Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

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

Remember helping your mom stick S&H Green stamps into the booklets? In one of their heyday years, three times as many S&H Green stamps were printed than U.S. Postage stamps. They were popular from the 1930’s until the late 1980’s. They were given to shoppers based on the dollar amount they spent. The booklets contained 24 pages each holding 50 points. Each book held 1200 points. The S&H stood for Sperry and Hutchinson, the company that started the stamps. We still have a lamp that my mom got with green stamps.

The Somerville and Tufts University Police Departments report that over the last three weeks three late night robberies have occurred in the area between Davis Square and Tufts University, with the most recent robbery having occurred very early in the morning on Friday, July 19. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings, particularly when walking at night, and, if possible, should not walk alone after dark.

“May the Wind cut you, May the Ice bite you, May the Snow blind you” – Joe Keinberger

By Martynas Limantas

Organized by the painter Joe Keinberger and the sculptor Skunk, NAVE Gallery Annex located in Davis Sqaure, opened its doors with a new exhibit starting July 10. Phantomaton is an exploration of the world “through influences of alchemy to biotechnology and whatever lies in between.”

By Jim Clark

Loss prevention agents at the Stop & Shop store at 775 McGrath Hwy. had a particularly busy time on their hands last week.

Due to high heat and humidity indices and poor air quality forecasts continuing through Friday, July 19, the City of Somerville has issued the following alert. Please also note that the city’s cooling center and Dilboy Pool hours will be extended, all outdoor recreation activities are canceled, and the fee for Dilboy Pool will be waived today (please see the details below):

The City of Somerville announced this week that Nunziato Field will be closed beginning Friday, July 17 for necessary repairs prior to the fall youth soccer season. This quickly moving project begins Friday as the city looks to fast track the improvements necessary to provide the city’s children with a safe, durable and high-quality field. The field will be closed to all users until September 2013.

SPUNKandCOmpany Dance will be among the many dance troupes scheduled to perform at this year’s ArtBeat event. – Photo by Rob Loud

By Cathleen Twardzik

On July 19 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy ArtBeat 2013 in Davis Square. A rain date of July 20 at the same time of day has been set.

The fun will continue on July 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A rain date of July 21 at the same time of day has been set.

By Jim Clark

Police received complaints about loud partying going on near the Prospect Hill Tower after midnight last Saturday and responded, dispersing the crowd that had gathered there.

Greentown Labs brings 92 jobs to the ‘Innovation City’, will expand to over 140 in next five years

An innovative idea incubator at the forefront of the next-generation industries of clean energy and clean tech is moving from Boston’s innovation district to the Innovation City: Somerville.

By William C. Shelton

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

This is an election year in Somerville, and elections are about the future. They are about what kind of city we want to live in and whether we need to change the path we are on if we are to arrive there. Candidates and voters are discussing a variety of matters this year. But one issue appears to be overarching:  the pattern of real estate development.