William C. Shelton

(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.)

Congress may be spinning its wheels, but last month the Supreme Court passed historic legislation, authorizing corporations to buy elections. It ruled that corporations may spend as much as they want to elect obedient candidates or defeat disobedient ones.

Boston Red Sox fans Theresa Lornelli (L) and Hazel Evans (R) pose with Wally the Green Monster and the two World Championship trophies won by the Boston Red Sox. ~ Photo by Andrew Firestone

Andrew Firestone

The Senior Center of Somerville's Council on Aging was host to two long-hoped for, but never expected guests this last Thursday, February 11th when they were visited by the two World Championship trophies won by the Boston Red Sox. For fans who had waited longer than most, with many remembering the diamond heroics of Ted Williams and Frank Malzone, it was an event of transcendent joy.

While experiencing the now infamous 86-year title drought, these septuagenarian Fenway Faithful never lost heart, and always supported their team. "If they win, we love 'em. If we lose, we love 'em," said Hazel Evans Supporting the team from their days as cross-town rivals of the Boston Braves, these members of Red Sox nation were nevertheless ecstatic about the Red Sox climbing to the pinnacle of the sport. Theresa Lornelli who attended the parade in 2004, admitted that she "was more excited about the parades than my own children, when they did something."

A 5-year-old boy was found by a resident on Medford Street last Friday after the Prospect Hill Academy reported him missing.

According to police, Jonathan Escobar of Medford was feeling unwell and supposed to be picked up by his mother from the school, located at 15 Webster Ave. Instead, surveillance cameras showed he had walked out on his own.

The possibility of citywide Internet reaching speeds of 1 gigabit per second has both residents and officials clamoring for Somerville to be among the trial areas for Google's experimental fiber network.

Google, which announced the program on Feb. 10, said it is seeking communities ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 people to install a broadband network that would deliver Internet speeds "more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today."

Citing a lack of city-owned recreational space in Somerville, the Board of Aldermen voted last Thursday to ask the mayor to work with them to develop a plan for a community center.

While the city has space for activities usually included in all-encompassing community centers, Alderman-at-Large Jack Connolly said residents need a space "where both young and older folks could come and spend part of their days not only educating, but recreating,"

Municipal, state, federal offices are closed.

Supermarkets and liquor stores are open.