Robbins, who was forced to move out of Somerville recently because of high rents, talked of the gentrification of our burg, her musical background, and the offerings of her artistic, musical and performance center. Although she no longer lives in Somerville she still maintains this vibrant center for artistic expression.

Due to the threat of severe storms this evening, as well as the extreme heat today, the Sunsetters performance on Fremont Ave. has been cancelled

Walking Dialogues with Police, Youth and Community 2016 continue in Ward 3 Tuesday night. — Photo by Donald Norton

The Somerville Police Department and The Center for Teen Empowerment, Inc. have teamed up again this summer on a series of walking dialogues. These dialogues offer an informal way for community members, especially young people, to meet with police and discuss things going on in their neighborhoods.

The picture is of Comicazi clerk Alex Roy. Mr. Howard is camera shy.

I interviewed Bob Howard, general operations manager of Comicazi Comics in Davis Square, Somerville about the very serious art of comic books. My knowledge of the genre does not go far beyond Archie and Friends, and Dondi– in the New York Daily News. I got an education.

Somerville Community Access Television has released the candidate profiles recently taped at their studios in Somerville, MA.

The candidate profiles are for:

Incumbent state Senator Patricia Jehlen (D) and Cambridge City Councillor Leland Cheung (D) who are running for the 2^nd Middlesex Senate district seat representing Somerville, Medford, and sections of Cambridge and Winchester. Jehlen and Cheung face off in the state primary Thursday, September 8, 2016.https://youtu.be/Rxtzm6nhe8U

Check out the latest headlines from the Somerville Neighborhood News #66. Gun Buy Back Promotes Public Health and Community Outreach: Sometimes they’re inherited, sometimes left behind, unwanted guns in a home can be an accident waiting to happen. Through gun buy back programs police are giving residents a safe and anonymous way to get firearms out of the house. Somerville’s Circus is in Town: The Somerville rail yard used to be a stepping off point for the Greatest Show on Earth. Now Circus Arts are finding a home right here in the ‘Ville. One center for circus arts trains aerialists and acrobats and another needs nothing more than hats and mats to make circus magic.

SCES peer counselor Marina Colonas (right) recently spoke at the State House about how Older Adult Peer Specialists can provide a unique connection for clients coping

By Louise Carpenter

Marina Colonas has been at the forefront of a new trend for helping older adults cope with mental health issues over the past year, and she discussed those experiences at a recent event at the State House.

Colonas is a Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (COAPS), a relatively new designation that specializes in drawing on personal experiences of mental health recovery to work with older adults. Having experienced firsthand some of the common hurdles to accessing traditional supports, Colonas said the peer approach has a unique appeal.

Please see the following road closure and other information related to the city’s annual ArtBeat Festival this Friday evening and Saturday in Davis Square.

The festival will begin Friday evening, July 15, from 6 to 10 p.m. with live music in Seven Hills Park. All roads will remain open on Friday. On Saturday, July 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., craft vendors, live music on several stages, and local artists will set up throughout Davis Square. The events are free, though a small donation is suggested. For Saturday’s festival, several road closures and detours will apply as follows:

Due to the mid-term resignation of Ward 6 School Committee member Paul Bockelman, who has accepted the position of Town Manager of Amherst, MA, the Board of Aldermen has approved a special election schedule to fill the Ward 6 School Committee seat. The preliminary election will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2016, followed by the general election on Tuesday, December 6, 2016

By William C. Shelton

(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)

From time to time acquaintances email me quotations that they find meaningful. They are succinct expressions of wisdom or humor, usually from philosophical or literary sources. Interestingly, I’ve never received a quote from science fiction sources, even though the best of science fiction writers are on a par with those of any other genre.