Students in Corey Merrill’s third grade class at the Kennedy School enjoys snack time at the same time that UPS driver Tyler Kingsbury drives by or delivers packages to the school. The students have always greeted him enthusiastically, and received an appreciative beep or wave in return. When the students learned about Mr. Kingsbury’s upcoming 30th birthday, they organized a surprise party for him that he’ll never forget. Local television station WCVB interviewed Ms. Merrill, her students, and Mr. Kingsbury about the connection they have made. Enjoy this heartwarming story.

PHA pre-K student Theodore, from Somerville, watches the Black is a Rainbow Color workshop with artist Ekua Holmes.

In celebration of Black History Month, renowned artist and award-winning children’s book illustrator Ekua Holmes hosted over 30 Prospect Hill Academy Charter School (PHA) families for an interactive virtual workshop on Thursday, February 10.

Thirty-fourth Middlesex District State Rep. Christine Barber.

On February 16, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted to pass bill H.4461 the Work and Family Mobility Act, filed by Representative Christine Barber of Somerville and Medford and Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, enabling all state residents to apply for a standard MA driver’s license or identification card regardless of immigration status.

Approximately 1:10 p.m. today the Somerville Fire Dept. received a call for a car fire at the corner of Central St. and Medford St. Upon their arrival they found a car fully involved.

A special thanks goes out to the members of the Fire Dept. who extinguished the fire quickly.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Elm St. and Mossland St. last week for a check condition.

Upon arrival, the officers observed a vehicle at the intersection stopped for an extended period of time for at least three light cycles.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

How many cookies did Andrew eat? Andrew ate eight thousand. How do you keep your carpets clean? Call Andrew eight thousand. That was a radio jingle fifty years ago. It was when you could just look at the dial and use the numbers that they sang.

Work will focus on recruitment, the appointment process, and barriers to serving on boards and commissions

In an effort to diversify the city’s boards and commissions and provide equitable opportunity for residents to participate, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne announced plans to address barriers to serving on Somerville’s boards and commissions through a comprehensive reevaluation process that will result in both amended and new standard processes.

— Photo courtesy of Google Street View

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

On February 7, Somerville Public Schools (SPS) hosted their monthly School Committee meeting.

The meeting revolved mainly on the Superintendents efforts regarding diversity and Black History Month.

“Bittersweet” curators Jose Falconi and Santiago Montoya.

By Ryan DiLello

On Monday evening, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jose Falconi and Santiago Montoya, the curators of a recent exhibit at the Somerville Museum, titled Bittersweet. Originally from Peru, Falconi is a Professor of Art and Human Rights at the University of Connecticut. Santiago Montoya is a Colombian artist and entrepreneur.