Somerville poet, and Arts Editor of the Somerville Times, Doug Holder was recently honored by the Massachusetts House of Representatives. A citation was presented to Holder by State Representative Denise Provost in recognition of his work as a poet, editor, publisher and professor.

Significant improvements in Math help pace district’s continued upward trajectory

A third consecutive year of sustained high growth across the District in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, according to Spring 2015 MCAS results released today by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, helped Somerville Public Schools maintain its lead among urban districts in the Commonwealth. The continuing high growth trend was matched by a notable improvement in the percentage of students moving out of the Warning/Needs Improvement categories, as well as an increase in the percentage of students scoring Proficient or Advanced, particularly in Math. The continuing upward trends point to the hard work of teachers across the District implementing instructional practices that meet the needs of Somerville students at every level.

This Saturday, Sept. 26, Somerville Ave. in Union Sq. will be closed between Webster Ave. and Prospect St. from 1 p.m. until approximately 8 p.m. to accommodate the annual “Fluff Festival.”

Masterful songstress to grace the stage at Johnny D’s
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Melanie will be playing and singing your favorites and throwing in a few surprises as she takes to the stage at Johnny D’s on September 29.

By Jim Clark

The butterfly effect. This is the scientific theory that a single occurrence, no matter how small, can change the course of the universe forever. In the case of Melanie Safka-Schekeryk – known professionally simply as Melanie – a right zig here and a lucky zag there made all the difference in the way things turned out for this remarkably talented singer-songwriter.

By Rebecca Danvers

The Flufferettes are raring to go as the 10th annual What the Fluff? festival hits Union Square this coming Saturday.

The illustrious Marshmallow Fluff creator, Archibald Query, concocted the beloved gooey spread in Union Square in 1917. On Saturday, September 26, the tenth anniversary of the madcap festival will celebrate Query’s invention with musical performances, a cooking contest, fun for every age, and Fluff treats of every sort.

By Rebecca Danvers

Critically-acclaimed Kentucky duo, Sundy Best, will be bringing their unique blended sound of country, folk, rock, bluegrass and R&B to Thunder Road in Somerville on Saturday, September 26 for their Salvation City Tour.

By Jim Clark

Police received a call from the Saks Off 5th at Assembly Row early last Saturday evening reporting that a man had been spotted concealing merchandise in a bag and was about to leave the store.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Most people know that Somerville has become a dining hotspot for everything from tiny taquerias to nationally renowned gourmet restaurants. What’s less well known is that successful local restaurants do more than expand our dining options—they help revitalize and stabilize our neighborhoods. Busy cafes and dinner spots mean more people are on the streets, other businesses benefit from that foot traffic, and opportunities for street crime decrease—new jobs and new tax revenues follow as well. In short, when restaurants thrive, our neighborhoods thrive. But this local economic engine is threatened by Beacon Hill’s antiquated liquor license cap.

— Photos by Donald Norton

By Donald Norton

The Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile, a fleet of vans each with six 24’ Voyageur canoes, delivers place-based education on urban rivers and waterways nationwide. As part of its national tour of 31 cities, the Canoemobile delivered two days of programming along the Mystic River and Neponset River from September 22-23.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

The city celebrated the latest installment of its SomerStreets series with Strike Up the Bands @ SomerStreets on Sunday, Sept. 20 on Holland St. Family-friendly activities and entertainment included live music as well as children’s activities, family-friendly programming, and student-friendly fun.