Licensing of tobacco sales in the City of Somerville is being proposed by the Board of Health.

By Beatriz Leite

At the latest Somerville Board of Health meeting on June 29, the Board, Brian Green, Karin Carroll, and Bonny Carroll opened the webinar with a proposal to limit tobacco access in the city of Somerville. According to them, tobacco sellers all around the city could benefit, by making their product less accessible, therefore more valuable.

An informational meeting was held to update the public on the status of Winter Hill School.

By Ana Celerier Salcedo

Somerville Public Schools recently held an informational meeting for families and students regarding updates about the Winter Hill School. In attendance was Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, incoming Superintendent Dr. Rubén Carmona, Principal Courtney Gosselin, the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management Richard Raiche, and various members of the public.

(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)

By Will Mbah
Candidate for Somerville City Councilor at Large
willmbah.com

This week, many Somerville kids are starting summer camp and other programs of learning, sports, arts and play.  These are among the most valued services that city provides for families and our leaders have properly made commitments to improve their quality and ensure that all kids can take part. 

Above and Beyond: The Remarkable Life of Somerville Olympian Phil Reavis, an exhibit at the Somerville Museum, will hold its closing reception, Saturday, July 8, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Above and Beyond showcases the life of Phil Reavis, a Somerville native, Olympic athlete, long-time educator, and one of the first people of color in Somerville with a public space named in his honor. Reavis broke records as high jumper, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, coached Vietnam’s 1964 Olympic track and field team, and enjoyed a long career as a teacher, coach, and musician. A world traveler, Reavis now divides his time between Somerville and Macau, China. The Somerville High School’s athletic field will be named The Philip Reavis, Sr. Field. Somerville Museum, One Westwood Road, $5 admission fee; free to Museum members. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Visit www.somervillemuseum.org.

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While you’re grilling chicken, fish or steak for your next meal, you may want to consider this side dish. It only takes a minute to prepare and is grilled for 5-6 minutes resulting in a nice smoky, charred flavor that is sure to go perfect with any grilled protein of your choice.

It was sure fun while it lasted. Not that it’s gone forever, but a temporary suspension of service will put a temporary end to the Green Line Extension service between Lechmere and Union Square Stations that we have come to love and, in some cases, depend on.

Arrests:
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Mark Paul Bourglas, June 19, arrested on charges of larceny over $1200, larceny from a building and defacing property.

Brian P. Alley, June 22, arrested on warrant charges of unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

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Recently, I caught up with writer Shir Lovett-Graff, a new Somerville resident who is attending Harvard Divinity School.

Lovett-Graff is a writer, community organizer, and divinity school student based in Somerville, MA. Originally from New Haven, CT, their work has been published in numerous literary magazines and journals, most recently in EcoTheo Review, West Trestle Review, and The Bangalore Review. They are currently working on a chapbook about trans erotic poetics and climate change.

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Michael Todd Steffen is the author of two books of poetry, most recently On Earth As It Is (Cervena Barva Press, 2022). He is the recipient of a Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowship and an Ibbetson Street Press Poetry Award. His poems have appeared in journals including The Boston Globe, Constellations, Synchronized Chaos, The Lyric, The Dark Horse, and The Poetry Porch.