2010 July

I’ll meet you at Harold’s

On July 31, 2010, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

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.)

As you all may know by now, I love reminiscing about Somerville in the old days, especially with my Facebook friends.

Not the 1900’s, but the 1960’s through the 1980’s. The dates may not all be correct but that’s what comes with the aging process – process I love as long as it continues for as long as humanly and coherently possible.

New business opens in Somerville during hard times

On July 30, 2010, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

By William Tauro

The Sathi Convenience Store that’s located at 153 Highland Avenue is the newest member to Somerville businesses in the city.

Proprietor Hajuri Singh opened the convenience store in early July in the midst of a recession and is hoping for a long happy prosperous relationship in that neighborhood.

Kids, clowns, and talent on display in Somerville

On July 30, 2010, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Open Air Circus presents its 25th season Big Top performance
*

Families and children from Somerville will be amazing and amusing audiences under the big tent at Nunziato Field, at the corner of Vinal Ave. and Summer Street near Union Square this weekend in the 25th annual Open Air Circus.
Founded in 1986 by Somerville parents, Open Air Circus aims to provide a place where young children and teens from all backgrounds can develop mad skills, self confidence, and leadership in a supportive community. Open Air organizers say they keep registration costs to a bare minimum to maximize accessibility to everyone.

It’s my Party and I’ll lie if I want to*

On July 29, 2010, in Commentary, by The Somerville Times

By William C. Shelton
*
Fueled by an incendiary mix of anger, ignorance, and bigotry, the Tea Party movement is hypocritical, dishonest, intolerant and self-centered.
They chant “I want my country back,” like an infant who imagines that the tube from his mouth to his rectum is the center of the universe. The Constitution that they profess to venerate begins, “We the people…,” suggesting that it’s our country.
Unlike them, the nation’s founders, whom they profess to emulate, put themselves on the line, pledging “Our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” in behalf of the entire nation.
Instead, tea partiers want others to sacrifice. They believe that the poor, sick, and powerless have brought their troubles on themselves. That such failed human beings should be despised and mocked rather than helped to become well and self-sufficient.
They dress up in their tri-cornered hats and knee britches because they imagine that the few syllables of the founding fathers’ thoughts that they have misappropriated out of context justify their rage-driven pranks. In fact, their Halloween costumes signify how far in the past is the fantasy world that they inhabit.
Representative of their attitudes, a Tea Party organizer in Michigan told the New York Times, “Things we had in the ’50s were better.” They were better for some. That decade’s intensification of racial segregation, expulsion of women from the work force, overthrow of heads of state elected by their people, and rabid persecution by Joseph McCarthy and the Tea Party’s forbearers made it less than ideal for others.
They long for an historical moment that will never come again no matter how intense their tantrums. World War II had destroyed every other industrial nation’s manufacturing base, while expanding ours. Median household incomes increased at a rate never seen before. All that has changed, in part because the congressional and presidential corporate servants whom they honor successfully opposed fair trade policies.
They deny that they are bigoted, while former Tea Party Express chairman Mark Williams pens a satirical letter from “We coloreds” to Abraham Lincoln. It urges repeal of the 13th and 14th Amendments because “Freedom means having to work for real, think for ourselves, and take consequences along with rewards.” This deep thinker also describes Islam as a “7th Century death cult coughed up by a psychotic pedophile.”
More commonly, they imagine that freedom is the absence of government “interference” rather than the opportunity for fulfillment. They bray against a fictional theft of freedom perpetrated by the Healthcare Act’s requirement that all citizens have health insurance, ignorant that this was precisely what their Republican suitors flogged in the 1990s as an alternative to the Clintons’ healthcare proposal.
They despise government control, except for control of things that they oppose, like same-sex marriage, civil liberties, or medical marijuana. Their “limited government” plank states that government should exercise “only those limited powers that have been relinquished to it by the people, chief among them being the protection of our liberties by administering justice and ensuring our safety…”
No public schools, no publicly owned infrastructure, no aid to the poor and homeless. But the Medicare funding that they enjoy is sacrosanct. They are middle-aged infants, unconcerned about government spending that benefits them, while branding that which helps others as tyranny. Instead of “Tea Party,” their movement’s name should be “Me party.”
They oozed onto the national scene in reaction to the financial meltdown and the Troubled Assets Relief Program. Indeed, TARP has rewarded those responsible while minimally altering their behavior.
But you don’t see tea partiers focusing their rants, pranks, and disruptive protests against Wall Street. Instead, they virulently oppose any government effort to prevent future financial crashes through regulation. Their ignorance, anger, and myopia make them easily manipulated by right-wing organizations funded by corporate America.
Their influence is disproportionate to their numbers. This is because those elected officials whose hunger to be reelected dominates their integrity, pander to them. And it’s because Barack Obama, who many expected to be a transformational president, is essentially a centrist. As tea partiers and their ilk pull the center to the right, there is no counterbalancing movement.
Meanwhile, those who decry the Tea Party’s ideology and tactics fail to unite in a positive movement of their own. Alexis de Tocqueville reportedly observed that in democracy, people get the government that they deserve. Maybe he was right.
________________________
* Apologies to Lesley Gore

