Less than a month away, it’s the Third East Somerville Reunion, set for Saturday, June 15, at the Somerville City Club, across from Holiday Inn on Innerbelt Road. Thanks to hard work and efforts put into this by Dan Rogovich and his small but dedicated bunch of helpers, it should be a great one once again for one and all. The last time was two years ago and well over 100 to 150 attendees showed up from all over the state and across the country. Lots of people who grew up in East Somerville have missed the last two but wanted to have a third. Some of us here at The Somerville Times are from East Somerville we will be there and have already reached out to others. A small group of “down backers” behind the Bucket who grew up there in the 60’s will all be there. They meet every four or so months to talk about old times and great times. Help make this a success. Go online to Facebook to check it out. Ask Dan what you can do to help. He is looking for the food, entertainment and just plain East Somerville fun.
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Come on people, let’s support all the businesses that are being affected by the bridge closings, including Lyndell’s Bakery and Ball Sq. Liquors in Ball Sq. They need people to show up. These places are open and can’t afford to lose business for a whole year. We need to support Ball Square, as well as lower Washington St. and other places across the city.
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Celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to one of Somerville’s nicest moms, Mary Kane Hart, who is celebrating this week. She’s still working and enjoying it. We hope she has a great birthday with all the kids, grandkids and cousins. Happy birthday to Dan Rogovich, from East Somerville, who is working hard to get the third East Somerville reunion off to a great start. Happy Birthday Dan, you’re doing a great job, enjoy your birthday. Happy birthday another East Somerville guy who loves Somerville, Russell J. Smithe Sr., who grew up on Pearl St., between Pinckney and Florence. We wish Rusty a very happy birthday and many more. Happy birthday to two realtors who are also good friends, Joanna Webster, out of Andover, and Nelson Zide, out of Framingham. To those that are celebrating this week, and we didn’t post, again we wish you the best of birthdays.
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Next Wednesday (mark it down in your calendar), The Committee to Elect Mary Marshall for Ward 3 School Committee is hosting her campaign kickoff fundraiser. June 5, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at The Neighborhood Restaurant in Union Square. All are welcome to attend. You can find out more about Mary’s campaign platform by going to her website: MaryVMarshall.com.
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If any candidate is having a fundraiser or campaign kickoff let us know and we will add it to Newstalk. Good luck to all that pulled out papers to run for office. There is still time to go online to and check out who is running for what office at www.somervillema.gov. We need more candidates.
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Say it ain’t so. Ball Square bridge closed, Washington St. bridge closed, Medford St. bridge closed, and we heard today that right after school is out for the summer the School bridge is going to be closed. Can this be true? Then add in the construction on Powderhouse Blvd., the new High School, Union Square, McGrath Highway, and Mystic Avenue and let’s just throw in some side streets. If you’re upset like everyone else, it’s an election year, and there’s still time to take out nomination papers.
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In case you haven’t heard, the city administration along with the City Council are making big changes to our roads. It looks like one lane for cars each way. One lane for cars and just as wide for a bike lane. We heard there is approximately 50K to 60K registered autos in Somerville. They pay an “excise tax” of maybe an average of $100 a year, some more and some less. What do the bikers pay? When we were kids you would have to register your bike with the police station and pay for a license. Is that still happening? Traffic in the city is very bad with all the construction and closed bridges. And now a one lane Broadway? Powderhouse Blvd.? Are you upset?
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A public information session regarding contamination at Conway Park will be held on Wednesday, May 29, at the Public Safety Building (Police Headquarters) at 220 Washington St., at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the Meeting is to present the Draft Public Involvement Plan (PIP) for the Site in accordance with 310 CMR 40.1405 (5)(a)(2), provide an update with respect to Site activities, and to solicit feedback from the public. Licensed site professionals Weston & Sampson and City staff will discuss the PIP plan, testing results, and next steps as well as answer questions. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), who have oversight over the testing and mitigation process, are also expected.
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El Sistema Somerville’s End of Year Celebration Concert will take place on June 11, 6:30 p.m. in the East Somerville Community School Auditorium, 50 Cross St. Free admission, donations welcome. Visit www.elsistemasomerville.org for more information.
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Somerville Pop Warner Football and Cheer registration takes place on Wednesday, May 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mystic Learning Center, 530 Mystic Avenue. All families are welcome and we can’t wait to welcome new families to our program. Please reach out to Roger Desrochers at 617-838-2145 with any questions.
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The Ryan Harrington Foundation hosts their 4th Annual Just One Run 5K in memory of James “PJ” Pefine, on Sunday, June 2. The run begins at 10:00 a.m. and starts at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on Shore Drive in Somerville. The event includes a Kids’ Fun Run as well as a 5K Run/Walk. To learn how you can participate in and support this event, visit: http://www.ryanharringtonfoundation.org/just-one-run-in-memory-of-james-pj-pefine. For more information, visit www.ryanharringtonfoundation.org.
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SomerStreets: Carnaval returns for the 10th year of shaking up East Somerville. SomerStreets will kick off the 2019 season Sunday, June 2, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. (rain date: Sunday, June 9). Enjoy the best of the East Broadway Business District and community including food, music, and activities from around the world. Programming will extend along East Broadway from McGrath Highway to Pennsylvania Ave. The festival kicks off with an opening parade at 2:00 p.m. beginning at the corner of Kensington Ave. and Broadway.
“In case you haven’t heard, the city administration along with the City Council are making big changes to our roads. It looks like one lane for cars each way. One lane for cars and just as wide for a bike lane. We heard there is approximately 50K to 60K registered autos in Somerville. They pay an “excise tax” of maybe an average of $100 a year, some more and some less. What do the bikers pay? When we were kids you would have to register your bike with the police station and pay for a license. Is that still happening? Traffic in the city is very bad with all the construction and closed bridges. And now a one lane Broadway? Powderhouse Blvd.? Are you upset?”
When will you learn? Just because there are cyclists on the road doesn’t mean they don’t also own cars and pay excise tax. I’m one of them. You should be thankful that my car sits in my driveway most of the time while I’m on my bike, making more room on the roads and easing congestion, while not causing wear and tear on the roads. And I still pay that tax. You’re welcome.
“wear and tear on the roads”…. lol I think the horse is out of the barn with that one. Driving a mile in Somerville, anywhere in the city in any direction, is like driving thru Bedrock. As a bike rider, don’t you think it’s time the city repaired some of the roads? Where are our tax dollars going?
Count me in with the voice of reason. I’m moving through traffic on my bike. I adding to it in my car. The problem is the 50-60k registered autos.
This thing about bikers paying excise tax is absurd. I mostly drive, and frankly a lot of the stuff bikers rant about is BS, but only good can come from people biking, plus bikes don’t cause any wear to roads. Plus at 2.5% excise tax you aren’t gonna get enough money out of most bikers to pay for the postage and admin costs. My bike is worth $100. You’re gonna mail me a bill for $2.50 / year?