Off The Shelf by Doug Holder

Over the years I have seen many poets, writers, and publishers come and go in the city of Somerville. In my mailbox at the office of The Somerville News I found two new titles from publisher Dave McNamara of the sunnyoutside press.  Now ‚Äúsunnyoutside‚Äù and McNamara used to happily reside in our environs, but McNamara shuffled off to Buffalo, NY, a year or so ago.

And as it happens McNamara has published a poetry collection by Taylor Altman, who was a member of the Somerville-based literary organization the “Bagel Bards.” During her years in the Boston-area she finished her MFA at Boston University, and now teaches English at the College of Southern Nevada. McNamara also sent me a new collection of poetry from a well-known and respected small press poet Alan Catlin.

Football season begins next week

By Jack Nicas

After years of disappointment, including a string of 33 straight losses and injury-plagued seasons, the Somerville High School football program is finally ready to shatter its reputation as a perennial loser. With a strong senior class looking to go out on top, junior and sophomore classes that posted undefeated freshman seasons, and a ‚Äúphenomenal‚Äù freshman class according to head coach Harry Marchetti, this year’s team looks to deliver an exciting season.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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.)

Wow that was quick -it seems like the little darlings were just saying goodbye to their classmates in the schoolyard back in June – and suddenly – THEY’RE BACK! My boys (5th and 7th ) graders say they are ‚Äúpsyched‚Äù to go back to school so they can see their friends. Let’s see how they feel after a few days – I hope the passion lasts.

We just got back from Maine and I heard the automated ‚Äúwelcome back‚Äù message from the school principal – it was good to hear her voice, because she is a peach. When I was their age, I got hives and started shaking every time I heard that ‚Äú before you go back to school, go to Zayre’s‚Äù jingle. To this day I hate the back to school circulars that come in the newspaper.

Boston Magazine is a fine publication with plenty of high quality writing, very popular columnists and the feverishly anticipated (albeit infamously flawed) ‚ÄúBest of‚Äù series. This month’s issue of the ‚Äú50 Best Public High Schools‚Äù is so flawed, that school systems across the state should be outraged, especially Somerville’s.

It doesn’t matter if Albert Einstein himself was on the panel analyzing and comparing data – there is no possible way to compare two communities or schools, never mind 141 of them, not in the two most heavily weighed categories – ‚ÄúCost Efficiency Ranking‚Äù and ‚ÄúAcademic Performance Ranking‚Äù – without breaking down the communities themselves into separate groupings of economic and sociologic demographics.

By George P. Hassett

Before Somerville High’s 1,400 students returned to classes today, school officials were busy preparing building facilities and adding new features to enhance their education.

SHS Principal Tony Ciccarello said the new paint job Рhallways painted in bright gold Рwill add to “a lively, pleasing learning environment. We want the school to look like a building where young adults can come and be excited to learn.”

Things to do this week

Thursday-Sept. 4: The SomerMovie Fest wraps up with the Viewer’s Choice film: Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious. The film will begin at sundown in Seven Hills Park.

Friday-Sept. 5: East Somerville Main Streets kicks off the second annual “International Movie Nights in East Somerville.” A live Brazilian band will start things off at 7 p.m. and the movie, Deus é Brasileiro, begins at 8 p.m. The Brazilian movie will be shown in Portuguese with English subtitles. The event will continue every Friday night for the next three weeks at 165 Broadway at Cross Street, behind the old fire station.

Friday and Saturday-Sept. 5 and 6: The third annual “Viva la Vinal Festival” will be held from 4-10 p.m. at the Somerville Community Growing Center at 22 Vinal Ave. The festival is free and will feature many live, local bands.

By Tom Nash

For a day, skateboarders caught a glimpse of a skate-friendly Somerville.

One hundred skateboarders and dozens of spectators descended on Conway Park last Saturday for The Somer Session, a demonstration organizers hope will raise awareness of the need for a skate park in Somerville.

A diverse group of skateboarders took turns on several ramps set up on the park’s erstwhile hockey rink. Organizer Michael Sampson, with two skateboarding brothers and two supportive parents on hand, said the event was a respite from the intolerance confronting his peers around Somerville. 

By George P. Hassett

A 21-year-old man who bought the booze for a teenage party on Everett Street and allegedly shot another partygoer in an altercation over gang colors was arrested Friday afternoon.

Dale Harding was arrested and charged with armed assault to murder, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, carrying a firearm with ammunition, assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a firearm without a license.

On the political front, more than a handful of Medford residents and political leaders are hosting a reception for Democratic Candidate Bob Trane (the only candidate on the ballot by the way) this Thursday, Sept. 4 at the Tiki Island Restaurant Рacross from BJ’s and beside the car wash in Medford – from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Stop by and meet Bob and his wife Nancy Рfor more information you can call Bob’s headquarters in South Medford Square at 781-395-3008.

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According to sources, Register of Probate John Buonomo is very confident that he is going to win the Democratic Primary on Sept. 16 hands down, in spite of the charges filed against him recently by the District Attorney – stating that John allegedly took money from vending machines in the courthouse. We heard that all is not what appears to be and that John is also confident that he is going to beat the charges.

State Police: Scirocco caught with cocaine packaged for sale

By George P. Hassett

A Winter Hill man who ran for mayor last year was caught on Revere Beach Boulevard with 17 bags of cocaine on Monday, according to the State Police.