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.)

Even though I have been out of school for over 33 years, there is something about this time of year that makes me nervous. I write  about this condition every year because it is a recurring ailment. It’s like a rash that returns once a year at the same time. Although I know the importance of school and education, and all that jazz, I still get butterflies in my stomach around the middle of August. School still makes me uneasy. I have  also been having  the same dream for years. I am still in high school trying to graduate. In the dream, I am usually in my pajamas, and there is a teacher tormenting me.

By Julia Fairclough

Car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers, which is why Congressman Mike Capuano has introduced legislation to create programs for teen traffic safety initiatives.
The Students Taking Action for Road Safety (STARS) Act would establish a grant program within the Department of Transportation focusing on teen driver safety. While a number of safety programs have been created for bicyclists, motorcyclists, older drivers and infant passengers, a dedicated program for younger drivers—who are three times as likely to die in a car accident as all other driving populations—does not exist, according to Capuano.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Project MUM - photos by Charles Daniels photography of Project MUM 2009.

Saturday, August 21 is sure to be a jam-packed, fun day in Union Square for copious Somerville residents.  Four events will occur: Bazaar Bizarre, Ice Cream Showdown, Bloom: An Art Installation by Hannah Verlin and Project MUM.

Bazaar Bizarre is celebrating its tenth year. However, “This is the first year it is presenting an event in collaboration with the Somerville Arts Council (SAC),” said Meagan O’Brien, ArtsUnion Coordinator of the Somerville Arts Council.

DiFronzo, officer who fired, cleared of wrongdoing
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Photo by Bobbie Toner

By George P. Hassett

The fatal police shooting of a 33-year-old Somerville woman was ruled to be justifiable today by the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.
“Upon a completion of this investigation, our conclusion is that the responses of the officers were justifiable under the law to affect lawful objectives, bring the incident under control, and protect lives. The reckless actions of the decedent placed the lives of all three officers and others in danger. The officer who discharged his firearm did so to save his, Lieutenant Anzalone’s, and possibly others’ lives, including the officers who had been stabbed by the decedent and remained on scene. Having made our determination under the law regarding the legal justifiability of the shooting by the officer we have, per protocol, referred the matter back to the Somerville Police Department so that they can perform whatever internal administrative review of the incident they deem appropriate,” a statement from the Middlesex District Attorney’s office said.

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

The Sunsetters put on a command performance fit for a king for all the neighbors in the Ten Hills area that gathered in front of Mayor Joseph Curtatone’s house Wednesday evening.

Somerville’s own Jimmy Del Ponte set the tempo in high gear in front of one of the biggest crowds that the Sunsetters have ever played in front of.

By Andrew Firestone

How much is the power of incumbency worth? In a rematch for a Somerville state senate seat decided by only 170 votes four months ago, Senator Sal DiDomenico and Timothy Flaherty, both Democrats, are about to find out.

DiDomenico, former chief of staff for the previous senator Anthony Galluccio, defeated Flaherty in April and the two are now set for a Sept. 14 rematch. The district includes two precincts in wards one and two in Somerville.

Board member recuses herself from vote

By Andrew Firestone

Progress on the Green Line Extension hit another snag last Wednesday after a state official recused herself during a vote to extend the rail designers’ contract.

The surprise led members of the Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP) to say they were “frustrated” with what they perceived as a lack of honesty from state transit officials on a $24 million contract extension.

Last night was the second neighborhood meeting on the proposed Ocean State Job Lot to replace the vacant Winter Hill Star Market store. The City Planning Board meeting is scheduled for August 24 at City Hall at 6 p.m. if you would like to find out more contact Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero at wpero@comcast.net or call him at 617-628-0137.

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Happy Birthday to Courtney O’Keefe, well known lifelong community activist here in Somerville.    Also Birthday wishes to Judy Louchi Jacobs another lifelong activist, to both we wish a great day and good year, they are both nice people and love Somerville.

Somerville is funky. Here, we have ice cream showdowns, we go to oddball craft fairs and we party under highways.

Sure Somerville is many things to the many people who live here but the inventiveness and and art in the city is unique. Last week a short web video made by three Somerville residents in honor of a dead squirrel found in their neighborhood was a minor online sensation. It had all the ingredients for web success: dry humor, a mummified squirrel and a huge mustache.

And on Saturday, Somerville is full of exciting events at a time of year when other cities get lazy in the summer heat. Four arts events hit the streets, providing almost-free entertainment for all ages from 2 p.m. until 1 a.m.

There’s a “bizarre” crafts fair, an ice cream showdown, an art exhibition at Prospect Hill Park and a party underneath McGrath Highway.

We can all agree Somerville is different – maybe it’s the funk that sets us apart.