After three years at the helm of the Somerville Public Schools’ newest music program, El Sistema Somerville’s first program director Diane Cline will be leaving the program and embarking on a “Year of Donations” project. She will be leaving her full-time position as Director of the program effective June 30, 2015. Motivated by a desire to pursue new creative endeavors, Ms. Cline will immediately embark on her new project which includes playing and teaching engagements in the Azores Islands, Colombia, Scotland, and the Greater Boston area.

Erica Voolich and Jay Lander congratulate Elliot Rippe, Connie Chan, Jenni Matthews, Briana Lino and Emily Kate O’Brien on winning Somerville Math Fund renewable scholarships for outstanding work in math & science.

By Rebecca Danvers

The Somerville Mathematics Fund recently announced the winners of their renewable mathematics scholarships for 2015. The Math Fund was founded to celebrate and encourage math achievement and these students deserve to be celebrated for their work in math and science while in high school.

With summer right around the corner Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan is launching MDAO’s annual “Summer Safety” educational campaign for parents, caretakers, and children.

It’s beautiful weather for a bike tour. The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, The Somerville Bicycle Committee, and Groundwork Somerville are teaming up to present the 2015 Somerville Historic Bike Tour. Departing from City Hall on Sunday, June 28 from 2 to 5 p.m., this ride is for people of all ages and riding abilities to explore food, flowers, and farming in our city. Join in to see the sights and enjoy light refreshments at Aeronaut Brewing Company afterwards. $3 donation appreciated.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Second graders at East Somerville Community School took part in a Readers Theatre event on Monday, June 15, by reading aloud childhood stories.

Enjoy a day of canoeing and cleaning up the Mystic River by joining in the water chestnut pull on Saturday, June 27.

Community water chestnut hand-pulling events scheduled
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By Tom Bannister

As part of these efforts, On Saturday, June 27, July 18, and August 8 the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) will host community events focusing on the removal of invasive water chestnut from the Mystic River from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

By Patrick McDonagh

Hack Cycle has taken over Somerville’s Nave Art Gallery. The show is the product of artist and curator Melissa Glick’s call to artists months prior opening reception, looking for inventive use of recycled technology and material otherwise heading for landfill.

Here are the latest ‎ Somerville Neighborhood News headlines from SNN #42:

The City is looking to replace two outdated and undersized fire stations. Is 515 Somerville Ave. the right location? Reporter Giullian Frendak looks at the pros and cons.

The Somerville Rotary Club presented scholarships last week to Brenda Nguyen and Vanna Loue, both recent graduates of Somerville High School and both attending Simmons College in the fall and majoring in physical therapy. Presenting the scholarships are Foundation Treasurer Jeannie Scarpa, Club President Jenison Wallace, and Foundation President Paul Kaufman. The Somerville Rotary Club was founded in 1923 and has been giving scholarships to local students for over 80 years.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

East Somerville kicked off summer and the 2015 SomerStreets season last week with the sixth edition of SomerStreets: Carnaval. People took over East Broadway for an afternoon of dancing, playing music, hula hooping, drawing chalk art, and more. But events like SomerStreets are more than great parties and great opportunities for enjoying healthy ways to get active. They bring people together, build community and are a source of pride for our neighborhoods; if there was one takeaway from Carnaval, it was: “This Is East!” And SomerStreets in particular speaks to one of our shared values and hopes. As our city evolves and we strive to meet the community’s goals of more public space in the most densely populated city in New England, we believe the design and function of our public spaces, streets and otherwise, should be people-centric.