Alibrandis squander lead

On July 29, 2010, in Sports/School, by The Somerville Times

A furious rally by the Brighton Black Sox proved to be the difference as the Alibrandis suffered a heartbreaking 6-5 defeat in Sunday afternoon's match-up at Rogers Park.

By Mike Rubin
*
With a 5-0 lead in hand, the Somerville Alibrandis appeared to have notched another victory. Instead, a furious rally by the Brighton Black Sox proved to be the difference as the Alibrandis suffered a heartbreaking 6-5 defeat in Sunday afternoon’s match-up at Rogers Park.
The Alibrandis, who stood at 16-6-1 as of press time, are now seven points out of first place in their men’s summer baseball league division, trailing the Malden Bulldogs (20-4).
“It was a game we should’ve won,” said coach Rob McDonough. “The guys are working hard, but give them [Black Sox] credit. They came back and they were able to get the key hits for the win.”
On the mound, Chris Foundas earned the no decision, tossing five solid innings while allowing four runs before Jay Wisner suffered the loss, allowing two more runs in the sixth.
At the plate, Marc DesRoches led the way offensively, recording two hits along with two walks and an RBI.
“The (loss) was tough because it puts us back further in the standings for first place,” said McDonough. “We just have to shake it off, and focus on the next game.”
In Saturday night’s cross town rivalry against the Winter Hill Cyclones at Trum Field, the Alibrandis coasted to a 16-3 dominating victory. In the top of the seventh, the Alibrandis erupted for nine unanswered runs en route to the win.
Offensively, DesRoches shined in the spotlight, recording four hits, including two doubles and two RBIs while Ted Dzuiba also added four hits. Also contributing was David Scioli, who registered three hits and five RBIs while Matt Deeb and Bernie Driscoll chipped in with two hits apiece.
Scioli also launched a pair of home runs to pace the offense while Driscoll engineered an RBI triple. Also contributing with extra base hits was Ted Dzuiba, Deeb and Sal Mendonca, who contributed with doubles.
On the mound, Jon Morse earned the win in relief, firing four scoreless innings while allowing just three hits, walking one and striking out five. Earning the no decision was Steve Szathmary, who fired the first three innings while scattering eight hits and two earned runs.
After both teams were mired in a 3-3 tie, the Alibrandis grabbed a 5-3 lead in the top of the fourth before securing the win with nine runs in the top of the seventh.
Led by a masterful pitching performance by Dave Fioretti, the Alibrandis delivered a solid 9-0 shutout win over East Boston last Wednesday. Fioretti scattered just three hits while striking out 12 and walking two.
In the top of the first, the Alibrandis erupted for five runs before adding two in the top of the second. Securing the win, the Alibrandis added two additional runs in the top of the fifth. Offensively, Driscoll and Dziuba and Chad Conner each recorded two hits apiece while DesRoches also contributed with a hit and two runs scored.
Leading the offense for the Alibrandis is Scioli, who is hitting a team leading .388 batting average while posting 26 hits in 67 at bats. He also leads the squad with four doubles and four home runs. Also emerging among the top leaders is DesRoches, who’s recorded a .382 batting average while registering three doubles and 14 RBIs. Also among the top hitting leaders for the Alibrandis are Adjatay Nyadjroh (.372) and Justin Crisafulli (.364).

Somerville community group gathers signatures for youth vote ordinance

On July 29, 2010, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Measure would give 17-year-olds the vote

By Tom Nash

In a city where voter turnout for municipal elections has hovered around 20 percent, one group is calling for a new demographic of Somerville residents to help fill the polls: 17-year-olds.

