SCC
is currently redeveloping the area to create approximately 60
condominiums, some market-rate and some for lower income individuals,
some retail space and a building for the Just A Start Corporation, a
program for young mothers and their children.

The first phase
of construction, that of a four-story building for
neighborhood-oriented mixed-use and affordable rental housing, is
currently underway and the second building is set to begin this Spring.

An assembly of laid-off union workers have turned up with
picket signs in hand against what they consider unacceptable treatment
of workers by Miller and Son Painting. "We consider it a community
standards issue," said IUPAT Council 35 organizer Mark Lohan. "These
wages and working conditions are not compatible with community
standards."

Lohan, a painter by trade from Ireland, said that
despite rumors, the protests were not about their hiring of non-union
workers. "It's not an objection to the non-union workers, it's an
objection to their employer who is taking advantage of them," he said.

When
asked about these tactics, Lohan said, "Our union is diverse and broad:
immigrant and non-immigrant, Black, White, Latino, and we all believe
that just because an economy is bad doesn't mean people have to be
treated badly. We don't want to be part of a race to the bottom. Not
only in construction, but in any trade."

Project Manager Marc
Champagne indicated that his company's policies would not change,
quickly dismissing Lohan's allegations by saying, "We're not running an
unsafe job. He hasn't been in the building. I don't know where he's
getting his information. If he was in the building he would know."

For
the moment it is unclear how long the protests will go on. "We'll be
out here as long as we have to: until we get justice," Lohan said. For
the moment, no one can tell how long that will be.

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

Congratulations
to Ward 1 Alderman "Grandpa" Bill Roche with the birth of his new
granddaughter – Savannah Jean Langkopf – who was born March 15th at
11:57am and was 20.5 inches long and 6 lbs 11 oz at birth. Proud
parents Kelly Roche Langkopf and Jonathon Langkopf welcomed their new
arrival along with proud grandparents Jean and Alderman Bill Roche and
Jon and Deborah Langkopf. Best of luck with the new arrival to a great
family.

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

Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan
had his fundraiser last Friday night at the Dante Club – it was very
well attended by an overflowing crowd of Ward 5 residents. It was one
of the old fashioned get together that we haven't seen here in
Somerville in a long time – and it was nice to see so many old friends.

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

Senator Anthony Gallucio is sponsoring
legislation to give City of Somerville some say in what and where the
MBTA billboards may or may not go, have you seen how big and ugly they
are? Nice to see we have a real State Senator again that listens to the
average person, just too bad he only serves a small part of Somerville
but at least he gets what it means to serve. Senator Jehlen must be out
of town on a walking tour – has anyone seen her in awhile? Oh that's
right its not election time of year yet!

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

We
applaud and support the drive to support local businesses first when at
all possible. A couple of local organizations are doing just that!
Somerville Local First and the Somerville Chamber of Commerce are up
and running in high gear delivering that very message everyday. Many
other cities and towns are following suit and keeping their "business"
within their local neighborhoods first, so when you need to go
shopping, keep it in Somerville first!

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

Colonel
Sanders and KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is picking four cities out of
a nation wide search to be the recipient of $5,000.00 of free asphalt
that will be stamped with a "KFC" advertising the fried chicken king's
name in a central location with white permanent chalk, word is that
Somerville is one of the four they're looking at.

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

Congratulations
to Police Officer Scott Whalen upon his recent promotion to Sergeant
couple of weeks back, Scott works very hard.

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

Condolences
to the Emery family here in Somerville, with the recent passing of
David Emery, he was known well here in Somerville in particular the
Ball Square area.

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

Also condolences to
the family of Danny Escobar, owner of Danny's Diner on Beacon Street
who passed away this past weekend! Danny's Diner has been on Beacon
Street serving great meals and great conversation for as long as anyone
can remember, considered a landmark here in Somerville, sources told us
that the family is going to close the doors to the dinner for good this
week.

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

Just a reminder that the
ever-popular The Somerville News blog is more popular then ever! So log
on to www.thesomervillenews.com and click onto "The Somerville News
blog line over at the top right hand corner of the online page.

