My kids don't wear
"dress" pants, so on Easter Sunday they will probably just wear the new
black jeans I bought them, with a decent shirt and their new jackets.
One kid could use some new sneakers. However, if he gives me any crap
about going to the store to try them one, no sneakers. He couldn't care
less if he wears new ones or old ones. Getting them to try on clothes
is a horror show. It's very stressful for me. My boys have only had a
few pair of dress shoes. The amount of times they wore them made it a
poor investment. They mainly wear hooded sweatshirts with zippers.
Times have changed.

When I was a kid, my mother dictated what I
wore, where I wore it and when I wore it – but that was okay. We made
the annual Easter trip to Anderson Little. My mom had an built-in
homing device that led her directly to the pants that would be the most
uncomfortable for me. Mom picked the trousers, I put them on and stood
on some stool. A guy with a tape measure came over and wrote down
numbers after making me feel very embarrassed. I stood in a pew at St.
Clements church and felt like my legs had bugs crawling on them. Never
again would I ever wear wool. When pants started being made with
polyester/Dacron and other acrylic blends, I thanked the Lord. Standing
up in front of the class getting berated by a nun is bad enough on it's
own, but when your legs are itching like crazy and you can't scratch
them, that's Hell. When I was very young, my brother and I had matching
wool hats to cap off our rash-inducing outfits. Oh what lovely
memories. Mom always made sure my brother and sister and I were always
dressed to the nines and she did a great job! Comfort was not factored
in.

Clip on ties were a great invention for kids and parents.
Not only was it a time saver, but it was fun for us. One of the most
popular gags was yanking another kid's tie off. The only bad part about
that was if the kid was wearing a real tie. Can you say pain in the
neck and detention?

And there is nothing cuter than a little
girl with her new dress, pretty bonnet and dainty Easter purse. It goes
perfectly with a brand new shiny pair of patent leather shoes.

I
loved to tell my friends that I had an Uncle Bunny and an Uncle Chick.
How cool was that around Easter time? Bunny was short for Bernardino
and Chick was a nickname for my uncle's last name.

For Easter
dinner this year, I am not doing the honey baked ham thing. Every year
I make that long drive up Route 1 and stand in that stupid line. To
tell you the truth I don't know what the big deal is. Last year's
wasn't that great. I think it will be a simple ham from Johnnies or
BJ's this time. I should have saved the aluminum Honey Baked wrapper
from last year so people would think it was an overpriced honey baked.
Ham, potatoes, corn and rolls that's it. And a great big apple pie from
BJ's. This year I really don't feel like standing in any long lines to
buy Easter fixings. I just get mad and it takes away from the pleasure
of the day. But that's just me .

Then it's the annual egg hunt
in my house. I fill plastic eggs with money and hide them around the
house. I vacuumed and swept on Saturday so I hope nobody finds any dust
bunnies.

And don't forget to buy some white eggs to color. Last
year I was up to my (rabbit) ears with hard boiled colorful eggs. I 'm
pretty sure I tossed a few out.

Palm Sunday just passed and the
church on the corner of Francesca Ave and College Ave had its annual
donkey parade down College Ave – I missed it this year. In the
meantime, there are enough jack-asses speeding down College Ave to tide
me over.

The stores have been jam-packed with everything Easter
since they took down the Valentine's Day stuff. This year's new
offerings are little plastic eggs shaped like ladybugs and edible fake
grass. Yes, that's right, edible fake Easter basket grass. Next year
they will have edible baskets and candy wrappers too I bet. Speaking of
candy, I am the only person I have ever heard of that does not like
marshmallow peeps. Give me a Cadbury or Resses egg any day!

In
the past Easter meant trips to Gilchrist's Basement, Thom McCann and
Gorins. A last minute drive to J.M. Fields, Zayres or Bradlees for the
right belt or accessory may have been needed also. We went to church
and fidgeted from the uncomfortable new clothes and brand new shoes
that were not broken in.

After a very tough and competitive
bidding process, The Guidance Center was awarded a Community Service
Agency (CSA) contract on March 9, 2009 by the State, which has awarded
twenty-six CSA's across Massachusetts to community based organizations
as a part of the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CHBI), a
remedial plan resulting from the 2006 Rosie D. court verdict. The court
case, which was in trial for over five years, sought to restructure
children's mental health system in Massachusetts by incorporating
intensive home-based services, including behavioral health screenings,
assessments, case management, crisis intervention and in-home
therapeutic supports. The state is attempting to adhere to a strict
implementation timeline, which aims to have the plan fully implemented
by June 2009.

