On Saturday, October 26, Somerville’s Deborah Mason Performing Arts Center hosted Scrooge’s Tricks and Treats – A Halloween Boogie Benefit to raise money for the eleventh annual Cambridge Youth Dance Company’s (CYDP) production of the holiday dance-theatre tradition What the Dickens! December 14. 15, 21, and 22 at John Hancock Hall.

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I met Evan Northrup at my unofficial office at the back of the Bloc 11 Cafe in Union Square, Somerville. Northrup certainly has a stage presence. He speaks in an upbeat cadence and flashes a winning smile. I have never interviewed a magician before, but from my childhood I remember some darkly attired men, pulling an unfortunate bunny out a top hat, or of the enigmatic smile of an attractive woman about to be in cut in half, and miraculously brought back to her whole state.

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I am glad The Somerville Times is alive and healthy, but this is not true for many newspapers. It is harder and harder to find a community newspaper, as they have been closing at a rapid pace across the country. Lawrence Kessenich addresses this in his poem Obituary. This poem first appeared in his book Age of Wonders, published by Big Table Publishing Company. To order go to: lawrence-writer.com.

Seven residents have applied to fill the “general public” seat, which carries a three-year term.

The Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking public feedback on current applications for the Committee’s open seat, for which seven Somerville residents recently applied. Per city ordinance, the Committee must solicit feedback from the community prior to appointing any person to an open seat.

Arrests:
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Harlan Dossantos, of  Quincy, October 23, 2:51 p.m., arrested at Washington St. on a warrant charge of larceny under $1200 by single scheme.

Kenneth Reed, of  Boston, October 26, 4:18 p.m., arrested at Artisan Way on a charge of fugitive from justice on court warrant, and on a warrant charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

An fire broke out in a multi-family home on Jackson Rd. at approximately 3:00 a.m. Monday morning.

A second floor resident of the building, Chris Jeffrey-Paul, reportedly noticed the blaze and alerted other residents of the three-story home, who evacuated the building with no injuries reported.

The Boston Comedy Festival turns twenty and while it is not quite old enough to buy you a drink it is old enough to make you laugh until beer comes out of your nose.

This year the Boston Comedy Festival kicks off on Tuesday, November 12 that the prestigious Rockwell Theater in Davis Square, Somerville and it will keep roaring there all week with two shows a night featuring the newest faces in comedy. The festival wraps up at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square on Saturday, November 16 at 8:30 p.m. when one very funny soon to be famous human will be crowned the 2018 Boston Comedy Festival Champion taking home a $10,000 check along with bragging rights as the best new comic in Boston.

Caregiving is an inter-generational effort for Lisa (right), Manuel (second from left) and Gloria (center). The family enjoys monthly support and assistance from Allison (left) and Donna (second from right), of the Adult Family Care program.

By Nathan Lamb

Surrounded by his artwork and mementos of the many lives he’s touched, Manuel loves his home in Somerville.

On this day he’s at the kitchen table, telling the story of how an art student at his last job painted a large portrait of  him, which hangs on a nearby wall.

Somerville immigrant advocates discuss potential “public charge” rule changes

By Keminni Amanor, Somerville Neighborhood News

Immigration advocates and allies expressed alarm at certain immigration rule changes the Trump administration was proposing that would primarily affect low-income individuals and families during a meeting at City Hall on October 10.

A proud 2010 graduate of Somerville High School’s Center for Career and Technical Education (CTE), Tony Dasilva has been volunteering for over a decade with CTE’s Automotive shop. Tony organizes and stocks supplies, helps with engine assembly and repair, cleans equipment and spaces, and hangs with staff and students. Tony’s smile and energy fill the room when he talks about his work with Automotive staff and helping out. Tony’s mom Joan says “We tried another program (outside of SPS) but Tony didn’t feel comfortable there. He knows and trusts staff here, and they truly make him one of the family.