The arts operation embraces change.

By Shira Laucharoen
Somerville Wire

Marina Seevak’s first job out of college was at the Boston Children’s Museum, where there was a recycle center, and that was how she became hooked on the idea of creative reuse. She eventually got a cubicle at the Artisan’s Asylum maker’s space and she began to email hundreds of companies, asking them to send their scrap materials to her. Handing out colorful foam and sparkly fabric from barrels, she would give bags of materials away for free to local teachers. That was how The Beautiful Stuff Project started.

There will be a Public Hearing before the City Council’s Committee on Finance, meeting as a Committee of the Whole, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., on the Order of Finance Committee Chair J.T. Scott, for public input on the proposed FY 2022 municipal budget.

This meeting will be conducted via remote participation, online in a webinar hosted on the GoToWebinar platform.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 4 City Councilor Jesse Clingan, and city staff invite you to a virtual community meeting to discuss upcoming schoolyard renovations at the Arthur D. Healey School.   

Mayor, Council issue unanimous Proclamation for Women’s Advancement, Equity, and Opportunity  

With women bearing the brunt of lost jobs and wages during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Somerville is planning a host of initiatives to facilitate a true recovery for women, their families, and the city in general. Among these initiatives will be job training, grant money for women-owned businesses, and childcare support. This shared commitment by Mayor Joe Curtatone and the City Council was recently memorialized with the Proclamation for Women’s Advancement, Equity, and Opportunity initiated by Councilor At-Large Kristen Strezo, developed in collaboration with and submitted by the Mayor’s Office, and passed unanimously by the City Council.  

James E. “Buff” MacAuley, 65, of Methuen, MA and formerly of Somerville, MA, passed away peacefully at Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 42 years, Donna J. (Dill) MacAuley.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant on Broadway last Saturday evening on reports of a dispute.

As units were responding to the location, Somerville Control informed responding units that the defendant, Javier Fabian-Dubon, fled the scene heading in the direction of Stop and Shop on McGrath Highway.

Here is the COVID-19 update for Wednesday, May 11, followed by other city news and events. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Firefighter John O’Connor is seen being deconned by fellow Firefighter Ryan Epps after extinguishing a fire at 23 Melvin Street. Firefighter O’Connor’s gear had been covered with blown in insulation after walls and ceilings were opened up to search for hidden fire. — Photo courtesy of Somerville FD

On May 26, 2021 at 4:51 p.m., the Somerville Fire Department was notified of a house fire at 23 Melvin Street. Responding firefighters found an active fire involving a third floor bedroom. The fire resulted in significant fire, smoke and water damage to the third floor and water damage to the remaining areas. Several skylights on the roof were ventilated due to heavy smoke on the third floor. Walls and ceilings were opened by firefighters to verify that the fire had not spread into the attic space. Ten adults and six children have been displaced. Somerville Health & Human Services representatives were on scene working with the Red Cross to provide services. The home is uninhabitable at this time. One firefighter suffered a knee injury. The unseasonable hot temperatures added to the difficulty in fighting the fire.