Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

The Ball Square bridge is closed. The detours seem to be working smoothly. Just for kicks, I threw a question out there. It read: “Name, or change a song/title dedicated to the Ball Sq. bridge closure and other detours in Somerville … I’ll start … Bridge Over Troubled … Train Tracks!”

The ordinance vote goes before the full council on Thursday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.

By Denise Keniston

On Thursday, March 21, the Somerville Legislative Matters Committee passed a revised Condominium/Cooperative Conversion Ordinance. A condo conversion ordinance – enacted back in 1985 – is already on the books, but the committee approved revisions that substantively increase and update tenant’s rights.

Somerville High School students recently participated in the National Kick Butts day by writing anti-smoking messages on city sidewalks with chalk.          

By Jackson Ellison

March 20 was National Kick Butts day, where events take place all over the country to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking. It is mainly targeted towards educating teens about the risks that come along with cigarettes.

The Ball Square Bridge is closed, but several local eateries are depending on you to continue stopping in and having a great breakfast or lunch. Whether it’s Ball Square Café, Sound Bites, Kelly’s Diner, or Victor’s Deli – which everyone loves – please don’t forget them. Business will be rough, but each place in Ball Square has loyal dedicated customers who need to keep coming back. Don’t forget the many other businesses in Ball Square either. So far, as we are located here in Ball Square (the newspaper) traffic hasn’t been that bad!

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers.)

By Greg Karczewski

On Wednesday evening, we at US2 are looking forward to joining the Union Square Neighborhood Council (USNC) in reporting back to residents, businesses and other stakeholders on the progress of ongoing negotiations around community benefits for the Union Square Neighborhood.

— Photos by Ray Bernoff/rmhbernoff.com

On Saturday, March 23, a protest rally was held at the Stop & Shop store at 779 McGrath Highway in Somerville. Store workers were joined by several public officials such as state Senator Patricia D. Jehlen of Somerville, State Representative Michael Connolly of Cambridge/Somerville and Jesse Clingan, Somerville’s Ward 4 City Councilor. Stop & Shop workers, who are seeking better pay and benefits, recently voted to approve a strike across Massachusetts, which as of yet has not been called.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers.)

By Jack Connolly

Planning Board candidate Tim Talun, a Prospect Hill resident, certified architect, school parent, and long-time neighborhood and community activist, was not approved last Monday night, March 18, by the Somerville City Council‘s Confirmation of Appointments Committee with a six to four Recommendation ‘Not to Approve’ Talun as a new member of the Somerville Planning Board.

While we may still be keeping our cold weather apparel handy for a while, considering the unpredictable weather over the past several weeks, it’s still nice to know that springtime has officially arrived. We anxiously await the balmier days ahead.

One of the finer benefits of New England living is standing witness to the massive explosion of nature’s rebirth and renewal, seemingly amplified here. Grass, trees, wildlife and flowers seems to go forth and multiply at an astounding rate, as if on cue to the call for “Action!”

Eagle Feathers #175 – Free to Fight

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

After the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill were fought, the American colonies found themselves at war with the most powerful army and navy in the world. It was a time when slavery was popular, even in the north. At first, Congress disallowed blacks and Indians from enlisting; but as the war continued, this changed. From the beginning, northern maritime states like Massachusetts and Rhode Island welcomed all volunteers. African Americans had found a freedom and acceptance at sea that was unequaled on land. They had sailed on Massachusetts Maritime ships and from the start, fought as part of the Marblehead Regiment on land and sea. These slave soldiers fought in Minutemen companies and Colonial Army companies throughout the war.

The unsolved 1995 murder of Somerville teen Deanna Cremin is but one of the many cold cases the new investigative unit will be addressing.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced the launch of a new Cold Case Unit. To lead the team, she has hired an experienced prosecutor who will focus exclusively on solving the County’s oldest and most challenging cases. The Unit will investigate unsolved homicides, suspicious deaths where foul play is suspected and missing persons cases.