By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a Somerville Ave. location last week on reports of an alarm. Somerville Police control received a call from the location’s alarm company as a confirmed breaking and entering, and the reporting party was on scene.

Upon arrival, the officers spotted a man, later identified as James Hargrove, standing in front of the business, in the company of a dog and having a phone conversation via earphones.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Before all the new “designer” bars there were many local Barron’s around the city.

My dad frequented Pat Connolly’s and The Coronet, which became Redbones in Davis Square. The bar counter had pickled eggs, Slim Jim’s and BEER NUTS. Dad called them “gin mills” and he referred to beer as “a cold one.” I remember seeing Ballentine Ale and Schlitz in our refrigerator.

On my reboot of Greater Somerville, the General Manager of the MBTA Green Line Extension for the Commonwealth, John Dalton. The opening of the first two of seven rapid transit Green Line stops in Cambridge, Somerville and Medford took place on March 21, 2022. It was my pleasure to spend time with John and chat about the historic opening and what he experienced and what will come in the next few months. Watch it here or on the Somerville Media Center, Channel 3 in Somerville.

After years of hard work Union Square station opened on Monday, March 21. — Photo by Doug Holder

By Ryan DiLello

On Monday of this week, after decades of planning and debate, the city of Somerville celebrated the opening of the Green Line stop within Union Square. Last Thursday, Mayor Ballantyne held a press conference to field questions about the historic project from the community.

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

On March 5, the Somerville Democratic Ward Committees met to select delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention on June 3 and 4. Committees for Wards 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 met to select these delegates.

According to an email from the Maura Healey Campaign, 54 delegates were elected for the Maura Healey camp to represent the candidate at the Convention in June. Candidates need at least 325 delegates to win the Democratic nomination.

(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 Jason Mackey

Dear neighbors,

As you may have heard, the former home of the First Universalist Church and current home of King Solomon’s Lodge A.F. & A.M. at 125 Highland Avenue was recently sold to make way for desperately needed affordable housing. This is all well and good, but on Monday, March 28th, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) will vote on establishing a Local Historic District (LHD) at this address (and only this address); effectively killing the sale and any hopes of affordable housing along with it.

STV’s collaboration with the MBTA in helping to bring the Green Line Extension project closer to completion has been lauded by everyone involved in the process. — Photo courtesy of STV

STV, a leader in engineering, architectural, planning and program and construction management services joined the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to celebrate the opening of the Green Line Extension (GLX).

Revenue service has begun on the Union Square branch, the first of two segments to be completed on this $2.3 billion design-build. STV serves as the lead designer for GLX as part of the design-build team led by Fluor Corporation/Middlesex Corporation/Herzog Contracting Corp/Balfour Beatty joint venture (GLX Constructors).

Please join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS), and the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) for a webinar about tenants’ rights in Somerville, housing advocacy and rental assistance services, and community organizing to prevent eviction and displacement. Somerville’s local eviction moratorium, established in March 2020, currently remains in effect until Saturday, April 30. The webinar is Wednesday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m. Learn more and register to attend at somervillema.gov/ohs. Spanish and Portuguese interpretation will be provided, and other languages can be requested on the registration form. If you are facing eviction, need help paying your rent or mortgage, or need help accessing affordable housing, contact OHS at somervillema.gov/ohs or 617-625-6600 ext. 2581.

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This is a great time of year to visit farmers markets and farm stands in the area. I like to meander through the rows and look for fresh and vibrant fruits and vegetables. The last time I went to the farm stand I came upon a large display of radishes. This time of year radishes tend to be a little more bitter than in the spring and winter. But this recipe will bring out the sweetness and have you craving more of these crisp nuggets of flavor. First off, only pick radishes that have vibrant green tops. These are not only fresh, but as an extra bonus, the greens can also be prepared and eaten.