(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.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Before you read this outburst I’d like to say that I am usually a very happy and somewhat positive person. Okay, that’s a lie. I’m just trying to enjoy my life, my friends and my family for whatever time is left. God knows I try. I know we all complain about too many changes in our city but this one is different.

Brown School maintains “School of Recognition” designation; Kennedy School ranks eighty-eighth in accountability compared to similar K-8 schools in state

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) yesterday released results of its spring 2019 state-wide assessment, the Next-Generation MCAS. It was the second year that students in grades 3-8 were assessed using the new exam, while high school tenth grade students took the Next-Generation MCAS for the first time this past spring, completing the state’s transition from the Legacy MCAS to the Next-Gen MCAS.

Karen Shine Nelson, a Somerville resident, testified about her experience with excessive airplane noise in the Ten Hills area of Somerville.

By Lizzie Heintz

Two back-to-back public hearings held by the Public Health and Safety Committee on September 18 addressed airplane noise in Somerville and the presence of Somerville Police Department at Boston’s Straight Pride Parade, respectively. The hearings were held at Somerville High School. Members of the public were invited to listen and speak at both hearings.

Somerville’s one and only celebration of all things Fluff brought lovers of the sweet confection to Union Square over the weekend to partake and enjoy. ~Photos by Adam Parise

102nd anniversary celebration held on Saturday in Union Square

The 2019 edition of What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Invention was presented last Saturday by Union Square Main Streets as part of the Somerville Arts Council/ArtsUnion.

The Committee to Elect Mary Marshall is hosting a fundraiser for her tonight, Wednesday, September 25, at Sally Obrien’s, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Please come support Mary in her race to become the next Ward 3 School Committee member.

(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 John Thompson

The present debate over a bill (H.3012/S.2061) authorizing driver’s licenses for illegal aliens¹ reveals that progressive politicians and opinion leaders have disowned the recommendations concerning workplace enforcement and border security of the Commission chaired by civil rights leader and Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in 1997.