New Street Sweeping Alerts Now Available

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Traffic and Parking Department remind all residents that regular street sweeping schedules officially resume Saturday, April 1, and continue through Dec. 31, 2017. Since street sweeping takes place only on weekdays, this means the first day of sweeping this season will take place on Monday, April 3. 

Coach Richard Johnstin is giving his best to the kids of Playworks New England. ~ Photos courtesy of Playworks New England

By Allison Epstein

Many Americans struggle with navigating life after retirement. For Richard Johnstin, 66, of Somerville, who spent 10 years working as a senior planner for RCA Automated Systems Department and 18 years working at Somerville Community Schools After-School Program, retirement came too early. After a series of company layoffs and time away from his students, Johnstin was at a crossroads. For his second act, he found a renewed sense of passion and purpose on the playground working full-time as a Coach for Playworks New England.

A Gracious Professionalism® award and a top four finish was earned by the members of the Somerville High School Highlander Robotics team in Revere last weekend.

By Rebecca Danvers

Somerville High School Highlander Robotics team notched a final four finish at the latest competition, held in Revere last weekend. Somerville was also awarded the Gracious Professionalism^® award in recognition of their outstanding sportsmanship.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The annual Career & Technical Education (CTE) Fair took place on Saturday, March 25, at the Somerville High School Atrium, 81 Highland Ave.

April 1 is College and Career Day for Somerville Public Schools. Students and families in grades 6-12 are invited to attend the event, which takes place from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Somerville High School.

Meals on Wheels is Effective in Many Ways
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By John O’Neill

(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)

I’ve worked more than 40 years for two non-profit agencies that offer Meals on Wheels, and I feel something needs to be said about the Trump Administration budget director’s comment that cuts in Meals on Wheels for seniors are justified, since the program has not proven to be effective.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Kmart on Middlesex Ave. on reports that a suspicious person had concealed a watch inside a duffel bag.

Upon arrival, the officers met with store loss prevention personnel and were told that the suspect, later identified as William Nelson, had paid for the merchandise.

The Nave Gallery’s “Nave 155” event on April 23 will feature works priced at $155 donated by over 70 artists with proceeds going towards sustaining the gallery. ~Photo by Charles Daniels

By Clara Hudson

The Nave Gallery, Somerville’s beloved home for the arts, is holding a unique sale to rejuvenate the local art scene and keep the gallery running. The event, Nave 155, will feature work donated by over 70 artists on Sunday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m.

All Families are welcome to our registration for the 2017 season on Wednesday, April 5, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Stop & Shop Community Room, 2nd Fl., 799 McGrath Highway.

Nearly 5,000 people attended a rally in support of Somerville’s sanctuary city status in February, and the mayor has reaffirmed the city’s commitment to the policy in spite of recent threats of federal funding cuts.

By Jim Clark

On Monday of this week, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened cities that fail to assist federal immigration authorities with cutting off U.S. Justice Department grants, prompting civic leaders across the country that have established “sanctuary” status in their cities to stand in defiance of the proposed cuts.