The Cambridge Citywide Senior Center hosted a special forum on the social impacts of opioids and elder abuse in June, as part of a month-long campaign to raise awareness of those issues. The forum was attended by various advocates and community members, and featured a performance from True Story Theatre.

By Susan Pacheco and Norah Al-Wetaid

Elder abuse is a widespread issue that often flies under the radar. The Cambridge Council on Aging and Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) would like to thank everyone who has joined with us to try and change that over the past month.

Revised ordinance would regulate the demolition request process for homes 75 years of age or older

Members of the public are invited to attend and speak at a July 9 Public Hearing on proposed changes to the Demolition Review Ordinance, which currently regulates the demolition of structures 50 years of age or older that are not within an existing Local Historic District. The hearing, held by the Board of Aldermen Legislative Matters Committee of the Whole, will take place Monday, July 9, 6 p.m., at City Hall in the Aldermanic Chambers.  At 6 p.m., the hearing will be preceded by a presentation on the ordinance by Director of Planning George Proakis.

The City of Somerville’s annual SomerMovie Fest is returning for July and August 2018! Every Thursday night, beginning on July 12*, join us for a free, family-friendly movie in a local park. (In case of inclement weather, the movie showing will be cancelled, and information will be posted at www.somervillema.gov.) All movies will begin at sunset. The full 2018 schedule is as follows:

The Somerville Road Runners are proud to present the 6th annual Race to the Row in Assembly Square in our hometown of Somerville on Sunday, August 26, starting at 9:00 a.m.

(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)

Dear Board of Alderman,

I write to you ALL because, as a current Somerville resident and home owner, I am frustrated. I feel the board has misled the public with regard to impact to current owner residents.  Numerous times, the BOA stated current residents will not need to pay the tax, but is it your belief they will be affected?  However, Somerville’s own report in fact indicates the contrary and states all current owner will potentially be negatively affected by lower sale price offers.  It is also supported by basic econ 101 macro economic principles and empirical evidence studies.

By Donald Norton

Rosemary Ferrick’s Italian garden is pictured here. Her whole back yard has many different varieties of beautifully decorative plants and flowers.

The City will host its annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration at Trum Field on Thursday,  July 5 beginning with live entertainment at 6:30 p.m.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to The Highland Kitchen on Highland Ave. last week on reports of a dispute.

Upon arrival, the officers observed a man, later identified as Francis Furnelli, screaming and yelling obscenities at the restaurant manager, inches from his face.