On Saturday July 28, Salvatore (“Tori”) and Susanne Paterna celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Boston’s Seaport Hotel. Tori, now retired, formerly owned and operated John Solomon’s Inc. on Somerville Avenue in Somerville. Until retirement, Tori and Susanne lived on Bailey Road, in Somerville’s Ten Hills neighborhood. They recently moved to New Hampshire and keep a winter home in Florida. Happy 50th wedding anniversary Tori and Sue!

For the month of August, Somerville Media Center brings you Cinema Somerville Outdoor Movies: CLASSICS.

Cinema Somerville is a popup movie series, free to the public and family friendly. All these movies are held at The Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave.

The housing activist group YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) believes there are strategies available to effectively increase housing in the city, even as densely populated as it already is. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Ian Erlichman

Criterion Development Partners are constructing a new residential building in Somerville. According to the city’s SomerVison plan, this project is just one of 871 units under construction in Somerville since 2017.

Bird’s dockless electric scooters appeared without notice on the sidewalks of Somerville on July 20. — Photo by Shira Laucharoen

Update: Somerville City Solicitor Francis Wright Jr. put out a cease and desist letter saying the city will confiscate scooters starting Friday, August 3.  The letter asked Bird to remove the scooters within 48 hours of its receipt, otherwise the city would confiscate the scooters beginning August 3.   

By Shira Laucharoen

Electric scooters from the California based company Bird landed on the streets of Somerville for public usage on July 20. The city had not anticipated their arrival and was taken by surprise by their launch, issuing a statement that “there is no contract, license or agreement in place to allow them to operate in Somerville at this time.”

Today, Wednesday, August 1, the Mayor’s Annual “Old Time” Senior Picnic takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Powderhouse Park. Enjoy lunch, dancing, music, entertainment and prizes galore.

~Photos by Jack Connolly and Donald Norton

Robert McWatters, a lifelong resident of Somerville, former City of Somerville Ward 3 Alderman, and a 34-year veteran of the Cambridge District Court Probation Department recently retired.

(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)

Sir,

Alderman emeritus Jack Connelly in The Somerville Times of July 25th suggests that the city should research and categorize all the city buildings as to their significance. It would be an ideal situation if this were the case and it’s an interesting notion. Mr Connolly has not been the first to suggest this concept.

By Mars Thomlin

She is shy and reluctant to discuss her latest paintings, which is surprising because her paintings make such a bold statement. Diane Blouin is Somerville born and bred. She has spent her entire life painting. She has been a member of the prestigious Copley Society of Artists for more than 30 years. She spent 50 years working in the financial industry on State Street in Boston and has now retired to paint full time.

Somerville Rotary held its Summer Raffle recently, with proceeds going toward contributions to Somerville High School Students during the new Rotary 2018-2019 year.

The First Prize of $200 worth of lottery tickets went to Donald Norton (pictured right), sold by Donald Norton.

Saying goodbye to cherished institutions can be as difficult as sharing a final farewell with a close friend or family member. Even when we know it’s for the best.

It isn’t easy for some of us to watch the demolition of parts of the old Somerville High School as construction crews make way for the massive renovation project now underway. It can almost be felt in the heart and our nervous systems.