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

We
hear rumblings out there about possible runs for office here in the
city, but not just from the PDSers – who by the way are trying
desperately to get people to run against some incumbents, but not
having much luck. We did hear that their President Marty might move
again (for the 9th time?) to Ward 3 – but interestingly enough, we hear
that maybe one or two of the PDSers might have a tough challenge
themselves this year. We also hear that the PDSers candidate classes
that were supposed to be held last Saturday had to be canceled, we're
wondering if it was because of lack of participation? They may boast of
an email list of about 100, but they can't manage to attack more then
15 to 20 to a meeting at any given time, wonder why?

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

We
hear that there was a big meeting of the Farm Team owners down in
Florida recently (you know who we mean) and seems the economy is
hitting them as well, everyone has to tighten their belts, has anyone
been following the stock of the company?

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

The
Somerville Recreation Commission will offer a five week course for
children ages eight and older with local artist Chris LeGare. The
program will be held on Thursdays from 3:30pm – 5:30pm beginning April
9th at the Recreation Building, 19 Walnut Street. The program will
focus on a different aspect of art each week including printmaking,
cartooning and painting. The cost for the program is $40 and covers all
materials. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. For
more information, please contact the Recreation Department at
617-625-6600 Ext. 2980.

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

The Center for
Arts at the Armory hosts a building dedication ceremony celebrating the
opening of the newly renovated historic armory at 191 Highland Ave., on
Friday, April 3, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Somerville Mayor Joseph
Curtatone as well as Ward Five Alderman Sean O'Donovan and members of
the Somerville legislative delegation; Senator Patricia Jehlen and
Representatives Carl Sciortino and Denise Provost, will be on hand to
offer dedications and citations. The event also includes an interfaith
building blessing, a youth music performance from Somerville High
School students and a community reading.

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

Celebrate
the vibrancy of design economy north of the Charles on Friday, April 3,
2009 in Union Square. The event combines an official welcome of three
design-oriented businesses to Union Square and the launch of Design
Annex, a co-working community for those in the creative economy.  At
374 Somerville Avenue, Somerville from 6 to 8 pm you are welcome to
visit Grand, Brian Healy Architects and Ground Inc. to be part of the
festivities. Refreshments will be served.

Some of the
industries that are being "stimulated" are in need some of serious
overhauling on a systemic level – the kind of changes that can't be
solved overnight by throwing money at them. On the other hand, for
communities and regions that have been fiscally responsible over the
last couple of years and have been bracing for the worst, like
Somerville has, every little bit will help.

There will be just
enough pain to realize that this is for real, but not so much that it
will be catastrophic to the local economy. Programs like Somerville
Local First are just what a city like Somerville needs – a way for
people here, today, to spend their very hard earned money here, today.

It
only makes sense – why drive over to Medford to go food shopping or to
go to dinner? Buy your groceries here – and there are certainly enough
restaurants around, aren't there?

We applaud organizations like
Somerville Local First and urge every local business owner to get on
board and listen to what they have to say – and to those people who
live here – please stay here, spend your money you are going to spend
elsewhere in a local business.

The policy has been in place for a year
and was unpopular with the Aldermen when it was announced, but
complaints from constituents have brought the issue back before the
board at its March 25 meeting.

"I understand that organizations
are having a hard time financially, but this gets on my last nerves,"
said Alderman at Large Bruce Desmond, who sponsored a resolution asking
CHA to stop charging for handicapped parking along with Ward 5 Alderman
Sean O'Donovan and at-large member Jack Connolly.

"(Disabled
persons and seniors) have no alternative. It's required by law. It's
reprehensible that (CHA) would charge to park there."

While the
Americans with Disabilities Act dictates the size, location and number
of accessible parking spaces, there is no law dictating that fees
cannot be charged.

Handicapped parking was free at Somerville
Hospital until February 2008. The current rate for seniors and disabled
persons to park at the lot on Tower Street is $5, which is required
upfront.

O'Donovan amended the resolution to request CEO Dennis
Keefe to appear and justify the practice. "I find it disgusting that
you'd have people come to your lot and charge," he said. "I'd like the
CEO to come to this podium and explain to the city what the policies
are. He should be ashamed of himself."