The Guidance Center's President and CEO, Susan
Ayers, believes that the plan will take longer than that. "It will roll
out like honey," Ayers said, stating that it will be a year before the
organizations receiving funding feel the full effect of the grants.

The
Guidance Center, which was founded in 1959, provides developmental,
emotional and mental health and services for children from infancy into
young adulthood, as well as intensive family services. The goal of The
Guidance Center is to address the needs of economically and socially
challenged families as well as serving as a liaison between these
families and the multiple social services and agencies that become
involved with families and children with behavioral and mental health
issues. They also provide parenting classes, after-school programs for
both children and their families, and intensive clinical interventions
and developmental therapy.

The center has been featured in
textbooks as a model for community based social work. The Guidance
Center strayed early on from implementing archaic tactics of removing
troubled children from their homes or "parent-ectomies" and instead has
gravitated toward working with the families in their homes on simple
activities such as making dinner and playing board games as a means
toward stabilizing their environments.

The Guidance Center
currently provides services to approximately 120 families within the
Somerville and Cambridge communities. According to Ayers, the number of
families and cases seen by the center is fairly evenly split between
the two communities. With the support of the CSA, the State projects
that this will jump to at least 250 families throughout Cambridge and
Somerville and will be expanding its reach into Burlington, Winchester,
Woburn and Wilmington. The Guidance Center estimates that it affects as
many as 3,500 lives every year.

The CSA has been specifically
awarded to The Guidance Center for its Intensive Family Services, which
deal with troubled adolescents and teenagers and their families.
Candidates for this service are generally classified as Seriously
Emotionally Disturbed (SED). Children, adolescents and teenagers that
are classified as SED have substantial impairments due to emotional or
behavioral disorders that impair their every day life, including their
ability to take care of themselves, attend school or have stable
relationships with their families. The age group that is targeted in
the Intensive Family Services pose the most immediate threat to society
if their disorders go undiagnosed or untreated. There are an estimated
15,000 people in the state of Massachusetts that fall under the SED
classification.

The Guidance Center is comprised of 110
employees, 70 of which are clinical staff, accounting for approximately
80% of their annual budget. Ayers projects that with the help of the
CSA, the center will bring on approximately 25 to 30 new clinical staff
employees, which will significantly increase the scope and depth of
their ability to reach families within the Somerville and Cambridge
communities.

"I'd like
everyone to leave here with a better understanding of domestic
violence," MacMaster began, speaking to a crowd of teachers, school
counselors, state officials and parents.

"Domestic violence is
so deeply embedded in our society. We've come a long way, but not long
enough," he continued. He referenced the archetypal image of a caveman
dragging around a woman, while brandishing a giant club, as well as the
fact that English Common Law stipulates, via the rule of thumb, that a
man may beat his wife with a device no wider than his thumb.

In
order to put a human face to domestic violence, MacMaster described the
real-life story of Carla, a woman who was physically and
psychologically tortured by her husband for years. Along with her
children, she lived in constant fear, and her home was a virtual
prison. She was repeatedly strangled, assaulted with knives and thrown
down the stairs.

After describing her situation, MacMaster asked the audience what they would ask Carla if she were present at the meeting.

"Why
didn't she just shoot him?" one audience member asked. "Why did she get
married?" asked another. In essence, why didn't she leave him?

In
order to answer these questions, MacMaster showed a video in which
Carla described her situation. She emphatically stated that her reason
for staying with her husband boiled down to the total fear he instilled
in her. "I don't think anyone understands what it's like to be in
tremendous fear of another person…I lived in an environment of
constant battering," she said.

He kept Carla from going to
friends, family or authorities, by threatening to kill her and
attempting to use her children against her. Furthermore, she mentioned
that he didn't display overt signs of abuse until a few weeks before
her marriage.

MacMaster added that fear is the main ingredient
abusers use to keep their victims from speaking out or reporting them.
According to MacMaster, domestic abuse victims are caught in a cycle of
"learned helplessness,"-a phrase coined by psychologist Martin
Seligman-in which they are conditioned to feel completely helpless.

Other
barriers to leaving a domestic abuse situation include love for the
abuser, culture/religion, the abuser's financial control and
embarrassment.

According to MacMaster, 1 in 4 women experience
domestic violence within their lifetime, 37 percent of women receive
hospital care as the result of domestic violence (reported cases), and
there are 3 times more shelters for animals than women.

