~Photos by The Somerville Times staff

Sunday, March 6, an emergency response drill was conducted involving a Green Line train between the newly built Lechmere and Union Square Stations. Agencies participating in this exercise included MBTA Operations, MBTA Transit Police, Cambridge Fire Department (CFD), Somerville Fire Department (SFD), and Medford Fire Department (MFD) and Cataldo Ambulance.

In honor of National Foreign Language Week, March 6-12, known in Somerville as World Language Week, the Somerville World Language Department will be celebrating through art and music. Thanks to a Cultural Heritage Project grant from the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the week will include a performance by Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) at the Somerville High School Auditorium on Tuesday, March 8, during X-block from 10:05 to 11:00 a.m. JAE supports cultural equity and representation and promotes hope and healing through Haitian Folkloric dance and educational programming. The performance will be live-streamed, which will ensure that all classes at SHS and in the district can enjoy the performance.

DTA and DHCD adjust food benefit to reflect increased utility costs, connect households to heating assistance

Yesterday, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that approximately 200,000 Massachusetts households who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see an increase in benefits starting March 2022 in response to rising utility costs. SNAP benefit levels are determined in part by the average cost of utilities for Massachusetts households, and the Commonwealth requested and received approval from the federal government to adjust heating costs used when determining SNAP benefit amounts to reflect the rising costs of consumer goods occurring this winter. This adjustment increases support to eligible families by an estimated $1.4 million.

With COVID-19 health indicators improving, the City of Somerville Board of Health has voted to end Somerville’s face covering mandate for indoor public spaces. Effective Saturday, March 5, the City will no longer require masks in privately owned indoor locations such as restaurants, stores, theaters, and gyms. Businesses, however, remain free to maintain their own mask requirements to best serve their health and safety needs. 

On Sunday, March 6 at approximately 10:00 a.m., the MBTA will conduct an emergency response drill involving a Green Line train between the newly built Lechmere and Union Square Stations. Local and regional media outlets are expected to cover this drill.

“Bounce” oil, oilstick and sgraffito on panel, 2022, part of the “KSx20: Persistence of Light” exhibition marking twenty years of work by artist educator Karl Stephan, at Nave Gallery, March 19 – May 1.

For twenty years Karl Stephan worked in relative obscurity. But when Nave director Susan Berstler saw Karl’s pandemic work – and heard the story – she offered him a full-gallery retrospective.

Despite every dark event from 9/11 to Katrina, Trump to Covid and now Ukraine, Karl persists in seeking and sharing joy in art-making. From “suburban surrealism” to the new expansive “color music” his work celebrates the persistence of light.

Jerry C. DeCristofaro, devoted husband, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away at the Winchester Hospital on Saturday, February 26th. He was 85.

Born in Boston, MA, Jerry was a life-long resident of Medford. Jerry was the son of the late Joseph and Lucille (Moncada) DeCristofaro and grandfather of the late Garrett Anthony Joseph Theisen.

On March 3, 1842, Somerville officially became its own city after breaking away from Charlestown.

The City of Somerville has an opening for our citywide Community Garden Coordinator position. In this role, you will be the liaison between each of the 11 Community Gardens and the city. The role receives a $500 annual stipend paid quarterly.