Deputy Chief Stephen Carrabino, left, and Chief David Fallon, right, work with retired south Carolina Police Chief Dean Crisp, lead instructor for the FBI-LEEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute, at the Somerville Police Department’s headquarters last week. (Courtesy Photo)

Chief David Fallon reports that the Somerville Police Department, in conjunction with the MA Municipal Police Training Council, hosted a free, FBI- Law Enforcement Executive Development (LEEDA) Association Supervisor Leadership Institute at the department’s headquarters last week. Police held the course from Oct. 26-30. Somerville. Lt. Gerard Rymill, Lt. Sean Sheehan, Sgt. John Tam and Sgt. Diogo DeOliveira attended.

Somerville Neighborhood News is a production of Somerville Community Access Television, made by professional journalists, volunteers and staff. The half-hour news show has as its mission to provide a lively, informative newscast focusing on the events, issues and information impacting Somerville residents. Here is one featured story from SNN #52:

The Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, led by Cynthia Woods, Music Director, presents the opening concert of its 41st season, Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 on Sunday, November 15, at 4 p.m. at Kresge Auditorium, MIT, 48 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge.

Stop by the Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, on Sunday, November 15, for an inspiring, informative, and fun fundraising event that can have a tremendously positive impact on the Somerville community. The Drug and Alcohol Awareness fundraiser takes place from 2:00-8:00 p.m. on the 15, and will include resource tables with information from treatment and detox centers and support groups.

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)

On October 27 the Principle Group presented its Neighborhood Plan for Union Square and Boynton Yards.

Most of its content consists of worthwhile design and policy ideas that incorporate every new-urbanist virtue as well as concerns expressed by neighbors over the last year. The redesign of Union Square’s streets is particularly good.

The “growing revolution” is on as Grove’s new Ecosystems come online at Greentown Labs’ incubator space in Union Square.

By Haley ED Houseman

There’s a small Eden being built in the Greentown Labs incubator space off Union Square. The space is getting greener, as the largest company within, Grove, reached a major milestone with over $200,000 raised via Kickstarter, more than twice the company’s goal.

Somerville Artist, Diane Blouin.

Diane Blouin, a life-long resident of Somerville, MA, began painting in oil when she was 18 years old and has painted in various media for more than 40 years. She is principally known for her portraits in oil. Her art education has spanned an intense classical study of art and art history as well as many hours at the easel with noted Boston painters.

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)

This week we celebrate Veterans Day, honoring all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, but this day had another name in the past. Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to mark the end of fighting in World War I at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month. So it’s appropriate that our annual memorial service held with the Somerville Allied Veterans Council takes place at the Dilboy VFW Post, which is named after Somerville resident George Dilboy, who fought and died in World War I and received the Medal of Honor. Dilboy’s story is well-known in our community, with the stadium named after him and his memorial that sits outside City Hall, but this Veterans Day, I’d like to highlight some other Somervillians who served our nation in WWI, The Great War.

THE BEST OF SOMERVILLE 2023

Readers choices for 2023

Congratulations to the winners!
Please support their businesses and let them know you saw them in
The Somerville Times

*

Best Idea in 2023:
Somerville Community Path Extension

Worst Idea in 2023:
Removing parking spaces in front of local businesses

*

Best Somerville Food & Restaurants:

Best Breakfast: Neighborhood Restaurant, 25 Bow St.

Best Breakfast Sandwiches: Mike & Patty’s, 1 Bow Market Way

Best Combination Breakfast & Lunch: Ball Sq. Cafe, 708 Broadway

Best Coffee Shop: Diesel Café, 257 Elm St.

Best Diner: Kelly’s Diner, 674 Broadway

Best Italian Food: Vinny’s at Night, 76 Broadway

Best Italian Specialty Store: Capone Foods, 14 Bow St.

Best Portuguese Food: J and J Restaurant, 157 Washington St.

Best Greek Food: Daddy Jones, 525 Medford St.

Best Brazilian Food: Gauchao Brazilian Cuisine, 102 Broadway

Best Chinese Food: Dumpling Garden on Broadway, 273 Broadway

Best Korean Food: Reliable Market, 45 Union Sq.

Best Thai Food: Siam Ginger, 22 Bow St.

Best Mexican Food: Rincon Mexicano, 99 Broadway

Best Mediterranean Food: Sarma, 249 Pearl St.

Best Variety and All-Around Restaurant: Mount Vernon Restaurant, 14 Broadway

Best New Restaurant: Field & Vine, 9 Sanborn Court

Best Seafood Restaurant: Out of the Blue, 215 Elm St.

Best Waiter/Waitress: Mount Vernon Waitstaff, 14 Broadway

Best Chef: Cassie Piuma, Sarma, 249 Pearl St.

Best Hamburger: R.F. O’Sullivan’s & Son,282 Beacon St.

Best Roast Beef Sandwich: HOTBOX, 1 Bow Market Way

Best Vegan Tacos: Taco Party, 711 Broadway

Best Taco: La Posada, 505 Medford St.

Best Bar Food: Highland Kitchen, 150 Highland Ave.

