Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

It’s summer in Somerville. The year is 1969. Most of my friends are around 16. One or two of the older kids already have their licenses, so four or five lucky kids at a time went off in their dads’ car for the night. The rest of us were left to hang around on the corner of Kidder Ave. and Bay State Ave.

New shared-use path along Blessing of the Bay Park to bring new waterfront access

A greener, more connected waterfront area is taking shape in Somerville. Community members are invited to a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, June 12, at Blessing of the Bay Park (32 Shore Dr.) at 11 a.m. to kick off construction of the Shore Drive Greenway.

Concept designs for the Broadway Magoun Reconstruction Project were recently presented to the public. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By The Times Staff

The Broadway Magoun Reconstruction Project presentation on May 26 provided an overview of the concept design made by the project team.

Somerville’s annual Pride flag-raising ceremony took place on Thursday, June 4, at the City Hall Concourse. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Sean Perry

Somerville celebrated the start of Pride Month last Thursday with the annual Pride flag-raising ceremony. Mayor Wilson, Somerville students, and Somerville’s LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator, Izzy Starr, spoke to the city’s LGBTQ+ community, sharing messages of hope and resilience outside of City Hall.

— Photos by Madalyn Jimiera

By Madalyn Jimiera

With the goal of bringing attention to the causes and impacts of artist displacement, the Art Stays Here coalition encapsulates its journey in the Somerville Museum’s new exhibition, “Faces, Spaces, & Places.”

Due to the weather forecast last weekend, SomerStreets: Carnaval was moved to the June 14 rain date. The festival will take place on Sunday, June 14, from 2–6 p.m. and will once again transform Broadway into a vibrant, walkable celebration of community and culture. The festival will stretch along Broadway, from McGrath Highway to Pennsylvania Avenue, creating a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy. https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/carnaval2026.

(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)

Re: Please Amend the FY27 Budget to Fund the School Committee-Approved School Budget

Dear Mayor Wilson, Council President Davis and Members of the City Council, Members of the School Committee, Superintendent Carmona, and SPS CFO Robert Berretta:

I submit this letter in my individual capacity as a Somerville parent, resident, and disability advocate.

I am writing to ask that the FY27 budget be amended to fund the full School Committee-approved school budget of $123,101,384.

Eagle Feathers #356 – A Banner Weekend

Somerville is the first location in America to celebrate its flag before the constellation of stars on it began to grow. After the Battle of Bunker Hill, Colonial troops withdrew to fortify Prospect Hill. It was there, during the next year, that America’s union began to form. Prospect Hill became known as General Washington’s Citadel, his command post during the siege of Boston.

Alongside all the hubbub and hurrah of military parades and the sweetness of familial love that Father’s Day can bring, another special event should not be forgotten this time of year.

Flag Day is not an official federal or state holiday, but June 14 is the date designated by proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson back in 1916 as a day to officially honor the stars and stripes that we solemnly revere today.