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Toni Bee met me in the backroom of the Bloc 11 Cafe to discuss her life as a poet, mother, woman, activist, African-American, etc. Bee made it clear to me that she doesn’t want to be straight-jacketed into any particular label. A formidable figure, with a voice that makes sure it is heard, Bee also exhibits a great deal of warmth. But she is not one who is afraid to spit out the truth no matter how uncomfortable it feels.

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Margery Hutter Silver’s first career was as an editor for the Atlantic Monthly and Boston book publishing houses. After her retirement from her second career in geriatric europsychology, during which she wrote and published the book, Living to 100 (Perseus, 1999) and many journal articles, she expected to return to her first love, writing short stories. Instead, she began to write and loves poetry.

O’Donnell, Keith J. – 60, of Somerville, passed away on November 30, 2019. Beloved husband of Denise J. (Splaine) O’Donnell.

Cherished son of the late Wanda Fleming.

Loving father of Keith M. O’Donnell of Somerville and his fiancée Nicole, Daniel F. O’Donnell of Somerville, Michaela J. O’Donnell of Greenfield and her fiancé Thomas Richardson.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 Councilor J.T. Scott, and the city’s Planning staff invite you to a meeting to discuss initial steps toward achieving the neighborhood plan for Boynton Yards. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Public Safety Building, 220 Washington St.

By Jeanne Leyden

Recognition for a job well done is very important. That is why I like to thank a very special group of people for all that they do, as part of Caregiver Appreciation Month each November.

They typically don’t get a lot of attention, but family caregivers are everywhere. A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 15 percent of Americans provide some level of unpaid care for another adult. Whether it’s running errands, providing transportation, or hands-on assistance, the common thread is giving time to meet the needs of a loved one. It’s a very beautiful thing.

Jobs for Somerville member Mary Jo Connelly is one of many community activists seeking to establish an improved wage theft law in the city.

By Jane Regan
Somerville Neighborhood News

Somerville bosses have been quietly cheating employees out of tens of thousands of dollars for years now.

The state attorney general’s office has assessed employers based in, or working in, the city almost $230,000 in fines for various labor violations since January 2015. As of Nov. 1, most of them, including the Herb Chambers Companies, had not yet completely paid the penalties. Many are still in business, and it’s entirely possible that there are other deceitful employers who have not yet been caught.

DeSimone, Leo G. Jr. – Of Stoneham formerly of Somerville November 26, 2019.

Beloved father of Cassandra DeSimone of Beverly, Anthony DeSimone of Magnolia and Dominic DeSimone of Stoneham.

Loving fiancé of Dana Young and her children Samantha, Harrison and Charlie Young.

This winter, Somerville property owners can save big on utility bills with an energy-saving heating system thanks to an initiative by National Grid being offered through the City of Somerville. The City of Somerville’s Housing Division is participating in the National Grid Community Initiative for its third year.