Somerville’s immigrant population leaves behind home, family and friends to work for a better life. For many, American citizenship brings a sense of pride and security.

The Welcome Project has begun a citizenship class to guide residents along what can be a long path to a Citizenship Ceremony. Learning history and geography are just a part of the process.

Somerville High School students joined Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan at a recent screening at the Woburn Showcase Cinemas hosted by Middlesex Partnerships for Youth (MPY), featuring videos/PSAs titled Teen Dating A to Generation Z: A Guide to Going Out, Breaking Up and Everything in Between.

The City of Somerville Fields Master Planning Report for athletic fields in Somerville is now available online on the city’s website. The report lays out a path for steady rehabilitation of the city’s athletic fields and identifies priorities for a preliminary schedule of major improvements and renovations as well as new field creation and acquisition. Building upon two community meetings on fields master planning held in March 2016, the plan is guided by thoughtful feedback, comments, and constructive criticism from our community members and elected officials, and prepared by an interdisciplinary staff team included data specialists, planners, field managers, landscape architects, engineers and construction managers. The plan may be viewed or downloaded at www.somervillema.gov/fieldsmaster.

East Broadway will come alive with the sights, sounds and spectacle of Carnaval @ SomerStreets.

Due to heavy rains and possible tropical downpours expected on Sunday, the annual street festival Carnaval @ SomerStreets in Somerville is postponed to Saturday, June 11, 2-6 p.m.

This event is being held in honor of Somerville resident Sean P. Curtis, who recently lost his battle with addiction.

By Rebecca Danvers

The Ryan Harrington Foundation is holding a 5k Walk/Run to raise funds to help individuals and families impacted by addiction.

The “JUST ONE” 5k Walk/Run will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 12 at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse located at 32 Shore Drive in Somerville. Same day registration ends at 9:45 a.m. A kids fun run will take place at 9:30 a.m.

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)

One of the biggest challenges Somerville set for itself in the SomerVision community planning process was the creation of 125 new acres of open space. It’s a vitally important goal. In a densely populated city, people need places where they can gather, play and relax. Open spaces give us patches of sanity in a hectic world. Playgrounds give kids place to climb and run.  Public plazas provide the platform for community events. Amidst the concrete and asphalt, we need bursts of green, places where trees and flowers bloom. They are essential to our quality of life. Yet we are are dealing with some extremely constrained geography.

Saturday, June 4 12:00 p.m.- Saturday, June 25 2:00 p.m.

The Somerville Arts Council is teaming up with PA’s Lounge to offer you yet another reason to hit Union Square each Saturday in June.

Each Saturday, a Nibble culinary entrepreneur will be cooking up homemade dishes that they’ve been developing in our Nibble Culinary Entrepreneurship Program. Featuring cuisine from Venezuela, the Philippines, Colombia, and Somalia, come feat upon: Empanadas, Shawarma, Arepas, and refreshing beverages to name a few. Vegetarian options will be available as well! PA’s lounge is only a stone’s throw away from the Union Square Farmers Market, so pack up the rhubarb and purple potatoes and join us for food you won’t find anywhere else. And support our entrepreneurs as they develop their business models and test menus! Opens at 12 pm until 2 or food sells out. Four Saturdays. Four Flavors.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Home Depot store on Mystic Ave. last week on reports that store loss prevention personnel were struggling with a suspected shoplifter who was attempting to evade capture and arrest.

By Josie Grove

Somerville’s Union Square could soon be the site of a cannabis dispensary.

A 2012 ballot question opened the gates for medical marijuana, but the city imposed a temporary moratorium on dispensaries and other medical marijuana treatment facilities until the city could figure out how to address this new type of business in its zoning laws.

Lawrence Otis Smithe

Lawrence Otis Smithe passed away suddenly on May 31st 2016. He was 64 years old.

Lawrence was the beloved husband of Deborah (Roach) Smithe. He was the son of the late Otis and Marianna (DiGiovani) Smithe. Lawrence was the loving father of Lawrence Russell Smithe and his wife Janet of Milford, NH, Russell Otis Smithe and his wife Michelle of Derry, NH, and Julie Rachel Russell and her husband Chris of Derry, NH. He was the dear brother of Russell Joseph Smithe and Shirley Chapski. Lawrence was the cherished grandfather of Devan and Michael Smithe, Talia Smithe, and Nolan and Cole Russell. He was the loving uncle of Jessica Carnevale and great uncle of Roman Carnevale. He is also survived by many other nieces and nephews.