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Civil Service or not – that is the question. There is no doubt that in 2010 and beyond, thinking out of the box will help this city when it comes to the budget process and having flexibility that comes with removing civil service from different job classifications can only help, especially when it comes to vital city services. And while changing civil service eligibility/status and/or privatizing certain city functions has proven much more cost effective and convenient in the past, there is a real argument for the occasional "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" argument. However, to hang your hat on preventing cronyism/nepotism by keeping or getting rid of it is merely a red herring. |
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By Julia Fairclough If you walked by a store window that was so cluttered with merchandise you could hardly see in the window, would that make you want to go in and spend some money? It's doubtful. So curb your enthusiasm. Overloading a store window will only serve confuse the customer. You must lure them in by highlighting what you sell, give them a compelling reason to enter the store, said Christine Graber of GraberMarketing during the city's Best Retail Practices program at City Hall last Thursday. Graber offered some marketing tips and pointers on how to provide storefront improvement. |
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| By Tom Nash
Somerville Police arrested six people in connection with a drug investigation at the Clarendon Hill Towers last week. Following tips from residents and management, the Somerville Police Drug Control Unit began investigating alleged cocaine distribution by Mohammed Al Taban in early February. Searches were conducted Feb. 26 in two apartments, one occupied by John Kehoe, 42, and the other by Al Taban, 19. |
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By Cathleen Twardzik The Somerville Home is currently preparing for its new needs. "The Board of Directors started a Strategic Planning Committee for 2010 and will be focusing on the long range plans and goals of the home," said Kelley Leuchter, Acting Administrator of the Somerville Home for the past 20 months. On a general level, the home is a licensed, affordable housing option for seniors, as well as for other adults — all of whom are in need of a supportive home environment, according to her. Further, the private, not-for-profit organization is "committed to offering a reasonably-priced option for quality, non-skilled residential services." "Since 1898, the Somerville Home has provided long-term residential care to seniors from Somerville and surrounding communities," said Leuchter. Interestingly, "There are even a few residents who came to the Somerville Home from out-of-state." |
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Lauren C. Ostberg Numerous fundraising events rippled through the Boston area in reaction to January 12's devastating earthquake in Haiti. This Sunday, February 28, 2010, the Northeastern bellydancing community merged their talents and activism for yet another. Badriya al-Badi'a, 41, of Arlington – also known as Regina Harrison – but, like all of the performers at this event, Badiya prefers to use her stage name in association with her dancing – organized the event. "Well, I'm the one who put down the deposit," she laughed, explaining that it was a collective effort. Badriya hosted a similar event following Hurricane Katrina. She and Baseema, of the Moirae Dance Troupe, jokingly referred to it as, "kamikaze fundraising," due to the acceleration and exponential growth of the event. "Everything came together very quickly," Badriya said. "Everything" included dozens of raffle prizes and seventeen performances by regional bellydancers. Performances blended tribal fusion, cabaret, gothic fusion, and Egyptian drumming with more traditional bellydancing. One hundred percent of the profits, which exceeded $1,000, will go to Partnership in Health. Badriya selected this non-profit organization for their commitment to "building Haitian solutions" building on the practices and materials that Haiti already has. |
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Andrew Firestone Calling all civic-minded shutterbugs! The Somerville Public Schools have opened up a photography contest this week and all are encouraged to send their favorite shots of iconic moments in Somerville education. The contest will host three categories, for students and adults as well as the best historical shot from the archives, and all are encouraged to submit their best photographs digitally on the Somerville Public School website. |
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By William Tauro Somerville Fire Department Deputy Chief Dave Salvi and Lieutenant Tom Salemmi test out the newly installed alarm system today at 9 New Washington Street – home of the Somerville Lion's Club and the City of Somerville Council on Aging's Ralph and Jenny Center. The building has had two break-ins in the past few months and now with a state-of-the-art alarm system recently installed, the tenants that occupy the building will now have a better sense of security. |
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| Tuesday, Feb 23
At At 8:17 am, Sherry Mayberry, 34, of 33 At 11:13 pm, Adrian Ramirez, 33, of 101 South Dupont |
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