodox approach to constituent relations. Rather than waiting for you to come to him, he's actually willing to sit down for a few hours at one of the local coffee shops, the Teele Square Café, and hear your concerns from across the table.

It's said that the clearest demonstration of a healthy society is a politically active base of concerned citizens, and a government that is required to listen. It's very easy nowadays to discount all politics, even the most local, as being out of touch, especially with all of the recent rumblings on Beacon Hill of corruption and stagnation. But Carl cares, and that's why every month, he's going to be out there in his districts talking to the people he represents.

This past Saturday, the 20th of March, Sciortino sat across the table from several residents who took him up on his offer to listen and brought their concerns to him. One thing was for certain: the duties and responsibilities of an elected legislator are vast indeed and Sciortino handled all questions and concerns with deft determination and commensurate compassion. "He loves office hours," said aide Kathleen Keating, "so he will be there until the very last person is done speaking."

The afternoon began with a few local issues. One constituent was concerned about the parties going on in her neighborhood, and claimed that both Tufts and Somerville Police had been too lax, but also admitted that her grandson was among them, and she had been embarrassed to get him in trouble. Another resident was concerned about nurse staffing ratios, and asked about the progress of certain bills requiring appropriate maintenance. Sciortino informed him of the history of this issue, and said a vote might take place during this session.

~Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

A huge crane stretches out over Dilboy Field's goal post where New England Patriots player Stephen Gotkowski is attempting to kick footballs a radio show host with ten point after attempts. The object is to hit the WAAF Radio's Spaz who will be suspended 100' over the Somerville football stadium field. He will be kicking footballs at "Spaz" who lost a bet while he is harnessed to a crane cable dangling with no way to escape high speeding footballs being kicked in his direction from seventeen yards away until contact is made.

The broadcasted-live event took place from 6-10am on Friday by Boston's Bay State Rock WAAF 97.7 / 107.3 FM Radio station's "Spaz" from the Greg Hill "HillMan" Show.

By William Tauro

An alleged drunk driver is arrested by Somerville Police after the vehicle that he was driving crashed into and oncoming taxi cab at the intersection of Washington and Franklin Streets. The incident occurred at 8:05pm on Thursday. No injuries were reported.

By William Tauro

Hundreds  of people gathered Thursday evening to attend the eighth annual "Brian Higgins Trivia!" This years sold out packed event was held at Cusens Gym located at Tufts University on College Avenue in Medford. The trivia portion of the event consisted of over 70 teams who discussed answers among themselves and competed against other teams in the areas of literature, entertainment, history,sports, music, commercial mascots and more.

Each year Over 700 people compete in one of Somerville's most successful and enjoyable fund-raising event. The Brian Higgins Foundation knows that events like this are only successful because of the kindness of people like from the local communities who are so willing to help.

By William Tauro

Friday
morning March 27, Boston's Bay State Rock WAAF 97.7 / 107.3 FM Radio
station's "Spaz" from the Greg Hill "Hillman Morning Show" will be
broadcasting live from Dilboy Field in Somerville. New England
Patriot's football player Stephen Gotkowski is said to be appearing
there and will be kicking footballs at "Spaz" who lost a bet, will be
chained to a goal post and suspended by a crane high in the sky above
the goal post for a contest that will consist of kicking footballs at
him until contact is made. They will be broadcasting the event live
from 6-10am.