Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Somerville is a great big melting pot with a mixture of all kinds of different people, all ages, cultures and groups. We have folks moving here from other countries, transplanted newcomers, and of course, the lifers.

Lifers are those who have been lucky enough to be able to stay in the houses their parents bought in the 50s and 60s and 70s for prices that are now equal to some monthly rents in parts of Somerville and surrounding areas. Lifers are also dyed in the wool Somerville people who grew up here and now either bought or rent because they still love this city.

The families who have held onto their homes are a dwindling bunch. Two lifelong friends and neighbors of mine recently cashed out and moved. One bought in Florida and the other in Stoneham. Both places offered more bang for the buck. I hear many say that Somerville ain’t even Somerville anymore. Unfortunately, things change. Some for the better some not so much. Old regime being replaced by new. Nothing stays the same.

A common gripe I hear is “nobody can afford to live in Somerville anymore.” I was in Davis Square on Sunday and the place was mobbed. Obviously a lot of people live here. Whether they can afford it or not is a different story.

My Somerville is packed with people paying their bills and taxes and just trying to live a quality life. Most of my Somerville High School graduating class of 1971 turned 65 years old this year. Some live week to week and hand to mouth, while some are living high off the hog. Some prepared better than others, but we are all doing our best to be healthy and happy. That’s what adds to our diversity. I’m a senior now on a “fixed” income. The government “fixed” it so they take what they want and leave us to budget our “golden years.”

The crowd in Davis Square on Sunday afternoon around 3:00 p.m. was a potpourri of parents with kids, young people with various vibrant colors of hair, and a …. man bun or two (great if you’re going for that old librarian look).

I was stopped at a red light in front of the Somerville Theatre as a musician was finishing a song. No one clapped, except me. But I didn’t clap like a normal person. I had to clap really loud so that everybody looked over to see what the commotion was. It’s common decency to clap (can you tell I’m a musician?).

My Davis Square, with its deteriorating sidewalks and crosswalks, now takes a back seat to Assembly Row (with no traffic lights or crossing lights) and Union Square, the new priority. I hope the new crop of A-Men don’t forget the little people.

Friendly Safety Tip: When you are walking down the street with headphones on (or earbuds or whatever the kids call them) make sure the vehicle sees you, acknowledges you, and STOPS before you walk off the sidewalk and into the crosswalk. Just the fact that you are in a crosswalk does not automatically make an oncoming vehicle stop. Drivers are just as preoccupied as walkers. They are texting, listening to music, eating, but least of all, paying attention.

Driving through Somerville is getting tougher for me. It’s tough because I’m a nut that has to beep and wave and yell out the window at all the friends I see all over the city, while trying to drive safely. And please – please watch out for motorcycles and bicycles. Go Sox!