Youth advocacy group Save Our Somerville began circulating a petition asking the Board of Aldermen to allow 17-year-olds to be able to vote in the next mayoral, aldermen and school committee races in 2011.

Traffic crackdown

On July 29, 2010, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

With construction vehicles causing detours and road congestion around the Assembly Square Mall area, Somerville Police are not tolerating any traffic offenders that are speeding around Middlesex Avenue.

Somerville Police traffic units are out in full force with radar equipment to help control the situation so that no potential accidents occur.

Somerville’s Assembly Square has a new road

On July 29, 2010, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

A new road appears to be completed at Assembly Square behind the Big K-Mart department store in Somerville.
Construction crews have begun working diligently on the continuous construction and sewer work for the massive redevelopment project.

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Massachusetts Residents Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding

On July 28, 2010, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

WASHINGTON – Residents and businesses affected by severe storms and flooding on July 10 in Middlesex County, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills announced today.

Mills made the loans available in response to a letter from Massachusetts Acting Gov. Timothy P. Murray on July 23, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Middlesex County and the adjacent counties of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Worchester in Massachusetts and Hillsborough in New Hampshire.

‘Villens On The Town – 7/28

On July 28, 2010, in Community/Arts, by The Somerville Times

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For Children and Youth

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Wednesday|July 28

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East Branch Library
Storytime
11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.|115 Broadway
*
SunSetters Performance
7 p.m.|Hall Ave
*

Thursday|July 29

*
Central Library
Storytime for 3 to 5 year olds
10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.|79 Highland Ave
*
Central Library
Philosophy for kids
2 p.m.-3 p.m.|79 Highland Ave
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SunSetters Performance
7 p.m.|Browning Road
*
SomerMovie Fest 2010
Vertigo (pg-13)
8:30 p.m.|Seven Hills Park Davis Square
*

Friday|July 30

*
Central Library
Storytime for 2 year olds
10:30 a.m.-11a.m.|79 Highland Ave
*

Monday|August 2

*
Central Library
Storytime for 3 to 5 year olds
10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.|79 Highland Ave
*
SunSetters Performance
7 p.m.|Little Sisters of the Poor(indoors)
*

Tuesday|August 3

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SunSetters Performance
7:30 p.m.|National Night Out
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Wednesday|August 4

*
East Branch Library
Storytime
11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.|115 Broadway
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SunSetters Performance
7 p.m.|Woods Ave
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Music

*

Wednesday|July 28

*
Johnny D’s
Digney Fignus
17 Holland St|617-776-2004
*
Sally O’Brien’s Bar
Free Poker, lots of prizes!
335 Somerville Ave|617-666-3589
*
The Burren
Pub Quiz 8 p.m.|Comedy @ 10 p.m.
247 Elm Street|617-776-6896
*
PA’S Lounge
Jason Anderson|Strand of Oaks
345 Somerville Ave|617-776-1557
*
On The Hill Tavern
499 Broadway|617-629-5302
*
Orleans Restaurant and Bar
Trivia
65 Holland St|617-591-2100
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Precinct Bar
70 Union Sq|617-623-9211
*
Bull McCabe’s Pub
Four Dollar Burgers!
Eva Rose’s Birthday Bash w/very special guests
366A Somerville Ave|617-440-6045
*
Rosebud Bar & Grill
Questionnairy Trivia
8:30 p.m.|381 Summer St, Davis Sq.
*
Highland Kitchen
Karaoke
10 p.m.|150 Highland Ave|617-625-1131
*
Night Games
Name your tune Wednesdays|Karaoke
30 Washington St|617-628-1000
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Samba Bar & Grille
DJ
9 p.m.|608 Somerville Ave|617-718-9177
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Choices Restaurant & Lounge
Hips and Lips Woman’s Dance Party
381 Somerville Ave
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Thursday|July 29

