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.

The 16th Annual Redbones Pig Pickin’ Benefit is tonight, Monday 7/31 , from 5-9pm outside Redbones at 55 Chester Street in Davis Square! They will be roasting whole hogs, drinking in the beer garden, all while enjoying live music.

Proceeds go to Somerville Homeless Coalition.

Friday,  Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that fully implements consumer access to adult-use marijuana while creating a robust public health and safety framework. Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), Senate Chair of the Joint Marijuana Policy Committee, served on the six-member conference committee responsible for negotiating the final bill.

The proud graduates of the 2017 CIT/LIT Job Readiness Program.

By Matthew O’Donnell

The CIT/LIT Job Readiness Program held its graduation on July 18, from 12:30-2:00 p.m. at The Arthur D. Healey School.
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.

Carolynn Nagao-Marcotte is a licensed social worker and Aging Life Care Manager.

By Carolynn Nagao-Marcotte

An Aging Life Care Manager is very similar to a traditional geriatric care manager, but the name is changing to reflect the wider range of services we provide.

I see our role as being problem solvers for an older adult and their family.

Before my Poet to Poet TV show yesterday with Richard Hoffman, we talked about memoir writing with a focus on his memoir ” Half the House.” This book deals with his childhood sexual abuse and the aftermath. Here Hoffman discusses the craft, and the writing of the book. I am going to be teaching his memoir at Endicott College in the fall. The interview took place at the crowded Bloc 11 Cafe in Somerville, MA.

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I was at one of my favorite “suppliers” in Harvard Square. They’re closed now so I can disclose the name: Second Time Around. They primarily sold women’s clothing but also sold accessories. And jewelry is an accessory.