By Jim Clark

On Thursday, June 21, at approximately 11:10 p.m., the first of many panicked neighbors, parents, and children began flooding 911 operators with calls of a large group assailants attacking a Somerville student on the normally quiet Munroe St.

On this, the last day of School for Somerville Students, Maria Curtatone – Middlesex County Register of Deeds, sister of Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, and proud mother of two children – decided to open her home to the community’s children for a last day of school celebration on Munroe St. Reliable “on scene” sources report that approximately 50 Somerville students were invited to this party.

EPA and MassDEP are active on this project and working to assist us as we continue with our assessment, and we took several important steps forward last week.

Each agency sent a representative to the site last week for a joint walk-about to inform their requirements for further testing. The visit was important progress. With EPA and MassDEP guidance, our Licensed Site Professional, Weston & Sampson, is finalizing a plan for the next phase of required testing.

“SUITED” – A Free Pride Month Film Screening

Thursday, June 28th | 6:00pm (DOORS) | 6:30 p.m. (SCREENING)
at The Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square
The screening is free but please arrive early as it is first come, first serve!

The OPENAIR Circus is opening its doors for its 33rd year of circus fun!

OPENAIR is a non-profit based in Somerville that teaches circus arts to children (and some adults) in an effort to promote leadership, self-esteem and an appreciate for arts and community.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

A potluck dinner was held at the West Somerville Neighborhood School for the afterschool program on Thursday, June 7. The kids in the program performed for all those attending.

More than 30 local businesses team up to create a more inclusive farmers market

Good Food For All is a week-long, community campaign debuting throughout Union Square June 23-30. More than 30 local businesses have teamed up to raise awareness and funds for the local SNAP match available at the Union Square Farmers Market.

(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)

Dear Editor,

As the Times reported a couple years ago (“The Plastic Bag Ban Begins” Sept. 7, 2016), Somerville has taken an admirable step in banning plastic bags.

Retiring Somerville school teacher Sophia Carafotes (center) was recently honored by her friends and family at a retirement party held on her behalf.

By Rebecca Danvers

Sophia Carafotes grew up in Somerville with her parents Charles and Mary, both now deceased, and her siblings, James, a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner; Paul, an actor, director and writer in California; Victoria, who teaches grade 6 at West Somerville Neighborhood School; Margo, who was also a business teacher at Somerville High School, though now deceased since 2011; and Stephanie, a yoga instructor. Both sets of grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins were only streets away.