~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The 2018 International Sand Sculpting Festival took place July 20 – 22 at Revere Beach. Visitors enjoyed the magnificent sand sculpting competition, delicious food trucks and vendors, and amusements and fun for the whole family. A spectacular fireworks display took place Saturday night.

First Row (L to R): Alyssa DeSantis, Deseree Ernst, Claudia Cooper, Wendy Guo, Isra Khan, Sagin Gani, Fidendi Francois, Nick Dipietro, Devin Coneeny, Janaan Khan, Drexler Pierre.
Second Row (L to R): Nehemiah Simon, Facilitator: Samantha Bolt.

The CIT/ LIT Job Readiness Program held its graduation on July 17, 2018 from 12:30-2:00 at The Arthur D. Healey School on 5 Meacham Street. Our graduating class consisted of students between the ages of 13-15, who dedicated four-weeks out of their summer to participate in a program that taught them about job readiness and leadership skills. Throughout the four weeks these students learned how to lead children, the significance of leadership and communication, the meaning of diversity, how to solve conflicts, and employment training. This program not only taught the student’s skills that they need to work with children but also gave them the opportunity to work with kids at camp settings at The Somerville YMCA’s Summer Day Camp and the Somerville Recreation’s Somertime Day Program.

By Jim Clark

While parked near the intersection of Kidder and Willow Ave. last week, police officers observed a vehicle speeding toward the intersection heading North on Willow.

Dozens of Somerville Stands Together volunteers knocked on hundreds of doors last Saturday, talking to neighbors about the importance of building a Somerville that works for all of us.

It was a great send off last Friday night at Davio’s in Lynnfield, as Cambridge District Court personnel and friends of Probation Officer Robert McWatters gathered to say “Happy retirement.” After 34 years serving the courts, Bob was presented several gifts of appreciation for a job well done. A small crowd of about 80 to 100 of his co-workers, family and friends gathered to give Bob a proper sendoff. His many friends locally will also be giving him a sendoff this coming Friday night, 6 p.m. at Sally O’Brien’s. So if you missed last week, show up then to wish him the best and thank him for a job well done.

By Jack Connolly

(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)

It’s been a little over six months since I’ve stepped down from over three decades of public service as the Ward Six Alderman and an Alderman at Large, having fallen victim to the “Our Revolution” ouster effort that knocked out to longtime native Somervilians, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, Ward 3 Alderman Rob McWatters, as well as myself and East Somerville native-born Alderman At-Large Dennis Sullivan, off of the BOA.