Car break-ins up 67 percent
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By George P. Hassett

Burglary rates in Somerville dropped to a 10-year-low this summer, but local thieves have found a new target – unlocked cars.

Burglaries in Somerville were down 42 percent from 132 in the summer months of 2009 to 77 this summer – the lowest number since 2000. However, larcenies from motor vehicles increased 67 percent since last year, from 110 to 184, according to statistics presented to aldermen this week.

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.)

Buffalo Bob Smith, Clarabelle the clown, and a  wooden puppet named Howdy Doody entertained all of us members of  the peanut gallery in the early days of television. They don’t make TV shows like they used to do they?

Did you know the first person to play Clarabelle was none other than Bob Keeshan, who went on to play Captain Kangaroo? Remember the Captain’s friends, Mr. Moose, Dancing Bear, Mr. Green Jeans and Bunny Rabbit? Remember his dungeon master key ring and huge pockets full of carrots?

East Somerville school plans well received, Scott Brown’s ‘thick skull’ and more

By George P. Hassett

The Somerville School Committee met Monday, Sept. 20 with all members present and voting.

East Somerville Community School plans may be scaled back due to costs

The city’s plans to rebuild the East Somerville Community School, destroyed in a December 2007 fire, were well received by state officials, said School Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi. Parts of the plan may have to be scaled back due to cost concerns but Pierantozzi said no academic programs por learning spaces will be reduced. He said new plans may limit stairwells or green space but not instructional space.

Ward Six School Committee member Paul Bockelman said, “It’s important to maintain costs but we want to fight for as good a school as possible.”

"Social Network" star Jesse Eisenberg visited the Thirsty Scholar in Somerville today.

By George P. Hassett

There’s a Somerville connection to Hollywood’s most controversial upcoming release. Barroom scenes in “The Social Network” – about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg – were filmed in The Thirsty Scholar on Beacon Street in 2009. Today, the film’s star Jesse Eisenberg visited the local Irish pub surrounded by publicists for a private, locked door affair.

By Lauren C. Ostberg

Andres Del Castillo, 19, is active in Suffolk University's Student Immigration Movement and a major proponent of the DREAM Act. Pauli Munguia, also 19, is the face of Centro Presente's civic engagement campaign. ~Photo by Lauren Ostberg

Somerville talks a good game about multiculturalism: it’s a sanctuary city whose citizens speak more than 50 different languages. But Centro Presente, a Latin American immigrant organization, wants to up the ante. The group’s civic engagement campaign brought 13 local elected officials to Centro Presente’s Somerville headquarters for a bilingual encuentro.

“Civic participation is more than just voting. It’s being an active member of your community,” said Patricia Montes, Centro Presente’s executive director. “We want to participate in the decision-making that goes on here.”

Sick of the spend and tax-style legislators, we have? We need tax breaks and incentives for the private sector and our present State Senator doesn’t hear us. Senator Pat Jehlan has been a public employee, elected to office since the early 1970s, so naturally we ask, how can she empathize with private businesses?  We heard that she chose not to have the word “incumbent” next to her name in the primary, but she doesn’t have that choice on November 2. So if you’re happy with the status quo vote her but we have a choice with David Carnvale a newcomer who never ran for office, but her and her minions along with the Farm Team have stooped to calling names because he had the nerve to run against the Queen.

From fluff to your telephone, Somerville is innovative.

In 1877, Somerville resident Charles Williams was the first telephone subscriber. Without Williams, you may have had to wait a few more years for your iPhone.

In 1917, another Somerville innovator, Archibald Query, invented Fluff in his Union Square home. Without Query, your peanut butter sandwich just wouldn’t be the same.

By Samantha Hutt

A hearing was held on Monday September 13, to gather information from the public on the expansion of the Assembly Square area in Somerville. The Department of Environmental Protection, Waterways Regulation Program held the hearing at the Visiting Nurses Association where approximately 15 people gathered to voice concerns, criticism, and commendations about how project leaders were handling the mixed-use development project.

New financing plan involves 450 acres, $944 million in tax base

By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

As city officials rush to put together a 30-year-economic development plan, a proposal to allow tax revenue generated from improvements in specific neighborhoods to go directly back to those areas is being questioned by local business owners.

The District Improvement Financing Plan, presented at a Sept. 15 public hearing, could potentially turn several city properties into parking garages and the Union Square post office into a performing arts center. The plan involves 450 acres and $944 million of local tax base.

By Mike Rubin

The Somerville High School girls soccer team emerged with a key victory Sept. 15 over Malden. Freshman Rachael Berry and sophomore Natalie Henrique notched a goal apiece as the Highlanders escaped with a 2-1 victory over Greater Boston League rivals. With the win, the Highlanders improved their record to 2-1 overall.