anyone here speak (write) Italian?

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

I have been wanting to get my Italian (dual) citizenship. I collected all the documentation (originals from the 20s) and went down to the Italian Consulate in Boston and spoke to someone about it. Apparently the documents I have are too old and I need to get fresh copies from Italy. I don't speak Italian (yet!).

I kind of stalled on this and then saw something about Gaeta (Italy) being one of Somerville's sister cities. Well gag me with a spoon! That's where my paternal grandparents came from - so it has kind of re-energized my hope to be able to do this.

I guess I need to write to a records office in Gaeta (can't seem to do it over the web...damn! ;-) I guess I should call city hall here to see if they can put me in touch with someone.

Pineapple sighting: 99¢ at Farmer's Bounty

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

99¢ for a pineapple? I can't recall the last time I bought a pineapple but I thought they were more expensive. This one looks great- nice color, firm prickly skin, spikey leaves. I've been burned by Farmers Bounty before but this seems like a real deal.

Tour Somerville by bicycle - this Saturday

[ron_newman]

The 14th annual Tour de Somerville bike ride will be this Saturday, October 14, meeting at 10 am at Seven Hills Park, behind the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.

Our theme this year is "Streets, Rails, and Trails". We'll start by exploring the back streets of Somerville's mostly-flat Ward Two. Then we'll ride alongside future extensions of both the Somerville Community Path and the MBTA Green Line, looking at railroad rights-of-way from a variety of viewpoints. Finally, we'll return to Davis Square on the existing paved Community Path.

The ride is about 8 miles long, with only one significant hill. There is a short optional off-road section for adventurous riders with hybrid or mountain bikes. If you're curious about the route, a friend of mine is temporarily hosting the map and cue sheet at http://www.MiddlesexCanal.org/Ron .

If it rains, we'll postpone the ride to Sunday, October 15, same starting time and location.

For more information, call 617-628-8895. Email: sbc@ci.somerville.ma.us .

The ride is sponsored by the Somerville Bicycle Committee, Friends of the Community Path, and the Mass. Central Rail Trail Coalition.