— Photos courtesy of Kevin Foster

On Monday morning, March 21, more than 70 residents, organizers and activists, and elected officials joined the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) at the entrance of the re-opened MBTA Lechmere Station for a bilingual Somerville community press conference called, “Don’t Let the Green Line Become the Gentrification Line!” The event preceded the MassDOT grand opening ceremony for the MBTA Green Line Extension (GLX).

Local makers and educators Kelly Taylor and Dina Gjertsen of Parts and Crafts, a family makerspace on Somerville Avenue, display an assortment of handmade gadgets and toys.

At Union Square networking event, creatives convene with developers and city officials
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By Molly Rains

Entrepreneurs, artists, and other “makers” from across Somerville gathered together for a Maker Movement Huddle on Thursday, March 24. The event was hosted by the Boynton Yards development team and the City of Somerville’s Economic Development Division, with Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and representatives from the Somerville Arts Council also in attendance.

By Kyle Dante

In light of financial matters, the police force remains a sensitive subject. Concerning movements such as Black Lives Matter, it is a discussion of uncertainty.

In 2001, Somerville’s Sam Alterman led an investigation. The investigation is about the budgetary decisions made by the Somerville City Council. Alterman called for a deemphasis on the police, citing public health and safety as primary reasons. Reevaluated in 2004 by then-Mayor Joe Curtatone, it formed the Police Advisory Group in 2005. Following that, more police officers have joined the ranks.

Ibbetson Street literary magazine, founded in Somerville in 1998 by Doug Holder, Richard Wilhelm, and Dianne Robitaille, will celebrate the release of the 50th issue at the Central Branch of the Somerville Library, 79 Highland Ave. on March 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Open to the public.

Eagle Feathers #250 – The mayor of Union Square  

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Robert Aldersey Vinal was the oldest of eleven children. Born in Boston, he was three years old when his parents moved to Somerville/Charlestown in 1824. It was here that his father, a grain dealer, and his mother, Lydia Stone, resided until his father’s death in 1867. This place would become known as Union Square.  

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes the inevitable regular street sweeping activities throughout the city.

As inconvenient and annoying it may be to comply with schedule, it is an inescapable fact of life for us all and we must make the adjustment accordingly.

After a three year absence, the Somerville Homeless Coalition’s Spring Into Action Event took place at the Somerville Theatre’s newly refurbished Crystal Ballroom on Thursday, March 24. Food was provided by Dave’s Fresh Pasta and Red Bones and The Chicken Slacks brought the music. All proceeds from this event will benefit Somerville Homeless Coalition clients facing homelessness, eviction and food insecurity. If you missed the event but would like to learn more about supporting the SHC, go to https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org.

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The first time I went to the Boston Medical Center was in the 70s, when it was known as Boston City Hospital. I was a college student, without medical insurance. Back then we all knew we could get a hospital card and get free medical treatment there. I hadn’t been back until now, 45 years later, and it was for a profoundly different reason.

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Lauren Nielson is a freshman at Endicott College, majoring in English with a concentration in Secondary Education. On campus, she frequently writes articles for Endicott’s chapter of HerCampus, which is an online magazine targeted for female college students. In addition to reading and writing, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

Arrests:
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Daryl Dickenson, March 23, 11:41 p.m., arrested at Elm St. on warrant charges of use of a motor vehicle without authority, larceny of a motor vehicle, attempt to commit a crime, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.