Somerville Education Foundation Funds Summer Learning Programs (SEF) is seeking additional donations from the public. The Foundation has funded expanded enrollment in summer programs across the city. SEF worked with the city and Somerville Public Schools to identify quality programming that could be expanded via targeted grants. During summer months, all students are at risk for summer learning loss – especially low-income students who lack access to high-quality enrichment that reinforces their school year gains. Fundraising from community leaders and businesses resulted in commitments of over $12,000 thus far. This will give 60 Somerville children free access to a variety of camps and activities, including programs with Parts and Crafts, Parkour Generations, Somerville Media Center and Mystic Learning Center. SEF continues to raise funds to further expand access for this summer and support future programming. SEF invites individuals, organizations and businesses to join their efforts. This is the first part of a longer-term program to raise and distribute funds to support educational excellence across the city. All donations are tax exempt charitable contributions and should be sent to: Somerville Ed Foundation17 Kidder Avenue, Somerville MA 02144.

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First, the city calls a few “snow emergencies” 24 hours in advance and cancels school, for maybe an inch or two of snow. Never mind the old way of canceling school – you hear about it on TV or the radio in the morning or hear that citywide whistle, at which time parents have to take time off from work to deal with their kids, then run around and find a place to park in time. Then the city cancels a ceremony that has been ongoing for many years, marking the raising of the first American flag by George Washington on Prospect Hill on January 1, 1775. In the past, the ceremony was held at 6:00 a.m. (talk about being cold, and not canceled). This administration had it changed to 12 noon, but not this year. The ceremony was canceled because of it being COLD! They did do it, if we recollect right, in March AND – oh yea – it was NOT THAT MUCH warmer. The city canceled another long standing tradition of Paul Revere’s ride up Broadway using the excuse IT WAS GOING TO BE WET! It’s a good thing Paul didn’t cancel the original ride BECAUSE OF the weather! FYI: It’s the first time anyone we talked to ever remembered the ride getting canceled. The city didn’t schedule another date! Then the Memorial Day Parade got scheduled for the Sunday before the actual date. Then, this past Saturday night, the city announced on the night before that the PARADE WAS BEING CANCELED. Never mind doing it on the actual holiday weekend. Nope, guess we’re not going to have a parade this year. Now, how many want to bet that the July 4th city fireworks, which are not even being done on July 4th, will be canceled. What will be the excuse? Maybe it’s too hot? You fill in the blanks! What is going on? Have we really become a “cupcake administration”? All this is happening under the newly elected Board of Aldermen since they took office on January 1. Do you think there is a correlation?

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Quiz for the week: What Board of Aldermen member was once registered a Republican and is now a Democrat, and also a member of Our Revolution? No, we’re not talking about Alderman At-Large Bill White this time.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Feargal O’Toole, a well-known political pundit and a really nice and straightforward man. We hope he has a great birthday with his family. Happy birthday to another lifelong resident and popular guy, Vinny Vicente of Goode Gas. Who doesn’t know Vinny? May he have a great birthday as well. Some of us here at Newstalk grew up with him in East Somerville. Happy birthday to Brian Roche, a fantastic chef with creative talents. We hope he has a great birthday as well with his family and many friends. Happy birthday to our good friend and realtor in Andover, Joanna Webster. A great lady. If you’re looking to buy, she knows Andover better than anyone. To all the others we may have missed – and yes, we must admit there are a few more out there – we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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Lyrics Champs presents A Super Hero Wrestling Fundraiser on Friday, June 8, at the Somerville High School Field House, 81 Highland Avenue. Tickets are available online at www.LyricsChamps.org. The cost is $15.

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Demets Donuts in Medford is getting very busy, but those donuts and the large variety are like the old Day’s Donuts, huge and tasty. Almost a sin facing you when you come in for just coffee. It’s hard to not get that jelly or lemon, not to mention the coconut donuts. The Somerville Times is available every Wednesday at the donut shop. Stop in, get a coffee and few of those delicious donuts, or maybe the real – and we mean real – egg sandwiches, from real eggs.

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Miss watching the Board of Alderman meetings on TV? On Thursday nights you can view them in their entirety on Comcast channel 22, as well as on You Tube. Watch your city at work and see how these dedicated members of our community are serving you, the public. We can’t say this enough, watch the meetings on either cable broadcast live, or grab a bag of chips and some tonic (yeah, we said tonic) and go online to YouTube to watch them. It’s on your dime and, trust us, you will find some pretty hysterical information there about what’s happening in the city. If you feel like you don’t know what’s going on and how this Board of Aldermen is spending your money, this should be required viewing for everyone here in Somerville. Even the committee meetings are online. Educate yourself. After all, the Board of Aldermen are voting out of your pockets.

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With rumors flying all over the city about Mayor Joe Curtatone not running for re-election, we hear names like popular Alderman At-Large Bill White, Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis and, Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang, and Matt McLaughlin of Ward 1. It could be interesting just with those four. It will be exciting for the city if this.

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The Somerville City Club is looking to increase its membership. For the time being, membership is open to any resident here in the city. It’s a great organization that has been around a long time, with lots of activities that support local charitable groups. Contact the club on Innerbelt Road across from Holiday Inn for more details.