Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund now accepting proposals in two categories: Rental assistance programs or development projects creating affordable housing units

The Somerville Affordable Housing Trust (SAHT) invites local residents, organizations, and businesses to submit applications for the funding of eligible affordable housing programs or projects via its annual distribution of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds.  A total of $1,200,402 in fiscal year 2018 CPA funds have been designated by the Somerville Community Preservation Committee for allocation by the Affordable Housing Trust to benefit residents of Somerville. These CPA Community Housing funds are available through two competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) processes to provide funding for:

Parade steps off from City Hall at 3:00 p.m.

The 2018 Somerville Veterans Memorial Parade is gearing up for an incredible display on Sunday, May 20, beginning at 3:00 p.m. from Somerville City Hall. This will be second year that the parade has been moved from the traditional Sunday on Memorial Day Weekend slot to the Armed Services Weekend which is the third weekend in May. The Parade also kicks off Memorial Week in Somerville, which includes additional events to honor the City’s veterans. The parade will have 94 units, including Somerville officials, community groups and organizations, the Somerville Police and Fire Departments, local, regional, and national veterans’ organizations and members from each of the armed service branches, and much more. The parade route continues along Highland Ave. through Davis Sq., ending at the intersection of Holland St. and Broadway in Teele Sq.

“Aging Well” recently hosted a discussion about elders and opioids, which featured the expert perspectives of (from left) Libby Shrobe from the Institute for Health and Recovery, and SCES Social Workers Cassie Cramer and Norah Al-Wetaid. Also in the photo is “Aging Well” host Nathan Lamb.

The unique risks that opioids pose for older adults were recently highlighted on Aging Well, a monthly production of Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES).

Opioid abuse was described as a growing problem for elders by SCES mental health Cassie Cramer. She noted that people 65+ accounted for roughly 15% of overdoses reported in 2017, according Mass Department of Health data.

April Media Mixer & Pitch Event

Sunday, April 29 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Arts at the Armory Cafe

Let’s celebrate creativity by throwing a Media Mixer and Pitch event! Come to the event to meet other media makers, filmmakers, editors, actors, aspiring creatives and more. They also welcome attendees to PITCH their ideas and skills to others in the room. Use this space to talk through your project ideas, help craft the logistics, and even market your own skills.

The Ryan Harrington Foundation is honored to be hosting the Just One Run Fundraiser in Memory of Anthony D. Giurleo on Sunday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Just One Run is a 5k fundraiser, the proceeds of which will directly impact the lives of those affected by the disease of addiction. Participation includes the 5k adult race and walk, a children’s “Fun Run” plus refreshments, music and plenty of activities for the kids.

Applicant must be a Somerville resident who works at or serves on the board of a Somerville non-profit community-based organization

The Somerville Fair Housing Commission was formed to help prevent housing discrimination in Somerville. The Commission receives complaints about possible fair housing violations and provides information and assistance to residents, including referrals to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.  The Commission also conducts outreach to educate the public about state and federal fair housing laws to address housing discrimination. The City of Somerville invites all interested and eligible residents to apply for the Commission’s vacant post.

To the editor:

(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)

Two months ago, the dust settled on yet another tragedy, and the world looked to America for a response. They saw bodies strewn across the streets in communities nationwide but no action from the government. They saw legislators and assault weapons bought and sold with the NRA pulling the strings. We as students rose up to offer an alternative vista. We stepped up and demanded change from people who attempted to silence us. We set a precedent, we foreshadowed the incredible social strides that will be made with us at the forefront.

By Bob Katzen
Beacon Hill Roll Call

The 19-member Committee on Public Safety has recommended passage of a bill that would authorize courts to prevent people from owning guns if they are deemed an extreme risk. The proposal gained momentum following February’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida. It gives courts the authority to order an extreme risk protection order that would bar the person from possessing a gun for one year. The court must first find that the person “poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or herself or others by having in his or her custody or control, purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm.”

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

There’s no denying that technological advances have made many positive contributions in our communities and lives, but they have also radically changed the way we interact with each other and how much time we’re spending in front of screens. Time in front of electronics is increasingly replacing time spent on physical activity and movement, social and family interactions, and even sleep. And as screen time increases, physical and mental health tends to decrease. Most concerning though is that no group has felt the full effect of the digital wave more than our young people.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Somerville High School students from all grades attended the annual Career Day event on Wednesday, April 11, organized as part of Somerville High School’s College and Career Readiness programming.