Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone invites residents to the Spring 2016 ResiStat Community Meetings, a twice-yearly effort to share the latest City news and neighborhood updates directly with residents and gather their feedback. ResiStat is more than a great way to get an overview of what’s happening specifically in your neighborhood as well as citywide. The social time before and after the meetings also offer an easy opportunity to talk one-on-one to the Mayor, your Aldermen, and City staff and police—and to connect with your neighbors. (there is pizza served and kid-friendly, healthy snacks to make it more fun to come and chat.)

By Charles Lane

Now that medical marijuana is legal in Massachusetts, the City of Somerville has established a Medical Marijuana Treatment Facility Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the city’s Department of Health and Human Services, the Planning Department, and the Police Department.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The 3rd Annual Band Festival took place last Wednesday from 1:00–2:30 p.m. at East Somerville Community School. Bands from all the Somerville Public Schools got together to perform. Presented by Richard Saunders, Director of Music, Somerville Public Schools and Somerville Public Schools Superintendent, Mary Skipper.

2016 Rumble Finals happen Friday night at ONCE Ballroom, with Worshipper + Weakened Friends + wildcard usLights facing off in what will surely be a night of rock & roll revelry. Special guest band Scissorfight power up a new mountain metal machine after 10 years in exile.

Join the Somerville Community Growing Center in celebrating Earth Day on Friday with outdoor films and on Sunday for picnic fun.

Friday April 22, Outdoor Film Screening Plant this Movie and Soil Carbon Cowboys co-sponsored by Somerville Climate Action, SCATV & Fossil Free Somerville

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)

A world without art is madness. Fortunately Somerville has a thriving arts community that breathes vitality and sanity into our city. But if we don’t plan an arts and maker community into our future, we risk losing it. It can be difficult for artists to find the space they need in a small, in-demand city. That’s why we wrote incentives to support the arts and maker communities right into our proposed zoning code. Think of it as a very dull way to do something exciting—and critical.

This past Saturday night the Little Sisters of the Poor held their annual dinner fundraiser at the home. A large crowd again over 300 attended. Pictured here (L to R): Gene Brune, Mother Superior, Maureen, Alderman at Large Bill White and Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

On Saturday, April 16, more than 300 youth attended the 10th Annual Somerville Youth Peace Conference at the East Somerville Community School.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro and Donald Norton

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 1 Alderman Matt McLaughlin, and the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission invited all residents and community members to the City’s 241st annual Patriot’s Day celebration, held at Foss Park on Monday, April 18 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

The proposed design alternatives for the Community Path would bring down costs, but many are asking if there is too much compromise built into the plan.

By Josie Grove

At the latest presentation about the redesigned Green Line Extension, MassDOT and its consultants presented a redesigned Community Path featuring nearly $80 million in savings. “The cost of the path turned out to be $100 million. $10,000 per linear foot, or $53 million per mile,” said Jack Wright, the interim project manager. The redesigned path will cost around $20 million.