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.)

I am a proud citizen of Somerville. Sometimes I feel like I am a member of an elite group of lifelong 'Villens (50 years in the same house, 56 years in Somerville) who keep a watchful eye on things around the city in the course of my day. I am the guy who screams "slow down" whenever a car is speeding. I yell at the law breakers who whizz down Raymond Avenue the wrong way between 2pm and 3pm when it becomes a one way for the safety of the West Somerville Neighborhood School students and their families. And (you know who you are) why do you gun it and speed up Raymond Ave after you get your kids? There may be still be people trying to cross the street as you are doing 45 in a school zone. Believe me, we are all very impressed at the speed of your vehicle!

Somerville residents were encouraged from all representatives in this so-named “Farm Share Fair” to buy a portion of their farms. ~Photo by Martin Levenson

By Martin Levenson

Somerville Public Library's main branch hosted an event last Monday to display and advertise some Massachusetts farms which specialize in organic vegetables. The idea of the event was to get Somerville residents interested in buying a Community Supported Agriculture share (CSA share) which allows city dwellers here in Somerville to have fresh vegetables from local farms. At the same time many that already have shares, picked up their crops at this event.

~Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Assistant Middlesex Register of Probate James M. Gondolfe getting a early head start standing out campaigning for Worcester County Sheriff Guy Glodis who is in the run for state auditor.

By William Tauro

Cambridge, Transit & Somerville Police officers are looking for a suspect that attempted to rob the Thistle & Shamrock Convenience Store located at 62 Walden Street in Cambridge Tuesday evening at 8:20pm. The store was held up by a masked man who allegedly claimed to have a gun but never showed it and also allegedly threatened to shoot the store clerk if he didn't cooperate. But when the clerk attempted to hand over the money, the culprit ran from the scene without the cash.

By William Tauro

Cambridge
and MBTA Police are searching for this suspect who may be responsible
for four sex crimes recently near a subway station in Cambridge.

Two
women were allegedly grabbed from behind by this man in Central Square
Wednesday evening after leaving a subway station. The man is also
suspected of exposing himself on an MBTA bus in Boston. Cambridge
Police and MBTA Transit Police have released this photo of the suspect.
Police describe the man as a clean-shaved black male, between 18 and 24
years old, 5' 5" – 5' 7" tall believed to be wearing a white puffy
jacket and black knit cap. Any information on the suspect call
Cambridge Police at 617-349-3370 or MBTA Transit Police at 617-222-1050.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Director of the Office of Commissions Sonja Darai, and the Somerville Human Rights Commission announced that the City will hold its annual celebration in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 18 in the Somerville High School auditorium, 81 Highland Ave., beginning at 10a.m.

"Dr. King left a lasting legacy of hope, civic pride, and peace, and as a community we strive to uphold and continue that legacy, particularly by coming together in his memory each year," Mayor Curtatone said. "Today, we are lucky to enjoy some of the most fundamental liberties for all individuals, and there is no better way to celebrate than as a community on this important day. We are also lucky to have some of the most dedicated community partners in Somerville, and I look forward to honoring two such partners at the event on Monday."