Letter to the Editor

Letter to Editor: 'Chinese Heros of the American Civil War'

Henry Jung writes about the role of Asian Americans in the Civil War.

Dear Editor: This being the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War there is much discussion on the role of minorities, especially African-American. However what has been sorely neglected and practically unknown is the role of Asian-Americans in this conflict. The Chinese was a very small population in the Eastern United States at the beginning of the war, probably no more than 300-400 perhaps. Yet researchers and scholars believe that there were at least 50 or so who served in the Union forces (army and navy). Some even served with the Confederacy, several with the Virginia or Tennessee cavalry as well as the Louisiana infantry. At least three were in Union uniform at the Battle of Gettysburg—there is a photo of Cpl. Joseph Pierce (…

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Greater Boston's Best Places to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day, As Voted By Our Readers

A roundup of favorite St. Paddy's Day spots in the Greater Boston area.

Patch readers throughout the greater Boston area weighed in on their top spots to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. After five days of voting, here are our winners: Back Bay: Solas, 710 Boylston St. Beacon Hill: Seven's Ale House, 77 Charles St. Charlestown: The Warren Tavern, 2 Pleasant St. Malden: Hugh O'Neill's Restaurant, 45 Pleasant St. Medford: Pizzeria Regina, 44 Station Landing Melrose: Bread 'n Bits of Ireland, 530 Main St. Somerville: Olde Magoun's Saloon, 518 Medford St. South End: Clerys Bar & Restaurant, 113 Dartmouth St. Stoneham: Montvale Plaza, 54 Montvale Ave. Wakefield: Harrington's, 17 Water St.

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Is There a Class Divide in Somerville?

A proposed affordable-housing development in Union Square has sparked a debate about gentrification and the future of a neighborhood.

A lot of people had comments about the Somerville Community Corporation's proposed 40-unit affordable-housing development at the old Boys & Girls Club building in Union Square. The conversation turned to deeper issues: gentrification, neighborhood transformation and the relative merits of subsidized housing, among other things. A number of commenters were direct with their opinions: Leslie Gildart wrote, "All you wealthy gentrified folks looking to keep out the working class: Why didn't you step up and buy the building yourselves?" Joyce Junior commented, "[M]ost people in opposition to this project aren't from Somerville … [they] are a bunch of yuppies that moved into the neighborhood, and now the people around them are suddenly …

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Jeff Miller

10:30 am on Saturday, March 17, 2012

Homes and homeownership - this is stuff that cuts close to the bone for all walks of life. Of course there's a divide – but that doesn't mean we have to behave in a divided way. Addressing the complexities of a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multi-income neighborhood should be embraced as the lucky challenge it is. My problem with this whole issue is that the ideas seem so OLD...hasn't this …   more ›

Readers Weigh In on Vacant Somerville Storefronts

Somerville Patch readers had some good thoughts and ideas about the old Star Market site in Winter Hill, the old Social Security office building in Davis Square and the old Cabot Farms space near Powderhouse Rotary.

Over the past few weeks, we asked readers to share their ideas for three prominent but vacant storefronts in the city: Readers had some good ideas and thoughts. Here's a sampling of what they said. Summary: Big space in a prime location. Lucas Friedlaender suggested a bakery with "delicious crusty bread and bagels" and high-end European desserts. Jodie Dow-Novaes suggested a bookstore. Jonah Petri liked the idea of a bookstore or bagel bakery, and he also suggested a tea shop. Armando Caro had a number of ideas, including a Trader Joe's, an art supply store and karaoke bar. Vinnie recommended a Gap store. cp kostos thought the space could be turned into a small mall with little shops housing bookstores, florists, jewelers, cafes and other …

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Letter to the Editor

Letter to Editor: Keep Union Square Inclusive

The writer, Matan BenYishay, argues for an affordable housing project in Union Square.

The following is written by Matan BenYishay of the Somerville Community Corporation: "It's going to be tough to find a new place in Somerville. Not everyone can make a ton of dough and afford an expensive place. Working people are getting squeezed out,” a resident at 388 Somerville Ave. recently told me. This low-income resident and his neighbors in the buildings next to Market Basket are searching for new homes in Somerville after their landlord received a permit to knock down their buildings and replace them with luxury condos. With its restaurants and artists and the extension of the Green Line fast approaching, Somerville's Union Square is drawing new residents. This influx, however, will likely drive prices up for residential and …

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POLL: Should the T Crack Down on Fare Evaders?

Herald reports that plainclothes cops are being used to nab "piggybackers."

The Boston Herald reports today the MBTA police are cracking down on fare evaders. Plainclothes and uniformed police are being sent to stations around the MBTA's subway system to issue citations for violators, the Herald reports, and trolley and bus operators are being instructed to keep their rear doors sealed during boarding. So far this year, issued citations are up over 80 percent, the Herald said. What do you think?

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Best Places in Greater Boston for Sandwiches

Last week, hundreds of Patch readers weighed in on their favorite sandwich joints - here are the hot spots that came out on top.

Patch readers throughout the greater Boston area weighed in on their favorite local sandwiches. After five days of voting, here are our winners:

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POLL: Should Brown Stop Comparing Himself to Ted Kennedy?

What do you make of the latest controversy in the U.S. Senate race?

Should Scott Brown stop running radio ads that compare his views with the late Senator Ted Kennedy?  Brown recently came under fire for running radio ads that contend that Kennedy would have agreed with him that employers and insurers should be able to exclude health care coverage of drugs and procedures that go against their moral views. Ted Kennedy's son, Patrick, asked Brown to stop running the ads in which he says, “Like Ted Kennedy before me, I support a conscience exemption in health care for Catholics and other people of faith.”  However, a look at bills that Ted Kennedy sponsored in the 1990s and 2000s show that Kennedy would have required all employers who offer prescription drug coverage to include contraception coverage, …

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DannyBoy

9:42 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Hey Patricia, I guess "Joe the Plumber" from Ohio has a chance to get elected to Congress this year. Check out this link: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2012/03/07/ohios_joe_the_plumber_gets_gop_nod_for_congress/?p1=Well_Politics_links Though I must say that I highly doubt how effective he's going to be in helping craft legislation for our country.   more ›

Help Determine the 'Best Of' Somerville

A weekly feature lets our readers choose the best of everything in Somerville.

Starting on Monday, we'll have a new feature on Somerville Patch called the "Best Of," which asks our readers to tell us who makes the best frozen treats, sandwiches or where the best date night location is in town. Patch's "Best Of" series focuses on a different area of business each week, as we're looking to help Somervillians get the best service, deals and meals in Somerville only. On Monday mornings, a new topic will be posted to vote on. Vote in our polls, leave comments why you enjoy a particular establishment or business, while also posting a review of a local business. We'll compile votes, comments and relevant directory listing reviews throughout the week, until Friday at 9 a.m. Because our poll is not scientific, it is not the …

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