CHA Chief
Communications Officer Doug Bailey said the BOA had been informed of
the rate changes when they were made last year, and that the hospital's
parking fees remain among the lowest in Massachusetts.

The
initial decision to charge, Bailey said, stemmed from research that
showed every hospital in the country that charges for parking asked for
those using handicapped spots to pay as well.

"We're going to review some of the policies," Bailey said. "We have had some complaints."

"We
lose money on parking," he added. "We have discounted rates below that
of other hospitals around us. We're not doing anything that isn't the
norm of our industry."

The city solicitor has been asked to report to the board regarding the applicable laws on the issue.

"Balancing
our budget will require difficult choices," said Curtatone, "with this
contract, a municipal public safety union has stepped forward to say
'We'll help shoulder the burden of this fiscal crisis.'" The
negotiations in Somerville appear to have gone smoothly relative to
those currently taking place in Boston, where Mayor Menino has been
unable to reach an agreement with the Boston Police Patrolmens Union.
By agreeing to forego raises, an estimated $55 million would go towards
the city's $131 million budget gap and large-scale layoffs of up to 700
city employees could be avoided.

In Somerville, potential
layoffs were never threatened, but, said John W. Leuchter, President of
SPEA, a sense of duty to the community took precedence over personal
interests. "I never envisioned going to the union and having unanimous
support for a measure like this," Leuchter said. "These guys really
wanted to be part of the solution, not the problem."

As
compensation for their sacrifice, the Police Department will have
increased purview over when and where special police details will be
deployed. The agreement also includes a commitment by the City not to
cut police salaries should there be a reduction in state funding that
is currently guaranteed by the Quinn Bill. A measure to compensate
officers with advanced degrees in higher education programs, the Bill
could fall victim to the declining economy. This year alone, Somerville
has lost $3 million in state funding.

Mayor Curtatone recently
appointed a financial advisory committee to oversee the writing of the
next budget, the first draft of which should be ready by mid-June. To
date, no other unions have been called on to make sacrifices comparable
to those volunteered by SEPA. With $8 million to be accounted for,
however, Curtatone has informed city employees that "everything's on
the table," said Tom Champion, Executive Director of Communications.

"We've made a lot of progress," Leuchter said, "we just don't want to see the community move backward."

"The All-America City Award (AAC) is
like a civic 'Oscar' for communities of all sizes," said National Civic
League President Gloria Rubio-Cortés. "It's unique because it
recognizes the efforts of entire communities. AACs demonstrate
inclusiveness, collaboration, civic engagement, and innovation."

An
All-America City has a proven capacity for community-based problem
solving, grassroots civic engagement and cooperation between sectors
(public, private and nonprofit). To become a finalist, each participant
completed an application documenting three community projects that
address local challenges such as job creation/economic development,
environmental sustainability, neighborhood revitalization and disaster
recovery.

Listed alphabetically by state are the 2009 finalists:

Phoenix, Arizona Windsor Heights, Iowa Toledo, Ohio

Fort Smith, Arkansas Wichita, Kansas Wooster, Ohio

Inglewood, California Pocomoke City, Maryland Toledo, Oregon

Rancho Cordova, California Rockville, Maryland Erie, Pennsylvania

Windsor, Colorado Salisbury, Maryland Providence, Rhode Island

Tampa, Florida Somerville, Massachusetts Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bensenville, Illinois Belton, Missouri Rowlett, Texas

Carbondale, Illinois Albany, New York Caroline County, Virginia

Fort Wayne, Indiana Benson, North Carolina

Richmond, Indiana Kinston, North Carolina

South Bend, Indiana Clinton, North Carolina

Des Moines, Iowa Statesville, North Carolina

The
June 17-19 awards program will be an excellent opportunity for
journalists and broadcasters who cover government, business, schools,
crime, or neighborhood/community issues to catch up on the latest
strategies for local problem solving.

"This year is the 60th
Anniversary of the All-America City Awards. We are inviting all former
winners (more than 500 of them) to come to the event in Tampa to be
recognized, and to share their lessons learned and community stories
with their peers," noted Rubio-Cortés.

