By Alexandra Botti

Mayor Joseph Curatone met Monday with youth from The Center for Teen Empowerment who are planning the upcoming Sixth Annual Somerville Youth Peace Conference on April 28. In preparation for the event, participating Somerville teens discussed Conference plans with the Mayor, who will take part in the event, and presented work they are creating for the occasion. At the heart of their performance pieces are issues affecting Somerville teens, along with ideas for positive change.

Laura Gonzalez has struggled with the negative connotations of being labeled “illegal” for many years, even though she has actively sought US citizenship at every possible opportunity. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

Undocumented immigrants have an upward battle when it comes to becoming citizens, but on April 2 the youth advocates from a local organization for immigrant rights chalked up a victory.

The Business Town meeting VII with Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, at the Davis Square Theatre 255 Elm Street,  is today, Wednesday, April 11. The doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the event starts at 5:30 p.m. The Mayor will give his annual address to the business community here and then there will be a round of Q&A.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

The K-6 students and the art teachers of the Somerville Public Schools have produced a beautiful array of foodthemed art that is now on exhibit in the auditorium of the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave, Somerville. The exhibit is part of the “Somerville Reads” campaign and will be on display through the end of April, stop in and have a look at their wonderful work.

Up, up and away. Aerial photography is now in the hands of the masses thanks to the efforts of groups like PLOTS and Parts and Crafts. – Photo by Amanda Rhodes

By Amanda Rhodes

If you were in Davis Square on Saturday, you might have noticed a big, red balloon hovering high in the sky. You might not have noticed the camera attached to it. The camera and the balloon were part of a grassroots mapping event hosted by the Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science (PLOTS) and Parts and Crafts.

Professor Grant Garven’s innovative research into geothermal energy is catching on in a big way at Tufts University.

By Chris Leo Palermino

Soon, Tufts University may be powered by a new energy source: geothermal energy from groundwater beneath the urban campus.

Disaster was narrowly averted last week when firefighters rescued Carlos Barbosa from this paper silo at Universal Wilde. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Harry Kane

Firefighters rescued a man after he allegedly fell into a silo during the nightshift on Thursday, April 5.

Carlos Barbosa, 47, of Rehoboth found himself in a tight spot after trying to unclog a jam in a paper-filled silo at Universal Wilde in the Inner Belt section of Somerville.

Barbosa was in danger of losing his life in what escalated from a routine issue, to a near death situation.

By Jim Clark 

While performing ongoing investigative duties, Somerville Police Narcotics Officers observed what they determined to be a known heroin user along with four other individuals making their way through the streets of East Somerville towards Charlestown last Saturday afternoon.

Let’s face it, no matter how one may feel about specific policies and programs coming out of the mayor’s office, one has to give it up for the sheer energy and resolve exhibited by this very busy man.

Meet Ann Dunbar, a mother, grandmother and lifelong member of the ‘Ville. Ann raised her children as a single mom, and she did a great job teaching the lesson of life. Ann worked hard as well, she worked full time for the T and retired, she is now involved in that great role as Grandmother.