Somerville snow emergency lifted at 9:30 a.m., March 2

On March 2, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

– And Yes, we’re annoyed too!

·        Vehicles may remain parked in City lots; parking meters back in effect at 11:30 a.m.

·        Property owners must clear sidewalks within 6 daylight hours following end of snowfall

·        Mother Nature didn’t get the memo. No cars were towed for snow. Snow tickets will be canceled.

 So we’ve had yet another forecast for plowable snow where apparently Mother Nature didn’t get the memo. We’re looking at less accumulation than expected and less certainty now for the Sunday night snow. So the City of Somerville’s snow emergency will end Saturday, March 1, at 9:30 a.m. and normal parking rules will resume at that time. Vehicles may remain parked in City lots, but parking meters will go back into effect at 11:30 a.m. Plowing will continue, but we’ll be clearing just the middle of the roads because no cars were towed.

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2019 Summer Camp and Activities Fair

On March 2, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

The 2019 Summer Camp and Activities Fair will take place on Tuesday, March 5 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School gymnasium, 50 Cross Street.

Representatives from more than 40 regional camps and organizations such as the Somerville YMCA, City of Somerville Recreation Department’s Somertime Program, Parts and Crafts, Somerville Community Schools’ Adventure Summer Program, and the Somerville Media Center, along with many others, will be in attendance.

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Investing in bus service is an investment in our future

On March 1, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

(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 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

Let’s talk about buses. Every day, roughly 16,000 riders hop on a bus in Somerville. We have 15 bus routes that serve our residents, but MBTA buses are only on time about 60% of the time. While we like to blame the MBTA for that, that’s not entirely fair. Anyone who tries to negotiate peak hour traffic knows it can slow to a standstill. We cannot pretend that if the MBTA simply funded more buses or drivers our bus service would improve. Buses can’t pass through solid objects.

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Bridge closures to support Green Line Extension begin March 22

On February 28, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

8- to 12-month detours planned around work zones on Broadway, Washington St., and Medford St.

To complete the next phase of work on the Green Line Extension (GLX) Project, the Broadway bridge, between Ball Square and Magoun Square, will close for construction for approximately one-year beginning March 22. This is the first in a series of three 8- to 12-month closures planned for 2019: Closures on Washington St. and Medford St. will follow in April and July, respectively. Wider bridges will be constructed at each location to accommodate the new light-rail service, among other improvements.

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‘The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part’ – still awesome

On February 28, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is currently playing at AMC Assembly Row 12

By Michael LoPilato

Everything is still awesome in this world of talking toy bricks. The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is playful, colorful, hilarious, and has a lot of heart to boot. Screenwriters Phil Lord and Christopher Miller continue their animated movie magic, and present a near perfect continuation of their hit, The LEGO Movie, of five years past.

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He could have shot his eye out with that thing

On February 28, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

By Jim Clark

A police officer on conducting traffic enforcement at the corner of Mystic Ave. and Grand Union Blvd. observed a vehicle run through a solid red light at the intersection. The officer immediately activated the cruiser’s blue lights and pulled behind the car.

The vehicle reportedly slowed down but did not stop. While following the car, the officer ran the vehicle’s registration, and it was revealed that the registered owner may have had a license to carry a firearm.

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Wowie Kazowie! The Bozo Show

On February 28, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

 

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Larry Harmon’s Bozo the Clown character originated in 1946 as a read along kids record. Bozo became a part of popular culture and was even the center of a Seinfeld episode. But more importantly Bozo is a piece of our Somerville/Boston childhood.

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‘Many Years Ago’ and now – there is Robin Lane

On February 27, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

The Robin Lane & The Chartbusters CD Release Show takes place at The Burren Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

By Blake Maddux

Before establishing herself in the Boston music scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Robin Lane had been immersed in two very different Los Angeles entertainment realms.

Her father, Ken Lane, was Dean Martin’s pianist and had – the year that Robin was born – co-written Everybody Loves Somebody, which was recorded by Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Peggy Lee before Martin took to #1 in 1964.

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Plastic straw ban may be coming to Somerville soon

On February 27, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

According to studies cited at the city’s Open Space, Environment, and Energy Committee meeting last week, sturdy bamboo is one alternative to plastic. Others include paper and steel.

By Denise Keniston

An ordinance regulating the distribution of plastic straws and stirrers was met with some resistance at the Somerville City Council’s Open Space, Environment, and Energy Committee meeting on February 20.

The proposed ordinance would ban plastic straws and stirrers in Somerville bars and restaurants and any other public location that distributes straws.

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DavisNow still seeking Davis Sq. repairs

On February 27, 2019, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Infrastructure repairs in and around Davis Sq. are badly needed, according to the advocacy group DavisNow.

By Jackson Ellison

DavisNow, an organization focused on repairing Davis Square, held a public meeting on February 13 at the Dilboy Post. The purpose of the meeting was to layout the current problems with the area that need to be addressed immediately. The meeting was attended by multiple city and government officials, as well as members of the community.

Jack Connolly, a former Alderman, says the city of Somerville has neglected Davis Sq. for years, causing it to fall into disrepair. DavisNow is pushing for small improvements, “We want stuff that is easily discernible fixed, we want bricks fixed, we want crosswalks fixed,” said Connolly.

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