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.      

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What‚Äôs with the Police Department and the DPW cutting the wires from bikes attached to poles on Sunday morning hours before the parade was even to begin? Some of us are puzzled as to why the DPW would do this at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. ‚Äì and the parade didn‚Äôt start until 1 p.m. To boot, when individuals protested about the time frame, the Police Officers were not very pleasant about that and several other incidents. Now we know that the new Chief is from Florida and has a reputation for clearing the streets for hurricanes and being forceful, but this past Sunday wasn‚Äôt a hurricane and all those bike owners now have to go to the DPW yard to get their bikes. We think a less aggressive tactic – even a more pleasant conversation would have been better approach. 

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There’s an accident ready to happen with the MBTA railroad bridge on Washington Street. On Tuesday the bridge flooded trapping four cars that were in traffic in there and a half feet of rain/ and raw sewerage water. After the smoke cleared and the car passengers were rescued and the disabled cars towed away, the swarm of emergency personnel that were on the scene noticed the entire structure of the bridge was severely rusted and rotted beyond repair. Who is in charge of inspecting the railroad bridges?

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Our condolences go out to the family of Elizabeth Dellano who has sadly passed on this past weekend! Elizabeth was a long time Somerville resident who also recently celebrated her 102nd birthday! She will be missed by many!

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We were also sorry to hear of the passing of Marilyn Martelli. Marilyn, a longtime Madison Street resident, with the best garden around, always had a good word for everyone – our sympathies are with her family.

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Great news for the CASPAR Shelters of Somerville & Cambridge! Senator Petruccelli filed an amendment to the Senate budget earmarking $250,000 for the restoration of daytime services at Albany Street shelter. The house version only put in $200,000 for the shelter, but this is the Senate and Governor’s version that got passed Рhopefully the House will vote to accept and not cut.

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Speaking of House members, one of our favorite State Reps – Tim Toomey (who represents parts of Somerville and Cambridge) will be having a fundraiser on Tuesday, June 10 at the Atasca Portuguese Restaurant at 50 Hampshire Street.

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Unity Church of Somerville celebrated their 20th anniversary this month – co-founders Henry Barrill and minister Johanna Mak were there. Johanna flew in from California to speak at the anniversary celebration. The church is located at the former Christian Science Church on College Avenue – we wish them success in the future.

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Some of us have eaten several times at the new Highland Kitchen near the corner of Highland and Central Street. Who would have dreamed that such a fine restaurant would come to the Spring Hill neighborhood? The food, certainly not cheap, but reasonable, is varied and excellent – the help (especially Jen) are as friendly as one could ask and the atmosphere is young and vibrant. The Highland Kitchen will do very well, but if you want to get a seat on any given night arrive before 7 p.m.

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If only we could say the same about the Mt. Vernon – their prices keep going up and we hear the quality has gone down under its testy manager. We heard on Mothers Day the meals were late and sometimes cold – maybe they have not realized that they are not the only game in town anymore.

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Rev. Gary Nettleton of the College Avenue United Methodist Church will be retiring on June 30th after a long career in the ministry. The good minister has no plans to slow down – looking forward to continuing to help those in need, which is his calling. We know Gary will do well in any future endeavor and wish him the best of luck.

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Happy birthday to Jim Tello – the man at the helm of the Mass. Insurance Agency in Davis Square – Jim turned the big 40 last week.

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LAST CALL! There are a few tickets left to the ‚ÄúSomerville Night at the Red Sox‚Äù for the June 10th game against Baltimore at 7:05 p.m. Call Bob Publicover at 617-290-6842 or email him at: bobpublicover@aol.com for tickets. Last year, Somerville folks got to see the ‚Äúno hitter‚Äù game. Don‚Äôt miss it. Another Somerville night will be coming in September.