(updated to show location of rehearsals)

Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator Jimmy Del Ponte announces the formation of a new singing group for city teens. The Trendsetters, will begin rehearsals at the Armory  (on the mezzanine)  at 191 Highland Ave on Thursday October 17.

Part 1:  Its dimensions
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By William C. Shelton

(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)

Once thought of as the land of opportunity, our nation is now the most unequal country in the developed world, and growing more so. Some economists say that comparable levels of inequality have not existed since 1928, the eve of the Great Depression. Others say that  we haven’t seen them since the late 19^th Century’s gilded age.

Street music with a mission

A joyful noise with a message or two – or more – will be hitting the streets of Somerville this weekend as the HONK! Festival sounds off.

By Elizabeth Sheeran

Two-dozen self-described activist street bands will converge on Somerville and Cambridge this weekend for what promises to be a honking good time. The eight year-old HONK! Festival is the granddaddy of international gatherings for street bands whose mission is to make a difference with music.

The Somerville High School girl’s volleyball team held a “Rock your Socks” Breast Cancer fundraiser Friday at their home game vs. Malden. The three teams, freshman, JV, and varsity, all wore pink socks in support of the cause and canned between matches. The Highlanders swept Malden in wins for freshman, JV, and varsity. Pictured:  JV Captains Thaina Nascimento, Joy Jarnagin, Tamika Michel, Varsity Captain Charlotte Schofield, Freshman Captains Emily O’Regan, Flavia Martins, and Emily Liberato.

A local pizzeria is offering breast cancer patients across the country a Slice of Hope. Eat at Jumbo’s is helping raise critical funding for breast cancer research by donating 20% percent of all its sales from Friday, Oct. 11 to the Karen Mullen Breast Cancer Foundation, a national charity based in Seattle.

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)

Last Wednesday I walked with members of our community in the Annual Candlelight Vigil in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s saddening that we must walk each year, but heartening to see people join us every year for the walk through Union Square. We walked to remember those who have lost their lives over the last year to domestic violence, and to stand up together, to send a message to every victim: You are not alone. You are never alone.

Arrests:
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James Killackey, 30, of 66 Fifth St., Cambridge, September 30, 5:25 p.m., arrested at 14 McGrath Hwy. on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Ralph Glawson, 51, of 46 Perrin St., Boston, September 30, 9:11 p.m., arrested at 256 Elm St. on charges of furnishing a false name or Social Security number and violation of city ordinance open container, and on warrant charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct, larceny over $250, destruction of property over $250, and felony nighttime breaking and entering.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

By Erica Scharn

“Oh, how great is this?” Mame Kennedy, visiting from New York City for parents’ weekend, had no idea that the second annual Somerville Mini Maker Faire was going on October 5in Union Square from 3-7 p.m. When karaoke broke out on ZingBox’s solar powered boom boxes, she stopped to join the smiling onlookers.

The candidates for School Committee were each asked four questions and invited to describe themselves and their vision for how best to serve their ward as School Committee members. Their responses are presented here in alphabetical order, based on their last names, by ward. Ward 1 candidate Kenneth M. Salvato did not submit answers before we went to press.

Corn shucking the old fashioned way, a great experience for kids learning about nutrition and health.
– Photo by Roxane Scrima.

By Jim Clark

Children in Somerville’s elementary schools and the Capuano Early Childhood Center partook in an annual tradition aimed at educating them in the value of good nutrition last week, while having a ton of fun shucking corn in the morning and enjoying it on their lunch menu shortly afterwards.