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© 2026 The Somerville Times. All rights reserved.
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Newstalk – May 6
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Broadway Magoun Open House. The City of Somerville is planning to reconstruct sidewalks, repave, and redesign the segment of Broadway that passes through Magoun Square (Winchester Street to Central Street) to improve safety, accessibility, comfort, and sustainability. The Mobility Division is hosting an open house to share preliminary design concepts that seek to address these concerns and provide a safer, more comfortable experience for everyone using the street. Wednesday, May 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Arthur D. Healey School Cafeteria, 5 Meacham Street.
April 29
Our View of the Times – May 6
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Even in troubled times, even the worst of times, there is one particular beacon of goodness and light that pierces through the gloom to warm our hearts and lift our spirits – Mother’s Day.
While life as we know it has been far from normal in recent years, mainly due to political divisions and the like, this is one occasion that can restore a bit of normalcy and order for us as we pause to honor the beloved matriarchs of our families.
I was a teenage paperboy
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
If you grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s in West Somerville and delivered newspapers, you probably worked for Mr. Abe Learner. Abe was the boss. “Better get going” was one of Abe’s favorite sayings as he tried to get us out to start delivering our papers.
Letter to the Editor – Drinking Water Safety
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To the Editor:
Kudos to Somerville representative and House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair Christine P. Barber for advancing legislation (H.900) that would establish long-overdue testing and standards for private well water in Massachusetts (H.900).
Newstalk – April 29
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YUM 2026: A Taste of Immigrant City, Wednesday, April 29, 6 p.m., Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Celebrate the unique flavors of Somerville’s immigrant-owned restaurants. Since 2010, The Welcome Project has brought together food, community, and advocacy at YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City – an annual night of fun and fundraising for programs that benefit immigrants in Somerville and Greater Boston. https://www.welcomeproject.org/yum2026.
April 29
Our View of the Times – April 29
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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.
Hippies
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
In May of 1971 there was to be a huge anti-war demonstration in Washington DC.
I was a 16-year-old hippie with the hair, the beads and the bell bottoms. I had made friends with a bunch of people from Harvard Square and one of the guys was driving his Volkswagen bus to the demonstration. I decided that I had to go because of my deep beliefs against the war in Vietnam. But my problem was what was I going to tell my parents? They would definitely not let me go. But I went anyway and I was gone for two days.
The future of Somerville’s residential neighborhoods??
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By Bill White
Last week, The Somerville Times published an article about some proposed zoning amendments that I had filed with the City of Somerville. I received some requests from folks about the proposals and whether I had any photographs that showed my concerns. I figured that it made sense for me to ask The Somerville Times to publish the following two photographs, as they dramatically show the concerns that I have.
Newstalk – April 22
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Somerville community members are invited to take a first look and provide public comment on proposals to redevelop 90 Washington Street, a nearly four-acre site near the East Somerville Green Line station. At the public meeting of the 90 Washington Street Civic Advisory Committee (CAC) on Wednesday, April 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., CAC members will review and share input on the recently received proposals and will also welcome feedback on the proposals from members of the public. 90 Washington Street Proposal Review Community Meeting, https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TapqDsQUSxGMlXykSDi62Q#/registration To learn more, visit www.somervillema.gov/90-washington-redevelopment
April 22
Our View of the Times – April 22
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It began after a bad oil spill that took place in 1969 off the coast of California. A year later, the first annual Earth Day was celebrated to demonstrate universal support for environmental protection and responsible stewardship of the planet and its people.
Front Row
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
Today some concert tickets cost thousands of dollars. Back in the day I think I paid between seven and $10 for concerts and sometimes even less. Around 1970 I saw Queen open up for Mott the Hoople (All The Young Dudes) at The Orpheum Theatre.
Our Roads Are Getting Fixed But Our Schools Are Facing Cuts
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By Erika Uyterhoeven, State Representative,27th Middlesex,
candidate for 2nd Middlesex State Senate
As construction season begins and we all start dodging the potholes that winter left behind, I want to share some good news and some numbers that have been weighing on me. Last week, the House voted on a $2.2 billion transportation bond bill that includes a historic increase to the Chapter 90 program, which is how the state pays to fix your roads, bridges, and other transportation projects.
Newstalk – April 15
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Celebrate Week of the Young Child on April 16. Somerville families, educators, and caregivers are invited to a community celebration on Thursday, April 16, on the Somerville High School concourse (81 Highland Ave.) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event will include family-friendly food, music, and activities. For more information regarding Somerville’s child and youth programs or initiatives, please visit www.somervillehub.org.
April 15
Our View of the Times – April 15
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On each Patriots’ Day, we look for ways to remember with reverence the exploits of the brave men and women who made the American Revolution the success it eventually became.
Adventure land
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
Before the bike path was built trains rolled along there. Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, the tracks were another playground for us. We had to be very careful for trains but there was always someone looking out. I asked my social media friends and Somerville to share their thoughts on the old train tracks.
The wrong use in the wrong place
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By William C. Shelton
In 2016, the Somerville Planning Board approved a Union Square Neighborhood Plan that was inimical to what Union Square neighbors said they wanted – and to the objectives set in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, SomerVision. At a hearing on Thursday, the Planning Board and City Council’s Land Use Committee will consider whether they should compound the error.
Dancing at the Dilboys
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By Ewan Henrie
Dancing Feats is a hotspot for those in Somerville looking to enter the world of swing dancing, particularly of the West Coast variety. Monthly dances and weekly lessons take place at the George Dilboy VFW Post at 351 Summer St.
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