“Monster Mashed-Up @ SomerStreets” includes costume parade, chainsaw pumpkin carving, Oktoberfest and more

The City of Somerville will host the final event in the 2013 SomerStreets series with a celebration along Somerville Avenue on Sunday, October 20, from noon to 4 p.m.  “Monster Mashed-Up @ SomerStreets” will feature a costume parade for residents of all ages, 100-pound pumpkins carved by chainsaw artists, Oktoberfest, Milk Row Cemetery tour, live entertainment, craft fair and more along Somerville Ave. from Union Square to Wilson Square.

By Jim Clark

Police were called to the Home Depot store on Mystic Ave. last Saturday morning on reports that a shoplifter had been caught and detained by store loss prevention personnel.

Upon arrival, police officers were advised that the suspect, Paul Flaherty, 51, of Quincy, had entered the store and placed several items in a shopping carriage while making a show of referring to sales receipts that he had pulled from his pocket.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and  do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff  or publishers)

I’m the first generation son of immigrants. My parents came to the United States from Gaeta, just north of Naples, Italy. My older sister Maria taught me English in our Italian-speaking home. My parents were among the immigrants who have made Somerville the vibrant and booming community it is today. From the Italians, Irish and Greeks who came to our city in the early part of the 20th century, to the Portuguese, Brazilians, Hondurans, Salvadorans, Haitians, Nepalis and many others who have arrived since, these people chose Somerville. They are what makes Somerville stand out. It’s our diversity. It’s the people you see every day that enrich your life, who introduce you to foods you’ve never tried, songs you never knew, and wisdom you’ve never heard. That’s what defines a neighborhood. It’s not geographic borders, it’s the people there. These people make Somerville what it is: a home.

Eight days of events to celebrate healthy, affordable, sustainable food;

“Where’s Sam?” contest sends Shape Up Sam mascot dressed in Red-Man suit running about Somerville to Food Week events: Spot Sam and be entered to win great prizes

Thursday, Oct. 24, is national Food Day, a celebration of healthy, affordable and sustainable food. And because one day just isn’t enough, the City of Somerville’s Shape Up Somerville program is leading a citywide Food Week from Oct. 17 to 24. Eight days of Shape Up Somerville partner and community events will highlight Somerville’s diverse and exciting food culture, while the “Where’s Sam?” contest invites residents to learn about healthy dining and living by watching for Shape Up Sam mascot sightings about town.

– Photos by Matt Hichborn/Boston Bruins

Somerville Youth Hockey players and staff were treated to a special visit by Boston Bruins defense man Doug Hamilton last week at the Somerville High School gymnasium.

Hamilton led the kids in a spirited game of street hockey and later posed for photos and signed autographs.

Danielle Festa’s ‘Who Are You Wearing? An Outdoor Exhibition of Street Fashion Paintings’
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By Erica Scharn

Union Square’s own temporary red carpet made a comeback Saturday with Somerville artist Danielle Festa’s “Who Are You Wearing?” exhibition. A rolled-up Red Sox t-shirt protruded from one painting. A cowboy hat jutted out from another.

Over, under, around, and through, the 21st Annual Tour de Somerville will be taking off this coming Saturday, October 19.

The Somerville Bicycle Committee’s fall bike tour this year features Somerville’s many bridges, tunnels, overpasses, and underpasses. They know of at least 40, which is a lot for a city of just 4 square miles. The tour route will cross, or at least pass by, as many of these as possible.

By Jim Clark

While on patrol last Friday evening, a police officer spotted a car driving through the parking lot at the Target store on Somerville Avenue with no headlights on.

The officer flashed his unmarked car’s lights to signal the driver that the lights were not on, but the other car’s headlights remained off.

Constance Morella’s extraordinary ride to the heights of political power is a truly inspirational tale.

By Blake Maddux

Former U.S. Congresswoman Constance Morella, née Albanese, was born in Somerville on February 12, 1931. In the 82 years since then, “Connie” Morella has done government work that has taken her all around the world.

“I grew up in West Somerville,” she clarified via email, “which means that I went to Western Junior High School [on Hudson Street] when it existed.”

After graduating from Somerville High School in 1948, she attended Boston University, where she earned an Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts (in English) in 1950 and 1954, respectively.