Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is today announcing the launch of Neighbors Talking to Neighbors (N2N), a new City initiative aimed at strengthening community connections via open, respectful conversation, as ongoing cultural turmoil leads to increased feelings of isolation, division, and fear. 

By Dennis Fischman

Anyone who has read a murder mystery has heard of Agatha Christie. Along with Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham, Josephine Tey, and some less-remembered authors like Gladys Mitchell, she is one of the British women who made up the Golden Age of Mystery in the early 20^th century.

Georgian artist Mishiko Sulakauri incorporated motifs from his home country and Somerville into he recently completed at Warehouse XI in Union Square last week. — Photo by Rachel Strutt

By Jeffrey Shwom

International artist Mishiko Sulakauri debuted his Georgian and Somerville-influenced street art outside Warehouse XI in Union Square last Wednesday. Sulakauri, a 2025 Artist in Residence at Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, interwove home country influences with his newfound affection for Somerville. He painted surrealistic sketches like a horse holding an umbrella, Prospect Hill Tower, his signature inclusion of a lamb, a left-handed graffiti artist, and an evil, mythological dragon creature called a gveleshapi with Georgian pictograms.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Man, have times changed. My life has been so planned and regimented ‘lo these past 15 years. Were you as crazy as I was? I know some of you were, but don’t worry, I won’t print your names. We always had fun, but it was always on the edge. It couldn’t be a normal, calm existence.

The Somerville Police Department collected $1,400.00 along with seven dresses from members of the Police Department. Keezer’s and Men’s Wearhouse each donated two suits, and barbershops and hairdressers throughout the City of Somerville’s business community donated two dozen haircuts. These donations were delivered to Somerville High School and will be used to support our Seniors and their Prom. They thank everyone who donated to help make the 2025 Senior Prom a success.

— Somerville Police Department

Designer and small business owner Lexie Griffith, co-organizer of the SOS 2025 Fashion Show. — Photos courtesy of @carliefeboart on Instagram

Chatting with the mind behind the 2025 Artwear: SOS Fashion Show
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By Suraya Whynott 

In anticipation of the Somerville Open Studios Artwear: The SOS 2025 Fashion Show, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with one of the main organizers of the event, designer and small business owner Lexie Griffith.

By Carlie Lombardi

On April 24, the Somerville City Council met and covered topics including senior services, federal relief fund updates, sports equity initiatives, and zoning changes.

Council on Aging presentation reveals senior needs

Director Ashley Spiliotis introduced Sierra Somerville, a senior research associate from UMass Boston, who presented key findings from a comprehensive survey of Somerville’s older residents. According to the study, over 11,000 Somerville residents are aged 60 or older, which is 14% of the city’s population – a number expected to remain stable over the next decade.

The ‘Slice of the City’ spring meet-up series is an opportunity to connect and engage with city leaders and staff as well as neighbors, all while enjoying Somerville’s parks. The series begins this week in Ward 1. Ward 1 includes East Somerville, Assembly Square, and more. All events run from 5 to 7 p.m. Pizza and refreshments will be served, and Somerville Recreation will have activities for children available. WARD 1, Thursday, May 1, 5 p.m.: Join Mayor Ballantyne, Ward 1 Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, At-Large Councilors, and city staff at Chuckie Harris Park (17 Cross St. East).

(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)

The passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday comes at a time of unprecedented challenges for global leadership. We, the elected members of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee who serve on LGBTQIA+ Outreach, remember Pope Francis’s legacy of bridging divides between people all over the world, reserving a special place for migrants, the LGBT, and other marginalized communities.