Here is the podcast of my interview with my old pal, Alan Ringel— experimental jazz producer and a founder of About Time Records. Al talks about one of their artists Henry Threadgill–who just won the Pulitzer-Prize, the “jazz loft” scene in the 70s in NYC– the role of improvisation and composition in jazz, misconceptions about Louis Armstrong, jazz writer Stanley Crouch — the jazz clubs in Greenwich Village, and much more… We had our discussion at the Thai restaurant “Sweet Ginger” in Union Square, Somerville.

The CIT/ LIT Job Readiness Program held its graduation on August 12, 2016 at The Arthur D. Healey School on 5 Meacham Street.  The graduating class consisted of students between the ages of 13-15, who dedicated four-weeks out of their summer to participate in a program that taught them about job readiness and leadership skills.

By Louise Carpenter

The Baker Administration has officially announced that starting September 1st, waiting lists for some elders will begin in the home care program. But according to Mass Home Care, the state has enough Federal dollars to avoid the crisis.

Rallies and the conversation on race and community relations

In August 2015 the City of Somerville hung a Black Lives Matter banner outside City Hall in support of the movement bringing attention to the police killings of several young black men across the country.

This week, State Representative Christine P. Barber and State Senator Patricia Jehlen celebrate the final passage and signing of H.4303, An Act establishing the Somerville municipal job creation and retention trust. This law, approved by the Somerville Board of Alderman in 2013 but requiring state approval, allows the city of Somerville to create a jobs trust fund and establish a fee, to be paid by developers of new projects in the city, for job training, placement and retention.

Current severe drought conditions have left many of our street trees in dire need of water. While our Department of Public Works crews are working diligently to care for the needs of our parks, open spaces, and trees, we need the community’s help to provide water to our street trees during these extreme conditions. We ask residents, where possible, to consider assisting us in these efforts by watering any trees in your area, particularly those that look dry. The best way to water trees is via a slow trickle over a longer period of time rather than a full stream of water over a short period. Sprinklers, or several-gallon buckets with a small hole in the bottom are just a few suggested ways to water these trees. Trees should ideally be watered two or three times per week rather than every day.

By William C. Shelton

(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)

From time to time certain ideologues insist in tones of moral superiority that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation. The historical evidence clearly contradicts this.

To celebrate Union Square’s sizzling food landscape, the latest ArtsUnion event, Ignite, an evening of international eats, fire throwers, roving entertainment and a raucous celebration of global culture will be presented on Saturday, August 13, at 6:00 p.m. in Union Square.

By Jim Clark

The Somerville Police Drug Control Unit set up a routine surveillance was in the area of the Otis Street Playground last Friday in response to citizen complaints of suspected drug activities taking place in the area.