— Photos by Bobbie Toner

The Somerville Community Growing Center held the 26th Annual Somerville Maple Boil Down, Saturday, March 1,2025. A team of volunteers tapped a swath of maple trees on the Tufts campus beginning in late January, collecting dozens of gallons of sap over a number of weeks. At the Maple Boil Down, the sap was boiled down into real, true 100% hyper-local maple syrup. At the event, youth and adults alike had the chance to learn about tree anatomy and physiology and experience the process of making fresh maple syrup first-hand.

By Harry Kane

Renters are eagerly awaiting news from the Massachusetts State House following a decision by the Somerville City Council after a home rule petition was passed to eliminate renter-paid broker fees.

The city has submitted a home rule petition to the Massachusetts State Legislature for consideration. If approved by both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate, the Governor will sign the bill into law.

The grand opening of the Somerville Media Center’s new facility drew several notable attendees — Photos by Jesse Buckley

The Somerville Media Center (SMC) held a grand opening and ribbon cutting event on Wednesday, February 26, to celebrate its first brand-new community media facility in 42 years.

A long-standing issue remains unresolved at Somerville High School, where drivers frequently violate the “no left turn” rule. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Carlie Lombardi

On February 24, the Somerville Traffic and Parking Committee met to address important transportation and mobility issues impacting residents. The meeting covered a range of topics, from pedestrian safety and congestion to enforcement measures for traffic violations.

Join the City and Somerville Public Schools at 2025 Summer Camp and Activities Fair. The fair will be held on Thursday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the East Somerville Community School gymnasium (50 Cross St.). Get information on Somerville’s summer camps, recreational activities, and learning opportunities. Pizza and fun activities will be provided. Learn more at https://somervillehub.org/.

Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Boys basketball finished their season hosting and winning the first round of MIAA State D5 Tournament. Some other accomplishes to mention are, it was their first MCSAO Championship game they played in since 2011 (14years ago) and Dennis Orellana made Coach of the Year for the second time. Their league is split in 2 divisions North and South and they were Regular Season Champions for North Division. Here are some reflections about the season from the Athletic Director, Coach and players.

Somerville Media Center {SMC) recently held its Grand Opening event to celebrate its relocation to 29 Properzi Way. We congratulate them on the successful transition to their new location and on their many years of service to the city.

SMC started in 1983 as the first community access television station in Massachusetts. Thirty-eight years ago, at the direction of then-Mayor Eugene Brune, the City of Somerville renovated the former firehouse in the center of Union Square to create television studios to be run by the community. SMC was the site of the first national teleconference for the deaf, the first cable access lesbian soap opera, and some of the earliest panels on transgender youth.

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Here are a few recipes I shared over the years, all in one place! Whether you’re looking to make shepherd’s pie, soda bread, or colcannon, I’ve got you covered. Check out the links below. I know the traditional way of preparing the corned beef is to boil it, but I am sharing the way I prepare mine, in a not so traditional way, sous vide. It’s the only way I prepare it now and I get rave reviews from friends and family. I have also included information on how sous vide works in a link below.

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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Ed Meek

— Life is plastic. It’s fantastic. (Barbie Girl)

The multi-talented Scott Guild has created both a novel and an accompanying musical version of the novel. The novel focuses on live plastic figurines existing sometime in the not-too-distant future after nuclear war.