Somerville Neighborhood News is a production of Somerville Community Access Television, made by professional journalists, volunteers and staff. The half-hour news show has as its mission to provide a lively, informative newscast focusing on the events, issues and information impacting Somerville residents. In episode #58 of Somerville Neighborhood News we explore: the many affordable housing proposals on the table, find out more about the middle school health survey results and more.

By Charles Lane

3rd place medalist Phillips Magre.

It’s been a great season for the Boys Indoor Track Team. Undefeated (5-0) during the regular season, the 2016 Indoor GBL Champions also won the Greater Boston League Meet with SHS champions crowned 10 of 13 events.

By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

They say to be true to your school, but Somerville High School is still essentially the same building complex it was when I was a student there more than 30 years ago. With the main section of the high school having been built in the late 1800s, and no major renovations since the 1920s (though some of the “new” portions of the building date back to the 1950s), it is certainly no secret that our beloved high school needs some serious attention. Even the newest section, the Eugene C. Brune Field House, is coming up on its 30th anniversary. Simply put, the high school campus long ago saw its best days and we can’t go very far into the future with these buildings as they’re currently constructed.

By Louise Carpenter

#666, Youdine Felix, who finished 4th place in the Dash.

The Somerville High Girls Track Team competed in the MIAA Division 2 State Meet on Wednesday, February 10 at the Reggie Lewis Center.

Leading the way for the Highlanders was Senior Gabrielle Etienne who won the Shot Put with a throw of 39′ .25″. This is the second State Championship for Gabrielle as she won the Division 1 Outdoor Shot Put last spring. Her winning throw last spring was 38’0″. Gabrielle will represent Somerville High School at the State Finals on Saturday, February 20 at the Reggie Lewis Center. The meet will start at 9:30 a.m.

~Photos by Van Hardy
Beloved Welcome Project Director Warren Goldstein-Gelb suffered a disabling stroke in September. Last week hundreds of ‘Villens gathered at the Aeronaut Brewery for a benefit to support his family and his extensive rehabilitation expenses. Contributions may be made at http://www.plumfund.com/medical-fund/warren-aid

By Sal Ghamo

The New Somerville High School Building project met last week and voted to approve the submission of the Preliminary Design Plans proposal to the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

For those of you who may have been out of the loop these past couple weeks, perhaps hiding from the snow, you should know that plans are thawing for The New Somerville High School Building project.

By Haley ED Houseman

Exactly where and in what form a medical marijuana dispensary in Somerville will be realized is still largely undetermined, but headway is being made as city planners and administrators embrace the challenge of making the proposed facility a reality.

With medical marijuana now legal in Massachusetts, Somerville is examining its city ordinances to permit a possible site in the downtown area. While state ordinances call for a dispensary to be 500 ft. from facilities that serve children, in Somerville this would relegate the facilities to the to the fringe of commercial areas.

By Louise Carpenter

What’s purple, green, gold and smiles all over? On Tuesday, February 9, the Jeanne Jugan Residence and Little Sisters of the Poor, in preparation for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season, celebrated Mardi Gras in full regalia with its residents, staff and Sisters all getting involved in the celebration.

Coming on March 11, “Flashback Friday” at the Somerville City Club. Do you still have that poodle skirt? Maybe your bellbottoms and platform shoes? What about those ripped jeans or hammer pants? Break them out! Take a journey back in time and dance the night away to songs from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Costume dress optional. Join in on Friday, March 11, 7:00-11:00 p.m. at Somerville City Club, 20 Innerbelt Rd., Somerville. Tickets are $15. There will be a cash bar, raffle tickets and 50/50’s. Adults only. All proceeds benefit The Somerville PTA Scholarship Dinner Dance. For tickets, email Kristine Vallery at afaspta@yahoo.com.

‘Villens United by Chris Haskell

(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)

The term “anti-intellectualism” is a description of the growing dismissal of facts, science, and logic by many Americans in favor of personal belief, opinion, and misinformation. Man has traveled to the moon and back yet there are still people to this day that truly believe that the earth is flat. No joke. They call themselves The Flat Earth Society and they believe that “round earth theory” is an elaborate hoax perpetrated upon humanity.