It’s now more than fairly likely that the old McGrath Hwy. structure will be coming down, to be replaced by a ground level boulevard, as recommended by MassDOT and others who have been involved in the process of determining the best solution for the future of the thoroughfare. 
Pages
Stay In Touch
More
© 2026 The Somerville Times. All rights reserved.
Jesa Damora works in an asylum. No, not in a psychiatric hospital like McLean Hospital, where I have labored for thirty or so years. She works in the Artisan’s Asylum a huge open space for artists of all stripes, that is located here in Somerville. She is also a consultant for other artists, as well as creating her own acclaimed prints and drawings. Like many Somerville artists of my acquaintance Damora is a refuge from the Republic of Cambridge. She and her husband moved from the rarefied environs of Appian Way in Cambridge to the more egalitarian territory of Prospect Hill in Somerville. Now she owns a home, and has a small carriage house that acts as her art studio. Of our town Damora told me: “We moved from Cambridge because it was so expensive. I love the multicultural aspect of Somerville. I mean in Cambridge where we lived, it was all rich, white doctors and lawyers.” Damora is also excited by the subway coming to Union Square and the changes it will bring. She is a member of the Mystic Valley Task Force and feels that in the end this will help the creative economy in the Square. Damora, by her own description, is not a political animal but hopes that there will be advocacy for low income and moderate income housing so Union Square will not just be a home for high income young urban professionals. She wants Union Square to retain its unique flavor—a very hard task if you examine other neighborhoods that went through similar transformations.
Continue reading »
*
Larissa Burgess is a poet, currently attends Endicott College, and interns at Dig Boston Publications. Her interests include poetry, photography and playing the guitar. She hopes to some day work as a staff writer for a national television sitcom.
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 1 Alderman Maureen Bastardi invite all interested community members to the second in a series of discussions to determine design plans for the new Symphony Park, to be constructed on the vacant lot a the intersection of Pearl and Pinckney Streets in 2014. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at Bryant Manor, 75 Myrtle St. An initial community meeting was held in July 2013 to discuss the vision for the vacant lot on Pearl and Florence Streets and to gather information for the State’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA).
Continue reading »
All Somerville Public Schools will be in session tomorrow (Tuesday, December 17, 2013) but due to projected weather conditions later in the day, ALL afterschool and evening activities for the day have been canceled, including Community Schools afterschool programs. All students should be picked up by 2:35 p.m.
Arrests:
*
Joshua Foote, 22, of 23 MacArthur St., December 9, 9:41 p.m., arrested at home on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and destruction of property over $250.
Vincent Norwood, 38, of 68 Waumbeck St., Dorchester, December 12, 1:35 a.m., arrested at 25 Main St. on charges of assault and battery and resisting arrest.
Continue reading »
By Sean Bianchi, Somerville High School
The art department is pleased to announce its affiliation with the National Art Honor Society and has created a new chapter for Somerville High School. Our new chapter is sponsored by Dr. Luci Prawdzik, K-12 Art Supervisor, and co-sponsored by SHS Art Teachers Mr. Sean Bianchi and Mrs. Dorothy Contos. The NAHS has created a great deal of excitement and buzz amongst Somerville’s developing artists. In order to qualify for initiation, students must have completed at least three art courses, have a B+ average in their art courses, maintain a C average in their academic course load without any failures, be at least a sophomore, and pledge four hours of service to the art department.
Continue reading »
Updated:
*
The City of Somerville will lift its snow emergency as of 11 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 15. Residents parked in municipal or school lots during the snow emergency will have a two-hour window starting at that time in which to move their vehicles. Cars still parked in City lots at 1 p.m. may be subject to ticketing and towing. For more information on the Citys snow emergency policies, visit www.somervillema.gov/snow or call 311 (627-666-3311 from outside Somerville).
Continue reading »
A photograph signed by President Lincoln.
By Kenneth Gloss
During this end of the year period many of us find ourselves signing our names on credit card purchases such as groceries, holiday garb, monthly homely services and a of course the requisite holiday gifts for family and friends. One can image how many times celebrities and other high-visibility personalities need to sign their names.
Continue reading »
Updated:
Due to a snow emergency, the annual trolley tour of holiday light displays, is postponed to Sunday. The tour times will remain the same.
The annual Illuminations Trolley Tour of East and Central Somerville is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, with tours departing from City Hall Concourse beging 4:30 p.m. The 45 minute tours will showcase holiday light displays in our own Somerville. Tours leave from (and return to) Somerville City Hall where coffee, hot chocolate and cookies are served.
Continue reading »
Reader Comments