— Photo by Josie Grove

By Josie Grove

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, and Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, met with press Friday morning to answer questions  related to yesterday’s joint announcement with the City of Cambridge regarding the communities’ expected combined contribution of $75 million (subject to Alderman and City Council approval), for the GLX.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

Thursday evening around 9 p.m. fire broke out and escalated to 3 alarms at 20-24 Rush Street . One person suffered minor injuries.

Friday crews were on site to investigate and  try to save what they could for the 11 families displaced.

The fire is under investigation.

Friday crews try to collect what belongings they can for the families displaced.

This year two “Jane’s Walks” are happening to celebrate the 100th birthday of Jane Jacobs, an urban activist and writer renowned throughout the world. “Explore the Emerging Environs of Magoun Square” on Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. – noon, beginning at the CVS Plaza. The route will continue along Lowell St. to Hudson St. and Benton Road, and end at the “Highland Ave. Hot Block.”

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)

Beacon Street reconstruction is finally getting underway. Crews start work on the site on May 9. We need this. It’s not just that the upcoming reconstruction of Beacon Street will improve conditions for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike. Freshening up this major streetscape and making it better to bike and walk should infuse it with new street life and knit these 1.4 miles of roadway more tightly into our community.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Artisan’s Asylum, at 10 Tyler Street, opened its doors to the public last weekend as part of Somerville Open Studios. Twice a year, they open our doors to the public. Visitors checked out individual maker studios, watched plasma cut metal, picked up unique gifts at the maker market, and watched epic robot battles throughout the weekend.

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Cambridge City Manager Richard C. Rossi released the following statement today regarding the Green Line Extension:

Today the Cities of Somerville and Cambridge Massachusetts are pleased to make this important announcement of our continued support for and commitment of new funds to bridge the funding gap that will allow the construction of the Green Line Extension Project (GLX) to move forward.

— Courtesy of Somerville Little League

Somerville Little League’s Opening Day ceremonies were held on Saturday. Longstanding coach John Roderick summed it up best: “Today was the 65th Opening Day for Somerville Little League. The League honored several friends: Bob Schofield, for his years of coaching in Babe Ruth and SLL baseball; Sean Fitzgerald, who has served as a member of the League Board for the past five years and coached both Minors and Majors; and a special posthumous award to the family of Fred Caruso, who passed away in mid-March. Fred had been involved with Somerville Little League since 1960, including four terms as League President. In addition to that, he served for 25 years as the District 12 (Eastern Massachusetts) Administrator, our local representative to Williamsport.”

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Rite Aid store on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of an alleged shoplifter engaging in theft of store property at that location.

The officers were informed that the suspect, later identified as Domingo Peters, of Cambridge, had walked his bicycle into the store with him. Upon arrival, the officers had no trouble locating Peters as he was the only one in the store who had a bicycle with him.

‘Villens United by Chris Haskell

Other neighborhoods in the ‘Ville have hip brewpubs and speakeasy style bars that have become destinations for beer lovers and fun local hangouts, but Winter Hill has stubbornly clung to what’s left of Old Somerville (or Slumerville). Pizza joints, sub shops, pharmacies and liquor stores are all scattered a top Winter Hill, but there is no cool neighborhood bar or hangout. Not much seemed to have changed since the Whitey Bulger era. Beer enthusiasts had very little reason to hike up the hill until Winter Hill Brewery opened its doors in early April.

New version includes Waste Wizard to help solve trash, recycling questions

The City of Somerville is launching an improved 311 mobile app that puts a positive spin on leaving residents to their own devices. With just a few clicks, the new app now relays non-emergency complaints directly from residents to the responsible city departments, and also includes a “Waste Wizard” that provides key information on recycling and trash pickups.