Opening $100,000 in micro-grants for community-led justice work

Applications open May 1 through May 29 for Somerville residents, advocates, and service providers

The City of Somerville is putting money directly into the hands of residents, advocates, and service providers working to advance racial and social justice at the local and neighborhood level. Mayor Jake Wilson and the Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) today announced the launch of the City’s first-ever RSJ Fund Public Grants round, a new micro-grant program offering up community programming grants — with individual awards ranging from $250 to $9,999. Applications will be accepted from Friday, May 1, through Friday, May 29, 2026.

The former Cummings Elementary School building will served as a warming center for unhoused residents through the winter months.

As we move into spring, Somerville’s Winter Warming Center has concluded for the 2025-26 season. Located in the former Cummings School on Prescott Street, the Warming Center has provided shelter, food, and safety every night during this record-breaking winter. Now, the City wants to get community feedback for use in future planning efforts.

April 25 event launches Somerville’s Year of the Neighbor with ward-based cleanups, connection, and community care

Sometimes it’s the litter things that can make a big difference. On Saturday, April 25, neighbors across Somerville are invited to come together for neighborhood Spring Cleanups — an easy way to spend a couple of hours outside, meet people nearby, and leave your street a little better than you found it.

The Somerville Museum is calling all Somerville Artists to submit a proposal and portfolio to create this year’s fundraiser invitation that celebrates the innovation of the world’s first Telephone call that was put through on April 4, 1877 to one Arlington Street in Somerville.

Safety improvements for the section of Broadway between Winchester Street and Central Street are currently in the designing stages. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

Project aims to improve safety on Broadway and reimagine intersection  

More than 500 community members have shared their perspectives on the segment of Broadway that runs through Somerville’s Magoun Square—among the feedback were concerns about long crossings, congestion, speeding, red light running, and more.   

In a daring blend of illusion, optimism, and extremely casual risk assessment, local magician and theatrical phenomenon, Uncle Yak, will ride a bicycle blindfolded through Davis Square, starting and ending in front of The Rockwell theater. The audacious feat will announce his upcoming appearance in the Boston Fringe Festival and promote his show, Uncle Yak and his Magic Comeback. But this is not merely a stunt. It is an experiment in collective belief, performance art, eco-friendly transportation, and cardiovascular exercise.

(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)

Imagine, you’ve just received an autism diagnosis for your child.

The panic sets in. What kind of life will they have? Is it my fault? What can I do? Boom- your life has changed! You forget who your child is without this label. You feel like you’re drowning.

The Somerville Fire Department responded to a building fire at 480 Columbia Street at 5:44 a.m. Thursday. The building is a vacant, one- and two-story warehouse formerly occupied by Nissenbaum’s Auto Parts.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Today some concert tickets cost thousands of dollars. Back in the day I think I paid between seven and $10 for concerts and sometimes even less. Around 1970 I saw Queen open up for Mott the Hoople (All The Young Dudes) at The Orpheum Theatre.