~Photo by Bobbie Toner

A motor vehicle crashed into a home at the corner of Sterling St. and Alewife Brook Pkwy. shortly after noon today, after hitting another moving vehicle which appeared to have sustained significant damage.

Emergency responders were soon on the scene, tending to those who were involved in the accident. Although the driver of the crashed vehicle was transported to the hospital for treatment, the injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to Saint Patrick’s Shelter on Washington St. last Friday evening on reports of a resident refusing a request for her to leave.

Upon our arrival, the officers spoke to a facility staff member who reportedly said that a resident, Lidiya Pasholikova, missed curfew, and by policy was automatically barred from the shelter for three days.

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)

A monthly look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville

ResiStat season is upon us. At this twice-yearly series of community meetings (we hold one in each ward) you have the opportunity to interact with me, your aldermen, other elected officials, leaders from the Somerville Police Department, City staff—and your neighbors. We’ll be sharing the latest city and neighborhood updates as well as the data-based problem solving discussions that help drive decision making here at City Hall. ResiStat meetings are a great way to get involved at the neighborhood level and often serve as gateway meetings to deeper involvement and a pathway to the kind of ground-up leadership and civic contributions that makes our city thrive.

A local family poses with Jumbo the elephant in front of a statue of Jumbo at Tufts Community Day on Sept. 24.

Tufts University, in cooperation with the cities of Medford and Somerville, hosted the 15th annual Community Day festival on Sunday, Sept. 24. The event was held on the Tufts University Academic Green in the center of the Medford/Somerville campus. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity for neighbors, residents and families of the cities to explore the work and accomplishments of community organizations and city departments. Live performances included dance, song, music and a street band parade by the School of Honk. Student artists provided face painting, caricature drawing and craft activities. A free BBQ lunch and refreshments was served.

The Director of Traffic and Parking will be reporting to the Board of Aldermen this week to clarify parking permit policy.

By Jim Clark

At the latest Board of Aldermen meeting, an order was put forward and approved requesting that the Director of Traffic and Parking explain to the Board in writing by September 26, 2017 why residential parking permits are not issued with a renewal date of one year from the last day of the month it was purchased, and appear before the Board on September 28, 2017 to discuss the matter.

Residents left feedback on location of a new park for Union Square master developer during an open house.

(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,

Green & Open Somerville and Union Square Neighbors call on city leaders and Union Square master developer, US2, to make good on commitments to design, develop, and build new parks in and around Union Square.

Under the new Union Square zoning, US2, Union Square’s master developer, must construct a “Neighborhood Park” that is at least half an acre. During the zoning review process, US2 promised the Union Square community that we would have the opportunity to evaluate several different locations for this park.

By Eesha Pendharkar

In 1917, a candy salesman named Archibald Query invented marshmallow fluff in Somerville’s Union Square. Last Saturday, an estimated 20,000 fluff enthusiasts gathered to celebrate hundred years of Query’s invention and revel in an afternoon of sticky, sweet fun.

Next week, on Wednesday October 4, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters will be having a campaign get together and fundraiser at Sally O’Brien’s on Somerville Ave. The last time his opponent sent spies to monitor the event. Alderman McWatters is a good person. He’s being accused of taking money from developers, but maybe some unopposed candidates might want to stop spreading lies. They might find an opponent in two years that they might not like.

Somerville’s bond rating continues its streak of upgrades; Rises to highest ever rating based on City’s strong financial practices, growing economy, healthy reserve levels, diverse tax base, manageable current and projected debt levels

Moody’s has raised the City of Somerville’s bond rating from the City’s highest ever rating, Aa2, to a new high of Aa1, the second highest rating on the agency’s scale and one step from the Aaa rating. In its report, the bond rating agency cited the City’s healthy financial position, strong financial practices, conservative budget management, robust and growing economy, diverse tax base, and healthy reserves.

The “What the Fluff?” festival hit Union Square once again this past weekend, an event that has grown in the hearts of so many here. It also hit a significant milestone as the sweet, sticky confection itself turns 100 years old this year.

For all these years Marshmallow Fluff has been a favorite snack food for many, while others could, frankly, take it or leave it. Either way, few would argue that the annual festival itself is chock full of fun and frivolity for everyone who attends.