Somerville ratepayers wanting to uphold the standards of the Paris Climate Accord can shrink their carbon footprint by opting to increase their renewable energy supply to 100 percent through the City’s Community Choice Electricity (CCE) program.

On Saturday, June 17, 2:00–4:00 p.m., at the East Somerville Community School Auditorium, 50 Cross Street (use Cross Street entrance), hear from well informed and dynamic speakers: Kevin Lane, Research Associate and Faculty in the Department of Environmental Health at Boston University School of Public Health will share research on how traffic pollution can affect Heart Health.

This month the Somerville Arts Council presents Dancing in the Streets. Dating back to its SomervilleStruts dance showcase in 2004, they have always thought the region should know about our city’s amazing dance community. Rather than showcasing these talented local dance troupes in a traditional venue, they were invited to perform in outdoor locations.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The East Somerville Community School Grades 6-8 Spring Concert took place on Tuesday, June, 6 at the ESCS Auditorium.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Stop & Shop store on McGrath Hwy. last Sunday on reports of a suspected shoplifter.

Important Update:

Somerville Nonprofit Kickball Game is moved to Nunziato Field ​at 7​ ​Putnam Street ​and no at longer Trum Field.

The 1st Somerville Non-profit Kickball Game is being moved to this Thursday, June 15, 4:00 p.m. at Trum Field.

The public is welcome to come cheer!

What do you get when you combine dozens of Somerville-based community organizations plus a baseball field and a kickball? One heck of an entertaining spectacle!

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)

Recently President Trump announced he will withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord. His decision didn’t go over well. As it turns out, when you set in motion the potential reversal of decades of progress on climate change, people all across our huge planet – like world leaders, business executives, scientists, everyday citizens, and the Pope – will express their dismay.  Count me among the exasperated, and I’ve heard from many of you that you feel that way too. President Trump’s choice to make America a climate pariah – one of only three countries worldwide to reject the accord – is shortsighted, irresponsible, and outright bad for all of us. The question now is what can we each do to counter this step backward? Well, I have a few local options for you.

~Photos by Donald Norton

Assembly Row at Assembly Square and Metamovements Latin Dance Company presented Salsa Dancing On The Row! on Friday, June 9. The event celebrated #10yearsofMM at the Somerville Salsa Series this summer to promote health and wellness while celebrating new developments in Assembly Row.

Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival will be livening up Powderhouse Park this coming Saturday as a great selection of blues and jazz artists perform free for the public.

By Tom Bannister

The brainchild of Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, who played trumpet in the Somerville High School Jazz Band, Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival is back this year.

On Saturday, June 17, get ready for a free all-day outdoor event in beautiful Powderhouse Park (a.k.a Nathan Tufts Park).

With a mix of enthusiasm and trepidation, the City of Somerville Board of Aldermen passed the Union Square Overlay District zoning ordinance at last Thursday’s meeting.

By Jordan Deschenes

The Board of Aldermen passed a Union Square Overlay District zoning at its meeting last Thursday through a vote of nine to one, with one absentee. Mayor Joe Curtatone also signed the master development covenant for the project into effect, binding US2 into an official agreement with the city.