– Photos by Bobbie Toner

By William Tauro

Somerville Firefighters were called to a house fire at 81-R  Mt Vernon St around 11 a.m. Tuesday morning.  Three surrounding houses suffered melted vinyl siding damage. The fire is believed to have started in the back of the house. No injuries reported, fire is under investigation.

Residents invited to share funny, creative photos of new Zero-Sort Toters in use across the City; Winners will receive prize, special performance.
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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has announced a competition for Somerville residents to celebrate the new Zero-Sort Recycling program.

- Photo by Andrew Firestone

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Chief of Police Thomas Pasquarello invite residents in the Oxford Street neighborhood to a community meeting to discuss recent police activity.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 220 Washington Street. Chief Pasquarello and other officers will address issues of concern for the neighborhood, and answer questions from residents.  If you have questions on any police matter, please call the police information line at 617-625-1600.

Winners to be selected, presented during Historic Preservation Month in May 2012
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The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Preservation Awards.  During its annual celebration in honor of Historic Preservation Month in May 2012, the SHPC will honor Somerville residents having performed significant restoration or maintenance efforts on designated historic buildings, or on non-designated buildings erected before 1959.  The nomination period is open through Friday, November 18, 2011.

Paul Carafotes knows where he comes from, and returns to meet his public.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Paul Carafotes, a Somerville native and 30 year veteran of Hollywood film and television, will appear and sign autographs at the 2011 Boston Super Megafest on November 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on November 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer assigned to a speeding enforcement detail stopped an alleged speeder last week and was given what turned out to be a false name, according to the officer’s report.

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.)

A friend of mine, Jeanette, who reads this column, recently gave me one of her prized possessions to look at. It was her Somerville High School basketball team scrapbook from the early 1950’s.

By Jim Clark

Undercover SPD narcotics officers were alerted to some allegedly suspicious activities as they had a residence on Broadway under surveillance last Friday, according to reports.

A car had parked in front of the residence and one of the passengers, a female, had reportedly entered the building and returned to the car a short time later. Police followed the vehicle as it stopped at various locations, each time a female passenger was reportedly observed getting out of the car and standing as if waiting for someone, police said.

Grigory Genkin.

Somerville Police have arrested a Somerville man in connection with an investigation of an alleged drug lab that was operating in Somerville.  Grigory Genkin, age 29, a resident of the second floor at 19 Oxford Street turned himself in to Somerville Police, accompanied by his attorney.  Genkin is charged with 1) Manufacturing / Distribution of Methamphetamine,  2) Drug violation near a School Zone and 3) Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act.  He will be arraigned in Somerville District Court on Monday morning.  Further details will be revealed at his arraignment.

Part 4:  Parts and Crafts

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.)

The Parts and Crafts organization offers another example of Somerville newcomers who were trained as professionals and are bringing with them new ideas. In this case, the new ideas mesh with long-standing elements of Somerville culture.