During the three-day
competition, a delegation from each community will present its
challenges and solutions to a jury of national experts from across the
United States. At least one community project must focus on the needs
of young people.

The 2009 awards program will feature Innovation
Forums to promote peer-to-peer dialogues among the finalist communities
and regional and national leaders. Topical dialogues and panel
discussions on "green" solutions, immigrant integration, race
relations, and economic recovery strategies will be featured, along
with a planning session for future AAC alumni activities.

The
All-America City Award is an honor achieved by more than 500
neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, and regions across
the country. Some have won the award multiple times.

This
year's AAC Awards are sponsored in part by Prudential, MWH Global,
Inc., Mile High United Way, Jones Day, Southern California Edison,
Southwest Airlines (The Official Airline of the AAC Awards), Tampa
Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina (The Sole Official Headquarters
Hotel of the AAC Awards) and Marriott International.

Headquartered
in Denver, Colorado, the National Civic League strengthens democracy by
increasing the capacity of our nation's people to fully participate in
and build healthy and prosperous communities across America. Founded in
1894 by Theodore Roosevelt and other government reformers, NCL is a
nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that accomplishes its mission
through training, technical assistance, publishing, facilitating
community-wide strategic planning and awards programs. It publishes
research on government structures and reform and community building
innovation (The National Civic Review, Civic Index, and 8th Edition of
the Model City Charter). In addition to the All-America City Awards,
NCL conducts the MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Awards to
be announced in April.

For more information on NCL and its programs, visit www.ncl.org.

This year the National Veterans organization, the Veterans of Foreign Wars is celebrating 110 years of it's founding.

Started
as an organization of Spanish-American War veterans in 1898, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars is the world's largest Combat Veterans Service
organization with over 2.2 million men & women veterans and over
8,000 VFW Posts worldwide.

Since the organization's founding,
the VFW has provided services at no cost for Veterans and their family
such as disability claims service, education & community service
projects and legislative services which have resulted in concrete
results dealing with Agent Orange health claims as well as a brand new
21st Century Post 9/11 GI Bill to assists our returning Iraq &
Afghanistan Veterans achieve educational goals.

The days of the
VFW being a men's club and lounge mentality are long passed. The VFW
currently assists servicemen & servicewomen with Operation Uplink
phone cards while deployed overseas to maintain the contact with their
families as well as a Military Assistance Program that helps families
in need while military family members are deployed.

In addition,
VFW Posts and their members of the Ladies Auxiliary contribute over 13
million hours to Volunteerism and Hospital Service programs as well as
Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen essay programs which directly result
in Middle & High School students receiving awards which provide a
much needed boost in scholarship programs when planning their future
education.

New Veterans are always welcomed as well as veterans
of all eras. There is place for you, at your local Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post.

Timothy C. Smith

Massachusetts VFW Public Affairs Officer

(617) 727-2612

Because
he once lived here, President Obama has announced that he will set up a
Somerville White House in the Brickbottom section of the city.

Mayor
Joe Curtatone has announced the formation of his new a cappella singing
group comprised of all city officials. Members will be from the School
Committee and Board of Alderman. The group will be called Joe and the
Curta-Tones. Tom Champion, with his resounding pipes, will be the main
vocalist. Frank Santangelo joins as the group's booking agent, George
Landers will run sound and Michael Browne will be the road manager. The
group will make their debut at the Mayor's Annual Senior Citizens
Picnic – Gene Brune will be the first featured guest soloist.

The
former traffic and parking officers will soon be ready to debut their
new positions as "The Roving Somerville City Singers." This will be
because the city has agreed to remove all parking meters and lift most
restrictions throughout the city. The 'Singers' will still wear their
uniforms, but will now merely pleasantly serenade motorists throughout
the city.

13 new restaurants will soon open in Davis square.

Joggers wearing spandex will now be banned from the bike trail during daylight hours.

George
Wood, Senior Program Director of Somerville City Cable TV, will be
hosting a show called "25 Years Of My Favorite Bloopers." It will be an
uncensored collection of outtakes, slips of the tongue and political
embarrassments from city cable's vast archives.

Somerville will institute a new 4 hour school day and add 2 months to summer vacation.

