The Memorial Day Parade this past Sunday was awesome ‚Äì the weather was perfect and Veterans‚Äô Service Director Frank Sensei, who recently won his suit to stay in his job, did another fantastic job for Somerville‚Äôs pride – residents were treated to a fantastic parade. There were lots of local politicians in the parade as well as the mayor – back from his ‚ÄúSomerville goes to Gaeta‚Äù trip.   

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At the end of the parade was the memorial service at the Veteran‚Äôs Memorial Cemetery at Clarendon Hill – the usual wreath laying. Well within minutes after arriving, there was a rush to leave by Queen Pat Jehlen, our Senator, – Alderwomen from Ward 6 Rebekah Gewirtz and of course Prince Carl Sciortino, one of our State Reps – they left before the ceremony in such a rush, the word was that there must have been a strategy meeting or something going on. They were probably thinking – what the heck, the parade was over and who would notice if they didn‚Äôt stay for the memorial service? Apparently more than a few noticed, including some Veteran‚Äôs groups ‚Äì and they were not surprised.      

By George P. Hassett

For the second time in a week, a Superior Court judge today denied a motion by State Rep. Carl Sciortino, D-Medford, to have his name placed on the ballot for the Sept. 16 Democratic primary. Sciortino, who says 12 nomination papers were taken from his State House office sometime this month, asked the court to reconsider Friday’s decision to keep him off the ballot and submitted 50 affidavits of residents affirming they had signed the missing papers.

Music, produce and art at market

From the farms and fields, orchards and ovens of Massachusetts, the Union Square Farmer’s Market opens its doors to summer on June 7.  Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this summer until Oct. 25 the market offers a selection of fresh produce, a variety of home-grown herbs, homemade baked goods and breads, and a fun-filled environment for the whole family. Come to the market to hear live musical performances by local artists, enjoy market-themed activities and crafts for kids, and discover fresh recipes that are made from local produce. Now celebrating its fourth season, visit the market to experience all that Union Square has to offer in an energizing, festive and satisfying Saturday morning. Sponsored by the City of Somerville, The Federation of Massachusetts Farmers’ Markets and Union Square Main Streets, the market takes place on Union Square’s central plaza,  where Washington, Prospect and Somerville Avenue meet.

Highland Avenue was lined with flag wavers of all ages on Sunday for the 2008 Memorial Day Parade. More than 40 marching bands, community and school groups, and more than 200 Aleppo Shriners, performed throughout the 2.3 mile route.

Also marching from Somerville High School to Teele Square were three distinguished Grand Marshals: attorney James A. O’Donovan, a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a former City Solicitor; Joseph M. Steen, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who served during the Korean conflict; and Captain James J. Galvin a retired US Navy officer and  SWIFT Boat commander during the Vietnam War.

By Mia Lamar

As rice prices around the world skyrocket, a new local business collective has begun to organize  Somerville restaurants in an attempt to increase buying power and secure lower rice prices for those hardest hit by the pinch.

The initiative is among the first to be made by the new Somerville Local First, a community agency launched three weeks ago to represent the interests of Somerville’s local businesses. Joe Grafton, Executive Director of SLF, said he decided to organize the initiative after a meeting late last week with Luis Morales, a pastor in East Somerville and owner of several restaurants in the neighborhood, including Taco Loco Mexican Grill and El Gaucho’s. Grafton said he and Morales discussed concerns about the "drastic" increase in rice prices and its effect on ethnic businesses to whom rice is a staple item.

Sciortino lawyer: Nomination papers were stolen
By George P. Hassett

State Rep. Carl Sciortino says he noticed his nomination papers were missing on May 6. And after he spent the next week, including one entire day, searching without success for the elusive documents, his lawyer is arguing they were stolen from his State House office.

By Jack Nicas

Tony Pierantozzi is wrapping up his third year as superintendent of the Somerville School District, a tenure marked by many highs and one fiery low — the devastating blaze that destroyed the East Somerville Community School last winter.

Pierantozzi was the guest at the May 16 Somerville News contributors meeting and said he wants to continue improving Somerville’s educational reputation.

He said Somerville public schools are much better than people believe: “Reality and perception have a five-year gap, and with education that may be even longer.”

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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.)

When I ran for mayor back in 2003, one of my campaign pledges was to establish a 311 constituent service line. I’d seen 311 at work in Baltimore, New York and Chicago. I knew how useful it could be, both as tool for tracking performance and productivity in city government and – even more important – as a way to empower residents doing business with the city. But despite my enthusiasm, many of my fellow residents approached 311 with caution. Some people liked the idea and said so, but almost as many didn’t think it would make much difference – or that it would end up being a costly gimmick.

Off The Shelf By Doug Holder

Way Opens: A Spiritual Journey. Patricia Wild. (Warwick House Publishers 72 Court St. Lynchburg, Virginia 24504) $15.

Some people live with blinders on. They are afflicted with tunnel vision. They block out the light of the plight of others and are members of the cult of “me” or their immediate circle of friends and family. Now these are not necessarily bad people. It is hard enough to keep one’s own head above water in these troubled times. And, if one is living in the envious environs of middleclass white America, then it is easy to be blinded to what’s happening behind their sheltered gates.