By Donald Norton

The Somerville Chamber of Commerce presented the 7th Business Town Meeting with Mayor Joseph Curtatone to the local business community on Wednesday evening before a small but packed house of about 150 business and community leaders. Downstairs at the recently renovated Davis Square Theater, Mayor Curtatone gave a positive and upbeat assessment of where we are as a city and were we are going. The crowd was very responsive to the Mayor’s talk, which lasted a little over an hour, he entertained questions from the floor on a variety of subjects ranging from the MBTA Green and Orange line extensions. When asked when the Assembly Square development would be starting, the Mayor responded that it has already begun. A community of 2100 housing units, mixed stores and restaurants, as well as a five-acre waterfront park for the area, is all under development right now. Mayor Curtatone and the business community joined afterwards for a reception in the new Saloon Bar, which is a recent addition to Davis Square. The event, sponsored annually by the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, was another success.

(~Photos  by William Tauro)

Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente is advocating for WiFi installations in Somerville parks.

By Savath Yong

Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente proposes Wireless Internet Access (WiFi) at Somerville parks. Lafuente said that in the past offering WiFi in public areas would have been extremely costly but he presented a resolution asking the city to explore other venues to add WiFi capabilities.

Chief Thomas Pasquarello has announced that beginning April 11, the Somerville Police Department will increase enforcement of bicycle traffic regulations under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 85 which was recently revised and updated.

~Photo by William Tauro

Wednesday, April 11,  Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian announced the new Middlesex Sheriff’s Office TRIAD Program at an event  with Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. The event took place at the Winter Hill Yacht Club with the Somerville Council on Aging.

By Alexandra Botti

Mayor Joseph Curatone met Monday with youth from The Center for Teen Empowerment who are planning the upcoming Sixth Annual Somerville Youth Peace Conference on April 28. In preparation for the event, participating Somerville teens discussed Conference plans with the Mayor, who will take part in the event, and presented work they are creating for the occasion. At the heart of their performance pieces are issues affecting Somerville teens, along with ideas for positive change.

Laura Gonzalez has struggled with the negative connotations of being labeled “illegal” for many years, even though she has actively sought US citizenship at every possible opportunity. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

Undocumented immigrants have an upward battle when it comes to becoming citizens, but on April 2 the youth advocates from a local organization for immigrant rights chalked up a victory.

The Business Town meeting VII with Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, at the Davis Square Theatre 255 Elm Street,  is today, Wednesday, April 11. The doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the event starts at 5:30 p.m. The Mayor will give his annual address to the business community here and then there will be a round of Q&A.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

The K-6 students and the art teachers of the Somerville Public Schools have produced a beautiful array of foodthemed art that is now on exhibit in the auditorium of the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave, Somerville. The exhibit is part of the “Somerville Reads” campaign and will be on display through the end of April, stop in and have a look at their wonderful work.

Up, up and away. Aerial photography is now in the hands of the masses thanks to the efforts of groups like PLOTS and Parts and Crafts. – Photo by Amanda Rhodes

By Amanda Rhodes

If you were in Davis Square on Saturday, you might have noticed a big, red balloon hovering high in the sky. You might not have noticed the camera attached to it. The camera and the balloon were part of a grassroots mapping event hosted by the Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science (PLOTS) and Parts and Crafts.

Professor Grant Garven’s innovative research into geothermal energy is catching on in a big way at Tufts University.

By Chris Leo Palermino

Soon, Tufts University may be powered by a new energy source: geothermal energy from groundwater beneath the urban campus.