By Manna Parker

Outdoor pianos are gracing Boston’s streets once again this fall! Around sixty pianos painted and decorated by local artists and community groups will be placed around Boston for the public’s enjoyment from September 23rd to October 10.

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982 according to the American Library Association. Check out some of the banned books online at: http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/about.

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)

There’s no shortage of national news these days with the Presidential election kicking into high gear, but the biggest thing happening in Somerville this week is our kids are starting their new school year. My sons are now in grades 8, 6, 5 and 3 (my wife Nancy deserves a medal) and we’re going through the annual ritual of getting new clothes and school supplies while trying to switch our boys from summer mode to school mode. As a parent, this is one of the most hectic weeks of the year.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to a Jay St. location at around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday on reports of a motor vehicle break-in in progress.

According to reports, a glove-wearing suspect was spotted checking door handles of cars parked on Howard St. by the reporting party, who stated that the man walked towards Jay Street and continued to check door handles of cars parked there, then entered a parked SUV.

The Somerville Times submitted five questions to the candidates for State Representative Twenty-sixth Middlesex District, along with the opportunity to include a short bio/statement. The following answers were submitted by the candidates (presented in alphabetical order by last name):

Mike Connolly
*

Bio:

I am an attorney, a community organizer, and a proud progressive Democrat running for State Representative in East Somerville and parts of the Union Square area.

Legislation to help improve the safety and well being of domestic pets has been signed into law at the State House.

By Rebecca Danvers

Last week, Governor Charlie Baker ceremoniously signed An Act preventing animal suffering and death (S. 2369), which prohibits the confinement of animals to vehicles where they are subject to danger from extreme weather conditions, limits the length animals can be tethered outdoors, and enables first responders and bystanders to assist in their rescue.

David John Santucci, 33, died on August 26th at home in Medford, MA. He was a special man: smart, honorable, hardworking , considerate, and giving.
David, a licensed builder, worked many years with his father John and for a brief time with his grandfather Sisto Santucci. He was very proud of his affiliate membership in the Massachusetts Building Commissioners & Inspectors Association (MBCIA).

Much needed infrastructure improvements on the city’s water and sewer systems are being cited as the main reason for the surprise additional fee showing up on resident’s water bills, according to Acting Water and Sewer Superintendent Mark Lawhorne. — Photo courtesy of Somerville Neighborhood News

By Amy Swain

The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting last Thursday, August 25. It was the first meeting since the end of July, and there were some big issues on the table.

The meeting opened with Mayor Curtatone giving an update on the Wynn Casino project. The city had appealed licenses on the building project, citing that some of its allowances were unprecedented and arbitrary. Particularly the length of the license and the lack of effort on the part of the state to assist with increased traffic and pollution.

Your 2016 Yawkee Baseball League Champions, Somerville Alibrandis.

By Mark Desroches
Courtesy of Yawkee Baseball League

Anything is possiblllllllllllle…move over Boston Celtics there is a new local franchise who can boast 17 Championship Titles. In Game 4 the Somerville Alibrandis franchise was able to win 7-4 completing the series sweep and winning the 2016 Yawkey League Championship. Somerville has been to the YBL Finals 17 times in its history and they have won every single time, 17-0.

The Somerville Times submitted five questions to the candidates for State Senate Second Middlesex District, along with the opportunity to include a short bio/statement. The following answers were submitted by the candidates (presented in alphabetical order by last name):

Leland Cheung
*

 Bio:

My father immigrated here in 1969 and taught me the importance of civic activism, giving back to community, and participating in democracy. My parents also taught me the importance of hard work and investing in education, which led to my degrees from Stanford, Harvard, and MIT. Before joining the Cambridge City Council I was an entrepreneur and investor, helping develop the innovation economy and making sure it works for us.