~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Somerville Sunsetters, pictured here, visited Lincoln Park Playground on Thursday, July 17. Led by Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator, Jimmy Del Ponte, the singing group has eight more performances scheduled for their 2017 season: Thursday, August 3, at 49 Russell Rd.; Monday, August 7, at 57 Bay State Ave.; Tuesday, August 8, at Little Sisters of the Poor, 186 Highland Ave.; Wednesday, August 9, at Capen Court; Thursday, August 10, at 130 Ten Hills Rd.; Monday, August 14, at 10 Henderson St.; Tuesday, August 15, at 20 Kensington Ave.; and Wednesday, August 16 at 50 Hudson St.

On Wednesday, July 26, Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) announced that Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) has been appointed to the leadership role of Assistant Majority Leader.

“Senator Jehlen has been a progressive champion in the Senate for the last 12 years and before that in the House. She will bring important perspectives to the leadership table,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg. Senator Jehlen played a key role this year as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Joint Committees on Education, and Labor and Workforce Development.

Left to Right: Marian Ryan, District Attorney; Stephen Carrabino, Deputy Chief, Somerville Police Department and Patrick Sullivan, Chief, Somerville Fire Department.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan visited 85 campers today at Somerville Department of Recreation Summer Camp ranging in age from 6 – 13-years-old to teach them about how they can keep themselves and others safe this summer. District Attorney Ryan was joined by Stephen Carrabino, Deputy Chief, Somerville Police Department and Patrick Sullivan, Chief, Somerville Fire Department.

The Commonwealth Current swim team has been enjoying the facilities at the Foss Park Pool this year.

By Tom Bannister

The Commonwealth Current swim team had a great weekend of racing during the New England 11-14 Long Course Championships. Commonwealth finished in 11th place out of more than 50 teams, and had 77% best times, with 47% of their prelims swims resulting in a top 16 finish.

The team has spent part of the summer training at Foss Park’s regulation size pool.

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Timothy Gager – poet, novelist, short fiction writer, and the co-founder of The Somerville News Writers Festival (2003 to 2010) with yours truly – has a new book of verse out. Here is the review by Laura Cherry:

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Tate Sands is a trustee of the Moozie Foundation, a Grant Foundation that aims to provide for vulnerable populations. Tate studied at Berklee College of Music and later received a license in Cosmetology. As well as performing music, Tate is also a stand-up comedian in his free time.

The 37th Annual Mayor’s Senior Picnic takes place Wednesday, August 2, 2017, 11 a.m. at Nathan Tufts Park (Powderhouse Park) 850 Broadway, Somerville.

A great day filled with dancing, music, food, entertainment and prizes.

Focus includes increasing local participatory democracy, expanding early voting, exploring public financing, and more

Somerville voter turnout tends to be higher than national averages, but a new task force established by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone will take an even broader approach to expanding democratic participation. The new Clean and Open Elections Task Force, which is currently seeking members, will review ways to increase participatory democracy and support clean elections in the city through options such as public financing, expansion of early voting, and more. Interested residents are encouraged to apply for Task Force membership. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

Arrests:
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Ashaun Clark, of 50 Memorial Rd., July 26, 3:56 a.m., arrested at Jaques St. on warrant charges of drug possession to distributeand conspiracy to violate drug law.

Keesha Vickers, July 26, 5:57 p.m., arrested at Canal St. on warrant charges of larceny under $250, larceny over $250, and receiving stolen property over $250.

“America’s Night Out Against Crime” to feature Fire and Police demonstrations, children’s activities and games, performances, and more.

Join the Somerville Office of Prevention, Somerville Cares About Prevention, and the Somerville Police Department for Somerville’s 14th Annual National Night Out Against Crime and Drugs, on Tuesday, August 1, at Foss Park. Events run from 5 to 8 p.m., and Somerville’s contribution to the national movement will feature Fire and Police Department demonstrations, a presentation from the Massachusetts State Police K-9 unit, and live performances by the Somerville Sunsetters, Teen Empowerment, and the Red Tiger Academy of Martial Arts, as well as youth activities and games and information tables from more than 30 neighborhood agencies.