City officials are concerned about accessibility issues with the current GLX Union Square station. — Photo courtesy of Fennick|McCredie Architecture LTD

By Jim Clark

A resolution was put forward at the latest regular meeting of the Somerville City Council calling for improved accessibility at the forthcoming Union Square Green Line Station.

The initial sponsor, Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, spoke in favor of the resolution saying, “For those who don’t know, currently the access to the Union Square station is from the north. It’s from the corner of Prospect Street and something called Bennett Court, which is basically where the old radiator shop was. So for anyone coming from Cambridge or Inman Square, when you get to the top of Prospect Street, according to the current proposal you’ll be able to take a staircase down that’s being built by the private developer. But if you can’t take stairs, whether that’s a stroller or you have mobility issues, you’ll have to go – according to my analysis on Google Maps – an additional 850 feet, which Councilor Niedergang reminded me is almost three football fields out of your way, just to reach the station.”

The Somerville City Council’s Public Health and Public Safety Committee took up the issue of better serving the needs of those suffering from autism.

By Jackson Ellison

The City of Somerville is looking for ways to help children with autism feel more comfortable both in the community and in public schools. The city is also trying to help first responders have better interactions when it comes to interacting with a person with autism while responding to an emergency call.

The first week of the Ball Square bridge being closed has passed, and various shops and restaurants tell us that business is still good. One told us they broke a record for Saturday afternoon. But several local eateries are depending on you to continue stopping in and having a great breakfast or lunch. Whether it’s Ball Square Café, Sound Bites, Kelly’s Diner, or Victor’s Deli – which everyone loves – please don’t forget them. Business will be rough, but each place in Ball Square has loyal dedicated customers who need to keep coming back. Don’t forget the many other businesses in Ball Square either. So far, as we are located here in Ball Square (the newspaper) traffic hasn’t been that bad!

The documentary “Runnin’” provides an unfiltered view of the opioid crisis and the toll it has taken in the lives of many Somerville victims.

The Alex Foster Foundation, along with the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services and the Somerville Office of Prevention, is sponsoring a free showing of the award-winning documentary Runnin’ at Somerville Theatre on Monday April 15.

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Here’s a great recipe for meatless Monday. Packed with sweet and savory flavors that go well with spaghetti squash or pasta. The different textures will leave you truly satisfied with this vegetarian knock off of a meat filled ragu.

However well-intentioned the recent revisions made to the Condominium/Cooperative Conversion Ordinance by the Somerville City Council may be, there are those that are affected by it who are left scratching their heads and wondering if certain measures included in the final version have gone too far in their regulatory reach.

The Somerville High School Highlander Robotics Team, led by SHS Science teacher Michael Friedman, had a great weekend at the FIRST Robotics Greater Boston District Event at Revere High School.

The national Week of the Young Child will be celebrated at Somerville City Hall on Wednesday, April 10.

On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, children and teachers from childcare, preschool, and kindergarten programs across the city will gather at Somerville’s City Hall for a day of celebration and civic engagement as part of the national Week of the Young Child.

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Now, with more music!
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By Kirk Etherton

This year’s Festival is April 3-7 (see website below). As a Somerville resident, poet, and musician, I always enjoy writing about it from a “Somerville perspective.” This year’s photo is – for a change – of an artist who lives just over the line, but still in “Camberville.” (Or is it “Somerbridge?”)

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Somerville resident Kirk Etherton writes: “I love Market Basket. The diversity of products and people is always a treat. The first time I went in, it was overwhelming … but not for long! This poem describes my ‘conversion’ that day, more than 10 years ago.”