“Panda SMASH!” 2013 by Pecan.

By MariyaManzhos

Somerville artist Pecan can’t pinpoint exactly when her fascination with toy robots began, but for the past few years, they have been the primary inspiration for her colorful and quirky paintings. Many of them are true to life portraits of robots, as if they were people. Others are more fantastical, such as one of a robot walking through Boston’s financial district, destroying the Federal Reserve with his eye lasers.

~Photos by Kevin Dickinson

som|dog’s 4th annual Spring Fling returned to Union Square on Sunday, May 22 from 10am to 2:00 p.m. Bull McCabe’s Pub’s welcomed attendees to their parking lot and provided this year’s beer garden. Melissa McCue-McGrath was on hand to sign copies of her book, Considerations for the City Dog. The Pet Republic provided fun training demos and their famous puppy ice cream cart was on the scene, too. Caricature artist Anna Taylor Nason Illustration was on hand to capture the dog’s unique personality through her lovely artwork. There were lots of raffle prizes as well from local friends.

— Photos by Kevin Dickinson

The glorious spectacle of Backyard Lady Wrestling took place last Saturday afternoon amidst the general revelry of the PorchFest event. Competitors from the Boston League of Women Wrestlers hurled one another in the air and pinned their opponents to the tarp in a strictly-for-fun affair. Check out the league and follow their exploits at http://www.blowwboston.com/.

Parade steps off from City Hall Concourse at 1 p.m. Morning ceremonies planned.

Somerville’s annual Memorial Day Parade, the largest in the Boston metro region, and corresponding ceremonies are set for Sun., May 29.

By William C. Shelton

(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)

For months I’ve been reading, hearing, and viewing commentary regarding how unusual this election cycle is. Columnists, critics, and pundits talk about voter anger, unpredictable election outcomes, repudiation of party leaderships, quirky candidates, and many millions in campaign spending that accomplish nothing.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Sunday, May 22, at Sylvester Baxter Park at Assembly Row in Somerville, marked the exciting debut of a new family-friendly spring fundraiser, the Fast and Furriest 5K – Run, Walk, Wag for MSPCA–Angell. This new community event, which combined the interests of past Walk for Animals and Run Fur Fun participants, included a timed 5K fun run, a shorter walk, and a “Ducky Dash” kids’ fun run – each including canines, of course. The run and walk was followed by activities, vendor booths, food, contests, and entertainment for the whole family. All funds raised go to benefit all the animals served by the MSPCA–Angell in its adoption centers, hospitals, and programs.

By Doug Holder

A regular hipster in Union Square reading The Somerville Times. The gentleman, 42 years old, said he is a little old for the designated hipster label. He also told me that he loves Somerville, but like many he had to leave because of affordability issues. He still revisits Somerville on a regular basis. This is just one of the many stories in the “Paris of New England.”

~Photo by Claudia Ferro

Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator, Jimmy Del Ponte, presented the 2016 Somerville Rocks! youth talent show on Friday, May 2o at the Somerville High School Auditorium. Somerville Rocks! provides an opportunity for Somerville youth, ages 12 and older, to polish performance art and talents with twice-weekly rehearsals with performer and musician Jimmy Del Ponte. The concert featured Somerville youth bands, soloists, comedians, and other talented young residents.