Ross Whitaker takes the stage to answer questions from the audience about his movie, his creative process, and more.

By Matthias Gat

Director Ross Whitaker visits the Somerville community for a special Q&A following the North American premiere of his most recent movie, Beat the Lotto.

On a chilly, not-quite-spring, Saturday evening, residents gathered at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Sq. to attend 2026’s Irish Film Festival. As the largest celebration of Irish film outside of Ireland, Irish Film Festival Boston was established in 1999 in an effort to expose Irish film to a wider audience.

SCC’s Annual Member Block Party takes place on April 2 at Arts at the Armory. This celebration brings together neighbors, supporters, local leaders, and community members to celebrate the work that is being done together to build affordable housing, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen community in Somerville. Expect great food, music, and conversation. SCC has been helping families build stability and opportunity in Somerville for more than 55 years. Register today at www.bit.ly/sccblockparty. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) will be the keynote speaker, a leader whose voice and vision continue to push forward the fight for equity, dignity, and justice. They will also be joined by Somerville’s Mayor, Jake Wilson. At a time when so much is changing in our city, this is a moment to be in the room.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

The We Create Diamonds exhibit opened at the Nave Gallery on March 21 and will run through April 18. Curated by Michael Talbot, We Create Diamonds is a call to the creative community in response to the wide-spreading events sweeping the nation. For hours and more information, visit https://navegallery.org/wp/we-create-diamonds/. Join them for their next event, Resistance Through Community and Music, Friday, April 10, 7 – 9 p.m. A celebration of freedom and protest with Boston songwriters Danielle Miraglia, Jen Kearney, and Grace Gervitz. A benefit for the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN). Nave Gallery (Teele Square), 155 Powder House Blvd, Somerville.

Free public health vending machines were installed in front of the West Branch Library in Davis Square. —Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Matthias Gat

As a result of advocacy from At-Large Councilor Kristen Strezo, these new kiosks provide 24/7 access to various health and safety products at no cost.

In November, Somerville’s first public health vending machines were installed in front of the West Branch Library in Davis Square and Project Soup in East Somerville. These kiosks are part of a larger initiative funded by Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership, which is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

If there’s one universal certainty among most – if not all – people, we surely enjoy the transition from the cold, gloomy atmosphere of winter to the explosion of life and natural beauty as the months of spring unfold.

Hallmarks of this special time include the religious holidays that many of us celebrate, such as Easter, for those of the Christian faith, and the rites of Passover practiced by those of the Jewish faith. Likewise, the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr begins later this month.

Eagle Feathers #351 – Torpedoes Away

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Before Vice-Admiral Ralph Waldo Christie left the U.S. Navy in 1949, he had spent thirty-eight years working his way up the ranks. The Somerville native graduated from the Naval Academy in 1915. As an Ensign, he had various duties. His first ship assignment was on the battleship New Jersey, where he received instruction on submarine construction and torpedo design. This prepared him for the newly opened Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, becoming one of its first members. By 1923, he had earned a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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Recently, I caught up with poet Wyn Cooper, a former Somerville resident, to talk about his new collection of poetry, The Unraveling.

Wyn Cooper has published five books of poetry, including, most recently, Mars Poetica.

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Trapper Markelz (he/him) writes from Arlington, Massachusetts. He is the author of the chapbooks Childproof Sky (Cherry Dress, 2023) and Off To War, Daughter (Rockwood Press, 2026). His work has appeared in the journals Baltimore Review, Passengers Journal, Pine Row Press, Wild Roof Journal, The Dewdrop, and Poetry Online, among others. Learn more at trappermarkelz.com.