*
Johnny D’s
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni BA
17 Holland St|617-776-2004
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Sally O’Brien’s Bar
The Springhill Rounders|9 p.m.
335 Somerville Ave|617-666-3589
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The Burren
Scattershot 80’s Night
247 Elm Street|617-776-6896
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PA’S Lounge
The Delfields|Lord of the Yum-Yum
345 Somerville Ave|617-776-1557
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On The Hill Tavern
499 Broadway|617-629-5302
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Orleans Restaurant and Bar
Trivia
65 Holland St|617-591-2100
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Precinct Bar
Pat McCann|Baker Thomas Band|Jared Salvatore|Shea Rose|Zac Taylor&The Drugs
70 Union Sq|617-623-9211
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Bull McCabe’s Pub
Four Dollar Burgers!
Kevin Connolly
Dub Down with Jimmy T & friends
366A Somerville Ave|617-440-6045
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Sagra Restaurant
DJ
400 Highland Ave|617-625-4200
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The Independent
DJ|9 p.m.
75 Union Square|617-440-6022
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Rosebud Bar & Grill
Karaoke|8 p.m.
381 Summer St, Davis Sq.
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Bloc 11
Open Mic
7 p.m.|11 Bow St
*
PJ Ryan’s
Live Music
239 Holland St|617-625-8200
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Joshua Tree
Live Music
10 p.m.|256 Elm St. |617-623-9910
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Night Games
Throwback Thursdays|80’s Dance
30 Washington St|617-628-1000
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Samba Bar & Grille
Live Music
9 p.m.|608 Somerville Ave|617-718-9177
*
Choices Restaurant & Lounge
Reggae Rhythms and R&B
381 Somerville Ave
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Friday|July 30

*
Johnny D’s
Pressure Cooker
17 Holland St|617-776-2004
*
Sally O’Brien’s
Dennis Brennan & Mike Dinallo|6 p.m.
Will Davies welcomes Goh, Mercy James Gang, Sool|9 p.m.
335 Somerville Ave|617-666-3589
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The Burren
Mugsy
247 Elm Street|617-776-6896
*
Orleans Restaurant and Bar
Live Acoustic Music
8 p.m.|65 Holland St
*
Precinct Bar
Back Room Private Party
70 Union Sq|617 -623-9211
*
PA’S Lounge
Union Square Round Table
345 Somerville Ave|617-776-1557
*
On The Hill Tavern
499 Broadway |617-629-5302
*
Orleans Restaurant and Bar
Live Acoustic Music
8 p.m.|65 Holland St|617-591-2100
*
Bull McCabe’s
Mike Bernier & The Uprising
366A Somerville Ave|617-440-6045
*
The Independent
DJ|9 p.m.
75 Union Square|617-440-6022
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Sagra Restaurant
DJ
400 Highland Ave|617-625-4200
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Michael’s Bar
Domestic Beer $2.50
9 p.m.- 1 a.m.|no cover|97 Washington St|617-623-3364
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Rosebud Bar & Grill
Red Rose Club w/DJ Jordan Valentine|Rare Soul & 60’S R&B
9:30 p.m.|381 Summer St., Davis Sq.
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Joshua Tree
DJ Spinning 80’s
10 p.m.|256 Elm St. |617-623-9910
*
Night Games
Fabulous Fridays|R&B
30 Washington St|617-628-1000
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Samba Bar & Grille
Live music
9 p.m.|608 Somerville Ave|617-718-9177
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Choices Restaurant & Lounge
International Latin
381 Somerville Ave
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Saturday|July 31

Sunday|August 1

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Johnny D’s
Open Blues Jam 4:30p.m.|Caribbean Lounge Night 9 p.m.
17 Holland St.|617-776-2004
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Sally O’Brien’s Bar
335 Somerville Ave|617-666-3589
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The Burren
Singer Songwriter Series
8 p.m.|247 Elm Street|617-776-6896
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PA’S Lounge
345 Somerville Ave|617-776-1557
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Precinct Bar
Kink Academy open house music Glitter & Lies|Sea Monsters
70 Union Sq|617-623-9211
*
Bull McCabe’s Pub
Dub Apocalypse
366A Somerville Ave|617-440-6045
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Orleans Restaurant and Bar
RockBand every other Sundays
9 p.m.|65 Holland St
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On The Hill Tavern
499 Broadway|617-629-5302
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Michael’s Bar
Karaoke|Domestic Beer $2.50
9 p.m. – 1 a.m.|no cover|97 Washington St|617-623-3364
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Rosebud Bar & Grill
Country|7:30 p.m.
381 Summer St. Davis Sq.
*
Highland Kitchen
Live Bluegrass Brunch
noon-2: 30p.m.|150 Highland Ave|617-625-1131
*
Night Games
Sports Blitz Sundays
30 Washington St|617-628-1000
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Samba Bar & Grille
Live Music
9 p.m.|608 Somerville Ave|617-718-9177
*
Choices Restaurant & Lounge
Live Brazilian
381 Somerville Ave
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Monday|August 2

