Elaine Koury, Public Health Nurse Manager Sara Harris, Director of Human Services Nancy Bacci,Alderman-at-Large Mary Jo Rossetti, Joyce Shortt and Alderman-at-Large Bill White gathered together at a table for an evening of discussion.

By Emily Blackwood

For many people, getting involved in one’s community can often feel like a mission without a map. What do you do? How do you help? Where do you even start?

The Somerville Commission for Women aimed to clear up those questions by opening a direct line of communication to the people who have actually done it: the city’s elected officials. And rather than sending a faceless email or leaving what is probably one of dozens of messages on their answering machines, those officials were sitting at a table, ready to help.

Many Somerville students, particularly members and supporters of the Students Against Gun Violence group, organized primarily by Somerville High School students, took part in the March For Our Lives event in Boston last Saturday, March 24. The photos shown here are from the event.

This week Somerville Rotary is having their annual Giggles Comedy Night at Giggles Comedy Club, Rt. 1 in Saugus, on March 29, at 6:00 p.m. It’s a great event and lots of fun. Professional comedians, plus an auction and raffles throughout the night. Proceeds to benefit the many local Somerville charities. The ticket price is $30. Contact Donald Norton at 617-623-6600 for tickets (also at the door) or for further information.

Concerned residents, members of local advocacy groups, and public officials gathered on Saturday to discuss the Tufts PILOT arrangement. — Photo by Penelope Jennewein

By Dorothy DiMarzo

Members of Our Revolution Somerville, Our Revolution Medford, The West Somerville Neighborhood Association, community residents, Alderman for Ward 7 Katjana Ballantyne and Alderman-at-Large Mary Jo Rossetti joined together this past Saturday, March 24, to talk about how Tufts University could do better by paying its fair share to help offset costs for city services they benefit from and to make contributions to the city since they are tax exempt as a nonprofit.

By Peter Blaikie
Twenty-four-year homeowner

(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)

If you are a homeowner in Somerville and concerned about the transfer fee the city is looking to back room deal on you, you should make a point to be heard on April 4th at Somerville city hall. Here is a reply to one of the supporters of this plan. I had to copy and paste it as it will be deleted like other arguments I responded to about this issue. It seems that when someone makes a valid point and it doesn’t match their mission statement they would rather delete their post then host a counter argument that might make people think about the implications of what is being proposed. Here is my response to Katie Gradowski’s supporting the transfer fee:

The uproar continues as the date for the public hearing on the proposed real estate transfer fee draws nearer.

Advocates and naysayers alike have been actively pressing their cases in the public domain, and there seems to be little change of opinions on either side. Like so many other issues these days, whether local or national, this one seems to be a classic example of everybody knows best.

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It would be nothing without Somerville!
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By Kirk Etherton

OK, I’m exaggerating: this festival would still be very good.

But this is a Somerville paper, and I’m a Somerville resident (and on the board of the Festival). So, let’s take a minute to consider some of the Somerville talent in this year’s B.N.P.M.F. (It takes place April 4 and 6–9.)

*Sumaya Salat is part of Teen Voices Emerging (a writing and female empowerment program for Boston teen girls) because it has helped her open up to others and share her creative writing. Salat feels that she has developed a deeper confidence in herself and made authentic friendships while at the program. She is excited for her first publication.

Executive Director search open for Somerville Homeless Coalition

Mark Alston-Follansbee, our Executive Director for the last 18 years, will be retiring from Somerville Homeless Coalition on June 30 of this year. To read the full letter announcing his retirement, click here.

Cedar St. / Highland Ave. Intersection to Close for Approximately 3 Weeks for Construction. Closure to be in place 7 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Beginning on Monday, April 2, and lasting for approximately three weeks, City contractors will conduct work at the intersection of Cedar St. and Highland Ave. that will require the full closure of the intersection from 7 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The construction is an important part of the ongoing Cedar St. Water & Sewer project.