Please join the Somerville Commission for Women on Tuesday, March 21, for a special event in honor of Women’s History Month. “Shaping the Future: Our Community Dialogue,” will be held at The Highlander Café located in Somerville High School, beginning at 6 p.m. on March 21, and will include Q&A breakout sessions with local female elected officials, including representatives from Somerville’s State Delegation, as well as a brief presentation about the Somerville Commission for Women and its ongoing programs and initiatives. 

Lesley University announces an immersive exhibition of sculpture, painting, ceramics, architectural elements, textiles and mixed media by Somerville artist Mark Cooper that will envelop the Lunder Arts Center Roberts Gallery from March 18 to April 16.

Beacon Street is one of the most heavily utilized bicycle corridors in the State.

Due to ongoing construction on Beacon St., the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, City of Somerville, and project contractors have determined that it is in the interest of public safety to CLOSE the protected bike lane, between Oxford St. and Washington St., for the 2017 construction season, beginning on Monday, March 20. 

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Last week, Mayor Curtatone, Chief Patrick J. Sullivan III, Nancy Bacci, Jimmy Del Ponte and the Moonlighters sang Irish songs to the seniors at The Little Sisters of the Poor and Bryant Manor, just as they have done during the Christmas season and Valentine’s Day.

State Rep. Denise Provost

By State Rep. Denise Provost

(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)

On March 13, members of the Somerville legislative delegation, and Mayor Curtatone, were briefed by John Dalton, head of the GLX project, on current progress. We learned that “three teams made the shortlist” for bidding on design and construction of the GLX, and that they were scheduled to receive the MBTA’s Request for Proposals (RFP) today. We learned what the process would be, leading up to the bid opening on November 28 of this year; the issuance of a Notice to Proceed on February 9, 2018, and a project completion date of December 10, 2021 – seven years after the legal commitment to complete GLX.

The Somerville School Committee wants to hear from you at their Spring Office Hours scheduled 3/18 – 3/26. Talk 2017-2018 School Budget and more.

Saturday, March 18, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Forge, 626 Somerville Ave. with Board of Aldermen President Bill White and Lee Erica Palmer. *También se habla español and Sunday, March 19, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Bloc 11, 11 Bow St. with Dan J. Futrell.

Ras na hEireann is the most genuine Irish race this side of the Atlantic. It is a celebration of traditions dating back centuries – and simply a celebration of spring in Somerville, MA.

All runners and walkers are invited to celebrate life, the coming of spring, and to enjoy a memorable race and St. Patrick’s Day celebration. This race was born in Ireland and named in honor of its famous sister race, the Ras na hEireann International Cross Country held in Termonfechin, County Louth, Republic of Ireland. The Ras na hEireann U.S.A. 5Km is open to all, from beginners to international stars.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

When President Lincoln stood in Gettysburg and said our government is “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” he probably didn’t realize we’d still be holding onto his words today. Nor could he have imagined all the ways we put the “by the people” part into action now. Whether you tweet, email or take part in a Facebook live Town Hall, the options for ways to tell your government what you want continue to grow. But there’s an old-fashioned opportunity that – despite being easy and highly effective – many overlook: joining a local Board or Commission. So consider this my invitation to you, the people: consider joining one of our boards, commissions, working groups, or task forces.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

The 2017 Somerville Parks & Recreation Fair took place on Saturday, March 11, at the Somerville High School Gymnasium. A fun-filled day of activities for all ages, participants learned about all that Parks & Recreation has to offer. For more information visit www.somervillerec.com.

— Photos courtesy of IAM&AW Local 264

By International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM&AW) Local 264

(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)

A large crowd descended on MBTA headquarters in downtown Boston on Monday as transit mechanics rallied with allies to defend taxpayers, workers, and riders against the latest MBTA privatization scheme.

The MBTA mechanics were joined by community allies and elected leaders, including State Senator Marc Pacheco and State Representatives Mike Connolly and Michelle DuBois (each of whom spoke), and multiple rider coalitions. All in attendance were united in opposing new for-profit privatization aimed at outsourcing core MBTA bus maintenance services.