By Jim Clark

A police officer was dispatched to the Dunkin’ Donuts on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of an unwanted person.

Upon arrival, the officer was met by the day manager of the store, who reportedly said that a man, later identified as Chikh Toure, refused to leave the premises after being asked to do so numerous times.

LGBTQ Flag Raising Initially Scheduled for Thursday, May 25, Moved to Thursday, June 1, due to Inclement Weather Forecast

Had previously been scheduled for Thursday, May 25.

Please join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville High School Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) on Thursday, June 1, at 2:45 p.m., to raise the Pride flag in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month and LGBTQ Youth Pride. The ceremony will take place on the City Hall concourse, 93 Highland Ave. Mayor Curtatone, Somerville Director of Human Services Nancy Bacci, Somerville High School teacher and Gay/Straight Alliance Advisor Julia Post, and Liam Keefe, student representative from GSA will speak at the event. The event is open to the public, and we invite community members to join us in celebrating LGBTQ youth and the diversity that makes Somerville great. For more information about the GSA and other LGBT programming, events and information, please contact nbacci@somervillema.gov. 

City’s Solarize Somerville initiative earned a 5 kW system donation for exceeding home solar installation goal in 2016

One local nonprofit will soon be on a no-cost path to renewable energy. The Solarize Somerville initiative to help residents install solar panels concluded in December 2016, and as a result of exceeding our goal, the City’s install partner SolarFlair will donate a 5 kW system to a local nonprofit.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Sections of Webster Ave. have no bike lanes, making for hazardous conditions cyclists as well as frustrating situations for motorists.
— Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

Somerville resident, Dr. Geren Stone, has been living through something of an ordeal for nearly two years. Now, after a lengthy investigative and legal process, the wheels of justice have finally come to a stop and a sense of closure has prevailed.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

A rally took place last Thursday in opposition to Federal Realty Investment Trust’s (FRIT) proposed alternative to the city’s 20% affordable housing requirement. The rally, which took place at Somerville City Hall, was sponsored by Somerville’s Affordable Housing Organizing Committee, Cambridge Somerville for Change, Indivisible Somerville, Our Revolution Somerville, Somerville Community Corp., Union United and The Welcome Project.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

Last week in Somerville, we hammered out a solution that will create new housing in Assembly Square and, ultimately, 80-93 new affordable housing units at Assembly and throughout the city. It marks a tangible result for people who care about expanding the amount of affordable housing in our community. Some people feel raw about that outcome because they wanted more, but the reality is the advocacy on this issue helped us achieve what we did.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 1, at the Cantina La Mexicana in Union Square. The very popular Alderman At-Large Bill White will be holding his campaign kickoff/fundraiser. Bill has been known as one of the smartest alderman on the board, even by his fellow aldermen. He’s been elected and re-elected as President of the Board now for a few years. We think Bill has been a good alderman for the people here in the city for many years and hope he continues. So come out and show your support for him. We think Bill is very dedicated to the city and who crunches the figures better and asks the right questions when budget time comes around.

By Donald Norton

In a weekend full of honors for our veterans here in the city, one event that has been going on now for a few years that has stood out in particular is the Heroes Salute.

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One of the most recognized dishes of Italy, pasta fagioli or the phonetic version, pasta fazool, is simply delicious and satisfying. This “peasant” dish can be prepared and cooked in a short period of time and makes a great starter for a small dinner party. It can also be served as a main dish with a side of crusty bread for mopping up the sauce, also known as Scarpetta. This recipe can be easily adapted to make it vegetarian.