The City of Somerville, Somerville Arts Council, and Greg Cook (creator of The Saddest Parade on Earth) will debut the Pity Party, a giant, sad, community festival in Union Square in Somerville from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17. (Rain date: Sept. 18.)

Grab your instrument and your dancing shoes, and get ready to help the City celebrate the latest installment of its SomerStreets series with Strike Up the Bands @ SomerStreets on Sunday, Sept. 20 on Holland St.! From noon to 4 p.m. between Davis Sq. and Teele Sq., free, family-friendly activities and entertainment will include live music at as well as children’s activities, family-friendly programming, and student-friendly fun (welcome back, students!) throughout the afternoon.

Here is another special edition of ‎Somerville Neighborhood News, a community service production of Somerville Community Access Television (SCATV).

In SNN #48 you will get an interesting introspective look into the realm of Wendy Blom, longtime Executive Director of SCATV who recently resigned from her position to pursue more personal endeavors and adventures. During her eleven years as Executive Director Wendy Blom brought SCATV from the analog to the digital age. She welcomed immigrants, youth and a generation of members and volunteers to the studios in Union Square. Now she is moving on to new adventures. On this edition of Somerville Neighborhood News we’ll take a look back with Wendy at more than a decade of change at SCATV.

Sunday, Sept. 13, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Meet at City Hall. Co-Sponsored by Historic Preservation Commission, the Somerville Bike Committee and Groundwork Somerville.Ride escorted by Somerville Police. Designed for all ages and riding levels.$3 Donation Appreciated. A few rest stops, then concluding with light refreshments at Aeronaut Brewery at 4:00 p.m.

 The Somerville Foundation for Animals proudly presents the 5th annual Somerville Dog Festival this coming Sunday, September 13 at Trum Field at 1:00 p.m.

The City of Somerville invites all community members to join in the annual 9/11 Vigil Walk to honor those who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93 in 2001.

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)

The news that the projected cost of the Green Line Extension could be an additional $700 million to $1 billion more than previously estimated is in no way welcome, but it does not spell the end. To keep this project moving forward, our community has fought for it for decades, overcoming numerous stumbling blocks (Remember when Big Dig cost overruns threatened to cancel the Green Line Extension entirely?). As we confront this new hurdle, I am confident that the Governor’s team can and will find a way forward—and swiftly. They will succeed because they are committed to the project and are focusing on all the areas that matter: cutting costs, reviewing the bid process, scaling down the scope of the project (without giving up any stations), and looking for additional funding sources and mechanisms.

In its 8th year, Riverfest is the culmination of a summer of activity at Assembly Row. In partnership with The City of Somerville and DCR, celebrate all that is great about the neighborhood! Join us for a day full of live local music, dozens of local artists, free children’s activities, a sidewalk sale, and of course the annual fireworks show over the Mystic River at sundown. September 12, 12 p.m. -8:00 p.m. at Assembly Row and Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park.

By Jim Clark

Police received a call from the Loss Prevention Manager at the Saks Off 5th store on Canal St. last week, advising them that he was going to apprehend two males who were allegedly observed committing acts of larceny in the store.

Keith LaPorta’s journey from addiction to recovery has led him to Somerville Overcoming Addiction, an organization that lends hope and support to those most in need of it.

By Patrick McDonagh

Keith LaPorta remembers his addiction’s bottom: April 22, 10:17 a.m., arrested at 194 Pearl Street, Somerville, on a warrant charge of receiving stolen property over $250 and felony daytime breaking and entering.