Today is the last day to register to vote or change your party affiliation so you can vote in the Primary on September 18. As always it’s very important to vote but especially now in the economy we are in, this is your opportunity to send a message.  We encourage everyone old, young, new to Somerville or long time resident to vote. It’s so very important to get out and register.  City Hall is open until 8 p.m. today Wednesday, go through the doors on School Street on that floor is the election department, two lovely ladies are there waiting to register you and answer your questions.
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Another in a long line of rotted trees here in Somerville fell on Monday, one in particular was on Marshall Street, appears that the neighbors have been telling DPW now for two years. So one of Somerville’s finest showed up to help keep onlookers away and that was good except for one (we understand he was on detail down the street Marshall and Pearl) starts to yell out to some of the people coming out to see what happened, but instead of just saying to “stay back” he yells out to those a half a block away, calling them “knuckleheads” daring them to come on down just repeatedly calling out “hey Knuckleheads get a little closer.” Is this what it has come to now? Somerville Police making disparaging remarks to citizens? We think it’s sufficient to say “stay back” or “don’t come closer” but to make unnecessary remarks to citizens is uncalled for. We’re not saying all police are like him or even close, but cops like him give the rest a bad name, no matter what you don’t have to add insult to your request, a simple request to stay back is enough. Maybe this guy missed “finesse” classes; maybe they don’t have them here at the Somerville Police Department?  This new chief might want to start a class in how to talk to those that pay your salary.  Again asking people to stand back was sufficient – the insult wasn’t called for and shouldn’t be called for; if he was on detail he was earning big bucks by the city.
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Our condolences to the family of Tony Marinelllo who passed away last week from a brain tumor, Tony was a lifelong resident and Somerville High grad and was very active in sports and in the late 1980s he ran unsuccessfully for Alderman at Large. Tony was 50 years old. He was well liked and will be missed by many here in the city, our condolences to his family and friends.
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Every time you turn around Sen. Sal DiDomenico is out campaigning for his seat, and he’s working hard, just on Facebook alone, this guy is everywhere visiting constituents and knocking on doors in his district which includes small portion of Somerville. Don’t you wish Queen Pat our senator did the same?  Has anyone seen her? We mean door to door? At various functions in the district?  We hear she’s nowhere to be found, maybe she thinks her opponent isn’t doing anything either? This is a great year to send her a message and vote for someone that is going to care for the entire district – all of its citizens not just her close friends and supporters who are left of the leftist – some would say (not us) but some would say – “socialist point of view.” Ok, some of us would. We think in this particular case: vote out all incumbents, doesn’t hurt, and if who gets in doesn’t do the job then vote them out in two years as well, until we get term limits? Or someone that is responsive to creating jobs and cutting taxes.
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Mayor Joe Curtatone’s Annual “Summer Sports Training Camp” is ready to kick off this coming week, The Mayor and about 150 youths will travel to Camp Lenox in Lee, MA for an intense four day training camp.  In the past it’s only been Somerville High’s football team, but now it’s expanded to include Somerville High Soccer and St. Clements Junior and Senior Football team.     Camp runs from Thursday August 26 to Sunday August 29.
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Happy Birthday to Bert Gay, the husband of former Mayor Dot Gay who recently celebrated at the Independent Restaurant in Union Square this past weekend,  a surprise party of his family and friends.
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Another star sighting in the Ville this past weekend. This time at a restaurant in Teele Square, three Boston Red Sox players and their wives were feasting on a delicious meal.  The party even bought one of our News talkers an after dinner cordial in appreciation for the courtesy of not taking a photo of their party and guest.
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The work at Assembly Square is going full speed ahead lately, the crews are back and the open field is being worked on for the construction. We noticed that they are working on the roads first and then the buildings, we just thought maybe the building goes first and then the road…which came first the chicken or the egg?
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Two years ago we reported that a certain city employee department head fell overboard on a boat owned by another city employee in the Building department. Well we hear that same employee was again on the same boat recently again and he fell overboard…again!  Maybe this person shouldn’t go near boats? Good thing he didn’t fall overboard on the Mayor’s cruise a few weeks ago.
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On Monday, August 30, Groundwork Somerville will oversee the application of aquatic herbicide to selected patches of water lilies that have become overgrown on the Lower Mystic River around the Riverside Yacht Club and the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club in Medford, and the Winter Hill Yacht Club in Somerville. The controlled spraying will be conducted by Aquatic Control Technologies, which specializes in the removal and management of aquatic plant species. In order for the treatment to be effective, there must be little to no water-surface disturbance near the application sites, thereby allowing ample time for the herbicide to be absorbed into the plant tissue and then into the roots of the water lilies. In full support of the project goals, the three area yacht clubs  have agreed to remain closed on August 30.   The DCR public boat launch adjacent to the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club will also remain closed on that day. Groundwork Somerville is urging all recreational boaters to refrain from any boating activity on the Lower Mystic River on August 30. If this is not possible, boaters should maintain a “no-wake” speed limit near the three yacht clubs.  Boaters’ cooperation will be crucial to the success of the herbicidal treatment. A rain date of Tuesday, August 31, has been set for the application.  For more information, please contact Brad Arndt, Mystic River Projects Manager, at (617) 455-1127 or brad@groundworksomerville.org.
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We want to congratulate Nicole and her husband attorney Frank Ciano on the recent marriage. The couple are on their honeymoon in a sunny climate soaking up the sunny and dodging the rain!
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Get ready for Harvest Fest 2010 at Arts @ The Armory in October. Building on last year’s successful debut, Harvest Fest 2010 will deliver an exceptional collection of food, drink and fun-all in celebration of local. Stay tuned for more details as the date gets closer.
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Save the date – Under the Stars: International Movie Nights, promoted by East Somerville Main Streets, kicks off Sept. 10 and 11 behind the old fire station  at 165 Broadway. Come out and enjoy two nights of food, friends and great films in East Somerville. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.Come out and enjoy two nights of food, friends, and great films under the stars.