In celebration of the World Day of Puppetry, the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry and Somerville Media Center present an evening of short puppetry films for families on Friday, April 6. Beginning at 7:00 p.m., singing sheep, piano-mouth puppets and an updated Old Mother Hubbard fill the screen in Handmade Puppet Dreams for Families, Volume 1, an episode of a traveling film series created by puppet artist Heather Henson. The evening continues at 8:00 p.m. with Puppet Showplace Resident Artist Sarah Nolen’s Treeples, in which girls join forces with lively forest creatures to rid the woods of monsters, followed by Brooklyn puppeteer Spencer Lott’s chocolate drama Cupcake and other independent short films.

The City of Somerville Tree Warden invites all interested residents and community members to a public hearing on Wednesday, March 28, to discuss upcoming tree removal as part of the construction process for the Somerville Ave. Utility & Streetscape Improvements Project. The  hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the Albert F. Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.

According to President Ed Kalcza, Cambridge Hackspace was started in 2013 by Richard Hawthorne.

By Emily Blackwood

Hidden behind an alley adjacent to the bustling Market Basket on Somerville Avenue, sits Cambridge Hackspace; a place where people can come to stretch their creative muscles and see what they can make.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Jimmy Del Ponte and the Moonlighters sang St Patrick’s Day songs to the residents of the Lowell St. VNA on Friday, March 9.

By Jim Clark

Members of the Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit and Gang Unit recently initiated a drug investigation targeting Walter Komnenus and his alleged role in the ongoing distribution of controlled substances in the city. The alleged distribution occurs from his Pearl St. residence.

Olga I. (Del Ponte) Beninati, of Somerville, age 93, transitioned peacefully with dignity and grace at her home on March 11, 2018. Devoted wife of the late Salvatore F. Beninati. Most amazing mother of Carol Benoit and her husband Freddie, of Somerville. Her most loving Nicole Ferreira of RI, and her husband Brandon Ferreira and Precious auntie of her babies, Christiana and Landon Ferreira. Also survived by her beloved fur babies, Chardonnay and Sangria. Dear sister of Gemma Lavey and Marie DiSalvo and the late Fred Del Ponte, Joseph Del Ponte and Gilda Cecchini. Special aunt of James Del Ponte and further survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

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)

It’s no secret that our playing fields are in high demand here in Somerville. In a recent Data Download column, I noted that while our Recreation Department permitted more than 9,000 hours of field use last year, there were still more than 3,000 hours of unmet demand. In an ideal world, we’d have at least several more fields. We’d be able to accommodate all requests for permits and still have field space for unpermitted, casual use and for our furry four-legged friends.

A new real estate transfer fee may soon be imposed on property transactions within the City of Somerville.

By Jim Clark

The Legislative Matters Committee of the Somerville Board of Aldermen continues to amend and discuss details of its intended home rule petition to impose a real estate transfer fee on property sales in the city.

According to Alderman At-Large Mary Jo Rossetti, many have been following the process, but others are not fully aware of the proposed legislation and what it will mean to current and future property owners.

By Emily Blackwood

As the youth education coordinator of Groundwork Somerville, Josia DeChiara understands the importance of creating a personal connection with your local nature. So when local elementary students came by The Somerville Community Growing Center earlier this week to see how maple syrup is made, they were happy to see that connection in action.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day this Saturday to all the many Irish and the ones who become Irish on the 17th. Our good friend Liam down at Sally O’Brien’s will be celebrating. Join the crowd and enjoy the good music and have great time.