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Spring has sprung and the rains are here, for now. With the advent of Spring every year, comes the start of Little League season. After a cold Winter and in between rainstorms recently, that's an excellent breath of fresh air in the community pride we all know so well. In this tough economy, it is more imperative than ever to thank those who volunteer their time, effort and in many cases, money, to organizations such as the Little League for our children's future. In addition to thanking those people, if we come together a little closer, even those who don't have young children, and also pitch in – we can ensure that the kids have activities that promote teamwork, advancing themselves in sports and academics and create an air of camaraderie that playing sports instills in everyone who is involved. |
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Ashley Troutman Have you been trying to lose weight? Then join the rest of Somerville for the city's first fitness challenge. The "Mayor's Fitness Challenge" kicked off at noon this past Saturday with a health and wellness fair at the Somerville High School Gymnasium. "The Mayor's Fitness Challenge" will be an annual event. Paulette Renault-Caragianes from the Health Department said, "It will be held again this time next year." A DJ played background music at the fair while shoppers perused the indoor farmer's market. Local children played basketball and rode toy bikes, while residents took part in demonstrations of yoga, pilates and a Boot Camp class. A nurse was on site giving flu shots and flu mists for kids. A high-tech body fat analyzer that also tested Body Mass Index (BMI) was available, as well as free massages. |
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Andrew Firestone Fairy tales came true a little bit at Somerville High School on Friday Night, as Frank Sinatra and Liza Minelli teamed up for another night of fantastic entertainment. Well, kind of. Audience members young and old we treated to deft look-alikes Joanne Sweeney and Mike Dutra, as they sang their idols' top hits to a crowd of 650 people at the 6th Annual Memorial Day Parade Fundraiser. The event, which raised over $8,000, was organized by Frank Senesi, the Director of Veteran Services for the city and supported by members of the American Legion in Somerville. "We have one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the nation," said Steve Silvestri, "Somerville being the patriotic city that it is." Milton Lashus of East Boston who is a Commander in the American Legion and will be a special guest speaker at the parade on May 30th echoed many of the concertgoers, "I'm here because it's a good time, and a good cause." Before the concert began, the audience milled around the halls of Somerville High, many of them veterans catching-up with old acquaintances, while some talked with Mayor Curtatone who, with his 2-year-old son James, made a few opening remarks at the concert. One veteran who chatted with the Mayor and his son was Captain John O'Leary of World War II, who was gratified with the pleasant turnout. "I see a lot of my friends coming out and a beautiful day here. I'm looking forward to a good show, and hoping for a great Memorial Day parade. The show itself was enjoyed by everyone. Sweeney, in character as Minelli, came out first and, in a series of blazing-fast costume changes, wowed the crowd with renditions of such hits as "Bye, bye Blackbird" and "Cabaret." At one point, during a performance of "Sarah Lee," Sweeney/Minnelli was joined by Frank Senesi, who appeared on stage dressed as a chef. Despite it being "a long, long, long time," since Senesi had done any steps, he earned a round of applause from the audience after keeping in rhythm while dancing. "It was very believable," said Lorilie Richardson of Somerville, who had attended after finding out that the Broadway run of "The Lion King" playing in Boston was sold out. "It felt like I was back in the '70s and Liza was standing right in front of me." "I was hoping she would sing Second-hand Rose," said Phil Tammaro, a veteran of the Vietnam War. |
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By Joseph A. Curtatone (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.) The first annual Mayor's Shape Up Somerville Fitness Challenge got off to a great start this weekend, with a kickoff event held at Somerville High School on Saturday. More than 500 residents, business leaders and community members turned out – on the first day of spring, no less – to sign up to participate in a Team Challenge, take the Health and Wellness Participation Pledge to increase physical activity and make healthy eating choices, or simply to take part in an afternoon full of family-friendly recreation and fitness programs, peruse the indoor farmers markets, or visit a variety of booths promoting local organizations. |
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| (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.)
To the Editor: I am very disappointed at the Massachusetts Congressional delegation of the House of Representatives in Washington for voting YES on Obama's healthcare plan. I give a lot of praise to Representative Lynch for voting NO. President Obama just does not get it, the country is divided when it comes to health care reform. Since his State of the Union address, Obama has talked just about health care reform. We need job creation in this country. Unemployment is awfully high and people are not working. I wish one of our Congressmen would stand up to Obama – maybe Representative Lynch – and ask our President what will he do to get people back to work. I WISH HEALTHCARE REFORM DOES NOT PASS. The VOTERS do not want it and they are the ones who make the final decision at the POLLS. As a Catholic and long-time Democrat I am deeply saddened to see healthcare – OBAMA CARE – pass. Elio LoRusso |
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| By Tom Nash
A Quincy man was arrested the morning after he allegedly stabbed a Somerville resident during a party on March 17, according to a police report. Somerville Police responded to a report of a stabbing at 284 Lowell St. at 10:59 p.m. March 17 to find a 21-year-old man stabbed twice in the chest. The victim, whose name was not released, was listed in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital. |
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Barista competition comes to Somerville By Julia Fairclough While some people grab a cup of coffee in the morning to jump start their heart beat, others carefully pick the coffee bean they prefer, go out of their way to find a café that specializes in coffee, and then sip the beverage as if it were a fine glass of cognac. The latter group was really excited to attend the 2010 Northeast Regional Barista Competition (NERBC) at the Arts at the Armory building on Highland Avenue this past weekend, especially since this is the first time that such a coffee event has landed here on the East Coast. "It's great to see that the coffee culture is moving to Boston," said George Howell of George Howell Terroir Coffee in Acton, a host sponsor of the event. "The West coast has led the way for a long time, but what we see here this weekend is more contestants to this competition than any other." The weekend-long event included a judge's certification workshop and several rounds of tasting competitions. Thirty-seven baristas from throughout the New England region got up on stage and "performed"-a deft twist of the dosing spoon and flip of the steam nozzle-before the judges and a fascinated audience. The espresso taste evaluation, for example, was comprised of consistency of the cream, taste balance (harmonious balance of the sweet/acidic/bitter) and tactile balance (full bodied, round, smooth). |
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By William Tauro This SUV lost control and landed on its side before crashing into the front steps of a residence located at 255 Medford Street at the Highland Avenue intersection. No injuries were reported. The male driver was able to escape the overturned vehicle without injury. The incident occurred at 10:45 pm on Monday evening. |
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Messages Now Delivered Via Phone, E-mail and Text Message; New Online Management Tool Allows Residents to Update Information Immediately; "Connect-CTY" to be Renamed "Blackboard Connect" Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced an expansion of the City's Connect-CTY alert system. Effective immediately, Somerville residents and business owners may sign up to receive Connect-CTY alerts via text message, in addition to the traditional phone and e-mail deliveries. The City's Connect-CTY mass notification system, which broadcasts alerts to households and businesses throughout the city, was introduced in 2006, and currently serves more than 30,000 residents and businesses.
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By William Tauro Veteran Somerville Police Officer William Nolan passed away this past Sunday. William was a graduate of Saint Clement's High, served seven years in the United States Maine Corps, served the Somerville Police Department as a Police Officer twenty-plus years and was a life-long Somerville resident as well. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Sillari Nolan and his children: Christine Resmimi, Tara DiRusso and Billy Nolan Jr. William was also son-in-law to Mary and Tony Sillari. William was 57 years old. "We will miss you Uncle Billy." Officer Nolan's wake will be held on Thursady at Doherty Funeral Home and burial services will be held Friday morning. |
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