Kicking off with “Carnaval” along East Broadway, SomerStreets promotes active living, reconnecting with city neighborhoods

The City of Somerville’s fourth annual SomerStreets series kicks off for summer 2013 with Carnaval @ SomerStreets on East Broadway on Sunday, June 2 from noon to 4 p.m. SomerStreets is the City of Somerville’s take on the internationally-renowned Open Streets concept, closing busy city streets to vehicles, and opening them up for cycling, walking, dancing, running, and other modes of activity. Through SomerStreets, the City and its community partners aim to promote and encourage easy access to physical activity, fresh foods, and reconnecting with neighborhoods and businesses and their unique cultural elements in a thriving urban environment. Carnaval on June 2 is produced through a partnership with East Somerville Main Streets, and its programming will extend along East Broadway from the intersection of Broadway and McGrath Highway to Pennsylvania Ave., including a motion parade at noon, live music on two stages, interactive urban agriculture displays, arts and crafts, food, and fun!

Gaby Lopez, Sarah Sweeting, Ariana Docanto, Lana Popovic and Brian Chan visit historic sites on the National Mall on their way to the White House on May 28.

On Tuesday, May 28, First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed students returning to the White House Kitchen Garden for the second time in as many months with an enthusiastic remark on the results of a joint Kitchen Garden planting effort on April 4, 2013.  Five Healey School students, Ariana Docanto, Gaby Lopez, Sarah Sweeting, Brian Chan and Lana Popovic, were among a group of 25 students returning to the White House to help harvest what they had planted less than two months prior.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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.)

Memorial Day is a day of honor. We honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to America. We honor the sacrifices made by their families. Honoring those brave soldiers and their loved ones does not need to end, however, once the sun sets on Memorial Day. We can honor them each and every day by supporting the veterans still among us and our Gold and Silver Star families.

Mary (Walker) Ireland celebrated her 100th birthday at the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Thanks to their wonderful care, Mary is thriving and enjoys her bingo every week.

Catholic Charities raises $1.3M
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Marshall Sloane, left, of Century Bank smiles towards his wife, Barbara, as she speaks about receiving the Justice and Compassion Award as their grandchildren, Rachel and Joshua, look on during Catholic Charities Annual Spring Celebration at the JFK Library and Museum in Boston Wednesday, May 15. –
Photos by Rebecca Comella/Catholic Charities of Boston

On May 15, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston held its annual Spring Celebration at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. The event raised more than $1.3 million to fund the agency’s programs and services that support 200,000 people in need throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

Max Gratchev is ready to start coaching hockey in Somerville.

By William Tauro

Max Gratchev of the Russian KHL Hockey League will be coaching the Boston Stars Hockey Team here in Somerville.

The young left wing will be joining his dad Igor, coaching the select Somerville Youth Hockey players on the “Boston Stars” team this coming summer at the ice skating rink that’s located on Somerville Avenue.

By William Tauro

After being removed over the winter for much needed repairs, the newly renovated clock tower was delivered back to the Somerville Courthouse looking good. It will be hoisted to the top of the courthouse rooftop by crane to its final resting place while the remainder of the building’s decaying exterior gets a well-needed makeover as well.

(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.)

The city of Somerville has come a long way from its days as a streetcar suburb, and even farther from the plaguing late century “Slumerville” reputation. In this 21^st century, the city has become a beacon of social diversity, and the demand to live here is high. Where major infrastructure improvements like the Green Line Extension and Assembly Square Redevelopment promise to bring new opportunities to the people of Somerville, they also threaten to make living here significantly more expensive. Just since 2000, properties values have surged by 75% or more in parts of East and West Somerville, and in Union Square- where extension of Green Line is slated to open in 2017– upwards of 162%.  In a community where diversity and affordability are consistently identified through public process as core values, it is critical that we take steps today to ensure that Somerville continue to be a place where everyone is welcome tomorrow. 

The currently undefeated Somerville Alibrandis Baseball Club continues its impressive drive through the 2013 season. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

The Somerville Alibrandis Baseball Club has been unstoppable for the first six games of the season. At 6-0, the Alibrandis are sitting in the catbird seat with a perfect record.