Part 2: What is to be done
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By William C. Shelton

(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 long-term climate forecast moved sharply toward catastrophic last week. Two research teams using different methods published evidence that melting of the Western Antarctic ice sheet now appears to be unstoppable. The water contained therein could, by itself, raise global sea levels by more than ten feet over the coming two hundred years.

By Douglas Yu

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone has taken what he describes as a “pro-safety and pro-family” action by signing an executive order to withdraw the city from the Secure Communities program, a program initially enacted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to remove illegal aliens who pose a threat to public safety.

Shaw’s and Star Market, as part of its longstanding ties to local communities for more than 150 years, is making a donation to several area little leagues. Each of their 155 stores will be donating $800 to their local youth league.

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)

On Central Hill Park outside City Hall and Somerville High School sits the Somerville Honor Roll, listing the names of service men and women who served our nation in World War II, along with some who served in the Korean War. Stepping inside the memorial, your eyes fall upon a list of names, a common sight in cities and towns across our great country. This Memorial Day, I invite you to join our Memorial Day remembrances, stepping off at 8 a.m. from American Legion Post #19, and join us in placing wreaths at the Honor Roll and other memorials along Central Hill Park. Or, if you cannot attend the remembrances but are coming for the parade, before the parade steps off from City Hall at 1 p.m.—or afterward—take a moment to step inside the Honor Roll. And then take a closer look at the names memorialized on its walls.

The current edition of Karl Wallinger’s World Party will be performing at Johnny D’s this coming Saturday.

By Blake Maddux

In 1983, 25-year-old Welsh-born Karl Wallinger answered an ad seeking a guitarist who was “into Iggy Pop.” Wallinger passed the audition and became a member of the English folk-rock band The Waterboys, which Scottish-born singer-songwriter Mike Scott had formed in London the year before.

Although their collaboration was fruitful, the band was not big enough for two musicians of equally large talent and ambition. Therefore, Wallinger left after their second album—1985’s This Is the Sea—to form World Party. Just as The Waterboys was Scott’s band, World Party would belong completely to Wallinger.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone to sign an executive order returning discretion on protecting community to local law enforcement officials

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced at a press conference this morning that he will sign an executive order that will limit Somerville’s participation in Secure Communities, a flawed federal program that has left communities less safe, torn apart families and deported people with no criminal convictions.

The Secure Communities program allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ask local law enforcement to hold arrested immigrants for up to 48 hours after the person has posted bail or been ordered released by the courts. Nationwide, half of the people deported through Secure Communities nationwide have no criminal convictions. In Massachusetts, there have been more than 1,000 deportations since the program was enacted two years ago, and 61 percent of the people deported have no criminal convictions—and in some cities and towns in Massachusetts, that percentage rises to 79 percent. ICE has admitted that about 5 percent of people held under detainers turn out to be U.S. citizens.

 — Photos by Claudia Ferro

Legoland Discovery Center Boston is up and running at Assembly Row.  The indoor family attraction, designed for children from 3 to 10, includes two Lego rides, a 4D cinema (and yes, you will get a little misty!) and large soft play area.

Mayor Curtatone shared some ideas with those in attendance at the Ward 1 ResiStat meeting held Monday night at the East Somerville Community School.

By Jack Adams

The Ward 1 ResiStat meeting took place May 19 at the East Somerville Community School. City officials, the Ward 1 captain and deputy of police, and Mayor Curtatone spoke about pertinent city issues, and residents had the chance to ask questions after each official spoke.

Curtatone spoke first, opening the meeting talking about how he wants to make Somerville a more walkable and bikeable city.

“This impacts not just our ability to get around, but overall our health, our economy, and overall our quality of life,” he said.

The Somerville High Scholarship Foundation held its annual $10,000 dollar drawing this past Friday night, May 16, at the Highlander Café at SHS. A group of about 60 people attended the event, which was hosted by the foundation’s president, Joe Favaloro, and everyone’s favorite former mayor, Eugene Brune. Out of 250 possible ticket sales, they started the evening with about 235 sold. Lots of door prizes were given out, with every 10th ticket called earning its holder $100 back until the final 10 numbers were left. The ones left could choose to go on or split the money. The evening ended up with eight finalists, all of who choose to stop and split so each person won $1,250. The final three representing themselves that were present and choosing to split were Alderman at Large Ms. Mary Jo Rossetti, Ms. Paula Mackey and Ms. Pinkham. It was a great night -as always- and the following announcement was made to everyone present: This upcoming year marks the 25th anniversary of the SHS Foundation, and it was announced that the foundation raised over $1.2 million with a special announcement coming soon of over $1.5 million. Their hard work over the years has helped many students at Somerville High with their education costs. The committee will be holding a 25th anniversary dinner to mark the event this year with a date to be determined.

The Fourth Annual PorchFest event took place this past weekend. — Photo by Jeremy Carroll

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

Early in the week, forecasters warned of a 90 percent chance of rain this past Saturday, May 17, the day when Somerville’s annual PorchFest was going to hit the city streets to charm Somerville residents and other music lovers. And surprise, surprise: Even though festival organizers were preparing for a rain day that would prompt a date change, a strong and serendipitous sun shone above without a single threatening cloud.