~Photos by Claudia Ferro

A new event to honor the service and heroism of those service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to our country took place on Memorial Day at Sylvester Baxter State Park at Assembly Row.
“Memorial on the Mystic” featured an outdoor musical tribute presented by the Metropolitan Wind Symphony, N’Harmony, and the Somerville High School Chorus followed by a spectacular fireworks tribute as the evening’s finale.

Four Somerville girls presented their views on rising rents and gentrification in the city to the City Council at their latest meeting last Thursday.

By Jennifer Grimes

The first to address their agenda to the Somerville City Council on May 23, were four middle school girls. Emily Aravalo, Maria Benavides, Seline Pierre, Leiosha O’Conner-Vital and Aidsa Rivera Arias stood courageously together at the podium, with a poster board in tow, to speak on behalf of those in their community who are struggling with the rising rents.

(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.)

Infrastructure repairs in and around Davis Sq. are badly needed, according to the advocacy group DavisNow.

The Central Business District in Davis Square has declined to a state of chronic disrepair that adversely impacts the safety of all who traverse it while negatively impacting commercial rents and the ability to attract and retain businesses. The state of disrepair of the sidewalks, crosswalks, trees, landscaping, signage, public art, lighting is not just unattractive, it is unsafe. But, as rough as the current conditions are for residents, visitors, and businesses, they can be fixed fairly quickly (within the current fiscal year) and for a modest investment (approximately $750,000).

By Melissa Rosales

Every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Union Square Plaza, Union Square Farmers Market serves the local community fresh local food and products for the summer from May 18 – November 23, rain or shine.

Less than a month away, it’s the Third East Somerville Reunion, set for Saturday, June 15, at the Somerville City Club, across from Holiday Inn on Innerbelt Road. Thanks to hard work and efforts put into this by Dan Rogovich and his small but dedicated bunch of helpers, it should be a great one once again for one and all. The last time was two years ago and well over 100 to 150 attendees showed up from all over the state and across the country. Lots of people who grew up in East Somerville have missed the last two but wanted to have a third. Some of us here at The Somerville Times are from East Somerville we will be there and have already reached out to others. A small group of “down backers” behind the Bucket who grew up there in the 60’s will all be there. They meet every four or so months to talk about old times and great times. Help make this a success. Go online to Facebook to check it out. Ask Dan what you can do to help. He is looking for the food, entertainment and just plain East Somerville fun.

Bluntly Speaking by Ross E. Blouin, Publisher of The Somerville Times

A large group of property owners in Ward 7 showed up for the Wednesday night meeting at the West Somerville Community School. There were more than 120 in attendance and the residents were in no mood to take in the dog and pony show put on by Community Development and Ward 7 Councilor Katjana Ballantyne.

Practically everyone is pumped as we head into the bright, sunny days of summer after the Memorial Day weekend.

What is more appealing to a child than that savory and unrivaled treat, summer vacation? A well-deserved reward for all the hard work and irreplaceable time invested in the previous school year.

Arrests:
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William McNeill, of 209 School St., Woburn, May 20, 12:52 p.m., arrested at Washington St. on a warrant charge of leaving the scene of property damage.

Leonardo DeOliveira, of 109A Broadmeadow St., Marlboro, May 20, 5:10 p.m., arrested at Cross St. on a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The weather was perfect on Thursday morning, May 23, setting the stage for the annual Special Olympics School Day Games event at Somerville’s Trum Field.

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Review by Renuka Raghavan, author of “Out of the Blue” (Big Table Publishing, 2018)

Meditative, vulnerable, and elusive, the poetry of Julia Carlson’s Little Creatures thwarts the conventional doggerel, composed instead to develop significance from contemporary-themed narratives. Replete with thoughts concerning the world around us, be them natural or political, Carlson’s poems illuminate a world charged with the delicate vulnerability of quiet rage, past relationships, and ongoing remembrance.