Somerville residents were updated on the latest design plans for the West Branch Library last Wednesday, and many questioned some of the choices made by the planners involved. — Photo by Josie Grove

By Josie Grove

One should not judge a book by its cover, but Davis Square-area residents were quick to judge the proposed addition to the West Branch Library by its exterior and landscape. Many of the hundred-odd neighbors gathered in the Tufts Administration building last Wednesday were vehemently opposed to the addition to the library, and expressed skepticism about the value of new programs it would enable. Although the design was selected from four options based on input from community members, neighbors at the meeting were upset about the proposed addition and reworked grounds.

The $1B Everett Wynn Casino’s construction, originally set to begin in April of this year, is on hold until environmental impact issues are officially resolved.

By Jim Clark

The City of Somerville aggressively presented its case at a hearing in Boston last Thursday that the Department of Environmental Protection incorrectly gave its approval for the Wynn Boston Harbor project to go ahead with construction of its casino complex in Everett.

Somerville’s own Mallcops, out on the road and having the time of their lives.

By Jimmy Del Ponte

Mallcops is a Boston based “emo-punk “ band that is currently in the midst of a ten state tour with the band Sleeping Patterns. They left on Wednesday, June 1 and two of those “cops” are my sons.

State senate candidates, incumbent Pat Jehlen and challenger Leland Cheung engaged in a lively debate at last week’s Democratic meeting.

By Donald Norton

On Tuesday evening, May 31 at the Somerville High School library, the Somerville Democrats met to handle business of each ward and to vote on business of the committee.

Celebrate East Somerville at Carnaval @ Somerstreets! This Saturday, June 11 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Broadway will be closed off to cars for the celebration. Music and entertainment on three stages. Performances from A Nova Brazil, Los Nitidos, Nuz, Federator Number 1, Mariachi los Viajeros de Mexico, Banda Bahia, Banda de la Paz, El Sistema Somerville, On Stage Dance Company, Teen Empowerment and more. Craft Fair. Food and activities from Around the World Arts, Crafts, Games and more. Motion Parade starts at 2:00 p.m. from the Cross St. Senior Center. For more info visit www.somervillema.gov or www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/carnaval.

Eagle Feathers #105 – Two Centuries – Two Trials

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

They were both called the trial of their century. The first was the Parkman/Webster murder trial of 1849 to 1850 that was based on money. It shook Boston’s high society to its core. Both George Parkman and John Webster were Harvard-educated doctors and popular members of Boston’s elite.

Another year passes and we pause at this time to congratulate and honor the hard working students who achieved their goal of successfully completing their courses of studies at their respective high schools and colleges.

It takes a lot of dedication and commitment to follow through to completion in this world, which is filled with so many challenges and distractions. It is no small feat to take one’s education to the limit, and these moments represent important milestones along the path to success in life.

Nick Willis winning the B.A.A. Invitational Mile in Boston in 2014.
— Photo by PhotoRun.net

By Charles Lane

A half dozen of the top athletes in the U.S. will join two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Record-holder Meseret Defar of Ethiopia, 2008 Olympic silver medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand, and 2015 IAAF World Champion Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa at Dilboy Memorial Stadium to compete in the adidas Boost Boston Games, organizers have announced.

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Susan Red is a writer, photographer, and artist currently living in the NYC area. While living in the Somerville area, she read at many open mics and self published her first chapbook containing poems and a short story.  Some of her writings and photographs can be found at www.instagram.com/caitandthemoon