Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Director of Veterans’ Services Frank Senesi invite all interested community members to attend the annual Veteran’s Day ceremonies on Friday, November 11 at 10 a.m.  The City of Somerville will be holding the annual ceremonies with the Allied Veterans’ Council at the VFW George Dilboy Post #529, located at 371 Summer Street in Davis Square.  The event will include an honor guard, and brief speeches by local elected officials.  For more information, please contact the Veteran’s Services Department at 617-625-6600 x4700.

Sen. John Kerry is advocating for victims’ rights with newly proposed legislation.

By Andrew Firestone

Last week Senator John Kerry introduced legislation to deliver unpaid damages to the families of two victims murdered by James “Whitey” Bulger.

The case followed a 2009 decision wherein a federal judge awarded the families of a Somerville man and FBI informant Brian Halloran and his acquaintance Michael Donahue a total of $8.5 million in a wrongful death suit against the FBI. Whitey Bulger, gangster and also an FBI informant, was given Halloran’s name by his handler John Connelly, another FBI informant, who was found responsible for his death. Bulger then subsequently gunned him down personally in 1982.  Bulger also murdered Donahue, an innocent bystander giving Halloran a ride home.

Weekend Red Line replaced by shuttle buses through March

By Elizabeth Sheeran

Red Line passengers will have to adjust to weekend shuttle bus detours while renovations are underway. ~Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

The good news: the MBTA is finally replacing the deteriorating track bed in the Red Line tunnel between Harvard and Alewife Stations. The bad news: weekend Red Line riders now need two to three times longer to get through Somerville on public transit, and that’s without unexpected traffic snarls.

Somerville Pop Warner football teaches youngsters not only athletic skills but also the value of teamwork and commitment to the pursuit of personal excellence. - Photo by Kathy Faulstich

The Somerville Pop Warner football program is running on all cylinders thanks to Roger Desrochers and all the people who help support the program.  Roger Desrochers has been the president of Pop Warner in Somerville for over 8 years. He has been involved in the program for over 22 years. Roger originally started off as an assistant coach when his kids were old enough to play.  His seven year old had made the E team and since he knew he would be there at all the practices, it made sense to help out the league any way he could.

All four At Large candidates re-elected

By Andrew Firestone

Aldermen At Large Jack Connolly, secured his seat on the Board for another two years. - Photo by Harry Kane

In an election for the ages, results have shown a clear sign that voters were satisfied with their Aldermen. Perhaps it was the plethora of major votes that occurred, including the Assembly Square bond vote and the move to the GIC. But the incumbents won out in the end.

Somerville’s Veteran’s Day event is to be held on November 11 at VFW Post 529 Dilboy Hall at 10a.m. Doors will open at 9a.m. for coffee and donuts. Everyone is welcomed.

*****************

Now this is only rumor so far as of press time, but it’s been told to The News that a certain person went into a convenient local store in West Somerville and removed about 100 copies of The Somerville News. The bad thing for the person that did it is that there is a video tape of the incident. We are going to look into it and review the tape and keep everyone posted on the incident, whether it really happened or not.

Former President Bill Clinton enlightened the audience at Tufts University with his views on a wide range of topics including the global economy and the domestic political scene. - Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Tufts Students were granted an evening with a living legend last Sunday, November 6, when forty-second President William Jefferson Clinton arrived to give the tenth annual Issam M. Fares lecture. Last seen on the Tuft’s lecture platform in 2002,  Clinton was quick on his feet, discussing international economics and the impact of macro-economic and social policy on the people of the world.

The New Harris Park has received the go-ahead from city officials. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

In the wake of an economic recession Somerville continues to revamp several of its parks.  The New Harris Park has received the go-ahead from city officials.

The urban oasis will be located at 15-25 Cross Street, in the upper north quadrant of East Somerville.

Visual spectacle and athletic prowess punctuate “…Like There's No Tomorrow”.

By Andrew Firestone

In this work-a-day world, it can be easy to lose sight of the finer things in life: good documentaries, beautiful scenery and exciting pastimes, especially with Old Man Winter coming to drop snow soon.

Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) held a panel discussion to address the ongoing issues of mental health in teens. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

School stress can arguably be attributed to the growing phenomenon of mental health issues.

Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) held a panel discussion to address the ongoing issues of mental health in teens. The seminar focused on the improvements that should be made to support adolescents. The meeting was held at the Healy School Library on Thursday, November 3.