Due to a forecast of extended rain and muddy conditions both before and during planned events, Patriots’ Day celebration activities planned for Monday, April 16, 2018, have been canceled with one exception. Light refreshments (coffee, apple juice, and cornbread) generously donated by the Foss Park Dunkin Donuts, Stop & Shop, and Redbones will be offered between 11 and 11:30 a.m. at Foss Park for those willing to brave the weather and await the possible arrival of “Paul Revere” on horseback. At this time, the hope is that the reenactment of Paul Revere’s ride will take place, but weather conditions could lead to a last-minute cancellation of the ride as well.

Activities to include Spring Cleanup & BBQ, Green Energy at Home Info Session, Wind Turbine Tour, Mystic River Climate Resilience Panel Discussion, Clothing Upcycling Workshop and More

Following the success of last year’s events and in honor of Earth Day 2018, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the cty’s SustainaVille initiative invite all to the second annual SustainaVille Week celebrating sustainability and the environment in Somerville. Programming ranges from outdoor family fun to informative workshops and discussions. Highlights include the annual Spring Cleanup and BBQ, Earth Day story times, a film screening for youth, a discussion panel about local climate change vulnerabilities and resilience opportunities and a wind turbine tour. Events kick off on Saturday, April 21, and run through Sunday, April 29. See the full schedule below.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

The Anthony V, Fedele Chapter of the National Honor Society Class of 2018 and 2019 held their Induction ceremony on Thursday, April 5 in the SHS auditorium. Sebastian LaGambina and Somerville School Superintendent Mary Skipper presented Stoles and Certificates to the Class of 2018 and Class of 2019 as they were inducted into the National Honor Society. The guest speaker was SHS Alumnus Bipul Pyakuryal.

By Stephanie Hirsch
Alderman at Large

(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)

Last Wednesday night, hundreds of people packed the Board of Aldermen chambers. More than 120 spoke, and many more wanted to speak but couldn’t stay as the hearing stretched on past 10:00 p.m. About half argued for and half against a new tax on the sale of property to fund affordable housing.

By Kristen Strezo
Co-chair of the Somerville Commission for Women

A Prudential research study discovered that fewer than two in 10 women feel “very prepared” to make wise financial decisions. Half indicate that they “need some help,” and one-third feel that they “need a lot of help.”

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Big Apple Circus is now at Assembly Row, through May 6. The spectacular show under the big top features world class acrobats, jugglers, clowns, and just about everything you would expect from this highly renowned entertainment institution. Great fun for kids of all ages!

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to a Wheatland St. location last Sunday on reports of a motor vehicle break in progress, and that the suspect was being detained.

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)

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

Recreational Marijuana Public Discussion on Locations and Guidelines, April 12 & 19

The City is studying how to best implement new state laws regulating recreational marijuana. Join City staff at one of two upcoming meetings to discuss how recreational marijuana establishments might be permitted in Somerville. Each meeting will begin with a presentation reviewing the laws and an update on existing medical marijuana dispensaries in Somerville, followed by a discussion that will help us create new city policy on recreational marijuana sales. Please email planning@somervillema.gov with any questions or call 311. When/where: Thursday, April 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building Academy Room, 220 Washington St., and Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the VNA, 259 Lowell St.

State Representative Christine P. Barber of Somerville and Medford joined her House colleagues last Wednesday in voting to adopt S.2371, An Act relative to criminal justice reform, a comprehensive criminal justice reform package that is a result of compromise discussions between the House and Senate.

Concerned citizens got its chance to sound off on the proposed real estate transfer fee at a public hearing of the Somerville Board of Aldermen Legislative Matters Committee last week. — Photos by Donald Norton

By Jim Clark

The Somerville Board of Aldermen’s Legislative Matters Committee got a collective ear full last Wednesday, April 4, at its public hearing on the proposed home rule petition to impose a real estate transfer fee on property sales in the city.