Vincent A. “Sonny” LoPresti, born March 8, 1939, passed away on January 25, 2020 after a long illness. He will be remembered for his love of family, friends, politics, and his childhood home, the West End. Vincent, a former Somerville Alderman and MA Governor’s Councilor, was the son of late Senator Michael LoPresti, Sr. and Anna Katon LoPresti, brother to Anna Todesca, the late Gloria Evendoll, and the late Senator Michael LoPresti, Jr. Known by family and friends as “Sonny,” Vincent is survived by his wife Patricia LoPresti, his children Michael LoPresti, Luann Carroll, Stephen LoPresti, Deborah Perkins, William Aiello, Karin Griffin, James Aiello, Michael Aiello, Patricia LoPresti Gamelin, and Sunny LoPresti. He also leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren who affectionately knew him as “Papa” or “Chopper.”

Join staff from the City of Somerville’s Mobility Division, City Councilors Jesse Clingan, Ben Ewen-Campen, and Matt McLaughlin, city Staff and Gilman Square Neighborhood Association (GSNA) for a community meeting about the future of Gilman Square, on Thursday, February 12. Staff will present conceptual designs for intersection and road improvements that will support multi-modal transportation and future development in Gilman Square, and receive feedback from community members about the design. The meeting will be held at the Winter Hill Community School, 115 Sycamore St., on Wednesday, February 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Meet the Savvy Caregiver Instructors: Liz Aguilo (left) is a clinical social worker and Executive Director of Paine Senior Services. Nathaniel Meyer (right) is a licensed Social Worker with the SCES Adult Family Care program.

By Nathan Lamb

Registration is now open for Savvy Caregiver, a free training program that provides family caregivers with skills and knowledge about dementia.

Offered by Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, in partnership with Mount Auburn Hospital, the program emphasizes practical training that helps family caregivers navigate challenges of dementia.

Book Fair news from the Healey! They decided to do something a little off the beaten path this year for their annual book fair. This year, they  will accept gently used books from bookshelves all over Somerville to sell for the book fair.

— Photo courtesy Google Maps

Trees in City-owned parks to undergo preventive maintenance in 2020 following comprehensive health assessments.

Beginning in February 2020, Somerville community members will see preventive maintenance operations on trees in some city-owned parks, thanks to a new Parks Tree Health Program launched by the Public Space and Urban Forestry Division in fall 2019. The new program analyzes and proactively maintains trees located in city-owned parks using best arboreal practices to promote healthy tree growth. The program goes beyond standard tree maintenance to perform comprehensive health assessments of the trees in each park, creating and executing a proactive, preventive work plan for tree maintenance, and creating long-term maintenance recommendations.

(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 Joseph A. Curtatone

Although frustrating, it’s understandable that large construction projects often face delays. They’re complex, involve complicated logistics, and sometimes more work needs to be done than originally planned. But that didn’t soften the blow when, earlier this week, we found out that the three bridges currently closed for Green Line Extension construction would be delayed in reopening. GLX officials still expect the project in full to be completed on time, by the end of 2021.

CAAS staff sign in to vote on the proposed contract.

By Rand Wilson

Union members at the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) overwhelmingly approved their new contract on Thursday, January 23 in a secret ballot ratification vote. Through the process of collective bargaining that involved CAAS management and agency staff, a new labor contract maintains a comprehensive health insurance plan at a low cost to employees while also improving wages.

By Jim Clark

At approximately 1:30 a.m. last Friday, a Somerville Police officer on patrol observed a vehicle take a right off of Somerville Ave. onto Medford St. As the vehicle traveled toward officer on Medford St., he estimated the speed of the vehicle to be 50 mph.

The officer turned his cruiser around and could not see the vehicle’s taillights. He continued down Medford St. and in the parking lot of 61 Medford St. he noticed the headlights of the vehicle he had been pursuing.

(This article first appeared in the January 29, 2013 edition of The Somerville Times)

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Growing up and living in Somerville has been a blast. There was always something to do and always someplace fun to go close to home. We could walk or ride our bikes to a number of exciting destinations.

Last week I wrote about The Bingham School that used to be on Lowell Street. Well, this week we revisit Lowell Street to reminisce about The Hostess Bakery that was located at number 259.  You read it correctly! They actually used to make Twinkies, Sno-Balls, cupcakes and Wonder Bread in Somerville! Now tell me growing up in Somerville wasn’t the best!

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Mr. Darrell and the West Somerville Neighborhood School music program put on a winter concert on Friday, January 24, for families and friends of the students.

Lots of great talented students sang and played instruments for the appreciative audience that was in attendance.