Registered nurse and director of Adult Family Care Jeanne Leyden

By Jeanne Leyden

Falls are perennially the leading cause of injury for older adults, but they are not an inevitable outcome of aging. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to reduce the risk of falls.

A good first step is to acknowledge the risk. One in four Americans over the age of 65 is affected by a fall each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That averages out to an emergency room visit every 11 seconds. While it’s easy to think it will never happen to you, it’s better to be aware of potential risk and be proactive about reducing it.

Please join the Somerville Department of Public Space and Urban Forestry and Ward 4 City Councilor Jesse Clingan on Thursday evening, October 10, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for a community meeting to discuss the layout and features for the new Healey Schoolyard. The meeting will be held at the Mystic Activity Center, 503 Mystic Ave.

Join the City of Somerville and members of the SomerVision Committee on Thursday, October 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., for an Open House for the SomerVision 2040 plan. Since early 2019, the Committee has been working on the topic chapters for SomerVision 2040, which includes identifying our city’s strengths, challenges, and goals for the next 20 years. The Committee’s work has incorporated feedback from events and meetings including SomerSuppers, Forums, and the SomerVision Conference. Come to the October 10 Open House to give feedback on the chapters and implementation priorities.

This year’s Candlelight Vigil to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month will take place on Wednesday, October 2, at Statue Park in Davis Square, Somerville.
— Photo by Bobbie Toner

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Commission for Women and RESPOND Inc. announce the annual Candlelight Vigil in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Wednesday, October 2, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Statue Park in Davis Square. The vigil is an annual event bringing the community together in remembrance of those who have lost their lives over the last year to domestic violence.

Please note that due to the Yom Kippur holiday, the information session originally scheduled for October 9 has been rescheduled for Monday, October 7. Updated information is below. One position is currently available on the nine-member committee. Applications due October 25, 2019.

Are you a resident of Somerville with a passion for affordable housing, historic preservation, and parks and open space? The City of Somerville wants your help and is now accepting applications for one public position on the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), which oversees the selection of projects to be recommended for funding by an estimated $2 million in annual Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues. Applications must be submitted by noon on October 25, 2019. An information session will be held Monday, October 7, at 6:00 p.m. in the Visiting Nurse Association third floor conference room, 259 Lowell St.

Somerville Overcoming Addiction will be holding its 7th annual vigil to celebrate the lives of all those who lost their lives to addiction in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month.

Vigil takes place on Sunday, September 29, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Warehouse XI,11 Sanborn Ct, Somerville, Massachusetts 02143

(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

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

Fall ResiStat Meetings

This fall join elected officials, City staff, and neighbors at your ward’s ResiStat meeting. During the meeting you can get updates on what’s going on both around the city, like efforts to support small businesses, and in your neighborhood, like construction and road improvements. There’s also plenty of time before, during, and after the meeting to ask questions and share ideas. All ResiStat meetings run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., but if you come at 6 you can enjoy pizza and other refreshments. The first fall ResiStat meeting is on Wednesday, October 2, in Ward 6. You can find the full schedule and more information at www.somervillema.gov/resistat.

Somerville Media Center is celebrating all aspects of community media locally with Community Media Week, October 20 through October 27. Community Media Week is a new fundraising endeavor where SMC television, radio and podcast producers will include special messaging in their programs (some even doing special episodes) in an effort to raise awareness and encourage donating funds toward media education activities at Somerville Media Center.

By Jim Clark

While on full uniformed directed patrol of the Healey School last Thursday, a Somerville Police officer noticed a motor vehicle occupied by two individuals.

The officer queried the license plate tag and was notified the car was reported stolen. The officer radioed his location to police dispatch and multiple units responded as back up.