PorchFest 2016 is coming to a stoop or balcony near you this coming weekend.

By Kelly Anderson 

If you are looking for free live music this weekend, you may not have to look further than your neighbor’s front porch.

Somerville’s annual PorchFest is returning on Saturday, May 21. Musicians and bands will perform all afternoon on porches, stoops and in yards for passersby to stop and enjoy. The porch is a classic American venue for neighbors to strum a guitar, and PorchFest aims to multiply that experience by the dozen.

(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)

Are more charter schools headed for Somerville?

A proposal to change the state rules on where new charter schools can set up shop is attracting concern in Somerville because the city would have to pay for them.

John Fallon, father of Somerville Police Chief David Fallon passes

John J. Fallon , of Somerville, formerly of North Cambridge. Passed away peacefully on May 16, 2016, at home surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of 53 years to Mary E. Fallon (Ames). Loving father of John Kieran Fallon of Yarmouth, Karen C. Fallon-Boskovic of Winchester, David R. Fallon of West Medford, Patrick Fallon of Centerville, and Laura Fallon-Buonopane of Andover. Cherished grandfather of Kiera Rose, Jack, Fallon, Riley, Lucy, Mary, Luka, Avery, and Mae. Dear brother of Kieran, Margaret, Eleanor, and the late Richard, Joe, Jimmy, and Brian. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

The Board of Alderman received the report of the Land Use Committee’s discussions and findings regarding the new zoning overhaul for the City of Somerville.

By Jim Clark

The Land Use Committee made its presentation to the Somerville Board of Aldermen at their regular meeting last Thursday, reporting on its discussions concerning the impact of the new zoning overhaul in relation to jobs and the overall economic impact on the city.

Somerville Police Chief David Fallon reported on the state of crime prevention and other matters concerning the safety and welfare of Ward 7 residents at last week’s ResiStat meeting.

By Amy Swain

Last Wednesday, May 11, residents and officials of Ward 7 gathered at the West Somerville Neighborhood School for the semi-annual ResiStat meeting.

The meeting opened with Chief David Fallon of the Somerville Police Department reviewing recent crime statistics. Most common crimes were down, including theft from motor vehicles, which dropped from 34 to only 9 this year. Death from opioid overdose was also down from last year, but unfortunately overdoses themselves continue to rise.

The Beacon St. Reconstruction Project officially kicked off on Monday. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Charles Lane

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) conducted the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Beacon St. Reconstruction Project Monday morning.

On Thursday, May 19, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan, who is originally from Somerville, is having a fundraiser starting at 5:30 over at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Her campaign coordinator here in the city Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters has let us know he is looking for a good showing from Somerville. Marian Ryan is doing a great job as District Attorney working hard here in both Somerville as well as Middlesex County. We supported her in her very first election bid for the seat back couple of years ago and see that she has done a great job representing Middlesex County.

By Donald F. Norton

Well known matriarch of the Hart family, Mary Kane-Hart, mother, nurse and friend to many was surprised this past Sunday at Kitty’s in North Reading when her family threw her a surprise 70th birthday party.

Peter Wolf blew away the crowd at The Somerville Theatre last Thursday night. — Photo by Matt Stone

By Daniel Sullivan

When I heard that Peter Wolf, front man for the legendary J. Geils Band, would be performing at the Somerville Theatre on Thursday night, May 12, I got tickets right away.

Chris Pino and Casey Revilla celebrated Somerville High’s Senior Prom at the Boston Cambridge Marriot Friday night.