Coakley picks up endorsements from Capuano's hometown
In a slap at a native son, four prominent politicians who have represented Somerville in recent years endorsed Attorney General Martha Coakley for the US Senate today over US Representative Michael E. Capuano.
The four Democrats said Coakley would be a better successor to the late Edward M. Kennedy. While Capuano is a former mayor of Somerville, Coakley previously was Middlesex County District Attorney and worked with some of the politicians who are now endorsing her.
FULL ENTRYHingham English mastiff owner faces criminal charges
A Hingham dog owner is expected in Hingham District Court Monday to face criminal charges in connection with two biting incidents at a Hingham Square art gallery.
Those incidents resulted in an order last month to put the English mastiff to death, though a court last week allowed it to be moved to a shelter in upstate New York.
According to court documents, Megan Ullman, who owns the dog and the art gallery with her husband, Robert, is due in court Monday on charges of disorderly conduct, causing serious bodily injury, assault-and-battery with a dangerous weapon, and reckless assault with a dangerous weapon.
The dangerous weapon is the Ullmans' 8-year-old English mastiff Gabriella.
Hingham police issued the complaint to the court during the last two weeks, and the court issued a summons by mail for Megan Ullman to appear on the charges.
The Ullmans' attorney, Jeffrey Clifford, could not be reached for comment Friday.
FULL ENTRYBC president pledges to work with communities
While Boston College is a strong institution and plans to expand their facilities, it is mindful of the economic and social impact they have on the surrounding communities, said Boston College's president, the Rev. William P. Leahy S.J. at the 94th annual Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce Achievement Breakfast and Awards Ceremony Tuesday morning.
“We have as our motto “ever to excel,” that is what we are very committed to doing,” said Fr. Leahy. “We want to make sure we give light, give vitality to our community, because our community, particularly Newton, Needham and Boston, have given great light to us.”
FULL ENTRYScituate selectman advocates tougher liquor violation penalities
Selectman Anthony Vegnani is working with members of the Scituate Police Department to create a policy governing penalties for stores that violate the terms of their liquor licenses.
Currently, selectmen do not have a written policy, Vegnani said, and having one in place would offer board members guidelines with a range of penalties similar to those in other towns. Most of the violations involve alcohol sales to minors.
Working with Vegnani to develop guidelines are Police Chief Brian Stewart and Lieutenant Michael Stewart. After last Tuesday's meeting of selectmen, Vegnani said a draft policy would be presented to the other four selectmen in December.
The ins and outs of Somerville supermarkets
What's Fage, you ask? Keep reading.
Sure there's family and time off, but for many of us the holidays boil down to one key ingredient: food. Which means shopping. Supermarket lovers know that not all purveyors of towering cans of discounted pumpkin are alike - not even two branches of the same store. How to pick your poison? Though lacking an upscale Trader Joe's or Whole Paycheck, Somerville nonetheless offers a range of shopping options. Here’s our users' guide to the supermarkets of Somerville.
A word: Traditional supermarket reviews compare the cost of a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, and a dozen eggs. However, it’s 2009. So while we left in the good ol' reliable milk (Hood, for consistency's sake), we subbed in two items that have become staples for a variety of ethnic/community groups: mangos and Greek yogurt.
FULL ENTRYAfter win, undefeated Natick to play Franklin on Tuesday
Natick will play Franklin in a Division 2 playoff game on Tuesday night, following Natick's 10-0 win over Framingham on Thursday.
The Natick-Franklin game is set for 7:45 pm Tuesday at Franklin, according to a schedule posted at the MIAA website.
Robby Jackson snagged six receptions for 150 yards and a TD to lead the Red & Blue in the Framingham game. Click here for the scoreboard for the Natick-Framingham game.
Franklin beat King Philip 20-13 on Thursday. Nick Colson passed for two scores and rushed for another as Franklin clinched the Hockomock League title. Click here for the scoreboard.
Despite loss, Needham to play playoff game Tuesday
Despite a loss Thursday, Needham’s football season isn’t over.
FULL ENTRYSen. Kerry's staff to hold office hours in Newton on Monday
Senator John Kerry is urging Newton residents to stop by his open office hours in Newton on Monday to voice their concerns.
“This is a time for the government to come to you, in your neighborhood. That’s why we are traveling across the state and making it easier for people to visit with us,” said Sen. Kerry in a release.
Sen. Kerry's staff will be at Newton City Hall from noon- 1p.m. Monday, Nov. 30. Appointments are not necessary.
Norwell High Athletic Hall of Fame seeks first inductees
Nominations are being accepted for candidates to be inducted into the inaugural class for the newly created Norwell High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Marybeth Shea, chairwoman of the Norwell Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, said candidates for can be men and women, alive or dead, coaches, players or individuals who have supported athletic programs and players. All candidates must have graduated from Norwell High School at least five years ago.
