Somerville Pride

Last night I had the honor of presenting citations to the Somerville High School Varsity Girls Basketball team for being the 2013 Great Boston League Tri-Champions…..two years running.   The girls ended their season with a 14 – 7 record.  Congratulations to:

Esther Joseph

Samantha Sahlas

Indira Evora

Ella Tyler

Himanot Mulugeta

Kristen Florio

Leslie Durate

Melissa McGovern

Melissa Baptista

Brooke Metivier

&

Megan O’Brien

And of course it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t extend a big CONGRATULATIONS to head coach, Paul O’Halloran, Assistant Coaches, Alicia Querusio, Shelia Fretas-Haley and Liz Avis.  

 

I also had the honor of presenting a citation to Indira Evora.  Indira, co-captain of the SHS Girls Varsity Basketball team has made history.  She now has the distinction of being one of only four FEMALE basketball players in Somerville whom have scored over 1,000 points.

Ending her SHS Basketball career with 1,262 points.  Scoring 449 of those points in her senior year – averaging over 21 points per game.  She is a 4 time GBL All Star and was voted Most Valuable Player in both 2012 & 2013.

She is a member of the National Honor Society, an active volunteer with the Somerville Pride and a Youth Basketball Coach & Referee.

Nearly 60 colleges expressed interest in Indira!!!!  But Indira took the next step in her Basketball career by signing a National Letter of Intent during the early signing period to play for St. Michael’s College in Vermont. 

She says, “My goal has always been to play basketball in college and I’m very excited to be going to St. Michael’s and feel St. Michael’s is a good academic fit for me.”

I say, “Somerville is lucky to have her and St. Michael’s is lucky to be getting her.”

Congratulations Indira and Good Luck in all your future endeavors

Need Something to do Tomorrow?

Tomorrow there are some pretty great things happening in our City.

From 9am - noon Somerville High School will be holding their 15th annual Vocational Fair.  Students and staff from the various vocational education departments show case their work and talent.

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As I mentioned in this previous blog post "A Stronger You" is happening at the Somerville Boxing Club.  Click the link for more information.

I have updated the sidebar links to include the both the City and School Calendar of Events.  There is always something cool happening in our City.

Important Order

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Last night at the Board of Aldermen meeting Aldermen-at-Large Jack Connoly, Bruce Desmond, Bill White, Dennis Sullivan and myself put forth an order to have the Director of SPCD (Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development) create and maintain space on the City’s website detailing proposed developments in Ward 1.   Originally the order stated two specific developments, 625 McGrath Highway and Stop & Shop, but after discussion with my colleagues on the Board of Aldermen we agreed that it is important that everyone – everywhere in the City be kept up to date on proposed developments and be able to share their concerns and opinions online.   The order passed unanimously and though I am sure it will take some time to put into effect I am pleased this will happen and pleased that we continue to make strides in having our government as open and transparent as possible. 

 

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I’d like to publicly thank all the Aldermen-at-Large for their continued support not only in this matter but for all the neighborhood meetings they have made a point of attending here in Ward 1.   Thank you gentlemen.

Know who Represents You

Representative Tim Toomey (Timothy.Toomey@mahouse.gov)
Representative Denise Provost (Denise.Provost@mahouse.gov)
Representative Carl Sciortino (Carl.Sciortino@mahouse.gov)
State Senator Patricia Jehlen (Patricia.Jehlen@masenate.gov) 
State Senator Sal DiDomenico (Sal.DiDomenico@masenate.gov)

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SENATORS
(both represent all Massachusetts residents)

Elizabeth Warren
2 Russell Courtyard
Washington, D.C. 20510
phone: (202) 224-4543  
Web site 

William "Mo" Cowan (interim - until special election on 6/25/13)
359 Dirksen Senate Office Building              
Washington, D.C. 20510
phone: (202) 224-2742
Web site

REPRESENTATIVES
(one represents each congressional district in Massachusetts)

Michael E. Capuano (7th Congressional District)
1414 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
phone: (202) 225-5111 fax: (202) 225-9322
Web site: www.house.gov/capuano

Mark your Calendars

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 26^th for a neighborhood meeting regarding the proposed development at 205 Broadway.   I am currently looking for a meeting location as the Community Room is already scheduled with another neighborhood event that evening.

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Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 27th for the City's Annual Spring Clean Up Day.  More information on that to follow on this also.

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Mark your calendars for the 2013 SomerStreets Series.  June 2nd at East Broadway (McGrath to Franklin) - July 28th at Highland Avenue (Walnut to Cedar) - August 18th at Shore Drive (Entirety) - September 8th at Alewife Brook Parkway (Dilboy to Broadway) and October 20th at Somerville Avenue (Union Square to Beacon.)  And you guest it.......more information to follow.

Neighborhood Meeting

90 Washington Street 

I will be having a 2^nd neighborhood meeting regarding the proposed development located at 90 Washington Street.   The first meeting was not very well attended and I am hoping more residents will show up to voice their concerns.

When:  Tuesday, April 2^nd, 6:30 – 7:30

Where:  Ralph & Jenny Center

              9 New Washington Street

The developers, their attorney and representatives from the City will be there.

Cross Street Bridge Reconstruction

Bridge Closing to Vehicular Traffic – March 21st

Beginning at 7:00 AM on Thursday, March 21st and continuing thereafter, the bridge carrying Cross Street over the MBTA/Pan Am Railroad corridor will be closed to allow work crews to rehabilitate the structurally deficient bridge.  Prior to the closure of the bridge, a temporary pedestrian bridge will be installed just north of the existing bridge to provide for pedestrian travel throughout the construction of the project.  The bridge is scheduled to be re-opened to all traffic in late November, 2013. 

The following work activities are scheduled to occur over the next several weeks: 

• The temporary pedestrian bridge will be installed during the overnight hours between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM on Thursday, March 14th.
• The existing bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic at 7:00 AM on Thursday, March 21st.
• The demolition of portions of the existing bridge will take place over the weekend of Saturday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 24th. 

Vehicular traffic will be detoured as shown on the attached map and as noted below: 

Westbound traffic will be directed to turn left onto Tufts Street; right onto Washington Street; right onto the on ramp to McGrath Highway (Route 28) North rejoining Cross Street on the west side of the bridge. 

Eastbound traffic will be directed to follow McGrath Highway (Route 28) North; right onto Pearl Street rejoining Cross Street on the east side of the bridge. 

Contact information: 

MassDOT Resident Engineer: Tom Callery: 617-776-2300

MassDOT Feedback System:   DOTFeedbackHighway@dot.state.ma.us

Contractor:  AETNA Bridge: 401-728-0400

See sidebar links to the City's page and the Google Map detour page.