Next Tuesday night, Elio LoRusso, who is a candidate in Ward 1 for alderman, is having his campaign kickoff on Tuesday, August 8, at Casey’s on Lower Broadway from 5:30 p.m. on. It’s a campaign kickoff and fundraiser.

State Rep. Christine P. Barber.

From the Office of State Representative Christine P. Barber

Somerville and Medford State Representative Christine P. Barber voted with House colleagues on Wednesday, July 26, to reject an amendment Governor Baker made to the fiscal year 2018 budget that would have cut eligibility and benefits for MassHealth, the Commonwealth’s Medicaid program for low-income families.

It seems as though we have been fighting this battle for such a long time. Surely, we must start seeing some signs of progress soon. One would think so anyway.

After all, we take pride in the special qualities that make our city such a great place to live and work in. Quaint residential neighborhoods co-exist with our urban centers in a seamless patchwork that blends comfort with efficiency in so many ways. Why then are we saddled with the seemingly never-ending problem of rodent infestation?

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This week I made two recipes that I shared here in the past. The first, Ropa Vieja http://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/76448 and the second, Cuban Style Black Beans http://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/63333. I added another dish to share with the above recipes, fried plantain chips.

~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.