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.)

Remember how we used to roll our eyes when our parents told us how they could see five movies, buy candy, soda and popcorn, ride the trolleys all day and still come home with change of a quarter? Well, let’s congratulate ourselves because we have officially become our parents.

By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

(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.)

Between President Obama’s fight for his stalled jobs bill and the growing public debate about the role government should play in reviving our economy, Assembly Square is getting a lot of outside attention these days.

Somerville Police have arrested a 22 year old Somerville man in connection with several recent indecent assaults on women in Somerville and Medford.  Over the past two months, Somerville Police, working together with Cambridge, Medford, Transit and Tufts University Police and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, have arrested Alfredo Romero Posada after a two month long investigation of area assaults on women.  A special task force was formed to conduct this investigation since mid September.  The Task Force utilized surveillance teams, Decoy Officers and Saturated Patrols in the Davis Square and Porter Square neighborhoods.  Posada was observed in the Davis Square area on October 29 by officers assigned to this task force.  Surveillance officers were able to stop and identify him as a potential suspect as he was approaching a woman walking alone.

The 24th Annual Open Studio Event will take place this weekend, November 19 and 20, from noon to 6 p.m.

50 artists will open their studios to the public this year.  Two blocks away, the Joy Street Studios will feature more than 50 of their studios which will be open on that same weekend.

According to Somerville Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher,  the George Dilboy VFW Post 529  at 371 Summer St. has been shut down indefinitely due to a fire violation.  More details to follow.

By Jim Clark

Police dispatchers were alerted to reports of a man prowling around the Teele Square area in the early morning hours of November 8.

The man was reportedly spotted checking the handles of parked cars along Holland Street.

Somerville Police are investigating an indecent assault and battery that occurred early Thursday morning.  At about 1:30 a.m., a 22-year- old woman was walking home, from the Porter Square area.  As she turned onto Highland Avenue from Cherry Street, she was approached from behind by an unknown suspect who assaulted her indecently.  The victim screamed and resisted, causing the attacker to flee.

Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled an update to his plan to bridge the achievement gap.

Summer ELL in Somerville

By Andrew Firestone

Last week at UMASS Boston, Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled an update to his plan to bridge the achievement gap. Included was a plan to bring Summer England Language Learner camps to cities around the commonwealth.

Somerville Public Schools already has a program. While not among the list of INC Mass “Gateway Cities” such as Fall River and Chelsea, the Somerville Program for English Language Learners (SPELL). Funded by federal Title III funds by the state, SPS uses SPELL to help its large ELL populations.

Let it snow, let it snow! Rain, shine or snowing on Saturday, November 26, better hope you are in town. Somerville’s got talent! Don’t miss the entertainment event of the season. Walk or ride yourself over to the Somerville Theatre: The faculty, students and alumni of the Somerville Public Schools music department present a Tom Taylor production, Holiday in the Ville, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The Somerville Theatre will rock and glow with the sounds of the city and season provided by the go-flo casuals, Grooversity, the Somerville Second Line Social Aid Pleasure Society Brass Band, to name just three of the original student and alumni based acts. Alumni of the SHS band, orchestra and chorus will join the present student members of their respective ensembles in performance, and there will be many exciting surprises. Jimmy Del Ponte will be master of ceremonies. General admission is $10, seniors and children are $5. Tickets are available in advance at the Somerville Theatre box office, or contact Rick Saunders at the high school. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

The St. Clement Lady Anchors Volleyball team prevailed over rivals Pope John of Everett in the Division Three North State Tournament quarter finals.

Volleyball

The St Clement Lady Anchors Volleyball team hosted the quarter finals of the Division Three North State Tournament on Monday November 7th, 2011, after receiving a first round bye. Saint Clement ranked fourth seed and ended their regular season with an overall record of 15-5.