Arrests:
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Dwayne Greene, of 1374 Broadway, March 7, 1:34 p.m., arrested at Davis Sq. on charges of alcohol from open container, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

Shea Morton, of 49 Magee St., Cambridge, March 9, 2:35 p.m., arrested at Middlesex Ave. on charges of receiving stolen property under $1200 and shoplifting by concealing merchandise, and on a warrant charge of refusal to provide DNA database sample.

This collaboration with the Somerville Arts Council and In Her Words Diary photographer, Emily Falcigno, formed in the spirit of the #MeToo Movement and the Women’s March with the desire to amplify marginalized voices. In honor of Women’s History Month in March, the Inside-OUT gallery will showcase a variety of experiences and provoke thoughtful conversation around everyday feminism.  Visible Voices will be on view from March 12-April 15.

Licensed clinical social worker and outreach specialist Angela Clary.

By Angela Clary

Caregivers lead busy lives. It’s often a challenge just to keep up with day-to-day obligations. But family caregiver emergency planning is important, and something that should always be kept up-to-date.

Emergencies happen, and a crisis is not the best time to figure things out. A good emergency plan can save time and worry, and help ensure everyone stays safe.

Observers watched as City of Somerville Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner Vanessa Boukili planted a tree.
— Photo by Greg Cook

Somerville teens with an interest in environmental issues, gardening, agriculture, ecology, and other related fields are encouraged to apply for two open positions on the City’s Urban Forestry Committee. To apply you need to be a Somerville resident between the ages of 14 and 17.

March 21 and 22 at Somerville High School 

The Highlander Theatre Company, the resident theatre company of Somerville High School will present Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Centennial Auditorium at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave.

Public Hearing on Proposed Zoning Amendment to Regulate the Protection and Removal of Significant Trees on Private Property

Members of the public are invited to attend and speak at a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 12, on proposed changes to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance that would regulate the removal of significant trees from all private property, including residential property, in the city. The hearing, held by the City Council Land Use Committee of the Whole, will take place March 12, after 6 p.m., at City Hall, along with several other consecutive public hearings. Written testimony may also be submitted to citycouncil@somervillema.gov and cityclerk@somervillema.gov. 

(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 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers. 

2/3 renters: About 2/3 of Somerville residents rent. Put another way, more than 50,000 of our roughly 80,000 residents are renters. Housing is one of the biggest issues in both Somerville and the Boston region, and looking at ways to alleviate the housing crisis means we need to know our population. Some policies affect homeowners and renters differently, so it’s important to keep both perspectives in mind. A recent example of this is proposed changes to the City’s condo conversion ordinance. Condos can be the affordable option for people entering homeownership and, for some people, condos are their preferred choice, so we don’t want to completely end condo conversions. At the same time, condo conversions remove rental units from Somerville’s housing stock and often displace renters. When we look at these issues, we have to keep in mind the needs of all of our residents and try to balance them.

(L to R) Noor Saadan, Carrie Bell, and Sophia Beckmann. — Photos by Correen Demers

By Katie Harris

This Friday, March 8, at 6:30 pm, the girls’ basketball state tournament championship game in the Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Association (MCSAO) will be played at the Clark Athletic Center on the campus of the University of Massachusetts in Boston.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer was dispatched to Robbins Smoke Shop in Davis Square, on reports of a larceny.

Upon arrival, the officer met with the reporting party, who said that approximately ten minutes earlier a woman inside the CVS dropped a credit card belonging to her boyfriend on the ground after making a purchase, and left the store without realizing she had dropped it.