Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of playing music for the combined class reunions of St. Clement’s classes of 1968, 1969 and 1970.

What a great experience it was. I attended St. Clement’s from grades 1 through 8. My late sister Christine attended grades 1-9. The class of 1970 was my sister’s class so many of her friends were there. There were lots of familiar faces.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Teen Empowerment Thanksgiving dinner took place on November 27 at 165 Broadway, Somerville. Everyone brought things to contribute to the dinner hosted by Danny McLaughlin.

Chief Assessor Frank Golden recently presented a report concerning FY 2020 Tax Levy percentages to the Somerville City Council.

By Jim Clark

The city’s Chief Assessor’s Classification Hearing Report regarding the adoption of Tax Levy percentages for FY 2020, including a minimum residential factor and a residential exemption, was presented to the Somerville City Council at their special meeting held on November 26.

At the meeting, City Assessor Frank Golden presented FY20 tax classification data and recommended the adoption of tax levy percentages.

R to L: John Fenton (DLJ), Somerville Mayor Curtatone, Rob Dickey (LMP), and Kevin Sullivan (Shawmut). The shovel presented to the mayor as part of the groundbreaking ceremony was painted by local artist JennyMae Kho.

DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners (DLJ RECP), Leggat McCall Properties (LMP), and Shawmut Design and Construction were joined by Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, City Councilor J.T. Scott, neighbors, and community members on Monday, December 2 to celebrate the official groundbreaking on 101 South Street in the Boynton Yards neighborhood of Somerville.

Somerville’s 2019 holiday celebrations will kick off on Thursday, December 5, with the Christmas Tree Lighting on the City Hall Concourse, followed by a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in the City Council Chambers. All children who attend will receive a special gift from Santa. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with live entertainment prior to the official tree lighting. Santa Claus will, as always, be escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police Departments.

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

Dear editor,

Vaping by youth has become what the U.S. Surgeon General calls an epidemic and many people are working to find solutions.  I’m asked frequently what can be done to turn the tide, and now new resources are available to educate youth and help those who want to quit vaping.

Somerville High Schools students gathered for a vigil last Friday that they organized to honor CTE Director Leo DeSimone, who passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday. DeSimone was highly respected by both SHS students and staff, as expressed in a statement released by the school last week: “…he was a trusted, much-loved, and highly respected colleague, mentor, teacher, and friend. His compassion for his students was evident in the way he interacted with them on a daily basis; he was quick to offer a smile, a high five, and a word of encouragement. He took great pride in the exceptional work of his staff, his students, and his colleagues and was the ultimate team player, always putting the best interests of his school community ahead of his own. Leo’s work ethic and commitment to helping students find their professional passion was unparalleled.”

So, the first significant snowfall of the season has touched down and left us with a picturesque Currier and Ives type dusting of the region just in time to serve as decoration for the holiday season.

Does everyone love it? No. Does anyone hate it? Maybe. Some can live with it, while others wouldn’t live without it.

Eagle Feathers #193 – Night Lights

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Light means different things to many people. One of the descriptions in Merriam Webster’s Dictionary is “it’s the essential condition of vision, the opposite of darkness.” At this time of year when the days are shorter and the nights are approaching their darkest, Somerville’s citizens have always endured. They learned to light up the night. They lit their torches, candles, lanterns and beacons; and as time went by, they flicked on the Edison switches of today to make things bright.

Arrests:
*

Justin Myrick, of 4 Golden Court, Medford, November 27, 12:20 a.m., arrested at Mystic Ave. on a warrant charge of drug possession to distribute.

James McKenna, of 31 Cheverus Rd., Dorchester, November 30, 12:38 a.m., arrested at Linwood St. on charges of felony daytime breaking and entering of a vehicle or boat, violation of city ordinance open container, and assault and battery on a public employee, and on a warrant charge of assault and battery.