Carolynn Nagao Marcotte is a licensed social worker.

By Carolynn Nagao Marcotte

Sometimes we see changes with older friends or family members that spark concerns.  Wanting to help is entirely natural, but those good intentions can sometimes lead to disagreements, frustration, and arguments.

It is a common challenge: what is the best way to tactfully offer assistance? Having worked with many families to help unravel these kinds of issues, I will caution that each circumstance is unique, but the following tips might be helpful:

East Somerville Main Streets in collaboration Somerville Media Center present A Conversation with East Somerville on Thursday, May 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Somerville Media Center’s VOX POP at Assembly Row, a pop up community, arts and media space (somervillemedia.org/voxpop).

The Green Line Extension (GLX) project and the City of Somerville High School (SHS) Project have accelerated the scheduled closure of the Medford Street Bridge in Gilman Square at Pearl Street.

A public information session regarding contamination at Conway Park will be held on Wednesday, May 29, at the Public Safety Building (Police Headquarters) at 220 Washington Street, at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the Meeting is to present the Draft Public Involvement Plan (PIP) for the Site in accordance with 310 CMR 40.1405 (5)(a)(2), provide an update with respect to Site activities, and to solicit feedback from the public.

The American Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges eligible donors to give now to help patients facing trauma and other life-threatening situations. As a thank-you for helping replenish the blood supply, all donors who come to give blood or platelets now through June 10 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.

(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

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

Spring ResiStat Meetings

Each spring and fall we host a ResiStat meeting in each of Somerville’s seven Wards. There are two ResiStat neighborhood meetings left in the spring season, so consider coming to one if you’re interested in getting more involved in the community. Along with updates about things happening in your neighborhood, you can also hear about what’s going on citywide, and talk with elected officials, City staff, and your neighbors. There is time before and after the meetings for one-on-one conversations as well. Each meeting runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m., but come at 6 for a social half hour and refreshments (including pizza). You can find out more about ResiStat at www.somervillema.gov/resistat.

Update on “Grounding McGrath”

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 1, 2, and 3 City Councilors McLaughlin, Scott, and Ewen-Campen, invite you to a community meeting on plans to ground McGrath Boulevard. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m., at the East Somerville Community School Auditorium at 50 Cross St.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer responded to the Stop and Shop store at McGrath Highway last week on a report of a shoplifter from the previous evening who allegedly pulled a knife on an employee.

The officer met with store manager and was informed that at around 10:20 p.m. on May 8, a man, later identified as Paul Anderson, of Boston, came into the store and attempted to steal a bag of groceries.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

What a weekend! PorchFest, Mothers’s Day, Red Sox win, Bruins win! It was sure a busy couple of days and now it’s back to earth.

My two sons’ band and a pick up band with my friends and I played at the first PorchFest nine years ago in 2010. This year, more than 200 musical acts performed on porches and in driveways all over the city, on a weather perfect day. Too many to list but just about all and any performing musical configurations entertained thousands of people on Saturday.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

More than 200 musical acts performed on porches – sometimes spilling into front yards and gardens – across Somerville on Saturday, May 11 as PorchFest 2019 unfolded across the city.