Bhavika Kalia’s presentation to the School Committee outlined an initiative for amplifying AAPI voices at Somerville High School.

By Harry Kane

Somerville Youth Leader Bhavika Kalia presented an overview of her community-action project that aims to amplify AAPI voices through implementing culturally inclusive and comprehensive lessons into the curriculum at Somerville High School.

The proposed UCH-TIF zone.

By The Times Staff

The affordable housing crisis is a defining issue in Somerville. With the city facing acute shortages and high rental costs, Somerville is taking decisive action to increase its housing supply.

By Ewan Henrie

The “Slice of the City” event on May 20 took place in the playground of Arthur D. Healey School. “Slice of the City” events are scheduled regularly, in which free pizza is provided from contributors such as Leone’s Pizza, along with healthy snacks and water.

Attend the FY27 Water and Sewer Rates Public Hearing. The City of Somerville Water and Sewer Department invites all community members to a hybrid public hearing to review proposed Water and Sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2027 on Thursday, May 28, at 6 p.m. Join in person at the Highlander Forum located at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.). This is a change of location from Franey Road to the High School. Virtually via Zoom: us06web.zoom.us/j/87092143821, Webinar ID: 870 9214 3821. If you’re unable to attend but would like to share feedback, please send comments by email: water@somervillema.gov with the subject line “RATE HEARING.” Comments must be received by 12 p.m. on May 28 to be conveyed to the Department during the hearing.

Eagle Feathers #355 – A mascot

Tufts University was founded in 1852, and its campus bridges the cities of both Medford and Somerville. Almost all of the original professors, as well as the university’s largest land donor and namesake, Mr. Charles Tufts, resided in Somerville.

After months of back-and-forth weather conditions, we are clearly running headlong into the bright, sunny days of summer after Memorial Day weekend.

What is more delicious to the young mind than that savory and unrivaled treat, summer vacation? A well-deserved reward for all the hard work and irreplaceable time invested in the previous school year.

Former Somerville Alderman Bob McWatters enjoyed a great vacation in Puerto Vallarta with his son Bobby McWatters last week.

Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Ed Meek

Lost in the Bardo is Carolynn Kingyens’ third book. I reviewed her previous book, Coupling. In her new volume, Kingyens continues to develop as a poet well worth reading. Full disclosure, Kingyens gave a positive review to my book, Great Pond.

Meg Smith is a writer, journalist, dancer and events producer living in Lowell, Mass., and who spent part of her childhood in Somerville. In addition to The Lyrical Somerville, her poetry has appeared in The Cafe Review, The Lowell Review, Muddy River Poetry Review, Poetry Bay, Acropolis Review, and many more. She is a 2025 nominee for the Stanley Kunitz poetry medal. Her journalism work has been honored by the New England Newspaper and Press Association, including with first-place awards for reporting on religion, race and ethnic issues and social issues. She is creator of Poe in Lowell, honoring Edgar Allan Poe’s three visits to Lowell, and a board member of Lowell Celebrates Kerouac. She is author of six poetry books and a short fiction collection, The Plague Confessor. Her new short fiction collection, Night’s Wheel, is due out from Emu Books. She welcomes visits to megsmithwriter.com.