(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. 

Zero Deaths or Serious Injuries on Somerville’s Streets: Somerville has long been committed to creating safer streets for all modes of transportation, but we formally made the commitment to strive for zero deaths or serious injuries on the City’s streets when we announced the launch of our Vision Zero Somerville initiative last September.

By Donald Norton

Last Thursday night at the new Lucky Strikes bar in Assembly Square, the Somerville firefighters joined with MDA for a fantastic fundraiser for MDA.

Lucky Strikes, located on the ground floor of the Massachusetts General Building, is a new addition to Somerville’s Assembly Square.

The National Weather Service has issued Heat Advisories for most of southern New England through Wednesday, where heat index values between 95 and 100 degrees are expected. Although the worst of the heat and humidity will be today and Wednesday, it’s possible these conditions will last into Thursday as well.

Below are some ways to stay cool in Somerville as well as precautions to take to avoid overexposure to the heat.

JoAnn Bocca-Rivieccio, representing Somerville Overcoming Addiction, thanked the Board and the administration for doing its part to shed light on the relentless scourge of addiction in our society.

By Jim Clark

A resolution introduced and approved at the latest City of Somerville Board of Aldermen meeting last Thursday supporting Somerville Overcoming Addiction and other community groups by resolving that September, 2018 shall be Recovery Month in Somerville.

The resolution in full reads as follows:

ONCE Ballroom, one of Somerville’s few independent venues for live music, is looking ahead to reopening in September after a brief hiatus for regrouping and remodeling.

By Blake Maddux

Being a naysayer can be fashionable when things seem to be on the cusp of going sour.

When Cambridge’s TT the Bear’s Place and Somerville’s Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant & Music Club both closed within a year of each other in 2015 and 2016, respectively, there were those who seemed sadistically eager to sound the death knell for the Boston’s independent venue scene.

Bob McWatters, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan’s Somerville coordinator, is having a meet and greet at Sally O’Brien’s in Union Square tonight, Wednesday, August 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Elderly residents are free. Marian grew up here in Union Square, and her family is well known. This event is co-sponsored by former Mayor Eugene Brune, Jack Connolly, Dennis Sullivan and Bob McWatters.

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(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 necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Lynne LeNoir 

I have always wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. My grandmother always said that when I grew up I would be the best nurse ever. She even bought me my first regulation nursing cap at the old Park Snows in Davis square. I was five years old. She would proudly brag to her friends as I stood by, “this is my granddaughter, she is going to be the greatest nurse when she grows up.” Such hope and promise for the future. My grandmother saw in me a future advocate and protector, a healer; someone to comfort people in need.

(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 necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Over the past eight months a group of residents and students from Somerville and Medford galvanized by Our Revolution, has been regularly meeting to discuss the next Tufts Partnership Agreement (or PILOT). Our goal and the City’s goal has been the same—to achieve a better partnership agreement with Tufts.

By Donald Norton

This past Monday night, the Burton Faulkner Towers residents were treated to a large Chinese Food meet and greet with candidate for re-election Bill Galvin for Secretary of State and Marian Ryan for Middlesex County District Attorney.

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Located at Assembly Row, this is the third location featuring barbecue by Chef Andy Husbands. If you’re looking for a place to go with a group of friends, I highly recommend it and they also accept reservations.