The MBTA will host a virtual public meeting on Thursday, March 7, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. regarding the 2024 Track Improvement Program, an initiative to eliminate all existing speed restrictions and bring tracks closer to a state of good repair by the end of the year. This meeting is part of a series of open houses and community events to give riders the opportunity to learn about the program, ask questions, and share feedback.

The Digital Equity Plan will help Somerville expand community access to the internet, devices, and digital literacy classes.

The City of Somerville is partnering with CultureHouse and Neighborways Design to increase safety on Glen and Otis Streets by creating quick-build neighborways (think: planters, vertical plastic posts, paint markings, speed humps). These will be located on Glen Street between Tufts Street and Broadway, and on Otis Street between McGrath Highway and the East Somerville Community School.

— Photos courtesy of Somerville Public Schools

Students and instructors David Ginivisian and Paul Piantedosi’s Culinary Arts program are having another outstanding year at Somerville High School. This is what the educators say about the 2023-2024 school year so far:

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Join the Somerville Museum on March 6, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. for a conversation about mental health and the Latino community with clinical social workers. For the Latino community, mental health can be a difficult topic since it can be perceived as taboo. Many experiences can lead to or exacerbate mental health conditions including immigration, trauma, assimilation into a different culture, marginalization and generational conflicts.

Somerville families invited to start planning their summer fun at 2024 Summer Camp and Activities Fair

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is announcing that the City’s Summer Camp and Activities Fair is returning for 2024, providing families with the opportunity to learn about summer activity options available to their children and to get detailed information from program representatives about summer camps, recreational activities, and learning opportunities for children of all ages. The Fair will be held on Thursday, March 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School gym (50 Cross St).

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Last week I did a story about the Friendly’s restaurant that used to be at the corner of Cedar St. and Highland Ave. Right down the road near the corners of Cedar St. and Morrison Ave. there was a Dairy Queen. Here are folds memories of that happy place:

“Broken,” a film by Brooke Lewitas and Bill Lichtenstein, takes a hard look at the state’s handling of at-risk children. — Photos courtesy of LCMedia Productions .

By Joei Chan

Nearly 50 years ago in Somerville, the Jennifer Gallison case made headlines. A woman and her husband were convicted of manslaughter of their baby daughter, Jennifer Gallison, who was only two years old at the time. Eventually, their daughter passed away due to the parents’ failure to provide for her, and they disposed of the daughter’s body.

(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)

By Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven

Earlier this month, Newton educators went on strike for 11 days in order to negotiate for a fair contract. This historic strike and the growing number of strikes led by educators across the state highlights why we need to protect this right for all workers. That’s why I filed H.1845 with Rep. Connolly, and Sen. Rausch, which would restore the right to strike for public sector workers, not including public safety.