By Ross Blouin

Moving forward in Union Square

After eight years of community discussion on the future of Union Square, the road to redevelopment has finally been paved with just a few more milestones to go. Earlier this month, the City of Somerville finalized its agreement with local developer US2 that is effectively moving the conversation forward.

By Kristen Strezo,
Co-Chair Somerville Commission for Women

Parents and caregivers know how important car seats are to safety. Even so, many may not be installing them properly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is estimated that “59 percent of car seats and 20 percent of booster seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness.”

*

With Cinco de Mayo around the corner, here’s a recipe that’s sure to please just about anyone who tries it. It’s creamy, chunky, smoky, citrusy with a hint of heat. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or use it as a garnish in a taco.

One thing can be rightfully said about the majority of us who live in this fair city, we love our green spaces and respect the natural beauty of the environment around us. Not just locally either. Most of us are smart enough to realize the importance of protecting the delicate ecological balance on this planet we call home, both globally and right here in our own backyards.

~ Photos by Kevin McDevitt

By Donald Norton

This past weekend, the annual “Touch a Truck for Autism Awareness” event was held in the Peabody REC center. The event is hosted in a different town in Massachusetts each year to bring awareness to Autism.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Boston has announced the search for their 2017-2018 Creative Crew, twelve children aged 5-10 who will have the opportunity to participate in exclusive building sessions with Master Model Builder Megan Amaral, attend special events and be the first to test new rides and games.

*

The first thing I noticed about Somerville, Ma. poet Anna. M. Warrock’s new collection of poetry From the Other Room was the physical book itself. Usually, I merely glance at a book cover, but this was like love at first sight; I stopped to admire its simple beauty. The craftsmanship was at such a level that it reminded of the many finely crafted books put out by Gary Metras’ Adastra Press that – like Slate Roof – is located in Western, Massachusetts. Slate Roof is a small, collaborative press that published art-quality poetry books – the poetry that is between the covers in this case is more than worthy of its design.

*

Somerville poet Anna M. Warrock writes The Times: “The title of my new book, From the Other Room, comes from a dream. That poem relates only part of the dream. Once I began to follow the characters and give them text and a description, the poem took on its own life. The book won the annual Slate Roof Press Chapbook Award (www.SlateRoofPress.com). This is also a dream poem and the first poem in the book. Dreams are very flexible. For me, tuning in to their suggestive nature is a fruitful stimulus for writing.”

*
Author Mimi Graney, while on her book tour in the region, spoke with host Joe Lynch on Greater Somerville this week. All things Fluff and more.

Arrests:
*

Roderick St. Rose, of 24 Albany St., Cambridge, April 17, 11:56 a.m., arrested at Elm St. on charges of larceny over $250 and conspiracy.

Joao Bairos, of 17 Indiana Ave., April 20, 2:40 p.m., arrested at Broadway on charges of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license and operation of a motor vehicle with a revoked registration.