— Photos by Donald Norton

The annual Spring Cleanup and Community Barbecue took place on Saturday, April 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Established in 1852, our beloved and venerable institution known as Somerville High School has come to a crossroads, as most of us are well aware.

The current structure is no longer capable of providing the safety, security, and support required of a modern-day facility of its kind. The time is clearly here for major renovation and additions to the existing location.

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A staple in Union Square since 1995, Cantina La Mexicana, formerly known as Taqueria La Mexicana, where the typical street food of Mexico for fast takeout was served, expanded to serving drinks to accompany the food, creating a gathering place for people to meet and hang out together creating a more laid back atmosphere, a cantina. They offer many choices, including tamales, gorditas, burros, enchiladas, tostadas, empanadas, flautas, tacos and more.

Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters, this week at a business conference in Phonex AZ, decided to travel north to the Grand Canyon along with some of his colleagues. Pictured here on the glass bridge, he was very much in awe, like everyone else who visits the Canyon and beholds its majestic sites.

“One Flower Ceremony” – Florentine Codex, 16th Century, World Digital Library.

Ever wonder what life was like in an Aztec village? Well there are some very old and amazingly illustrated books called “Codices” that exist and give us a little window into the daily life that existed in ancient Mexico. And this year at the Cinco de Mayo festival in Union Square, Somerville Artist Fellowship awarded artist Johanna Finnegan-Topitzer will present a large version of a page from one of these books. The opposite page will be blank for festival attendees to add their own drawings of what daily life is like in Somerville.

Amy Elizabeth Gardner, age 58, passed away April of 2016. She was born in Long Beach, California; she spent her formative years in Winchester, MA and was active in Forum in the First Congregational Church of Winchester. For the last few years she has resided in South Boston and Somerville, Massachusetts.

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Mark Pawlak, a longtime editor at the acclaimed Hanging Loose Press has sent us a poem from his new collection, Reconnaissance.

Two-year street reconstruction project will improve pedestrian accessibility, bicycle safety, and traffic movement.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston today announced that the private contractor hired by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will begin major construction activities on Beacon St. on Monday, May 9.  Newport Construction, which was selected through a competitive bid process administered by MassDOT, will be responsible for the expected two-year project, which stretches from Oxford St. / Somerville Ave. south to the Cambridge city line near Inman Square.

Arrests:
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Moises Aguilar Reyes, of 332 Lowell St., April 25, 4:31 p.m., arrested on warrant charges of assault to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and mayhem.

Domingo Peters, of 362 Rindge Ave., Cambridge, April 27, 8:27 p.m., arrested at Somerville Ave. on charges of shoplifting by asportation and disorderly conduct.