Geriatric psychiatrist, Rebecca Warner

By Nathan Lamb

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) is marking the occasion by discussing a series of common mental health questions with Protective Services Psychiatrist Rebecca Warner.

Q: When should I see a therapist or psychiatrist?

A: When you are experiencing an emotional problem that’s bothering you and keeping you from doing what you need to do and enjoying life.

Here are some of the latest stories featured on Somerville Neighborhood News, a new production proceed by Somerville Media Community Center.

Local Senior Teaches Life Skills on the Playground

Somerville senior Richard Johnstin works as a playground coach at West Somerville Neighborhood School through Playworks New England​. Coach Dick teaches and inspires young students while staying connected to the community through his contributing efforts.

Winter Hill first public school district Innovation school to receive this award

In a ceremony held in its downtown Boston office last night, The Boston Foundation announced the Winter Hill Community Innovation School as the winner of the 2017 Pozen Prize for Innovative Schools. Established in 2013 by Boston Foundation donors Robert and Elizabeth Pozen, the Pozen Prize recognizes and awards schools for innovative practices that lead to academic excellence and a quality learning environment for all students. The Winter Hill Community Innovation School is the first district Innovation School to receive this distinction and the $75,000 award. The Pozen Prize expanded its scope this year to include innovative district schools. 

Do you like Porchfest? Can you spare a few bucks for a great cause? Awesome! Look for Porchfest donation boxes around town this Saturday.

In past years the Somerville Porchfest community has raised thousands and thousands of dollars for good causes. Let’s do it again! We’re asking bands and porch owners to put out donation jars for this cause.  SAC will then pool all donations and send to Oxfam.

Listen to music on your neighbors’ porches throughout the City

Have you ever sat on your porch and enjoyed hearing a neighbor strumming a guitar on a nearby porch? PorchFest takes this idea and multiplies it to create a citywide event where Somervillians share their love of playing and listening to music by holding porch concerts across the city. PorchFest returns this year on Saturday, May 13, from noon to 6 p.m. (see below for the schedule in your area).

Katrina from Juliet.

By JT Thompson

Katrina: co-founder of Juliet, a European style café, which she and her partner Josh opened in early 2016. They hope the café will become a longstanding neighborhood space that helps foster a welcoming, diverse community in Union Square.

When I walk into Juliet, there is a friendly bustle on both sides of the counter, an L-shaped enclosure behind which the kitchen is open to view. The sun coming through the tall windows is bright against the white tables and white walls; the atmosphere is both crisp and cozy.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Students at East Somerville Community School were awarded special certificates of merit in a ceremony held last Friday at the school. Honorees were awarded certificates for various achievements including Most Improved Student, Honor Roll, and Good Citizen.

Congratulations to the Somerville High School Team, who came away from their first ever FIRST Robotics World Championship with the Creativity Award for their unique climber. They traveled to the America’s Center in St. Louis the week of April 24 for their first appearance at the Championships. They beat 136 teams in two divisions in the creativity category.

Just One Run Fundraiser in Memory of Joseph (“Joe”) P. Roche on Sunday, June 4.

Rebecca Danvers

The Ryan Harrington Foundation is excited to be hosting the Just One Run Fundraiser in Memory of Joseph (“Joe”) P. Roche on Sunday, June 4, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Blessing of the Bay Boat House in Somerville.

The Just One Run is a 5k fundraiser, the proceeds of which will directly impact the lives of those affected by the disease of addiction. Participation includes the 5K adult race and walk, a children’s “Fun Run” plus refreshments, music and plenty of activities for kids.

By Jim Clark

Last Friday, an officer at Assembly Row for the Somerville Police Department was contacted by loss prevention associates from Kmart and informed that they had two shoplifters that they were trying to get back into the store and would not cooperate with them.