(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)

I have difficulty believing that there are some amongst us who oppose a living wage.

Raising the basic minimum to a new baseline starting point of $15 is a step towards breaking the poverty cycle and a path forward towards reduction of rampant racism. Keeping the hourly base low is a form of enslavement that prevents people from breaking out of the poverty cycle, and too many of this cohort are people who have been targets of the racists. It is a feudal mechanism meant to keep the labor input low so that employers, now because there is no slavery, can reap larger profits. It has become a way to control people, keep them in a certain social strata and remove a way for anyone in that strata to leave it.

(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 State Representative Christine Barber

One year into the COVID pandemic, we have many urgent needs across the Commonwealth. The pandemic has changed life for all of us and exposed wide disparities in our ability to access health care and housing, disproportionately harming communities of color. Simply put, there is a lot to do at the State House this session to meet this moment. 

By Joe Creason

The Somerville City Council held a regular meeting to discuss committee reports, councilor orders and other matters of the city agenda, on Thursday, February 25.

The meeting began with a citation from the City Council and the Mayor’s Office, honoring Marvin H. Spitzer for his 100th birthday. The citation recognized Spitzer as an honorable Somerville resident and WWII veteran.

(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 Kristen Strezo
Councilor At-Large

I wrote and introduced to the City Council last week a resolution calling for a State of Emergency to be declared in Somerville relating to the economic status of women, and how the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown has disproportionately impacted them and their workforce growth. Ward 7 Councilor Katjana Ballantyne co-sponsored the resolution with me.

(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 Jack Connolly
Jackconnolly422@gmail.com

Had to be a sad day in the Ville late last Friday afternoon when the City of Somerville opted out of joining the rest of the Commonwealth improving the tight COVID-19 restrictions, and relaxing the rules as of March 1st.

Mayor Curtatone announced on Monday during his midterm address that after 18 years of serving Somerville he will not be running for re-election. We thank him for his years of service to Somerville and wish him the best in the next chapter of his life, whatever that will be. Since his announcement the speculations have already started. Rumor has it that three current councilors are thinking of running: Ben Ewen-Campen, J.T. Scott and Katjana Ballantyne. Another rumor we heard is that there might be a surprise entry – long-time resident Joe Lynch. I guess we will know soon enough.

(left)”Picto 3″ by Ellen Solari and (right) “Gathering Strength” by Rochelle Zohn are two of the works on display at the fiber arts exhibition Molly Harding Nye Gallery at the Lexington Arts & Crafts Society.

An exhibition of textile art produced by a Somerville-based fiber arts collective comes to the Lexington Arts & Craft Society this spring, running from March 14 to April 4.

The Chemistry of FiberLab is curated by award-winning textile artist Jodi Colella, and features the artwork of students in her independent study group FiberLab. Begun in 2015, the group, under the tutelage of Colella, experiments with material and process while developing personal connections within a supportive community.

In regard to Black History Month this year. Let the months to come, heading into February 2022 be a time when we collectively commit to discovering and documenting the rich African American History here in the city that we love so dearly. Let us commit to setting into motion a process of memorialization, remembrance, public education and inspiration.

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To make a truly authentic Irish Soda Bread, only four ingredients are needed: flour, salt, baking soda and sour milk. There are many variations of soda bread recipes that have been passed down through generations, some family specific. Some include adding butter, raisins, sugar, orange zest and even caraway seeds, these ingredients, bring their own uniqueness of flavors and textures to the bread. But, once any additional ingredient is added, it is no longer considered Irish Soda Bread, but rather a Tea Cake.

Mr. Anthony Ciccariello

Winter Hill Bank’s CEO, Sandra McGoldrick is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Anthony Ciccariello to its Board of Directors. She stated “Mr. Ciccariello is our newest Board Member and he embodies the spirit of the communities that we serve. He will bring his talent and expertise in so many areas and we are fortunate to have him provide us with his skill and knowledge that is critical to Community Banking.”