The City of Somerville honored providers and staff at Cambridge Health Alliance with an official proclamation declaring October 29, 2019, CHA Cares Day. Doug Kress, director of health and human services at the City of Somerville, read the proclamation from Mayor Joseph Curtatone at an event at CHA Somerville Hospital to celebrate the launch of CHA’s new brand and rallying cry: Care to the People.

Working Together to Protect Working People

By Jane Regan

Over the past four years, more than $200,000 has been stolen from workers by firms working in or located in Somerville, according to the state attorney general’s office. The Herb Chambers company alone was fined over $116,000 in 2018.

Below please find a response by the City of Somerville Housing Division provided to address the content of a flyer produced by the Somerville Property Owners Coalition about Somerville’s Condominium Conversion Ordinance (CCO).

Italicized statements are from the flyer, non-italicized text is clarifying information from the Housing Division prepared in response.

(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 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

One hundred years ago – on November 11, 1919 – the United States marked the first Armistice Day, which became Veterans Day in the 1950s. As Veterans Day approaches this year and we prepare to remember and celebrate those who have served in the military, it’s also a good opportunity to reflect on how we support them and their families throughout the year.

In an effort to restore natural open space, improve and create trail connections, and increase climate resiliency, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is currently developing the schematic design for Draw Seven Park within the Mystic River State Reservation. Once complete, the project will connect ten miles of continuous parkland along the Mystic River. The agency anticipates construction to potentially begin in fall 2020, with a completion date expected in 2022.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to Walgreen’s Pharmacy on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of shoplifters in the store.

Upon arrival, the store manager told the officers that a man and a woman had just stolen merchandise from the store. He stated that both individuals came into the store together and left together. He also said that the both of them got on the Central Sq. bus that just picked them up prior to the officers’ arrival. The manager said that the bus turned right onto Park St. and was heading toward Beacon St.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I remember always being amazed at how many friends my father had. He was born in Somerville and loved living here. He used to march in the Memorial Day parade with the Italian American War Veterans every year. He was friends with a lot of politicians. Everywhere we went he knew someone. He’d stop in the middle of traffic to start “gas bagging” with someone he knew.

A multimedia presentation about the book “Pilgrims of Woodstock” will take place at Somerville Public Library on Saturday, November 9.

By Blake Maddux

“My heart is in Somerville,” says New Hampshire resident John Kane, a college professor and recent first-time author.

“I have a tile in the Davis Square T stop on the Holland Street side,” Kane explains. “I went through the Somerville school system. I was kind of an apartment rat. I moved around a lot as a kid.”

Victor and Rosa Moccia

The Moccia family, proprietors of Ball Square’s iconic eatery, Victor’s Deli, has made the following announcement confirming that it is ceasing operations:

“It’s with a heavy heart after 37 years of business we have closed our doors at Victor’s Deli.

We have made a decision to move on to the next chapter in our lives. We had a wonderful time serving the community. We had many great years and built friendships, bonds and lasting memories that will stay with us forever.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are holding their very last Bazaar on on Saturday, November 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 186 Highland Ave. The Little Sisters of the Poor have provided a home for the elderly poor of Boston for 150 years. Although they are saddened to be leaving the Somerville area, they are currently seeking a values-driven sponsor to continue providing senior care at The Jeanne Jugan Residence. They hope that you will join in for their very last Bazaar. This has become a long-standing tradition in Somerville. It is a great way to get an early start on Christmas shopping, win big raffle prizes, and enjoy food and games while supporting a great cause. Don’t pass up the chance to win an Apple Watch, a Roomba i7 Robot vacuum, drones, cash prizes, and much more! They look forward to welcoming you to their home to celebrate the memories and community that they have shared here in Somerville.