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Lesley Bannatyne has a new collection of her short stories out, Unaccustomed to Grace. In this debut collection, everyday characters find a kind of magic, grace and redemption. Bannatyne told me she is the type of writer who can step out of her house and literally find a font of fodder for new work. My kind of writer! I caught up with her recently, and she generously agreed to answer a few questions…

(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)

From 2009 until 2019, I lived in 11 different apartments across Medford, Somerville, and Cambridge. Sometimes for more, sometimes for less, and always paying a broker’s fee. My first bedroom in a 4BR/1BA apartment near Teele Square cost $737 per month, adjusted for inflation. Today, a similar apartment costs at least $900 on Craigslist.

Poet, publisher, and instructor Doug Holder reads an original poem in celebration of National Poetry Month at Endicott.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

Today, Somerville residents of all ages celebrated Patriots’ Day outdoors at Foss Park on Broadway.  The event featured a reenactment of Paul Revere’s famous ride from Boston to Lexington, period-appropriate refreshments and games.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

On Saturday, April 16, families enjoyed the Annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Connexion at Chuckie Harris Park.

The owner of Shivalic Food and Spice in Somerville said early Friday morning a theft broke into his store and caused approximately $25,000 worth of damage.

The suspect was seen on surveillance camera, see the full story here.

The City of Somerville is participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this month, hosting two collection events for residents to safely dispose of prescription medications. 

On Saturday, April 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., join the Community Outreach, Help, and Recovery (COHR) Department and the Prevention Services Division at 220 Washington Street and 6 Newbury Street. Staff will be onsite at both locations to collect unused or expired medications and provide overdose prevention information and resources. Free Narcan will also be distributed at each location.

This is the last weekend to visit Somerville’s Winter Farmer’s Market, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Offering the best locally grown and produced agricultural items and more. They offer a diverse range of local and New England produce, as well as cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, pastries, chocolate, and wine. They feature guest vendors each week, as well as live entertainment and activities.

Moratorium otherwise set to expire April 30; Board to take up matter at Thursday, April 21, meeting 

The City of Somerville is seeking to extend its eviction moratorium by two months and ultimately sunset the moratorium on June 30, 2022. Otherwise set to expire on April 30, the proposed extension and sunset date will be considered by the Somerville Board of Health at its Thursday, April 21, meeting. The Somerville eviction moratorium is the last remaining municipal eviction moratorium in the Commonwealth. A range of alternative supports are available for qualifying households. Any Somerville residents facing eviction or housing instability are urged to contact the City’s Office of Housing Stability.

Monday, April 18 is Patriots’ Day
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City buildings will be closed. Trash, recycling and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day.

No street sweeping on Monday.