In order
to provide advice to the teachers and counselors in the audience,
MacMaster outlined signs of domestic abuse in children. He noted that
signs of domestic abuse aren't always apparent to teachers. When
children act exceedingly well-behaved, when they are "almost too
perfect," it could be out of fear of being abused. Other signs include
being underweight, seeming too pale after summer vacation and not
having any friends.

MacMaster also noted that there is a
direct correlation between domestic violence and teen dating violence.
Males who are abused at home are more likely to become abusers, and
females who are abused at home are more likely to become victims.
According to Massachusetts law, domestic violence and teen-dating
violence are treated the same.

MacMaster proceeded to outline
the specific state rules governing domestic violence and related crimes
such as assault, criminal harassment, and stalking.

"We know that kids are resilient, but how do we expect them to be resilient in the face of domestic violence?" he asked.

He
described how schools can implement programs that foster self-esteem,
respect, social skills, and set high expectations. According to
MacMaster, if a child has a high degree of self-esteem and a strong
support system, he/she is more likely to escape a domestic abuse
situation.

MacMaster emphasized that adults should take any
child's report of domestic abuse seriously, and to make clear to the
child that the abuse is not his/her fault. Furthermore, the adult is a
"mandated reporter" or legally obligated to report the abuse to social
services.

MacMaster ended on a positive note, praising
Somerville Police Chief Anthony Holloway for his efforts in curtailing
domestic abuse. "Chief Holloway is deeply invested in [preventing]
domestic violence…he deserves a lot of credit," he said.

When
trying to get somewhere in Somerville without directions, take a turn
at every major intersection. On Cape Cod, always go straight and look
for signs.

If a knife's edge reflects light, it's time to get
it sharpened. Unfortunately, Siraco's once the best blade sharpener
around, is no longer in Magoun Square.

You will recognize the obvious much sooner than professionals.

The quality of flavor in cheese is inversely proportional to the thickness of the slice.

The crossbar on a bicycle should just come to your crotch, standing flat-footed with your shoes off.

When
you are conversing with people who don't speak English, assume that
they understand about half as much as they look like they understand.

Don't enter a poker game unless you have fifty times the betting limit in your pocket.

The diameter of a tree trunk in inches is the radius of the root system in feet.

New arrivals to Somerville are, on average, politically inert for seven years.

In half the cases, an employee calling in sick is actually sick.

We tend to do to others what has been done to us.

To
estimate the number of calories that you consume each day, multiply
your weight by 15. To gain or lose weight, increase or decrease this
number by 20%.

Each additional 10,000 car trips per day on Somerville's roads increases our excess cardiopulmonary deaths by 1 per year.

A used tool in good condition should cost no more than half the price of a new one.

The number of seconds between lightning and thunder, divided by five, is the number of miles you are away from it.

Any
time a mechanic begins by telling you how lucky you are that you
brought your car in when you did, plan on spending at least $500.

If for some reason you need to wear a tuxedo more than once every year, it is cheaper to buy than to rent.

Somerville government costs $115,000 per year for every taxable acre of land.

A 3/4 front view makes the best photo for selling a car.

A ball hit to left field by a left-handed hitter will slice toward the left-field line, and vice versa.

The third restaurant that goes into a space is usually the one that succeeds.

During a job interview, don't spend more than 60 seconds answering any one question.

To blow a tree stump out of the ground, use one stick of dynamite for every four inches in stump diameter.

When
writing an ad, keep each sentence to twelve words or less. A billboard
should have not more than seven words and two things to look at.

Someone
speaking in passive voice is probably concealing something. Doubt
anyone who seems to be speaking with strong emotion, but whose
shoulders are relaxed.

On government multiple-choice exams, the longest answer is usually the correct one.

The most offensive people are also usually the most easily offended.

When the temperature at sunset is 50 degrees or less, there will probably be a frost.

A garment is probably well made if stripes and plaids are matched at the seams.

If something that is not human bites you, it is probably female.

If you can't see a car's rear tires at a stoplight, or if you can read its odometer, you're too close.

You can always find one good reason to do anything. Find two.

The speed that allows the most cars to use a road at once is 22 mph.

Ten people will raise the temperature of a medium sized room 1 degree per hour.

The whole nonsense
about lack of transparency makes us wonder if these same people even
bother to read the arrest logs weekly. There is plenty to be concerned
about regarding crime in this community. And while there is no reason
to panic, we need to have faith in the police and other public safety
people we have out there that are entrusted to protect the average
every day people on the street. Based on recent arrests, there is very
little concern about the age, sex or racial background of victims of
crime.

