May 14 marks the Somerville Union Square Farmers Market’s opening day and to coincide with the start of the season, neighborhood eateries and businesses will be offering specialty items and goods where a percentage of sales will be donated to the Union Square Farmer’s Market SNAP Match program. Now in its sixth year, the program allows SNAP (formerly known as “food stamps”) recipients to use their benefit cards to purchase farmers market tokens giving them healthy, fresh and locally grown food. The Union Square Main Streets organization then matches every dollar, up to $10, and has committed to raising $4,500 to sustain the Farmers Market SNAP Match program during the 2016 season.

The City of Somerville’s Veteran’s Services Department is seeking volunteers to assist with the 2016 Memorial Day Parade on Sun., May 29, one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the region. Volunteers will be assigned to one of five parade divisions, working with parade organizers to line up and assist with needs of the more than 1,000 parade participants. Volunteers will ideally be available for a 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. day, and will accompany their assigned division along the parade route, from City Hall to North St. in Teele Square. To sign up to volunteer, visit http://goo.gl/forms/VmFMrdBam0. For more information, contact the Veterans Service Office at 617-625-6600 ext. 4700.

Retailers invited to learn how to comply with ordinance taking effect this year

The City of Somerville will host four informational sessions aimed at helping businesses learn how to comply with an ordinance that, starting later this year, will ban plastic bags at checkout counters.

Denise Cosby spoke out against domestic violence at the 2nd Annual Walk for Melissa Cowan this weekend.

By Tom Bannister

Denise Cosby, Real Estate Agent for Somerville’s Norton Group and Carol Manaj, superstar Nicki Manaj’s mother, delivered messages on domestic violence at the 2nd Annual Walk for Melissa Cowan on Sunday, May 3 in Lancaster, PA.

— 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.