“We’re hopeful we will have a pretty comprehensive inaugural class,” Shea said.
Mystic Valley students participate in Latin competition
The following is a press release from Mystic Valley Regional Charter School:
“Certamen” is Latin for competition, and it is the name for a Latin trivia game played by schools across the country. There are three levels of questions asked: Novice (Freshmen), Intermediate (Sophomore Latin II students), and Upper Level (Latin III and IV level students). Roxbury Latin School recently hosted a Certamen Competition with a number of teams competing from schools like BC High, Boston Latin School (BLS), Boston Latin Academy (BLA), et al.
FULL ENTRYSomerville to hold meeting Dec. 9 to discuss renovating Dickerman and Morse-Kelley playgrounds
The following is a press release from the City of Somerville:
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 3 Alderman Thomas Taylor invite all interested residents and stakeholders to attend a Community Meeting to discuss the renovation of Dickerman and Morse-Kelley Playgrounds. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School, 5 Cherry Street, and will include presentation of schematic designs for both parks by CBA Landscape Architects. It is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Landscape Project Manager Ellen Schneider at (617) 625-6600, x2529.
New teen center opening in Newton Highlands
A new teen center opened in Newton Highlands last month, offering adolescents an outlet to express their personalities, get involved with the community or simply hang out.
The Chestnut Street Teen Center at 1254 Chestnut St. is the result of an effort from the Newton Community Service Center, community members, and students at Newton South High School. The center is celebrating its official, grand opening Dec.1.
Somerville, Cambridge to launch shop local holiday campaign
The City of Somerville, Somerville Local First, and Cambridge Local First scheduled a press conference for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 27 to announce the launch of Shift Your Shopping campaign.
The campaign is designed to encourage residents to shift 10 percent of their holiday purchases to local, independent stores, according to a press release from Somerville’s mayor’s office.
Waltham middle schoolers tried to poison teacher, police say
Three Waltham middle-schoolers have been charged with attempted poisoning after allegedly trying to harm a teacher, Waltham police said.
On Nov. 12 at 9:45 a.m., a teacher at the Waltham McDevitt Middle School reported that her water had been contaminated, police said.
Upon investigation, police learned that the students, two of whom are 13 and the other 12, had put a cleaning solvent in the teacher’s water bottle. The suspects are expected to appear in court at an unknown date.
Natick police question injured bicycist
"We don't just slap things on paper and move to the next thing," said Natick Police Lieutenant Brian Lauzon.
Somerville Police chief a finalist for top slot in Florida
Somerville Police Chief Anthony Holloway is one of four finalists for the same job in the Clearwater, Fla., department, where he worked for 22 years, the St. Petersburg Times reports.
Clearwater officials told the Times that they hope to hire a replacement for outgoing Chief Sid Klein by the time he retires in February.
Shark awards typify excellence in Scituate
“We were surprised,” shouted a group of fifth grade girls who had just become Whale Shark, Shark Tail, and Great White award winners during the Jenkins Elementary School’s first student recognition celebration.
At an assembly attended by the entire Scituate school, more than 40 students chosen from every classroom were recognized for either academic achievement or showing good character and kindness toward others.
FULL ENTRYNorwell Police investigate spate of house robberies
Norwell Police are advising residents to lock their doors and turn on security systems after a spate of house break-ins.
Deputy Chief Jack Suurhans said police are investigating three burglaries, one each on Madison Court, Forest Street, and Cranberry Lane—all which took place from last Wednesday to Sunday.
He said residents were not home, and in two of the three incidences, the doors of the homes were left unlocked. In each incident, homeowners did not immediately realize there had been a robbery.
Suurhans said the robberies appear similar. “I would not be surprised if it were the same suspects,” he said. “Probably more than one person, since a large TV was stolen from one home,” he added.
Q and A with coaches
We asked the two first-year coaches, Medford’s Rico Dello Iacono and Malden’s Joe Pappagallo, their thoughts going into the Thanksgiving game:
What was the biggest surprise this season?
Dello Iacono: ‘‘I just think the overall attitude of the team, the attitude shift. A team that went 0-11 last year and 1-10 the year before, I expected to take a lot longer than it did to get their attitudes to change. But quickly I saw a change in them the first couple of weeks, not even the first couple of weeks. The first week of camp, their attitude was completely adjusted and they started coming together as a team.’’
FULL ENTRYWhat does Medford-Malden game mean? EVERYTHING!
John Blanding/Globe Staff
Medford's Rico Dello Iacono and Malden's Joe Pappagallo, both in their first Thanksgiving battle as head coach.
