Dispose of unwanted prescription medication at one of three sites in Somerville.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Health and Human Services, Police and Fire Departments announced today that, in collaboration with the efforts of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the “National Prescription Drug Take-Back” program, Somerville will celebrate “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” on Saturday, April 30. The focus of the National event is to raise awareness to prevent prescription drug abuse, pollution and theft. Residents are invited to bring unused pills for disposal to one of three sites in the community:

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)

It’s difficult to comprehend the speed and extent to which our beloved city is changing, while the people who built and made it so attractive are being priced out. And it’s difficult to convey how much impact instituting a transfer fee with revenues dedicated to permanently affordable housing could have on those conditions.

“Woman With Purple Hair” by George Teshu, one of dozens of local artists who are opening their studios to the public this weekend during Somerville Open Studios.

By Jim Clark

Local artists and crafters from around the city are once more opening their work spaces to the public as the 2016 edition of Somerville Open Studios gets underway this weekend.

By Jim Clark

A call went out to patrol cars on duty shortly after midnight last Monday to be on the lookout for a red pickup truck that was involved in an alleged hit-and-run incident.

According to reports, the vehicle hit a car and subsequently fled the scene.

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)

It really shouldn’t require a special act by the state legislature to open up a local business, but that is exactly our situation when it comes to restaurants in Somerville. If you want to serve dinner and you want to be profitable, most restaurants really need a liquor license of some sort. The problem is that the Commonwealth caps the number of available liquor licenses in Somerville and every other community. The limit stems from a Prohibition-era law that isn’t capable of growing with us as we reinvigorate our city squares and business corridors like East Somerville and transform old industrial areas like Brickbottom. Our diversity, artistic bent and bustling community have made Somerville a bit of a destination in this region. Our eclectic mix of excellent restaurants has formed a local industry that generates more than $300 million annually. Its revenues grow by double digits every year.

Effort seeks to gather demographics, housing status, and story of youth without stable housing 

Nationally and locally there is a lack of comprehensive information about homeless youth. But an effort is underway to gain a clearer understanding of the demographics, housing status, and story of youth without a stable place to stay on any given night in area communities including Somerville.

While the use of plastic bags by retailers’ days may be numbered, some are also questioning the practicality of continued use of paper bags as well.

By Margaux Maxwell

Shoppers in nearby Cambridge started bringing their own shopping bags on March 31 when Cambridge became the largest East Coast City to enforce a ban on plastic bags. This fall, Somerville will enact its own ban on plastic.

Major renovation for the West Branch Public Library may be getting underway soon if the Board of Aldermen approves the CPA funds earmarked for the project.

By Josie Grove

The Board of Aldermen will soon vote on a $2.5 million bond to renovate the historic core of the West Branch Library, along with nine other projects to be paid for with revenue from the Community Preservation Act.

Tufts University played host to Jordanian entrepreneur Fadi Ghandour, who offered his analysis of the business climate in the Middle East.

By Sal Ghamo

On April 21 at 5:30 pm, The Fletcher School at Tufts University invited Jordanian entrepreneur Fadi Ghandour to analyze the role business and entrepreneurship plays in creating significant change in the Middle East. Ghandour is responsible for founding Aramex, an international express, mail delivery and logistics services company based in Dubai.

Artisan’s Asylum, 10 Tyler Street, Open Studios and Maker Market is this weekend from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1. Twice a year, they open our doors to the public. Check out individual maker studios, watch plasma cut metal, pick up unique gifts at the maker market, and watch epic robot battles throughout the weekend. Friday 6:00–9:00 p.m. select studios showing, Saturday 12:00–6:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00–6:00 p.m. Jewelry, furniture, drawings, wearable art and more on sale. Fabrication demos in community shops including metal casting, enameling, 3D printing, and more. Tours of the 40,000 square ft. facility at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For tickets and information about Artisan Studios www.artisansasylum.com.