There is little faith or trust in our system of local
government when a small group that just doesn't get it takes the time
to claim community outrage and demand that cameras, with specific
public safety purposes, be removed or that their locations be
published. Think about it – if criminals know where the cameras are,
then they are defeated before they had a chance to do any good.

The
whole notion that there is even a Big Brother watching means that these
same people distrust the establishment – all the way up to the
President – who is, whether you like him or not, trying desperately to
restore faith in government in the public eye.

***************

The Somerville High
marching band was at Home Depot as special guests performing this past
Saturday – the band played tunes during a promotion gala that the home
improvement giant was holding. In exchange for the performance, Home
Depot donated thirty 5-gallon buckets for the band to practice on.

***************

Former
Mayor and current Register of Deeds Eugene Brune is having his annual
(believe it or not 25th annual) breakfast Sunday May 3rd at Anthony's –
105 Canal Street, Malden. This particular breakfast every year has been
the one to attend, old and new alike here in Somerville show up and
have great time – Gene was one popular mayor and its hard to believe
this has been going on since 1983 – tickets at the door are $20.00 and
children under 8 free.

***************

Register of
Probate Tara DeCristofaro celebrated her birthday this past weekend,
lots of people were in attendance, lots of professionals – and she has
a huge family – but no KB of the Farm Team, and we expected him
there…oh well, in spite of that she had a successful event and a
pretty happy birthday.

***************

Mayor Joseph A.
Curtatone invites all interested individuals to 'SomerVision,' an open
house on current planning initiatives and kick-off event for a
city-wide visioning process. The open house will include
representatives from the City of Somerville as well as community
partners and state agencies. The open house will be held on Saturday,
April 25th from 11am-3pm at the Argenziano School, 290 Washington
Street. For more information contact Keith Craig, Office of Strategic
Planning and Community Development, 617-625-6600 ext. 2523

***************

Popular
Ward 2 Alderwoman Maryann Heuston is having a fundraiser this coming
Monday night at the Mt. Vernon Restaurant from 6 to 8, she usually
attracts a big crowd and why not she's probably the most popular Ward 2
Alderman in the past 40 odd years or so, Maryann listens and acts,
we've seen her in action. She is spending the next few weeks walking
the ward in various locations with neighbors and finding out concerns –
look for her dates and places.

***************

Bill
Manny of Prospect Hill has been ill recently and is on the mend, Bill
is a life long resident of Somerville, a Boston Fireman and a popular
figure in the Eastern Star circle here in Somerville. We wish him
speedy recovery.

***************

A special memorial for
the late Linda MacLeod, who passed away late last year, will be at the
Masonic Building located at 125 Highland (rear) this Saturday April
11th at 10:30am, with a brunch to follow. Linda left a large family and
lots of friends behind here in Somerville – she was very active in
Rainbow for Girls as well as Eastern Star. For information write to
Valerie Donovan at mabel312@aol.com.

***************

A
big get well soon goes out to Somerville Police Officer Bob Hickey, the
man has eyes that can see a mile down the road who can spot a bad
inspection sticker. Officer Hickey as been out on leave due to minor
surgery, we wish him well and back soon.

***************

This
surfaced on Google Somerville alert last week, where we the only ones
that saw it? Appears that U-2 will be announcing another secret show
here in Somerville again – this time at the Burren Pub in Davis Square
for a more intimate performance then ever before. We heard only members
of the International Monetary Fund would be admitted after showing
proof of having forgiven the debt of at least one Third World Country.
Maybe it's a late April fools joke, but one of our newstalkers swears
by it.

***************

All America City Fund Party,
featuring live entertainment by Elated Dance Band, on April 16th from 6
to 9p.m. at the Night Games Lounge, Holiday Inn on Washington Street,
suggested donation at the door $25.00 per person – checks payable to
the "All America City Fund."

***************

One of us
was at the public hearing for the surveillance cameras around the city
and heard some pretty wild accusations, especially from some well known
PDSers here in Somerville – what's the problem with the cameras if they
are there for the purpose intended? If you have nothing to hide and
don't subscribe to the "conspiracy theory," then what's the problem?
Most of us at Newstalk don't have a problem with it – it's those
conspiracy theory left wingers that just can't say something positive
about anything. We applaud the administration for putting them for the
reasons they were intended for.

***************

Finally,
we want to wish everyone a solemn Good Friday, Joyous Easter and
Pleasant Passover – even those PDSers who insist on being secularists.

***************

Somerville
Commission for Persons with Disabilities is having a public meeting on
Monday, April 13, 2009 at The Hagan Manor – 268 Washington Street –
starting at 6:00 p.m. ***************