Tuesday|August 3

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Johnny D’s
Glen David Andrews|Alex McMurray
17 Holland St|617-776-2004
*
Sally O’Brien’s Bar
335 Somerville Ave|617-666-3589
*
The Burren
Open Mic w/Hugh McGowan
247 Elm Street|617-776-6896
*
On The Hill Tavern
Team Trivia
499 Broadway|617-629-5302
*
PA’S Lounge
345 Somerville Ave|617-776-1557
*
Precinct Bar
Precinct Pub Trivia
70 Union Sq|617-623-9211
*
Bull McCabe’s Pub
Four Dollar Burgers!
David Johnston Band
366A Somerville Ave|617-440-6045
*
Rosebud Bar & Grill
Open Mic
381 Summer St, Davis Sq.
*
Samba Bar & Grille
DJ
9 p.m.|608 Somerville Ave|617-718-9177
*

Wednesday|August 4

*
Johnny D’s
Midnight Spaghetti
17 Holland St|617-776-2004
*
Sally O’Brien’s Bar
Free Poker, lots of prizes!
335 Somerville Ave|617-666-3589
*
The Burren
Pub Quiz 8 p.m.|Comedy @ 10 p.m.
247 Elm Street|617-776-6896
*
PA’S Lounge
Vampire Squid|Dan Rodman|Ryan Beke|Aoife McDaid
345 Somerville Ave|617-776-1557
*
On The Hill Tavern
499 Broadway|617-629-5302
*
Orleans Restaurant and Bar
Trivia
65 Holland St|617-591-2100
*
Precinct Bar
Jenee Halstead
70 Union Sq|617-623-9211
*
Bull McCabe’s Pub
Four Dollar Burgers!
Bull McCabe’s Karaoke
366A Somerville Ave|617-440-6045
*
Rosebud Bar & Grill
Questionnairy Trivia
8:30 p.m.|381 Summer St, Davis Sq.
*
Highland Kitchen
Karaoke
10 p.m.|150 Highland Ave|617-625-1131
*
Night Games
Name your tune Wednesdays|Karaoke
30 Washington St|617-628-1000
*
Samba Bar & Grille
DJ
9 p.m.|608 Somerville Ave|617-718-9177
*
Choices Restaurant & Lounge
Hips and Lips Woman’s Dance Party
381 Somerville Ave
*

Classes and Groups

*

Wednesday|July 28

*
Third Life Studio
Belly Dance Fundamentals with Nadira Jamal
6:30-8:00 Level 2|8 p.m.-9 p.m. Level 1
33 Union Sq|www.nadirajamal.com
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Thursday|July 29

*
West Branch Library
Learn English at the Library!
Session 1|6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Session 2|7:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m.
40 College Ave
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Third Life Studio
Roots and Rhythm
33 Union Sq.|drumzatlibana@gmail.com
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Monday|August 2

*
Third Life Studio
Vinyasa Flow Yoga & Meditation
9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m.|617-628-7884
Afro Brazilian Percussion
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.|33 Union Sq|617-388-8403
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Central Library
Chess Night
7 p.m.|79 Highland Ave
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Tuesday|August 3

*
Third Life Studio
The Art of Group Singing for Woman w/Susan Robbins
7-9:15 p.m.|33 Union Sq|617-628-0916
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Wednesday|August 4

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Central Library
Mystery Book Group
7 p.m.-9 p.m.|79 Highland Ave
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Third Life Studio
Belly Dance Fundamentals with Nadira Jamal
6:30-8:00 Level 2|8 p.m.-9 p.m. Level 1
33 Union Sq|www.nadirajamal.com

Open Air Circus presents its 25th season Big Top performance *

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For Children and Youth

Wednesday|July 28

Thursday|July 29

Friday|July 30

Monday|August 2

Tuesday|August 3

Wednesday|August 4

Music

Wednesday|July 28

Thursday|July 29

Friday|July 30

Saturday|July 31

Sunday|August 1

Monday|August 2

Tuesday|August 3

Wednesday|August 4

Classes and Groups

Wednesday|July 28

Thursday|July 29

Monday|August 2

Tuesday|August 3

Wednesday|August 4

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Open Air Circus presents its 25th season Big Top performance
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