With the weight of 121 years of history and tradition spanning parts of three centuries and the spirit of thousands of alumni, the responsibility can be enormous.
When Malden and Medford face off today for the 122d edition of their annual Thanksgiving Day showdown, that history will be felt. For the last two years the game’s trophy has resided in the office of Dan Keefe, athletic director for Malden High, which holds the series advantage at 57 wins, 54 losses, and 10 ties in what is either the nation’s second- or third-longest continuous rivalry (depending on whom you ask). The first annual Malden-Medford Thanksgiving Day game was in 1889, and it has been played every year since. Two non-Thanksgiving games were also played in the early years.
‘‘For folks here at Malden High School, we’ve had to educate some of the kids new to the school, new to the city, because they don’t understand the context,’’ said principal Dana Brown. ‘‘But when they hear that they’re participating or rooting for a team in a historic game, it really does take on a different meaning because this really is a rivalry that a lot of schools would love to be a part of.’’
FULL ENTRYWellesley College police chief's cruiser is stolen
You'd think the blue lights inside the car might have been a clue. But they apparently didn't stop some thief or thieves from stealing the unmarked cruiser used by the Wellesley College police chief.
Local police who were called to a home on Brook Street in Wellesley before 10 a.m. Wednesday found that a Wellesley College Police cruiser had been stolen overnight, said Wellesley Police Sergeant Marie Cleary.
She said local detectives are working with college police on the case.
College spokeswoman Elizabeth Gildersleeve said somebody broke into the house, a mile or two off campus, of Lisa J. Barbin, the college's police chief, taking her cellphone, some cash, and her keys.
They also took the unmarked police cruiser outside, a dark-colored 2008 Ford Taurus.
Barbin, her son, and her visiting brother were at home at the time of the break-in, but slept through the incident, Gildersleeve said.
Q and A with the coaches
We asked the two first-year coaches, Medford’s Rico Dello Iacono and Malden’s Joe Pappagallo, their thoughts going into the Thanksgiving game:
What was the biggest surprise this season?
Dello Iacono: ‘‘I just think the overall attitude of the team, the attitude shift. A team that went 0-11 last year and 1-10 the year before, I expected to take a lot longer than it did to get their attitudes to change. But quickly I saw a change in them the first couple of weeks, not even the first couple of weeks. The first week of camp, their attitude was completely adjusted and they started coming together as a team.’’
FULL ENTRYSurvey says: Somerville getting healthier
Cambridge Health Alliance, the City of Somerville, and the Institute for Community Health are holding a data night Wednesday to share trends in Somerville wellness. Officials will present information from surveys of adults and students that describes ‘‘Somerville through the lifespan,’’ said city health director Paulette Renault-Caragianes.
For example, smoking has decreased among adults: In 2002, 57 percent of the adults surveyed said they had never smoked compared to 65 percent in 2008. (Over the same period, state rates increased from 52 percent to 56 percent). ‘‘To me that shows that prevention efforts that have been in place since 1993 or so have really paid off,’’ Renault-Caragianes said.
Somerville tree lighting ceremony Dec. 3
The following is from the office of Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone:
SOMERVILLE – Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone today announced the City’s annual holiday celebrations schedule, beginning with the annual tree lighting celebration on Thursday, December 3rd on the City Hall concourse. Following the tree lighting, Santa Claus will be available for photos and gift distribution to children in the Aldermanic Chambers. In addition, the Arts Council’s Illuminations Tour is scheduled for Saturday, December 19th. Both events will include musical entertainment and light refreshments.
What does the Malden-Medford game mean? EVERYTHING
John Blanding/Globe Staff
Medford's Rico Dello Iacono and Malden's Joe Pappagallo, both in their first Thanksgiving battle as head coach.
With the weight of 121 years of history and tradition spanning parts of three centuries and the spirit of thousands of alumni, the responsibility can be enormous.
When Malden and Medford face off today for the 122d edition of their annual Thanksgiving Day showdown, that history will be felt. For the last two years the game’s trophy has resided in the office of Dan Keefe, athletic director for Malden High, which holds the series advantage at 57 wins, 54 losses, and 10 ties in what is either the nation’s second- or third-longest continuous rivalry (depending on whom you ask). The first annual Malden-Medford Thanksgiving Day game was in 1889, and it has been played every year since. Two non-Thanksgiving games were also played in the early years.
‘‘For folks here at Malden High School, we’ve had to educate some of the kids new to the school, new to the city, because they don’t understand the context,’’ said principal Dana Brown. ‘‘But when they hear that they’re participating or rooting for a team in a historic game, it really does take on a different meaning because this really is a rivalry that a lot of schools would love to be a part of.’’
FULL ENTRY