— Photo by Claudia Ferro

Somerville youth ages 12-18 eligible for summer job with Sunsetters, a youth singing and dancing troupe that performs throughout the City in July and August.

Calling all Somerville youth! The Somerville Sunsetters, a singing and dancing youth group that performs throughout Somerville in July and August, are holding annual auditions for Somerville youth between the ages of 12 and 18, on Thursday, May 11, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. All Somerville residents meeting the age eligibility may audition, and are asked to bring a song of your choice on your mobile device or on a CD to perform to. Auditions will be held in the City of Somerville Cable Studio, located below the Somerville High School Library, access to the studio is at the far end of the SHS concourse, through the light blue doors. Handicap-accessible entrance is located on the SHS Atrium side of the building. The final Sunsetters roster will include up to 20 young people, and is led by Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator Jimmy Del Ponte. 

The City of Somerville’s Styrofoam Recycling program will return for all Somerville residents on Saturday, May 13. Residents may visit the Department of Public Works yard, located at 1 Franey Rd., between 9:00 a.m. and noon to dispose of all types of EPS (Styrofoam) foam packing materials, including foam bracing and packing peanuts. IMPORTANT NOTE: materials must be placed in bags before placing it in the recycling container. A second Styrofoam recycling event is tentatively planned for September 2017, however please call 311 for additional information in the fall.

New date to be announced
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Due to unforeseen circumstances, the West Branch Library Visioning meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 10, has been postponed. Information on an alternate date will be shared as soon as available. They look forward to continuing our discussion about renovations to the West Branch Library and hearing your feedback at that time. If you have any further questions, please contact Director of Capital Project Management Rob King at rking@somervillema.gov.

By Nathan Lamb

A growing body of research indicates that music therapy can significantly improve the quality of life for people with dementia. It’s a practice that many are only just learning about, but there’s apparently no shortage of interest in giving it a try, explained Rory Silvia, an operations manager at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES).

To provide background, answer questions, and take public testimony regarding the proposed fiscal year 2018 Somerville Water and Sewer Rate Charges, an Informational Session with Q&A followed by a Public Hearing will be held on Monday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Somerville High School Cafeteria, 81 Highland Avenue. The Informational session with Q&A starts at 6:30 p.m. The Public Hearing will follow promptly at 7:00 p.m., and during this time, members of the community are invited to provide public testimony for the record. Additional Q&A time will be offered following the hearing if attendees have remaining topics of discussion.

By Kristen Strezo and Stephanie Goodell

The Somerville Commission for Women (SCW) is taking steps as to create a gender-balanced world that is better for everyone. And on May 10, SCW will participate in a global movement designed to build community around gender equity through 50/50 Day. The event will take place at the Public Safety Building in Union Square, 220 Washington Street at 6:00 p.m. All members of the community are invited to attend.

By Tom Bannister

Tufts University is providing Somerville’s youth soccer and lacrosse programs with daily access to its athletic fields this spring sports season in an effort to help address a shortage of city fields. The arrangement continues Tufts’ commitment to supporting the youth of the university’s host communities.

Pizza Party May 10 for All Interested in Learning More

 The Somerville Housing Department is calling on members of the community to help spread the word about this year’s annual survey of youth who do not have a stable place to live. The Youth Count is an effort to gain a clearer understanding of the housing status and story of youth without a stable place to stay on any given night in Somerville and Arlington.

By  Jordan Deschenes

Justin Buswell (center left) and Seamus Lynch (center right) are sworn in as Somerville Police Officers at the Board of Aldermen meeting on April 27. Buswell was formerly a police dispatcher in Arlington and Lynch is a rehabilitation specialist for the Somerville Council of Aging.