Earlier this year, a retail electricity supplier agreed to pay $4 million to settle allegations by the Massachusetts Attorney General of deceptive marketing and sales that promised savings but charged customers significantly higher rates, entered consumers into agreements without their consent, and charged costly termination fees.

Kids from Groundwork Somerville set sail for the Boston Harbor Islands with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Over 80 kids from multiple different groups in Somerville visited the Boston Harbor Islands National Park in July as part of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s free All Access Boston Harbor program. Somerville groups that took part included Groundwork Somerville, Mystic Learning Center and Somerville YMCA. More than 5,000 youth and teens have taken part in the free program so far this summer, which brings area youth groups to Spectacle, Peddocks, and Georges Island for a fun filled day of environmental exploration and healthy outdoor activities, including fishing, crabbing, swimming and art on the shore.

The eternal troubadour, John B. Sebastian will be gracing the stage at Johnny D’s on August 28.

By Jim Clark

Few, if any, can claim to have traveled the same musical roads as John Sebastian. As founder, front man, and principle composer of songs for the wildly popular 60’s group The Lovin’ Spoonful, and later with his own successful solo efforts, Sebastian has forged a career as unique in its nature as it is vast in its overall scope.

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Last year Somerville Animal Control rescued more dogs from hot cars than any year previous. Please leave your pets at home on warm days if they cannot join you at every stop you make. If you see a dog left in a car on a warm day, please call the local police non-emergency number and ask for and officer to be dispatched to your location.

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)

Change is inevitable, and it is necessary. As people return to the urban core seeking vibrant urban neighborhoods that are walkable, bikeable and accessible to transit, our community has set forth a vision in a comprehensive plan for how we can both grow as well as improve our city according to our shared community values. In that same vision, however, our community has made clear its commitment to preserving what we already love about Somerville: our diversity, character and culture. We want to manage that inevitable change. Part of that is the rich history of our city, from its significant role in the Revolutionary War when we were still part of Charlestown, to Somerville’s status as a major industrial center for the region, to our emergence as an artists’ enclave. And our community not only stated its commitment to historic preservation in SomerVision, but made firm on that commitment by overwhelmingly voting in favor of the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Now we are taking the next step by developing the City’s first-ever Historic Preservation Plan.

Start your ignitions! The festivities take place this Saturday, August 15.

By Rebecca Danvers

Food from a dozen local restaurants, fire throwers, and roaming street performers – at night in Union Square!

To celebrate Union Square’s sizzling food landscape, ArtsUnion will present Ignite, an evening of international eats, fire throwers, roving entertainment and a raucous celebration of global culture on Saturday, August 15, 6:00–10:00 p.m.

We encourage you to consider adopting a pet in need of a home this week. A list of State of Massachusetts approved shelter and rescue organizations can be found online at http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/animal-health/shelter-and-rescue/massachusetts-approved-shelter-and-rescue-organizations-generic.html

The Somerville Mobile Farmers’ Market is on the road again, through October 31.

By Amy Swain

Somerville’s Mobile Farmers’ Market has begun new hours. Since 2013, Shape Up Somerville has been operating the Mobile Farmers’ Market in order to bring affordable produce to area residents. As the market is only open select times and places, knowing the hours and locations can help you to access healthy affordable food this summer.

By Donald Norton

Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston and the City’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) invited all interested residents to a community meeting to discuss construction updates and schedules for the ongoing McGrath Highway Interim Improvements project. The meeting was held in the Public Safety Building’s Academy Room at 220 Washington St. from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

(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)

Dear Editor:

“I love listening to Jindal, because I swear if you didn’t know who he is, you swear it was Gomer Pyle,” the Democrat added. “We shouldn’t lower ourselves to the lowest common denominator, and that’s the brain of … Bobby Jindal.”