Comments accepted through  May 4 on Community Choice Aggregation Plan Draft

In an effort to both lower the cost of electricity bills as well as introduce green power options into our energy supply, the City of Somerville is proposing the creation of a citywide electricity bulk buying program known as community choice aggregation. Also referred to as municipal aggregation, such programs allow cities to pool the citywide energy buying power of all interested customers in the city to obtain community-wide benefits.

The Somerville Recreation Department invites residents of all ages for a free “Day of Play” on the new, indoor turf field at the Founder’s Memorial Rink on Somerville Ave. On Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Recreation Department will host games for kids of all ages, soccer, relay races, dodge ball, and more, FREE! The ice at Founders Rink, located at 570 Somerville Ave., has been temporarily transformed into an indoor turf field for the spring and summer seasons, and can accommodate sports, free play, and is available to rent for private events. The rink will be converted back to an ice rink in September 2016. For more information on the event, and on how to rent the facility, visit www.somervillerec.com.

By David Gibbs

(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)

Back when SomerVision planners asked Villens what they loved most about their city, the two biggest responses were “community” and “diversity.” Skyrocketing housing costs are reducing our economic diversity, and the displacement of long-term residents is unraveling our community.

Boston Emissions presents 2016 Rock & Roll Rumble Semifinals Night #1 with Worshipper, Abbie Barret, usLights, Eric Salt & The Electric City on Friday, April 15, and Night #2 with Weakened Friends, Salem Wolves, Analog Heart, The Devil’s Twins on Saturday, April 16 at ONCE Lounge and Ballroom, 156 Highland Avenue, Somerville. Doors: 8:00 p.m., show: 9:00 p.m. (ends at 1:00 a.m.) each night. $13 in advance, $18 day of show. Online ticket sales: http://www.ticketfly.com/event/1091467. In association with Cuisine en Locale. Phone 617-285-0167 for more info.

(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)

Dear Editor,

I am humbled by the support of the many people from Somerville who stuck it out for nearly four hours to participate in the 7th Congressional District Bernie Sanders caucus on Saturday, April 9.  It took three very stressful ballots, but the effort was worth it. I was elected as a delegate to represent our district and Bernie Sanders at the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia, July 25 – 28, 2016.

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 telltale signs that spring is upon us are all around: longer days, daffodils, leaf buds forming on the trees. Yet in Somerville we have additional signs of spring: our streets fill up with bicycles and our sidewalks fill up with pedestrians. We have built a city where you can get around without a car and that is exactly what people do when the weather gets warmer. Yet that also means we’ve got vehicles, bikes and people on foot trying to get where they’re going in a congested space. People’s attention slips and tempers flare. What we want is everyone to arrive at their destination safely and my challenge to everyone (including myself) is to put courtesy first while we’re doing it.

By Margaux Maxwell

Q’s Nuts are making a splash all over Somerville and the Greater Boston area.

Tucked away on Highland Avenue near Davis Square, Q’s Nuts is a tiny store packed with shelves of roasted nuts from all over the world. Mexican Chocolate Cashews, Brazil Nuts, and Yerba Mate Chocolate Almonds are just a few of the flavors overflowing behind the glass. These are not the typical nut flavors you find at Fenway Park. Almost four years ago, Beth Quinn opened the family nut store with her husband Brian Quinn because she saw a need for nuts that “taste as good as they smell,” says Beth. Now, their nuts are starting to appear all over Somerville and Boston.

By Sal Ghamo

The Union Square Dance Party provided kids with an opportunity to cut loose and have some fun, while letting parents hang out and enjoy themselves too.

On Saturday, April 9, Somerville residents busted a move at the Union Square Dance Party. The Kids Union and Arts Union teamed up for an outdoor dance party on the Union Square Plaza. The crew spent all winter hosting indoor dance parties for kids, but they’ve had a big hankering to get outside and dance in the fresh air.

On Saturday, April 16, more than 300 youth are expected at the 10th Annual Somerville Youth Peace Conference at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St. Somerville, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. The conference, Back From the Future, will feature original performances by Somerville teens based on their own lives, workshops, and a services fair, while also highlighting the growth of Somerville over the past decade. Attendees will share their own experiences in interactive breakout sessions facilitated by youth. The conference, presented by the Center for Teen Empowerment, Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Somerville Public Schools, and the City of Somerville, will examine teen violence, substance abuse, social media, bullying and other issues, with a special focus on destigmatizing mental health. Mayor Joseph Curtatone and other elected officials will join the mostly youth audience to listen to teens’ stories and ideas.

Villens United by Chris Haskell

(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)

Those of us who still read the newspaper were treated to a glimpse of a possible future this past weekend. The Boston Globe ran a mock front page of what our headlines would look like a year from now under a Trump Presidency. Mock articles spoke of a stock market crash, trade war, soldiers refusing to kill terrorist’s families, and of course, mass deportations.