On 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.)

My silly story about carrying a pizza home a couple of weeks ago fueled some controversy among pizza lovers in the city. Where is the best slice in the ‘Ville? A lot of you left your comments on my Facebook page when I asked this question: Where are the best Somerville Pizza joints, past and present?

The Patrick Coman Band will kick up the “red dirt” on June 30 at Precinct, Union Square.- Photo by Photo by David Maccaferri

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

Since last playing a Bruce Springsteen tribute show in Somerville, Patrick Coman returns to this artistically rich town on June 30 at 8 p.m., specifically Precinct in Union Square, to perform red dirt music, a genre of rock that in Coman’s own words comes “straight out of the ground.”

Due to forecasts of inclement weather, both Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival and Family Fun Day have been POSTPONED until Sunday, June 26th.
Both events had previously scheduled for Saturday.

Joe’s Jazz and Blues Fest will run from noon – 7pm at Powderhouse Park, while Family Fun Day will run from noon – 5pm at Trum Field.  Both events are free of charge, and open to the general public.

Nicole Genard (center) added to her list of SHS career accomplishments last week.

Somerville High School girls track phenomenon Nicole Genard flew down to Greensboro, North Carolina, recently with assistant coach Lisa Curtin to compete in the New Balance Scholastic Nationals.
On Thursday Nicole competed in the Emerging Elites and earned a section of the Javelin.  She finished first, breaking the record with her throw of 133′ 5″. The previous record was 122’7″. Nicole earned a National Championship Medal.

- Photos by Donald Norton

A beautiful Queen Anne home on Morrison Ave is getting ready for new paint. Skiba painting is in the process of scraping it down to the bare wood.

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.)

“Global warming is the second-largest hoax ever played on the American people, after the separation of church state.”

That’s James Imhofe, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works when Republicans controlled that body. He likened the environmental movement to the Third Reich. He said that the Environmental Protection Agency resembles the Gestapo, and its administrator Carol Browner, Tokyo Rose.

Country rock pioneer JD Souther stops along the way, playing at Johnny D’s this coming Saturday. - Photo by Jeremy Cowart

JD Souther on the road again and passing through the ‘Ville

By Jim Clark

His name may not be so familiar to some, but to many others his music constitutes a substantial portion of the “soundtrack” of their lives. Since the late 60’s the country rock legend JD Souther has penned and collaborated on some of the most popular songs of our time.

By Jim Clark

Police responded last Thursday to a report that an alleged automobile breaking and entering suspect was being detained at a Flint Street residence.

Upon arrival at the victim’s residence, responding officers noted that a man was sitting on the front steps, apparently being surrounded and detained by three other men.

By Krysia Wazny

350 is a significant number for both Somerville and the world at large. It represents the amount of carbon in parts per million that the globe’s atmosphere can safely support. It is the number of towns and cities outside of Somerville in the state of Massachusetts. Additionally and perhaps most excitingly, it is the goal toward which Somerville Climate Action’s newest initiative is reaching.

Playwrights Erica Berman (above) and Katie Liesener (below).

You know when two people have a good working relationship. Like in any good friendship they finish each others’ sentences; they laugh at private jokes; the chemistry is hard to miss. This is true of Somerville Playwrights Erica Berman and Katie Liesener. These two women are co-producing a play The Nitty Gritty that will showcase on June 25 at Cambridge’s YMCA Theater at 7:30PM.

I met the pair at one of my favorite Union Square hangouts Bloc 11 (The other being the Sherman Cafe), on a cool June morning. Both women agreed that for them Somerville is truly “The Paris of New England.” They are constantly inspired by our creative burg. Although they met in Brookline, MA, their shared Somerville backgrounds gave them an immediate connection.