Municipal Empowerment Act relieves administrative burdens, supports fiscal strength, and expands tools available to support communities 

Governor Maura Healey filed legislation to help local governments across Massachusetts reduce long-term fiscal pressures, attract a talented workforce, provide high-quality services, and streamline operations to best serve residents. Governor Healey announced her plan to refile the Municipal Empowerment Act last week, in tandem with a Chapter 90 reform bill the Governor filed to make meaningful investments in municipal transportation infrastructure.  

Denise Bergman, “Dangler #42,” paper, acrylic, glue, 2022

Abstract painter and Brickbottom Artists’ Building founding member Diane Novetsky has assembled a cohort of three inventive painters for a new exhibit of current abstraction at Brickbottom Gallery opening February 9 and running through February 28.

Join Environmental Health Coordinator, Alicia Privett for a virtual information session to learn about rodents, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them!

The Somerville Police Department is seeking any information regarding the individual shown here in connection to a larceny involving a painting that occurred at 50 Prospect Street in the early morning hours of January 5, 2025. If you have any information, please contact Somerville Police Detective Jonathan Thermidor at 617-625-1600 x 7231.

Security footage can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3CIUCO5

LEGO® Brick’s 67th Birthday and LEGO Discovery Center Boston is celebrating by launching a brand-new event called LEGO Creativity Academy  through March 3.

During LEGO Creativity Academy, guests will stretch their imaginations and LEGO building potential with one-of-a-kind LEGO activities during this limited-time event. Master Model Builders Sean and Kaleb will teach builders how to make the seemingly impossible, possible, while learning the art of creating a perfect LEGO circle. Plus, experience unique build challenges, Master Model Builder talks, giant LEGO mosaic builds and more at LEGO Discovery Center Boston, operated by Merlin Entertainments.

Can discrimination exist in an America where everyone is Black?

That’s among the questions posted by ‘The Flying Ace’ (1926), a rare surviving example of movies produced early in the 20th century for Black audiences in segregated cinemas.

The Flying Ace, named to the U.S. National Film Registry in 2021, will be screened in honor of Black History Month on Sunday, February 2, at 2 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, Mass.

— Photos by Jeffrey Shwom

By Jeffrey Shwom

The clangs, thumps, sounds of falling pins and cheers filled the brightly lit candlepin bowling alley Sunday morning, January 19. There were multiple multi-generational groups of families and friends enjoying a long weekend activity (and at least one birthday party).

The City will now prioritize the sale of the property for private development, focusing on mixed-use residential development with ground floor retail space–including both affordable and market rate units–that aligns with the community vision outlined by the 90 Washington Street Civic Advisory Committee. Staff will also explore the possibility of integrating Engine 3 into private development, an approach that faces hurdles but could follow the private-public model used to build Somerville’s new Assembly Row Fire Station, which is expected to open this spring.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

In the 60’s and 70’s a lot of Somerville kids were starting rock groups. Many were self-taught but others took lessons. The city was cultivating a fine array of talented musicians.

In 1968 I started taking guitar lessons like a lot of kids around that age. We found a guitar teacher named Mr. Cuneo in Bow St. in Medford. He was a pipe smoker. The whole house smelled like pipe smoke. Mrs. Cuneo gave piano lessons in another room.