~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The SHS Spring Concert took place on Thursday, May 18 at the SHS Auditorium and featured the SHS Orchestra, Chorus, Gospel Choir, Band, World Percussion Ensemble, Highlander Drumline, SHS Dance Ensemble, and Advanced Guitar Ensemble.

The Somerville Sunsetters are coming to a street near you! The Sunsetters, a traveling youth performance troupe that performs classic show tunes and modern musicals in Somerville neighborhoods throughout July and August, is now booking shows for the summer 2017 season. Residents interested in hosting a performance in your neighborhood should contact Jackie Rossetti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2614, orJRossetti@somervillema.gov. Performances are held Monday through Thursday evenings, 7 to 8 p.m., in July and August. Some blackout dates apply. Performance slots fill up quickly, so book yours today!

Union Square resident, Wilson.

By JT Thompson

Wilson: Kenyan, mid 50s, transplanted to New York City in 1978, in 9th grade, when his father was posted to the Kenyan mission at the UN. Wilson now works as a server on the banquet staff at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge; he bought a condo in Union Square in 2004, and became a US citizen in 2008.

Program aims to reduce electricity costs while introducing renewable energy sources

The City of Somerville will start a new electricity bulk buying program for households and businesses citywide this July. Called Somerville Community Choice Electricity (Somerville CCE), the goal of the program is to reduce and stabilize the cost of electricity for residents and businesses in Somerville, as well as increase the share of renewable “green” energy in Somerville’s electricity supply. Somerville will be joining more than 60 Massachusetts cities and towns that take advantage of state law that allows them offer this type of “municipal aggregation” program.

By Jim Clark

A police officer was dispatched to the Dunkin’ Donuts on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of an unwanted person.

Upon arrival, the officer was met by the day manager of the store, who reportedly said that a man, later identified as Chikh Toure, refused to leave the premises after being asked to do so numerous times.

LGBTQ Flag Raising Initially Scheduled for Thursday, May 25, Moved to Thursday, June 1, due to Inclement Weather Forecast

Had previously been scheduled for Thursday, May 25.

Please join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville High School Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) on Thursday, June 1, at 2:45 p.m., to raise the Pride flag in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month and LGBTQ Youth Pride. The ceremony will take place on the City Hall concourse, 93 Highland Ave. Mayor Curtatone, Somerville Director of Human Services Nancy Bacci, Somerville High School teacher and Gay/Straight Alliance Advisor Julia Post, and Liam Keefe, student representative from GSA will speak at the event. The event is open to the public, and we invite community members to join us in celebrating LGBTQ youth and the diversity that makes Somerville great. For more information about the GSA and other LGBT programming, events and information, please contact nbacci@somervillema.gov. 

City’s Solarize Somerville initiative earned a 5 kW system donation for exceeding home solar installation goal in 2016

One local nonprofit will soon be on a no-cost path to renewable energy. The Solarize Somerville initiative to help residents install solar panels concluded in December 2016, and as a result of exceeding our goal, the City’s install partner SolarFlair will donate a 5 kW system to a local nonprofit.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Sections of Webster Ave. have no bike lanes, making for hazardous conditions cyclists as well as frustrating situations for motorists.
— Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

Somerville resident, Dr. Geren Stone, has been living through something of an ordeal for nearly two years. Now, after a lengthy investigative and legal process, the wheels of justice have finally come to a stop and a sense of closure has prevailed.