Music lovers from across Somerville heard Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower,” “All of Me,” and traditional Irish tunes such as “Swallowtail” performed by SHS students and faculty at the East Somerville Community School auditorium late last month. The occasion was a benefit concert to support the Somerville Homeless Coalition and Save Our Homes Walk Coalition and it was the brainchild of Andrew Blickenderfer, the SHS Orchestra Director.

(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

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers.  This week’s focus is the City’s Nibble program run by the Arts Council.

More than 6,000 attendees: The Arts Council’s Nibble program started in 2012 with a mission to facilitate cultural exchange, encourage cultural economic development, and support immigrant culinary entrepreneurs with opportunities and training and immigrant communities overall through food. It started with just a few small programs. Now, more than 6,000 people attend Nibble’s annual Ignite Street Food and Fire Fest each year in Union Square. More than 800 people have taken one of Nibble’s international market tours, and more than 400 people have taken a Nibble-sponsored cooking class – and counting. Most recently, attendees learned how to make a full vegetarian Ethiopian meal. You could say Nibble is opening doors and minds one dish at a time.

Across Somerville, Wednesday, May 22 was a much-anticipated day for rising Kindergarteners and their families. It was Kindergarten Transition Day, the opportunity for some of Somerville’s youngest learners to visit the schools they will attend in the fall.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to a Powderhouse Blvd. location on reports of a dispute involving damage to a motor vehicle. Officers en route were advised that the individuals involved were Tufts students and that Tufts Police was already at the location.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Recently, I had to go into Cambridge Health Alliances’ emergency room when a close friend was rushed there. Thankfully, they were okay, but then my mind started to go back to my early youth.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

A new event to honor the service and heroism of those service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to our country took place on Memorial Day at Sylvester Baxter State Park at Assembly Row.
“Memorial on the Mystic” featured an outdoor musical tribute presented by the Metropolitan Wind Symphony, N’Harmony, and the Somerville High School Chorus followed by a spectacular fireworks tribute as the evening’s finale.

Four Somerville girls presented their views on rising rents and gentrification in the city to the City Council at their latest meeting last Thursday.

By Jennifer Grimes

The first to address their agenda to the Somerville City Council on May 23, were four middle school girls. Emily Aravalo, Maria Benavides, Seline Pierre, Leiosha O’Conner-Vital and Aidsa Rivera Arias stood courageously together at the podium, with a poster board in tow, to speak on behalf of those in their community who are struggling with the rising rents.

(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.)

Infrastructure repairs in and around Davis Sq. are badly needed, according to the advocacy group DavisNow.

The Central Business District in Davis Square has declined to a state of chronic disrepair that adversely impacts the safety of all who traverse it while negatively impacting commercial rents and the ability to attract and retain businesses. The state of disrepair of the sidewalks, crosswalks, trees, landscaping, signage, public art, lighting is not just unattractive, it is unsafe. But, as rough as the current conditions are for residents, visitors, and businesses, they can be fixed fairly quickly (within the current fiscal year) and for a modest investment (approximately $750,000).

By Melissa Rosales

Every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Union Square Plaza, Union Square Farmers Market serves the local community fresh local food and products for the summer from May 18 – November 23, rain or shine.

Less than a month away, it’s the Third East Somerville Reunion, set for Saturday, June 15, at the Somerville City Club, across from Holiday Inn on Innerbelt Road. Thanks to hard work and efforts put into this by Dan Rogovich and his small but dedicated bunch of helpers, it should be a great one once again for one and all. The last time was two years ago and well over 100 to 150 attendees showed up from all over the state and across the country. Lots of people who grew up in East Somerville have missed the last two but wanted to have a third. Some of us here at The Somerville Times are from East Somerville we will be there and have already reached out to others. A small group of “down backers” behind the Bucket who grew up there in the 60’s will all be there. They meet every four or so months to talk about old times and great times. Help make this a success. Go online to Facebook to check it out. Ask Dan what you can do to help. He is looking for the food, entertainment and just plain East Somerville fun.