By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

It’s no secret that our playing fields are in high demand here in Somerville. In a recent Data Download column, I noted that while our Recreation Department permitted more than 9,000 hours of field use last year, there were still more than 3,000 hours of unmet demand. In an ideal world, we’d have at least several more fields. We’d be able to accommodate all requests for permits and still have field space for unpermitted, casual use and for our furry four-legged friends.

A new real estate transfer fee may soon be imposed on property transactions within the City of Somerville.

By Jim Clark

The Legislative Matters Committee of the Somerville Board of Aldermen continues to amend and discuss details of its intended home rule petition to impose a real estate transfer fee on property sales in the city.

According to Alderman At-Large Mary Jo Rossetti, many have been following the process, but others are not fully aware of the proposed legislation and what it will mean to current and future property owners.

By Emily Blackwood

As the youth education coordinator of Groundwork Somerville, Josia DeChiara understands the importance of creating a personal connection with your local nature. So when local elementary students came by The Somerville Community Growing Center earlier this week to see how maple syrup is made, they were happy to see that connection in action.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day this Saturday to all the many Irish and the ones who become Irish on the 17th. Our good friend Liam down at Sally O’Brien’s will be celebrating. Join the crowd and enjoy the good music and have great time.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

The 2018 Rás na hÉireann is the most genuine Irish race this side of the Atlantic. It is a celebration of traditions dating back centuries, and simply a celebration of spring in Somerville.

It’s a tradition that most of us have a lot of fun with. Whether one is of Irish lineage or not, St. Patrick’s Day stands for a recognition of Irish and Irish American culture, and in many ways its resulting fusion.

The religious origins of the day have, for some, been obscured and often all but forgotten in favor of the prominent displays of the color green, eating and drinking, and numerous parades. The day has been celebrated on the North American continent since before the American Revolution, and is actually an official holiday in neighboring Suffolk County. Ask any of our Boston brethren and they would – to a single soul – be aware of this fact.

The City of Somerville reminds residents that excise tax payments are due Monday, March 19, 2018. Payment methods accepted include cash, checks, and credit cards, and payments can be made online at www.somervillema.gov/payments, in person at City Hall during normal business or by using the payment box out front, or by mail addressed to Attn: Treasurer/Collector, City of Somerville, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. Please note that the credit card processor charges a convenience fee for using a card to pay.

(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)

To the editor:

On Thursday, March 1, an awards assembly for grades 5 and 6 was held in the East Somerville Community School auditorium. As the grandparent of one of the children and a visitor from out of town, I attended the ceremony. Here is what took place.

*

A new member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards chimes in with this review…

Review by Ravi T.Y

David Giannini’s poetry and prose poetry collection, The Future Only Rattles When You Pick It Up, explores the myth of Sisyphus, and uses it as an anchoring point to explore topics such as innocence, love, death, and meaning. The book is witty yet genuine, raw yet elusive, and just when you begin to think that it is getting too nostalgic – it dawns on you that you are lost in one of Giannini’s intricate meditations. The book opens with:

*

Meg Smith is a poet, journalist, dancer and events producer living in Lowell, Mass. In addition to Poetry Bay, her poems have appeared in The Cafe Review, The Offering, Astropoetica, Illumen, Dreams & Nightmares, the Dwarf Stars anthology of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association and many more. As a journalist, her coverage has been in honored by the New England Newspaper And Press Association, including first place awards for coverage of racial and ethnic issues, and coverage of religion. She is a past board member of Lowell Celebrates Kerouac! and produces the Edgar Allan Poe Show, honoring Poe’s presence in Lowell, Mass. She recently published a second book of poetry, Dear Deepest Ghost.