~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Last weekend, local artists will open their studios and workshops all over the city to the public during the 20th annual Somerville Open Studios (SOS).

Dante DiFronzo

By Jim Clark

According to a report published in The Boston Globe, a Somerville Police Department detective has been let go by the city over a 2015 incident in which the officer, Dante DiFronzo, allegedly aided a drug dealer in finding his rival, which led to a near fatal stabbing.

Update: Due to current forecasts, Somerville Porchfest has been postponed to Sunday, May 13. Bands begin in West Somerville neighborhoods at noon.

Have you ever sat on your porch and overheard a neighbor strumming guitar on another porch? PorchFest takes this idea and multiplies it to create a city-wide event where Somervillians share their love of playing and listening to music.

Minibonds will allow residents the chance to earn tax-exempt interest while investing directly in Somerville’s future

Proceeds from the sale of minibonds will support projects like Lincoln Park renovation, West Branch Library design, street and sidewalk improvements, and more

The City of Somerville will soon offer residents the opportunity to invest in Somerville’s future by purchasing minibonds. Minibonds not only allow purchasers to directly support the community’s collective goals by investing in the financing of some of Somerville’s capital projects, they also enable residents to earn tax-exempt interest.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the area of Dartmouth St and Evergreen Ave. last Sunday on reports of a man walking down street yelling.

Upon arrival, the officers observed a man matching the description given to dispatch walking down Thurston St. towards Evergreen. The man reportedly yelling profanities about getting into an argument with his girlfriend over politics.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

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

4.9 percent increase in library circulation: We’ve always known Somervillians are thirsty for knowledge and now our latest library stats offer more proof. The libraries report a 4.9 percent increase in overall materials circulation when comparing the second quarters of fiscal years 2017 and 2018, and the trend remains upward. Between quarters one and two this year, circulation increased an additional 2.9 percent.

Citizens and public servants alike expressed strong opinions and concerns as the Board of Aldermen draws near to a final conclusion of its real estate transfer fee Home Rule Petition efforts.

By Jim Clark

On Monday, May 7, the Legislative Matters Committee of the Whole of the City of Somerville Board of Aldermen held a public meeting to provide both city officials and concerned residents the opportunity to share their thoughts and wishes regarding the proposed Home Rule Petition that would impose a 1% transfer fee on certain property transactions within the city.

“Clothing is mass produced,” Stefanie Johnson said. “It doesn’t fit everyone correctly because it’s trying to fit everyone. “ ~Photo by Jon Washer.

By Emily Blackwood

It’s no secret that when you look good, you feel good and Stefanie Johnson believes that the confidence you gain from the perfect outfit should be accessible to women everywhere.

“How you look and feel in your clothes directly affects how you act,” Johnson said, “and I think whether we want to believe it or not, what we’re wearing, it just makes a difference.”

This weekend, on Saturday, May 12, the Union Square Farmers Market begins, a sure sign that summer is near. And beginning on Wednesday, May 16, the Davis Square Farmers Market begins.

(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)

2 May 2018

Dear Mayor Curtatone,

I find myself to be writing on this occasion in a state of some distress due to the concern that I’ve developed in connection with the way in which the matter of dealing with citizens concerned by the planned removal of trees along Somerville Avenue in the Union Square area is being handled by city government.  My distress has mainly to do with what in my mind is the fact that the plan that has been announced to remove these trees is not likely to be justified by the case I expect to be made this evening at the public hearing at the police station, based on what I experienced at the “hearing” I attended in that same location last week which was called for the purpose of talking about a similar plan to remove trees that remain after what I understand to be an unauthorized felling of 37 trees on Beacon Street <http://somerville.wickedlocal.com/news/20171006/contractors-remove-trees-on-beacon-street-in-somerville-without-city-knowledge> last fall, for which no immediate financial or other material penalty has been imposed upon the contractor for what many, especially those living and working in the area, consider to be this outrage.