Q: Is there anything I can do today that would seriously improve my financial situation?
A: Yes—set up automated savings into a long-term investment account that’s out of sight and built for growth!

The key is automation: when money moves automatically, you save without effort—and your lifestyle adjusts naturally. You don’t miss what you never see!

Summer is heating up in Somerville, so we’re bringing the cool. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council invite community members to “ArtBeat 2025: Freeze” on Saturday, July 19, from 12 to 9 p.m. in Davis Square (rain date: Sunday, July 20). 

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Were you one of the lucky ones who saw The Beatles’ movie A Hard Day’s Night at The Meadow Glen Drive-In in 1964?

Drive-in theaters are making a comeback. The successful Mendon Twin Drive-In may be setting a welcome new trend in the face of social distancing.

December 11, 1958 – July 14, 2025

Lillian J. DiFraia-Alves, of Wellesley; and a former longtime Somerville resident, passed away suddenly at home on July 14, 2025, she was 66. Born in Boston and raised in Somerville, Lillian was the cherished daughter of the late Lillian J. (Ivester) and Ralph DiFraia.

 A graduate of Somerville High School, she received her hairdressing license and also served as a nanny in child care for many years.

CATALDO, Michael G. of Norwood and formerly of Somerville, passed away on Monday July 7, 2025 at age 89.

Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Michael and Abbie (Hall) Cataldo.  Michael attended local schools and went on to earn his further education with the Stigmatine Fathers.  He worked for many years substitute teaching in the Arlington Public Schools.  Michael was deeply devoted to his Catholic faith, and enjoyed reading.

Join in on  July 21, 2025 for a Mayoral Candidates Forum hosted by the Union Square Neighborhood Council.

This coming Monday, Somerville residents can hear directly from the three mayoral candidates on the preliminary ballot this September: Willie Burnley Jr, Katjana Ballantyne, and Jake Wilson. The USNC will moderate this public forum where all three candidates will have an opportunity to explain their vision for Somerville and answer questions from Somerville residents. This event is open to the public – both in person and online via Zoom.

Still a work in progress, the mural at Tufts Street adds a splash of vibrant color to the neighborhood. — Photo courtesy of East Somerville Main Streets

By Norah Doyle

Have you noticed the large mural on Tufts Street near East Somerville Station? Painted by local artists, this enormous canvas brings a pop of color and excitement to this corner of Somerville.  Here’s how it came to be.

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

By Liam Beretsky-Jewell

 Note: This is the third of a series of articles exploring climate change education in Somerville Public Schools (SPS). The prior article can be found here.

In recent years, climate education initiatives have been piloted in a growing number of middle school classrooms throughout the city. These efforts have been led by Jason Behrens, the SPS innovation specialist, who introduced a climate unit into sixth-grade science classrooms at the West Somerville and Argenziano schools. For the upcoming school year, the climate unit will be expanded to sixth graders at all of the city’s public schools. “I think this is the most intentional [climate] unit that we have,” he explained, adding that these schools are adopting a climate change unit created in collaboration with Tufts University. The entire science curriculum is currently under review across grades 6, 7, and 8, which he sees as an opportunity to add a climate unit: “Whatever curriculum we decide to pick for middle grades, there’s going to be a fair amount of climate integration that we’re going to build into that.” This ongoing review is one reason climate education is advancing more quickly in middle school than at the high school level. It’s where the district’s primary focus is now.

Last Thursday, July 10, Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis was elected by members of the City Council to serve as its President, following the resignation of the post by Ward Seven City Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld on June 30. City Councilor At Large Wilfred N. Mbah was subsequently elected to serve as Vice-President.