Applications for Two New Members Due by Monday, September 30, 2024

The Somerville Commission for Women (SCW) is actively seeking two new volunteer members to join their ranks, and we welcome applications from all Somerville residents. This is a chance for community members with diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives to contribute their passion for women’s rights to our vibrant community.

— Photo courtesy of Somerville FD

Lt. C. Darrel Richardson was promoted to the rank of Captain at the May 9th City Council meeting. Captain Richardson is a 22-year member of the Somerville Fire Department. Richardson is seen here with Chief Charles Breen following his promotion ceremony at City Hall on May 9, 2024.

On Sunday, May 19, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., the Somerville Bike Kitchen is hosting its annual Bike Pageant at Somernova in the Aeronaut Brewing Courtyard at 14 Tyler St., or, in case of rain, at The Dojo at 15 Properzi Way. Somerville Bike Kitchen’s Somerville Bike Pageant is a celebration of unique, fun, creative, colorful and/or otherwise one-of-a-kind bikes. The event will have a handful of prize categories, ranging from self-explanatory to entirely unserious. The pageant is an excuse to come out, meet people and look at other people’s great, beloved, funny, wacky, rusty, stylish, mostly safe bikes. Anyone with a bike they want to share can enter it in the pageant. The event is free to attend and participate. For more information on categories, or to pre-register your bike, visit somervillebikekitchen.org.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

A quick drive to Medford’s Mystic Lakes was a prime make out area. Parking there was nicknamed “watching the submarine races.” The cops were pretty laid-back dealing with all the cars. You never knew when that flashlight would shine in your face but it was worth the cat and mouse game. I have my own memories about parking down the lanes and here are more comments:

On Sunday, May 12, 2024, at approximately 2:58 a.m. Somerville Police responded to Memorial Rd. for reports of shots fired. Officers located a victim suffering from two non-fatal gunshot wounds who was then transported to the hospital. Ten spent shell casings were recovered from the scene. A residence, an administration building, and a vehicle all sustained ballistic damage from stray bullets but there were no other injuries.

This is an active police investigation and anyone who has information is asked to contact the Somerville Police Department at 617-625-1600 ext.7236 or 617-308-0730.

Somerville’s porches, yards, and stoops once again presented free mini-concerts across the city last Saturday as part of the city’s annual Porchfest, hosted by the Somerville Arts Council. This celebration of local, live, homegrown music offered something for everyone at drop-in home-based shows. Participants simply strolled from house to house to enjoy the open-air entertainment. More than 300 bands participated across wide-ranging musical genres from youth playing classical music to electronica groups, karaoke, and – a first this year – stand-up comedy.

At Somerville’s Porchfest this weekend, Sara Adkins performed a Live Coding music set, during which she wrote computer code that created music in real-time.

— Photos courtesy of Cynthia Frawley and ConserveART LLC

Throughout the month of May, the Somerville Museum will partner with the City of Somerville and members of the community to host events honoring Somerville’s history. All events are open to the public, ADA accessible, and free to all. We hope you’ll join us for some exciting special events this month! Location details and sign-up links will be posted in advance of each event at somervillemuseum.org/preservation-month.

The City of Somerville is working with consulting firm Raftelis in hopes of finding viable options for lowering water and sewer bills for lower-income residents.

By Parker Garlough

The Somerville City Council’s initial proposal for assisting residents with water bills is prohibited by an obscure Massachusetts state law, local government and utility management consulting firm Raftelis’ Vice President Dave Fox said at last Thursday’s City Council meeting. Raftelis recommended other solutions, and will continue to research their feasibility.