To celebrate Union Square’s sizzling food landscape, the Somerville Arts Council brings you: Ignite, an evening of international eats, fire throwers, roving entertainment, and a raucous celebration of global culture. Saturday, August 10 (rain date: August 11), in Union Square. $2.00 donation.

The CIT/ LIT Job Readiness Program held its graduation on July 17, 2019 from 12:30-2:00 at The Arthur D. Healey School on 5 Meacham Street.  Our graduating class consisted of students between the ages of 13-15, who dedicated four-weeks out of their summer to participate in a program that taught them about job readiness and leadership skills. Throughout the four weeks these students learned how to lead children, the significance of leadership and communication, the meaning of diversity, how to solve conflicts, and employment training. This program not only taught the student’s skills that they need to work with children but also gave them the opportunity to work with kids at camp settings such as The Somerville YMCA’s Summer Day Camp.

This is what we don’t want the Mystic River to look like. — Photo by Jack Bitney

(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.)

Here is a picture of a cyanobacteria and algae “bloom”– or population explosion – turning the Mystic pea-soup green in the summer of 2017.Multiple factors contributed to the bloom event – temperature, rainfall rates. But the fundamental underlying cause was nutrient pollution, especially excess phosphorus.

(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.)

I write in support of resident Alan Bingham’s letter published on July 14th. While everyone acknowledges that affordable housing is fast disappearing and that condo conversion is one cause of the shrinking supply, as Bingham aptly points out, a couple approaching retirement generating income through Air BNB rental, is not necessarily curtailing an affordable unit.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone invites you to attend  the “Old Time” Senior Picnic on  Wednesday, August 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Powder House Park.  It is a wonderful day of dancing, music, entertainment and prizes galore.  Must have ticket to attend.  Tickets are available at all senior centers, Holland Street, Cross Street and Ralph & Jenny as well as the Mayor’s office.  If you live in a senior building you must get your ticket at that address. For more information or questions please call 617-625-6600, ext. 2300.

(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

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers. 

It’s moving season in Somerville, and even for that we have data.

3,890 temporary no parking requests: For most, moving trucks and discarded furniture on the curbs are signs of moving season. For us, temporary no parking sign requests are another. From May to July this year, the City issued nearly 4,000 temporary no parking permits. These permits get issued throughout the year for a variety of things, including construction, deliveries, and moving. But from May through September, most of them are issued are for moving vehicles or containers. By this time last year, the Parking Department had issued 3,151 no parking permits and then ultimately handled a total of 6,334 during moving season. If you’re moving this summer and need to reserve parking, visit www.parksomerville.com for information on getting temporary no parking permits and don’t forget that signs have to go up 48 hours in advance and you need to call 311 to let them know the signs are posted. If you park on the street, don’t forget to regularly look for temporary no parking signs on your street so you can plan to move your car, if needed.

This July, 211 young people from Somerville’s Mystic Learning center, Somerville YMCA and Somerville High School- Summer Success, Welcome Project and Clarendon Hill Towers set sail to the Boston Harbor Islands on Bay State Cruise Company’s flagship Provincetown II on a free All Access Boston Harbor cruise hosted by Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer observed a pickup truck making unsafe lane changes on Mystic Ave. near Lombardi Street last Friday afternoon.

The officer activated his emergency equipment and stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Mystic Ave. and Revolution Dr. Additional units were requested as backup.

Anyone Can Be A First Responder! The City of Somerville is pleased to offer this free Overdose Prevention and Naloxone training to all Somerville residents.

Maker Space Show & Tell: Live Demos, Networking and Discussions
Thursday, August 1, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Want to be inspired by the creative members at Artisan’s Asylum, a 40,000 square foot nonprofit community maker space in Somerville, MA? This event is designed to welcome the community to explore the Maker Space world, experience first-hand some of the amazing work that happens throughout the year and learn more about the array of resources Artisan’s Asylum has to offer.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

This story is not funny, light hearted or whimsical. Sorry. It’s one account of a dark time in our city’s history that affected me and a lot of my friends profoundly.