As part of the next phase of the Somerville Ave. Utility & Streetscape Improvements Project, City contractors will set up a large work zone in Union Square on or around February 19 that will require some through-traffic to be rerouted. The detour will remain in place for approximately six months.

The Health and Human Services Department, Community Clothing Closet of the Somerville Public Schools, and 311 are collecting donations of new or gently used winter clothing for residents and students who need them. Items most urgently needed include winter coats, pants, hats, gloves, socks, and boots for children (sizes 4T and up), as well as winter items for teens and adults. You can drop off donations through February at one of three locations during their normal business hours:

Many teachers have great ideas on how to make their classrooms a better place for their students to learn math. The teachers’ ideas frequently outrun the budget schools have for supplies and their own ability to subsidize their classroom.

The Somerville Mathematics Fund tries to fill this need through the generosity of their donors. Jay Landers and Jasper Lawson and the Apple Tree Fund each sponsored multiple grants. Lali and Jay Haines, Tufts University, Winter Hill Bank and Rebecca Wood-Spagnoli each sponsored a teacher’s grant.

(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

The City of Somerville recently filed a lawsuit against 19 opioid manufacturers and distributors that we believe engaged in deceptive and illegal practices to increase sales and generate profit at the expense of patients.

Academy Award nominee for best picture, The Favourite, is now playing at AMC Assembly Row 12 and Somerville Theatre.

By Michael LoPilato

A costume-drama period piece, set in 18th century England, revolving around the parliament types, usually elicits a certain sense of boredom if not done correctly. The Favourite has all the costumes, proper vocabulary, royal manners, and parliament members you could ever want, but it’s anything but a bore.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Rent A Center on Broadway last Thursday morning on reports of a group of people drinking outside the store.

Upon arrival, the officers spotted three individuals in the vestibule area of the store, who they were familiar with as they were frequently observed in the lower Broadway area.

Somerville’s Health and Human Services Department is looking for volunteers for the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). MRC volunteers might be called on to work with City staff to keep residents safe before, during, and after emergencies and natural disasters. No medical experience is required to sign up and volunteers will get ongoing training in skills like first aid, CPR, mental health first aid, Narcan administration, and disaster preparation.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

My son watched most of the last World Series with me. We also watched the Patriots/Chief championship game together. So of course my boy had to watch The Super Bowl with Dad! (we also sat in the same places) Rituals! We enjoy our treats from great local eateries such as Victor’s Deli or do it yourself feasts with stuff from McKinnon’s and BJ’s.

Somerville High School students recently participated in the Youth Risk Based survey, administered by Somerville Cares About Prevention.

By Jackson Ellison

The organization Somerville Cares about Prevention (SCAP) revealed the 2018 Health Survey Results from Somerville High School in a world café- style discussion at the Somerville High School Culinary Arts Bistro on January 31.

SCAP gave Somerville High School students the Youth Risk Based survey, a national survey that focuses on six areas of health behavior: behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence, sexual behaviors, alcohol and other drug use, tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and inadequate physical activity.

By Marshall Collins

As the city continues to deliver toward its comprehensive plan- SomerVision, the question of green space remains an open one. Somerville remains the city with the lowest proportion of both green and open space of any municipality in the Commonwealth, and the city has set an ambitious goal of adding 125 acres of publicly accessible open space by 2030.