On Wednesday, August 31, the Matahari Women Workers’ Center will host the conversation, “Uplifting Women Workers & Families: Cambridge & Somerville Candidates’ Roundtable.”

Candidates who have confirmed their participation in the roundtable:

• Candidates for 2nd Middlesex District Senate seat: incumbent Senator Pat Jehlen and Cambridge City Councillor Leland Cheung

• Candidates for the 26th Middlesex District House seat: incumbent Representative Tim Toomey and attorney and community organizer Mike Connolly

First Day of School for all students in grades 1-12 is Wednesday, August 31, 2016.  First day of school for pre-K and K students is Tuesday, September 6.

Ordinance prohibits retailers from providing customers with single-use plastic bags at checkout

Beginning Sept. 1, single-use plastic bags will be banned at checkout points throughout the City. The ban is the result of an ordinance – passed by the Board of Aldermen in Nov. 2015 – aimed at reducing solid waste and protecting waterways and other aspects of the environment.

A man riding his bike at a railroad crossing at Park St. in Somerville on Sunday afternoon was reportedly hit and killed by a commuter rail train.

Meals on Wheels driver Guillermo Gonzalez pictured here with Community Meals Program Director Deb McLean.

By Guillermo Gonzalez

I became a Meals-on-Wheels driver in 2010, not really expecting the social and spiritual impact I’d experience from joining that very special community.

Working as a driver for Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) was among the most pleasant experiences in my lifetime. I love to be in contact with people, listening to their problems, their emotions and their deeds. It was always interesting, that reflection of what I am or what I am not.

This week on Somerville Neighborhood News we learn more about Water and Sewer Charge: a Surprise for Homeowners by Ciara Speller.

If you are a Somerville homeowner who has not checked your latest water or sewer bill, you might want to.

(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)

To the Editor:

The fight against the addiction epidemic in Somerville is a true community effort. We all have a role to play in ending the overdoses, reversing the stigma, and supporting those who are struggling with addiction or who are in recovery. Our elected leaders must be a part of these efforts, and in this election season it’s important to support the people who have shown that they are personally invested in this fight. I know that Tim Toomey is one of those people.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck visited Assembly Row on Saturday. Visitors met the truck across the way from the AMC Theater between and picked up some super-cute treats and merchandise.

By 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)

One of the core goals of Shape Up Somerville is to help everyone have the chance to eat fresh, healthy food. It’s a simple concept, but a difficult one to put into practice. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found only one in 10 Americans eats enough fruit and vegetables. We’d like to do better than that here in Somerville, a lot better than that.