The Powderhouse

Martin Luther King Jr. celebrated Jan. 21

by Amanda F. Fitzpatrick

On Jan. 21 the Human Rights Commission and the Early Childhood Advisory Council celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. for the sixth year at the Somerville High School.

“Somerville embodies Dr. King’s values.” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

This year the celebration was entitled ‘Striving for Equality, A Celebration of Dr. King’s Legacy.’

“Instead of just tolerating our differences, the city realizes the potential greatness in our differences,” said Curtatone.

Each year, the Human Rights Commission and Early Childhood Advisory Council honor one individual and one organization for their dedication to promoting Dr. King’s values in and around Somerville during the previous year, he said.

The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), which advocates for opportunities and resources for low-income residents in the city, was chosen as the organizational recipient, he said.

“CAAS helps people in poverty with housing and education,”  said Jack Hamilton the executive Director of CAAS. “We try to give them what they need to escape poverty.”

The individual award went to Somerville resident Danny McLaughlin, who works for Teen Empowerment in Somerville as a youth advocate.

“Why do I go to work,” questioned McLuaghlin. “Because we are all human, we all make mistakes.”

Also included in the celebration was a keynote address from Representative Byron Rushing, Suffolk County Ninth District.

“We are commemorating the whole movement that was not led by just one man,” said Rushing.

“The FBI thought Dr. King was dangerous, and he was dangerous to people who wanted others to be put down.  We need to become that kind of dangerous,” he said.

High school senior Jessica Dias  also spoke about the inspirations that Martin Luther King Jr. left as his legacy.

“Love and expectance is what binds us. Not religion or age or ethnicity.  All anyone needs is heart,” she said.

“Dr. King’s lasting legacy of hope and equality remains directly relevant to life in our  diverse and multicultural community,” said Curtatone.

The event was co-sponsored by the HRC and Advisory Council, in partnership with the Somerville Public Health Department and the Somerville Public Schools.

Aesthetics and elites: What accounts for good taste?

by Amanda F. Fitzpatrick

On Jan. 15 the Philo café met at McIntyre and Moore Booksellers to discuss the topic of ‘Aesthetics and Elites’ that revolves around the art world.

“Art is supposed to create an effect through a style,” said Thomas W. Clark the founder and mediator of the Philo Café. “So what makes a great piece of art?”

“Do elitists have rhyme to their reason or are they just trying to propel themselves to bigger and better things,” questioned Clark. “And if so, do we need elitists?”

“Elites have misjudged the greatness of artists for years,” said Reginald F. Mckeen, a regular at the Philo Cafe. 

“90 percent of artists are forgotten after their dead” said Mckeen. “The test of time is what makes a great artist.”

Daniel T. Gewertz, another Philo participant and free lance writer, said the style of art has changed, but the format that reports the artistic issues has not.

“The format needs to change with the style of art,” Gewertz said.

“Elitist serve a temporary purpose in our society,” said Carolyn M. Muskat, a new member at the Philo Café.

“I don’t want to wait until I am dead to find out what I missed.  They expose us to the art and then we come with our own expectations and opinions,” said Muskat.

“The elitists are tuned up on their aesthetics and can see a certain beauty that the majority of people might not understand,” said Clark.

“Elitists are onto something,” he said. “They do have rhyme to their reason, but people should take into account their own opinion.”

The Philo Café meets again on the third Tuesday, Feb. 19th.

When Pigs Fly in Davis Square

The landlord at 378 Highland Ave., Christos Poutahidis (right), stands with the manager of the When Pigs Fly bakery, Chris P. Gould. The com pany is based in York, Maine

Bringing bread boutique latest score for self-made property owner

by Neil W. McCabe

One Davis Square property owner is striving to keep the district a story center for shoppers and diners by bringing in high quality tenants he believes will be here for the long term.

It is better to have an empty space than to lease to a business that is not serious or good for the community, said Christos Poutahidis, a city resident who came to the area in 1969 from Greece. “You have to be good. You have to be a real businessperson. You have to train your employees, so they are not rude.”

Poutahidis said he is very pleased to have all new tenants in four of the five storefronts at his property at 378 Highland Ave.: KickAss Cupcakes, a gourmet cupcake and pastry shop; The Green House, a florist; Al Fresco, an Italian restaurant and the newest entry, When Pigs Fly, a boutique bakery, which opened Dec. 8.

The business climate is not perfect in Davis Square, especially on the Highland Avenue side, he said. “The problem is the parking and we need more lighting.”

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone is trying to make things better for businesses, he said. “The mayor wants the city to be nice and clean. He wants to attract people to the city. Now it is like Hollywood.”

He is also happy with Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah L. Gewirtz, he said. “Rebekah is nice, too. She works with the business people in the area.”

Some businesses have run into trouble with the city because they do not understand the rules or appreciate, he said. “When you work with the city, there is no problem.”

Poutahidis he said he found the workers at the Inspectional Services reasonable and helpful.  “George Landers is a very nice gentleman. He will help anyone, but you have to follow the law.”

It started when he arrived in Boston in 1969 and took a job pumping gas at the then Citgo station on northern Massachusetts Avenue, he said. In 1971, he bought the gas station business. In 1974, he bought two taxi cabs, under the name Chris and Cara, for himself and his then wife.  Poutahidis is single with no children. For the last 20 years, Poutahidis has been taking care of his 101-year-old father, who he brought to Somerville when his mother died in 1988.

In 1979, Citgo gave him a 30-day window to purchase gas station’s the property, so he sold the taxi business and raised money any way he could, he said. “In one day, I borrowed $65,000 cash from my employees.”

The Electric Ave. Co-op

by David Haffner and Drew Simenson

Paddock restaurant reopens

by Erin K. Gray

Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero, Alderman-at-Large Bill White, Brian, Danny DaCova, Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan, new owner Michael DaCova and family members Amanda DaCova, Tony, Colleen DaCova, Alderman-at-Large Jack Connolly, Ward 1 School Committee Member Maureen Bastardi, Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche, and Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane officially reopened the Paddock Restaurant, under new ownership, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 2nd.

“I’m excited to see the Paddock open its doors once again,” said Alderman Roche.  “Privately-owned stores and restaurants are some of the defining characteristics that make small neighborhoods in a big city like Somerville so unique.  The Paddock is only one such place, and I am glad to be able to continue to enjoy the great food and atmosphere it provides.”

Located at 249 Pearl Street in Gilman Square, the Paddock recently received an internal facelift, as well as a menu upgrade.   The restaurant is open daily, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Feds sends $1.4 million for city homeless providers

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced Jan. 3 that 15 programs, administered by seven organizations, serving Somerville’s homeless population have been awarded a combined total of $1.9 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the McKinney Continuum of Care awards. The total funds are significantly more than the $1.4 million received in the previous round of funding.

This funding will play an integral role in our long-term mission to end homelessness through more effective outreach efforts and by providing permanent housing to our homeless population,” said the mayor. I'm grateful that HUD has recognized the value of the services provided by these organizations and the potential of new programs such as Stepping Stones to make a real impact.”

"We here at Shelter are thrilled that the Stepping Stones Program has received this grant money," said Gordie Calkins, program manager for Shelter Inc., "We will use the funds to provide Case Management and Permanent Supported Housing to medically needy homeless individuals. Working with other organizations and the City of Somerville, we are making concrete progress on ending homelessness in this city."