Offense can’t cross midfield against tough Xaverian defense

By Jack Nicas

The Somerville offense failed to heat up on Friday’s frigid fall night, falling to Xaverian Brothers 32-0. The loss evens the Highlanders’ record to 2-2.

‚ÄúThe kids never quit,‚Äù said Somerville head coach Harry Marchetti. ‚ÄúThey played hard, sticking it out in their own end. I take a lot of pride in the fact that they didn’t give up.‚Äù

The Highlanders were plagued with poor field position for the entire game. Their best starting position came in their tenth and final series at their own 34-yard line. They otherwise were trapped in their own territory, starting at times from their own one, 11, and 16-yard lines. Not once in the game did the Xaverian defense have to defend its half of the field.

The shell game continues with the “New and Improved” Condo Conversion Ordinance being proposed by Princess Rebekah of Ward 6. First she misleads everyone into thinking that the Greater Boston Real Estate Board was in favor of this ordinance Рwhich turns out to be completely false – and now the administration is setting up an “Informational Session” on Oct. 16 at the High School. There will be NO question and answer portion of the session, which to anyone with half a brain is confusing if you think about it. A lot of people will think it’s a Public Hearing on the ordinance, but its not…we think it’s a waste of time. We also think it’s meant to confuse people, so that when it comes to the actual hearing Рthere won’t be a crowd like two years ago. Write this down Рas of now, the Pubic Hearing with the Board of Aldermen is set for Nov. 18 and that is when you can make your point for or against the ordinance and ask questions and (hopefully) get some answers. We want to know whose bright idea it was to have the informational session? Probably some paid staff person at City Hall?

By George P. Hassett

A five-unit Cross Street home suffered $400,000 in damages from a fire Tuesday morning that left nine adults homeless, according to fire officials.

The fire started on the second floor of 23-25 Cross St. at approximately 1:04 a.m., said Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher. He said investigators believe it was an accident but the probe is ongoing.

Firefighters were on the scene until 3:32 a.m. and entered the building to knock the flames down, he said. The fire reached the third floor. The building is currently uninhabitable – its residents cannot return, Kelleher said.

Keep your mouth shut

Cops: Armed robbery suspect bragged of crimes to friends

A 20-year-old Bow St. man robbed four local stores and then bragged to his friends about the crimes, police said this week.

Matthew Simoes was charged with armed and masked robbery after police allegedly used his own words to connect him with the four local heists that took place between Sept. 22 and Oct. 1. He allegedly robbed Friendly Market, Lil’ Peach, Extra Mart and Trans Liquor Store. At Friendly Market and Trans Liquor, Simoes was masked and armed, police said. At Extra Mart and Lil’ Peach he was unarmed, they said.

Part 2: Financial meltdown

By William C. Shelton

(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.)

Responsibility for the financial meltdown is so pervasive that it’s hard to identify a blameless economic sector, consumer population, or political institution. Eight years ago, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bought Congressional approval to securitize subprime loans. Congress subsequently declined to reform their irresponsible, and Federal-Reserve-Bank-blessed lending practices, even after they were caught cooking their books. Fanny and Freddy executives grew wealthier and more powerful.

By George P. Hassett

As families looked to the sky yesterday, a fireworks display ushered in an era of new opportunities on the banks of the Mystic River.

The first annual Fireworks on the Mystic, paid for entirely by Assembly Square developers Federal realty, celebrated the many changes new development is expected to bring to the area. 

Off The Shelf by Doug Holder

Shirley Gerald Ware is the author of three published books, and the founder of Fresh! Literary Magazine based in Somerville. I talked with her on my Somerville Cable Access TV show “Poet to Poet: Writer to Writer.”

Doug Holder: Can you tell us a bit about your three books?
Shirley Gerald Ware: The first book was ‚ÄúThe Final Goodbye‚Äù based on the loss of my father at 10 years old. I was a little girl once with five brothers. I couldn’t understand the meaning of life and death. I wrote about how this young girl found her father dead in the woods of South Carolina. He was only 32 years old. My father’s death followed me all through adulthood, until I came to grips with it. I finally took control of my life after a lot of soul searching. ‚ÄúSomebody Too‚Äù is more like a novel. It tells the story of an alcoholic. It is based on my late brother’s life. He lost his life due to his addiction. The book is sad, but hopefully compelling. My third was a collection of ‚Äúkid‚Äù stories. It dealt with kids up to age 16. It concerns the pressure that’s put on kids these days. It gives you everyday accounts of what kids are faced with.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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.)

(Just a head’s up, this week it’s ‚ÄúOn The Cranky Side‚Äù)

When I stop to let another car go in front of me in traffic, I expect some sort of a thank you – it can be a nod, a wave, a flash of the lights – something. The drivers that give no thanks must think they are doing me a favor by letting me accommodate them. Who are they that they think people should just automatically stop for them and they don’t have to be polite enough to acknowledge the gesture? This may definitely be another character flaw that I can add to the long list I have already, but I don’t think so – it’s just plain common decency.

We were at the caucus last Wednesday night in Waltham. Some of us were there covering it as a news story, one of us was there as a voting delegate. None of us were working for a candidate that evening (full disclosure – the one person who was a delegate did vote for Sean O’Donovan).

It was an experience being there – to watch a vital part of the democratic process – in full swing. There were people from all over the county ready to vote and stump for one of 13 candidates for Democratic Nomination for Middlesex County Register of Probate.

There was a story born that night, which has taken on a life of its own – a story that has been told and retold with several variations by people with their own personal and political agendas. When you read the Lowell Sun version, you can understand their sense of pride for their hometown candidate Maria Sheehy. Fair enough, but it’s when you start digging into the nominal and fringe weblogs and supposed ‚Äúnews‚Äù type online outlets that have twisted the story into something bizarre, you have to wonder why they go through all the trouble.