By Parker Garlough

The City of Somerville’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities spent their recent meeting discussing ideas for how to celebrate Disability Pride Month in July. No events have yet been confirmed, but their suggestions included arts shows, film screenings, and book panels.

Somerville community members are invited to the “Slice of the City” spring meet-up series. This new series of family-friendly pizza parties in the park offers attendees a new way to connect and engage with city leaders and staff, local elected officials, as well as neighbors, all while enjoying Somerville’s parks. Events in each of the city’s seven wards will occur throughout the month of May from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. First up is in Ward 4 on Thursday, May 2, at the Healey School playground (5 Meacham St.). Somerville Recreation will host kid’s activities, and refreshments and pizza will be provided. For more information and to find all event locations, visit somervillema.gov/slice.

Eagle Feathers #303 – Somerville – Her Story

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

(This article was first published in the  January 24, 2018, edition of The Somerville Times)

Through the years, much has been said about the heroic men who touched or stirred the hills of Somerville.

• Myles Standish was the first European to explore her elevations.
• Paul Revere began his famous ride through East Somerville and over Winter Hill to Lexington.
• George Washington’s troops raised the first American flag on Prospect Hill.
• Marine Sergeant Henry Hansen was one of the flag raisers at Iwo Jima.

One thing can be said for sure about our great city: there is no want for creative energy and enterprise.

Consider all the wonderful artists who will be participating in this weekend’s Somerville Open Studios (SOS) event. Artisans and crafters of seemingly limitless disciplines and choice of media work and thrive right here among us humble, regular types who wouldn’t know a palette knife from a chainsaw.

John McInerny, 90, passed away Thursday April 25, 2024, at his home in South Portland, Maine. He was born January 28, 1934, to Helen (Priddey) and John McInerny, Junior of Somerville, MA.

John had a long and fruitful life of public and personal service. He graduated from Somerville High School in 1952 and attended Boston and Northeastern Universities. His dream of becoming an Air Force pilot was put on hold, but this change of plans led him to his beloved wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Malcolm with whom he shared 66 years of marriage. They met at Somerville public library and were soon after married. John cared for his grandparents, mother, and grandmother, all while raising his family with Betty.

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Recently, I caught up with the accomplished poet and artist Bridget Seley Galway, before her exhibit of her work at the Cultural House in Union Square, Saturday, March 30, 2024.

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Our poet states: “Hi, my name is Olivia Steele. I am a Criminal Justice major at Endicott College. I enjoy writing in many literary genres, such as poetry and short stories.”

(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)

Democratic socialist State Representative Erika Uyterhoeven (27th Middlesex); Cambridge City Council Member Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler; Somerville City Council Members Willie Burnley, Jr. and JT Scott; and Medford City Council President Zac Bears, who represent almost a quarter of a million residents released the following statement:

We stand in solidarity with the students practicing peaceful protest at Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Emerson, and Northeastern Universities, as well as all others across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the country. We unequivocally condemn the violent repression that the police, university administrators, and elected municipal leaders have exercised toward these students. 

As part of May Preservation Month, join the Somerville Museum on a  “Jane’s Walk” to honor urban activist and writer, Jane Jacobs. A worldwide event, this year’s Somerville walk will be a leisurely stroll through the “Duck Village” neighborhood of Somerville. Guides will be an eclectic mix of local leaders.