Best Vegetarian Pizza: Veggie Crust, 445 Somerville Ave.

Best Pizza: Mortadella Head

Best Pan Pizza: Leone’s, 292 Broadway

Best Detroit Style Pizza: Avenue Kitchen and Bar, 158 Boston Ave.

Best BBQ: Redbones, 55 Chester St.

Best Soul Food: FoodDy’s Kitchen,235 Holland St.

Best Sub Shop: Vinal General Store, 220 Somerville Ave.

Best Sandwiches: Dave’s Fresh Pasta, 81 Holland St.

Best Homemade Pasta: Deano’s Pasta, 15 Garfield Ave.

Best Chocolate: Taza Chocolate, 561 Windsor St.

Best Donuts: Union Square Donuts, 20 Bow St.

Best Donut Holes: Mass Hole Donuts, 1157 Broadway

Best French Bakery: Michette, 164  Broadway

Best Muffins: Vinal Bakery, 222 Somerville Ave.

Best Cakes: Juscelia’s Cakes (Facebook)

Best Cannoli: Mike’s Pastry, 445 Revolution Dr.

Best Half Moons: Lyndell’s Bakery, 720 Broadway

Best Pies: Petsi Pies, 285 Beacon St.

Best Cheesecake: 7ATE9 Bakery, 199C Highland Ave.

Best Ice Cream: Gracie’s Ice Cream, 22 Union Sq.

Best Liquor Store: Ball Square Fine Wines, 716 Broadway

Best Farmers Market: Somerville’s Winter Farmer’s Market, 191 Highland Ave.

Best Convenience Store: Tapia’s Convenience, 244 Broadway

Best of Somerville Services:

Best Optometrists: Eye Associates of Somerville, 174 Broadway

Best Medical Services: Davis Square Family Practice, 255 Elm St. Ste 30

Best Wellness Clinic: KenkoDo, 735 Broadway

Best Dentist Office: Dental Arts Davis Square, 396 Highland Ave.

Best Orthodontist: Mouhab Rizkallah DDS MSD PC, The Braces Place

Best Electricians: Bent Electrical Contractors, 59A Inner Belt Rd.

Best Plumbers: T.J. Sillari, Inc., 99 Albion St.

Best Law Firm: Rumery & Smith, 403 Highland Ave.

Best Bank: Winter Hill Bank, winterhillbank.com

Best Bank President: Sandra L. McGoldrick, Winter Hill Bank

Best Realtor: Steve Bremis, 1167 Broadway

Best Real Estate Rental Agent: Bill Murphy, Colony Real Estate, 1242 Broadway

Best Florist: Rococo Florist, 1 Bow Market Way

Best Barbershop: Alibrandi’s Barber Shop, 194 Holland St.

Best Barber: Danny McWeeny at Razors

Best Hair Salon: Clementine, 358a, Somerville Ave.

Best Hair Stylist: Lori Pino, Amal Niccoli, 731 Broadway

Best Contractor: Josue Velney,  Velney Development, 30 Woodbine St.

Best Exercise Program: Parkour Generations

Best Pest Exterminator: Best Pest Control Services, 63 Elm St.

Best Nature Space: Somerville Community Growing Center

Best Garden Center: Ricky’s Flower Market, 238 Washington St.

Best Dry Cleaners: Highland Dry Cleaning & Tailoring, 237 Highland Ave.

Best Hotel: Cambria Hotel, 515 Somerville Ave.

Best School Program: Somerville High School CTE

Best Teacher: David Aronofsky, New Wave and Full Circle

Best Politician: Willie Burnley, Jr., City Councilor-At-Large

Best Volunteer Executive Director: Evelyn Battinelli, Somerville Museum

Best Police Officer: Officer Thomas Lambert

Best Firefighter: John Gullage

Best of Somerville Arts/Entertainment:

Best Bowling: Sacco’s Bowl Haven, 45 Day St.

Best Movie Theatre: Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square

Best Local Bar: Trina’s Starlite Lounge, 3 Beacon St.

Best Bar for Bands: Sally O’Brien’s

Best Restaurant/Entertainment: Premiere on Broadway, 517 Broadway

Best Irish Pub: The Burren, 247 Elm St.

Best Brewery: Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St.

Best Cocktails: Vera’s, 70 Union Sq.

Best Somerville Writer: Randall Munroe

Best Somerville Poet: Doug Holder

Best Photographer: Claudia Ferro

Best Food Columnist: Dorothy DiMarzo, Dorothy’s Corner

Best Somerville Stories: Jimmy Del Ponte

Best Photos of Somerville Neighborhoods: Denise Provost

Best Somerville Celebrity: Eugene Mirman

Best Somerville Historian: Bob “Monty” Doherty

Best Somerville Non-Profit Agency: Food for Free, 59 Inner Belt Rd.

Best Somerville Charity: Somerville Homeless Coalition, 1 Davis Sq.

Best Neighborhood Charity: Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville mutualaidmamas.com

The following article was written by several of the members of “Pays to Write,” an afterschool club at the West Somerville Neighborhood School. The students are hoping to establish a school-wide student newspaper.