— Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Haitian Flag Festival took place in Somerville on May 17. The event brought together the community to celebrate Haiti’s rich history, pride, and unity through music, food, art, and cultural performances. This special day honored the significance of the Haitian flag, which symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the spirit of independence.

Milestone Agreement Moves to Community for Public Vote on June 4, 2025 

The Union Square Neighborhood Council (USNC) and Rafi Properties are proud to announce a landmark Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) tied to the Somernova campus expansion in Union Square. This historic agreement, which now advances to the broader community for public vote, represents a transformative vision for inclusive innovation, job creation, arts and culture, sustainability, and equitable economic development in Somerville. The CBA was developed through years of collaborative negotiation and community engagement. It ensures that a proposed development – pending approval of the City of Somerville’s Arts & Innovation SubArea zoning amendment – delivers a range of lasting benefits to Somerville residents. 

By Dennis Fischman

Back in 2005, when Louise Penny published her first mystery featuring Inspector Gamache and the village of Three Pines, Still Life, an artist and a painting were central to the story. So, it’s amusing that in the eighteenth book of the series a different artist and a different painting are the focus.

The Somerville Organization for Multimedia Experiences (SOME) is proud to present SOMEDAY FEST, a day-long festival at the Boston Figurative Art Center featuring Somerville artists and musicians.

With funding from the Mass Cultural Council, SOMEDAY FEST celebrates strictly Somerville-based talent with two stages (acoustic and amplified) and an array of local vendors and makers.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Every Memorial Day is special. While we are enjoying parades (the largest one ever!) and cookouts and family gatherings this coming weekend, we will also remember all of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. and the Somerville Council on Aging (COA) are inviting community members to attend a special presentation of the results from Somerville’s Senior Needs Assessment on Friday, May 23, at 11 a.m., at 167 Holland Street.

Somerville Kiwanis members in attendance.

On Sunday, May 18, more than 80 Somerville Kiwanis Club members, friends, and guests gathered at the Cafe Escadrille in Burlington to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Somerville. The club charter was actually delivered on May 21, 1925.

The Somerville’s Board of Health recently voted for the city to adopt a Nicotine-Free Generation policy.

This spring, Somerville’s Board of Health (BOH) voted for the city to join a growing national movement to create a Nicotine-Free generation by adopting new public health regulations limiting the sale of nicotine products, which went into effect May 1. 

The updated rules, adopted unanimously by the Somerville Board of Health on March 25, mark the start of a major local effort to prevent nicotine addiction, especially among youth.

Somerville nut roaster Q Nuts is closing its store in Davis Sq. and will be focusing on online sales in the future. — Photos by Jeffrey Shwom

By Jeffrey Shwom

A local nut roaster, Q’s Nuts, is transitioning operations more online and closing its brick-and-mortar near Davis Square in June, while bakery and pastry shop Hearth & Hug Bakery takes over the lease. “Somerville is an amazing community in terms of the people … the customers and the fellow businesses that we’ve met,” shared co-owner Beth Quinn. “The neighbors, the people that come in. We have a lot of regular customers, and for that, I’m sad.”