Tufts University provided Somerville’s youth soccer and lacrosse programs with access to more than 600 hours of playing time on its athletic fields this spring sports season in an effort to help address a shortage of city fields. The arrangement continues Tufts’ commitment to supporting the youth of the university’s host communities.

Nonprofit Human Service Agency Will Move to 291 Mystic Avenue  Due To MBTA Eminent Domain

Walnut Street Center, a premier nonprofit human service agency that provides comprehensive supports to adults with intellectual disabilities, is relocating to a new building, in Medford MA, at 291 Mystic Avenue. The new building, which is a 42,000 square foot, one-level, fully handicap accessible space, will be completely renovated into a state-of-the-art facility and will be a positive upgrade for the Walnut Street team and the individuals supported. The move will serve as an opportunity for Walnut Street Center to expand to the Metro North service area, and the new building renovations will provide a chance to integrate some exciting service opportunities. The ground-breaking for the building renovations will take place this month, on May 26, 2016 from 10am – 12pm at the new building location and is expected to be attended by Medford’s mayor Stephanie Burke, the Somerville ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) coordinator Betsy Allen, and more.

750 Healthy trees to receive ash borer prevention treatments; 150 sickly ash trees proposed for removal and replacement; Public hearing on proposed removals May 25th

With the potential for emerald ash borer infestation on the rise locally, the City of Somerville is taking preventive measures to stop the spread of the destructive pest to avoid potential tree loss. Efforts include preventive treatments for healthy ash trees and the proposed removal and replacement of sickly ash trees to avert subsequent widespread infestation.

~Photo by Claudia Ferro

The Somerville Sunsetters are coming to a street near you! The Sunsetters, a traveling youth performance troupe that performs classic show tunes and modern musicals in Somerville neighborhoods throughout July and August, is now booking shows for the summer 2016 season. Residents interested in hosting a performance in your neighborhood should contact Jackie Rossetti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2614, or JRossetti@somervillema.gov. Performances are held Monday through Thursday evenings, 7 to 8 p.m., in July and August. Some blackout dates apply. Performance slots fill up quickly, so book yours today!

New indoor turf in town

This spring, the Founders Memorial Ice Rink has a new look. The winter surface has been replaced with artificial turf. More than $67,000 was spent to install the temporary turf that will add field space for the spring and summer months.

Are you interested in learning more about the proposed rebuilding of Somerville High School? Join the Somerville High School Building Committee (SBC) and Mayor Curtatone at the May 23, SBC meeting to hear about the proposed option, “4b,” its current design, and additional options being discussed.

~Photos by Donald Norton and Kevin Dickinson

Saturday, May 14, marked the Somerville Union Square Farmers Market’s opening day and to coincide with the start of the season, neighborhood eateries and businesses offered specialty items and goods where a percentage of sales were donated to the Union Square Farmer’s Market SNAP Match program.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

A Nutrition Fair was held Thursday, May 12 at the Council On Aging’s Holland Street Center from. Health screenings, food demonstrations, healthy eating tips and more was offered. A healthy lunch was offered after the fair.

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)

The Green Line Extension (GLX) is alive because you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Your overwhelming support for the project—for years—made all the difference last week. On May 9, your collective voices helped convince the MassDOT Board of Directors and the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board to pull it out of the fire. The boards voted unanimously to build the GLX. The stations may be leaner, and the Community Path shorter than we’d hoped. But every stop on the project through College Ave. is a go. Let me say that again: the GLX is a go.

The Veterans’ Commission on Monuments, Memorials and Dedications, in cooperation with Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Department of Veterans Services, announce Somerville’s 2^nd annual “Heroes Salute” Ceremony, inducting nine Somerville veterans to the city’s ”Heroes Square” program. The Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 21, at 11 a.m., at the Somerville High School Auditorium, in conjunction with national Armed Forces Day.