Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

The songs Happy Together, Something Stupid, and Groovin’ were playing on our transistor radios as we listened to WRKO AM.

It was the summer of 1967 and four Somerville kids ages 11-14 were excited to have been on furlough from the local adolescent detention center. Actually, we were on summer vacation from St. Clements Parochial School.

(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)

By Liam Beretsky-Jewell

Note: This is the first in a series of articles exploring climate change education in Somerville Public Schools

In recent years, several states have adopted standards requiring climate change education to be included in the curricula of K-12 public schools, including New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York. However, Massachusetts has yet to adopt such standards, and the implementation of climate change-related education remains in the hands of local school districts, through the curricula they choose to purchase or design, and the classes they offer or require.

A number of local volunteers, led by Jessica Rayno, recently undertook the task of renovating the Elfland at Cedar art installation. — Photos by Jessica Rayno

By Jeffrey Shwom

A Ball Square-area resident, seeking out “the joy of crafting and sharing with other people,” organized an impromptu cleanup of Elfland at Cedar and the community path. Jessica Rayno and about eight volunteers came together midday on a Tuesday with helping hands and supplies to recover, restore, and add to the art exhibit, a collection of miniature buildings and figurines started by an eight-year-old.

The Somerville Arts Council and the Program on Georgian Studies at the Davis Center at Harvard are thrilled to continue their successful Exchanging Notes initiative, which began in the spring of 2023. This project aims to bring together artists and performers from Georgia and Somerville, Massachusetts. The 2025 Artist in Residence at the Davis Center is Mishiko Sulakauri, an artist from the capital city of Tbilisi with a background in street art.While in the area, they have invited Mishiko to Somerville where he will paint a mural at Warehouse XI, 14 Homer Sq., Somerville in Union Square. See the freshly painted mural on April 23, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. and also enjoy a night of Georgian cuisine and multicultural mingling.Space is limited. Please RSVP for this event via this link: https://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/about/people/mishiko-sulakauri.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

The 250th Patriots’ Day Commemoration took place at Foss Park on Monday. Attendees enjoyed colonial games and activities, delicious refreshments, and a chance to greet Paul Revere.

Eagle Feathers #327 – Patriots’ Day

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

This past week, historic-minded citizens celebrated Patriots Day at Foss Park. It was a beautiful day, and a larger than normal crowd attended. They came to observe the reenactment of Paul Revere’s historic ride.  Period children’s games were played and samples of food from the era went fast. The high school band’s music filled the air with patriotic tunes and colonial-dressed volunteers complemented the true meaning of what this holiday is about … Patriotism.   

On each Patriots’ Day, we look for ways to remember with reverence the exploits of the brave men and women who made the American Revolution the success it eventually became.

Locally, we especially honor those who fought the battles of Lexington and Concord, and of Menotomy. And, of course, the lauded “Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” is a fundamental part of the American saga.

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I have had a number of friends who lost loved ones over the past few months. When I first lost Dianne– my wife – she spoke to me – through subtle ways–through birds (we agreed on those as messengers), my dreams, my cat Klezmer, and even her voice – when I was in the limbo between sleep and wakefulness As the years went by – I felt less connected. The other day, while in bed,” I asked the universe, god, or a benevolent spirit, “Is Dianne still here?” It was of course a rhetorical question, during my 3AM night of my soul. Just after I asked the question, the cat jumped on my bed and started sniffing furiously, and my Alexa turned on and started to say something – I couldn’t hear it – but I was surprised because I didn’t prompt it, and it was in the next room. Now of course, this can be explained logically. But I chose to believe it was Dianne – she is still around – her spirit hovers over my bed, my bald, and freckled head. So, for those of you who have lost a loved one – he, she or they – they are there, accept that ethereal stroke of your hair… “Ah! Sweet mystery of life…”

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Our poet Michael Coles writes: “This poem was written in response to Marge Piercy’s Barbie Doll, a beautifully written piece of feminist literature from 1971. Piercy’s poetry inspires many women and still upholds modern feminist ideals. Barbie Doll details experiences such as bullying and body dysmorphia, both of which I have struggled with, and which most if not all women have struggled with as well. The assignment that prompted me to write this poem was to write a poem as if attending the funeral of the narrator from the Barbie Doll poem. It is crucial that all women across the world are reminded how truly unique and beautiful they are, and that beauty standards are nothing, but a social construct made to empower men and weaken women. You are gorgeous and perfect exactly as you are, no matter your size or shape, no matter the color of your skin, no matter what.”