MCAS
testing will be replaced by honor system grading. Each student will be
able to give themselves the score they feel they deserve.

Somerville property taxes will be reduced by 50% in the next fiscal year.

Legendary
submarine sandwich maker Ross Blouin has agreed to return to McKinnon's
Market to resume his illustrious hoagie-making career. Davis Square
eateries are nervous speculating a rush the humongous heroes that Ross
creates.

Citing the success of the new solar powered trash cans
throughout the city, soon we will see solar powered robot crossing
guards in some school zones. They work much like the robot sweepers you
see on TV commercials. These new robot crossing guards will in fact be
able to cross people safely and sweep the streets at the same time. A
all-new model next year will include the ability to ticket and tow cars
as well.

A statue of Somerville's favorite bar singer Jimmy
Plunkett will be erected in the courtyard of Ciampa Manor. As you know,
the Manor is the former site of the Woodbridge Inn that housed The
Blarney Stone Pub. The statue will have the song "Charlie On The MTA"
piped into it.

That new cupcake place on Highland Ave will soon
take over the entire block. New offerings will be cupcakes for
breakfast, lunch and dinner – alone with veggie cupcakes and a new
prototype "on the go" cupcake.

Kay and Chips, The Venice Café,
and Frascatti's have announced they will be re-opening in Davis Square.
They are still waiting to hear plans from Butler's Music and Goff's
Auto. A management representative of the A&P was quoted as saying,
"we are looking for a suitable spot in the Davis Square area with a
concrete floor."

Back on the immense Somerville music front,
disco bands will make their triumphant return to the club behind the
Rosebud Diner in Davis Square. The Surrey Room will feature live
dancing with bands such as Mason Dixon and The Line, Marie Michaels and
The Dream Machine and a group featuring Vinnie Scrima.

Johnny D's will go back to an all country western musical line-up, except on Sundays, when lip-synch groups will return.

A
concert in the newly renovated Armory on Highland Ave will feature a
rock music festival of old retro city bands. Here is a list of bands
already on the roster: The Tools, Shadowfax, The Bill Connors Blues
Band, The Ellington Alley Band, The PJ Five, ETC., Indescribably
Delicious, The Boize, The Huns, The Echoes, The Works, Zenophon, Fire
Dept., Del Fusion, The Sled Dogs, The New Friendship Band, The
Wildcats, Radio Stench, Davis Square Goons, The McCain Brothers,
Electric Smile, Sudden Urge, Splash, CRT Band, Fly By Night, Upper
Crust, Hobbit, K Kiely Band, Solid Gold, The Fabulous Pharaohs, The
Great Pretenders, The Amazing Sensations, The Mini-Squirts, Ritchie and
the Rockets featuring Del Sonic Blast, The Nek, The Premieres, and
Dillinger.

Somerville's unofficial motto is "Somerville Rocks,"
which will be changed to "Somerville Rocks, why, it don't?" You can
email Jimmy directly with comments at jimmydel@rcn.com

Somerville Local First
Executive Director and 10 % Shift committee member Joe Grafton was on
hand with business representatives from throughout the city to receive
recognition from both the Aldermen and Mayor Joseph Curtatone.

"This
is going to support our local character and diversity," Curtatone said.
"I think that's what makes Somerville unique. In these economic times,
it's good that our dollars are staying here within our business
districts."

The 10% Shift is a coalition of businesses
throughout New England that has seen 277 people sign a pledge to spend
that amount of their budget locally since forming last fall. The group
claims that if five million households in New England signed the pledge
it would generate $5 billion and create 48,000 jobs.

Somerville
Local First, an alliance of business owners, formed in March 2008 to
create awareness of the support needed form the community in competing
against large chain stores.

"The 10 % Shift and Somerville
Local First first is one of the more exciting things happening now in
this city," Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz said at the board's March
25 meeting. "I think far too often we've seen what happens in other
areas when chains come in and take over, and the fabric and the nature
of that community is lost. And it's really lost for good."

Gewirtz
and Curtatone recently became the first elected officials to sign on to
the pledge, joining 45 Somerville residents who had signed up by the
end of March.

More information can be found at www.somervillelocalfirst.org and www.10percentshift.org.