Venues such as The Comedy Studio are turning to online streaming as a means of survival through the remaining covid restrictions period. — Photos courtesy of The Comedy Studio

By Timothy Kaplowitz

As COVID-19 vaccination rates rise in Massachusetts, many of the state’s live performance venues are finally eyeing reopening after over a year of closure. While indoor venues elsewhere in Massachusetts begin to reopen, Somerville’s local government has taken a more cautious approach, barring indoor performances, and restricting some forms of outdoor performance that involve high rates of aerosol projection.

So-called hostile architecture, which discourages resting and sleeping in public spaces, has been deemed inappropriate by the Somerville City Council.

By Alex Reidy

The April 8 City Council meeting saw many resolutions passed, including that one appointing the Director of Mobility and Commissioner of Public Works work with the State Delegation to remove hostile architecture from the Davis Square MBTA station, as well as to ensure that no hostile architecture continues to be installed around the city.

As businesses gradually reopen throughout the city of the next weeks and months, please remember the importance of shopping local. These businesses have taken a hit while remaining closed during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and they could sure use a boost as they take their first tentative steps towards getting back to normal. Now and into the future. We owe that to them.

Miniature houses provide page-turners to people of all ages.

By Shira Laucharoen
Somerville Wire

Copies of Kerouac’s “On the Road,” Sue Grafton mysteries, and an American cookbook line the shelves of Ellie Botshon’s Little Free Library on 28 Jay Street. While she has housed the structure on her property for about five years, similar book collections have been popping up all over Somerville for some time now, offering passers-by the opportunity to pick up a read or donate their own.

Matthew Buchanan

Following a comprehensive search process, Somerville Public Schools (SPS) Superintendent Mary Skipper is pleased to announce that Matthew Buchanan, currently Principal at Hope High School in the Providence Public Schools in Rhode Island, will be joining the District’s school leadership team as the next Principal of Somerville High School (SHS). Mr. Buchanan is wrapping up his second year at Hope High, and takes over the helm of the 1,250+ comprehensive Somerville High School from current Principal Sebastian “Sibby” LaGambina. Principal LaGambina, a graduate of SHS, announced in January his intent to retire at the end of this school year after a 35-year career in SPS, including the last four as Principal at SHS.

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Cod en papillote, French for enveloped in paper, or cod al cartoccio, Italian for folded pouch is a method of cooking that uses the moisture of the food or an additional liquid, like wine, lemon juice, stock, or water to steam the food while baking in the oven or on a grill.

Peter P. Fantasia 1916 – 2021

FANTASIA, Peter P. of Somerville, April 12, 2021. Beloved husband of the late Mildred D. (Mooney) Fantasia. Loving father of Francis M. Fantasia and his wife Linda of Chelmsford, Peter P. Fantasia, Jr. and his wife Rena of Nahant, Martha A. Mesiti and her husband Robert of Lawrence, Annette M. Gillis of Wakefield and her late husband Bruce. Brother of the late Rose Traniello and Mary Adams. Dear grandfather of Kathryn, Brendan, Mark, Matthew, Eric, Nicole, Neil, Jennifer, Patrick and the late Kevin. Also survived by 4 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

If there’s one thing most New Englanders agree on, it’s the beauty of our natural surroundings, from our lush forests and picturesque mountain ranges to our thriving wetlands and spectacular coastline. We are indeed blessed with the best of what nature can offer.

In keeping with the spirit of preserving the natural habitat, the Somerville City Council recently passed an ordinance, the first of its kind in the country, known as “The City of Somerville Native Planting Ordinance,” which demands that native plant species be planted on city-owned land.

Patricia A. Davenport 1946 – 2021

DAVENPORT, Patricia A. (lovingly known as Pooh), age 74, died peacefully in her home in Medford, MA on April 3, 2021, with her son and sister by her side. Patricia lived a full and happy life for 17 years after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer, thanks to exceptional medical care, the love and support of family and friends, and the joy of her two grandsons. Her adventurous spirit and love for travel brought her many memories and lifelong connections from across the world. She was an independent, dignified, and incredibly strong woman with a keen intellect and interest in world events. Her generous nature was always to help others, rooted in her core values of family and community.

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By Kirk Etherton, co-producer of the Boston National Poetry Month Festival.

The 20th annual B.N.P.M.F. almost happened in 2020. Instead, the 20th Festival is taking place this year, on Zoom.

Certain things change—like everyone saying “Zoom.” One constant is Somervillians being a notable part of this event. I could easily fill the entire page by mentioning everything that Doug Holder (professor, publisher, interviewer, etc.) does for poetry, and the arts in general. But I’ll just say he’s a Festival board member, and one of this year’s featured poets.