(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 second of a series of articles exploring climate change education in Somerville Public Schools. The first article can be found here.

There’s currently a large discrepancy between Somerville High School (SHS) students’ interest in learning about climate science and the actual number of students who choose to enroll in climate-related courses. Although a recent survey issued to over 100 SHS students revealed that a majority are interested in receiving more, enrollment numbers in the environmental science classes offered by the school continue to drop. To address this gap, some district faculty have discussed making climate education mandatory in some way – either through additional course requirements or integration into currently required courses. The high school does not currently require students to take any courses in which climate change is a central theme. This may come as somewhat of a surprise — Massachusetts has some of the nation’s most ambitious climate and energy goals, which include reaching “at least net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions” by the year 2050, according to the state’s Clean Energy and Climate Plan.

Former Alderman Bob McWatters recently traveled to Greenville, South Carolina, and visited the Red Sox Single A team, the Greenville Drive, while vacationing to visit family.

Katjana Ballantyne is inviting the Somerville community to break out the picnic blankets and popcorn, as SomerMovie Fest 2025 is bringing six free outdoor films to City parks this summer. From robot adventures and ‘90s cult classics to Oscar winners and pink-powered blockbusters, there’s a movie night for everyone.  

2025 Commonwealth Heroine, Bhavika Kalia.

Somerville Positive Forces (SPF), in partnership with the City of Somerville’s Prevention Services, is proud to announce that Bhavika Kalia, a dedicated and inspiring SPF youth leader, has been named a 2025 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW).

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

In the summer of 1969, when I had just turned 16, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid and True Grit was at the movies. I Dream of Jeannie, Star Trek, and Gomer Pyle were on TV (Golly!).

Some of my friends were making plans to drive to New York for a huge rock festival in Woodstock. I couldn’t go because I had to work at F.W.  Woolworth’s Five and Ten Store in Davis Square.

Some of Somerville’s littlest residents playing with chalk and balloons at the event. — Photos by Norah Doyle

By Norah Doyle

On Tuesday, June 17, Somerville Ward 4 finally got its “Slice of the City” after being rescheduled from its original May date due to bad weather.

Ward 4 has had bad luck with the weather since it rained on the rescheduled date. However, this didn’t stop Ward 4 from having their “Slice of the City,” and the event was moved into the Arthur D. Healey Elementary School cafeteria.

Earlier this year, at the City Council meeting on March 27, the Somerville Youth Hockey Association presented their case for restoring the winter ice sheet for skating activities at Founders Memorial Skating Rink.

By Harry Kane

City Councilors rejected a plan from the Ballantyne administration that would transform the ice rink into a multi-purpose recreation hub that eliminates the winter ice sheet.

The fate of Founders Rink hangs in the balance as the city weighs its options following the refusal of a $160,000 appropriation for floorboards that would end ice activities at the skating rink. 

Councilor Willie Burnley, Jr. delivers a speech at the flag-raising Juneteenth event.

By The Times Staff

While Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, it is also a day to reflect on the values of our society and nation in the effort to protect our rights as Americans.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville raised the flag of freedom on the City Hall concourse on June 16, with local residents and advocates delivering remarks in commemoration of the holiday for the third year in the city.

(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 Elected Officials,

We are Somerville voters and taxpayers writing to protest the June 4^th election held at St. Anthony’s School. The balloting on the Somernova CBA was run in a misleading manner, with highly irregular rules. We ask that you disregard its outcome and not allow it to influence your deliberations about changes to Somerville’s Zoning Ordinance.

The City of Somerville’s Fireworks Celebration will be held tonight, June 25, at Trum Field (inclement weather date is scheduled for Friday, June 27). In collaboration with the Somerville Museum and the Somerville Arts Council, this year’s annual “What to the slave is the 4th of July” reading will take place during the Somerville July 4th fireworks celebration. Join the annual public Reading of Frederick Douglass with event scholar and musician John Hughes. Stay for a conversation afterwards. 5:30– 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Cedar and Broadway. Festivities will continue at 6:30 p.m. and will feature music by DJ Desy and funk band Search Party. Food vendors this year include Italian Wizard, Dos Manos Kitchen, and more. At approximately 9 p.m., Mayor Ballantyne will welcome and address the crowd and then start the countdown to the fireworks show. Please visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org/fireworks for details on the event, road closures, and parking restrictions.