~Photos by Claudia Ferro

A potluck dinner was held at the West Somerville Neighborhood School for the afterschool program on Thursday, June 7. The kids in the program performed for all those attending.

More than 30 local businesses team up to create a more inclusive farmers market

Good Food For All is a week-long, community campaign debuting throughout Union Square June 23-30. More than 30 local businesses have teamed up to raise awareness and funds for the local SNAP match available at the Union Square Farmers Market.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Dear Editor,

As the Times reported a couple years ago (“The Plastic Bag Ban Begins” Sept. 7, 2016), Somerville has taken an admirable step in banning plastic bags.

Retiring Somerville school teacher Sophia Carafotes (center) was recently honored by her friends and family at a retirement party held on her behalf.

By Rebecca Danvers

Sophia Carafotes grew up in Somerville with her parents Charles and Mary, both now deceased, and her siblings, James, a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner; Paul, an actor, director and writer in California; Victoria, who teaches grade 6 at West Somerville Neighborhood School; Margo, who was also a business teacher at Somerville High School, though now deceased since 2011; and Stephanie, a yoga instructor. Both sets of grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins were only streets away.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

A monthly look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville!

Short-term Rentals Community Discussion #2 RESCHEDULED for July 19
With the growing popularity of home-sharing and short-term rentals, the City is revisiting its policies and regulations. Join us for a community meeting where City staff will review current short-term rental regulations and lead a discussion about future regulation options. The first meeting was held on June 14, and a second was planned for June 21, however that meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, July 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Argenizano School Cafeteria, 290 Washington St.

A meeting on possible future regulations for short-term rentals will be held on Thursday, July 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the Argenziano School cafeteria, 290 Washington St. This meeting is being held instead of one planned for June 21. The July 19 meeting will feature the same information shared at a short-term rental community discussion held on June 14.

The City of Somerville’s Board of Aldermen passed a resolution expressing their opposition to the “zero tolerance” measures taken by immigration authorities on the nation’s southern border.

By Jim Clark

A resolution was introduced and passed at the latest regular meeting of the Somerville Board of Alderman last Thursday, June 14, opposing the controversial zero tolerance policy imposed by the national administration which separates children from their parents.

Several EV charging stations have been installed in the city to date, with even more hopefully on the way in the near future.

By Ian Erlichman

In 1630, most of East Somerville was coastline, and all of the Inner Belt District was completely submerged. According to National Geographic, this area and most all of Boston is built on trash, mud, and reallocated hills from the surrounding area.