(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)

Dear Editor,

This week, I wrote to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) asking that she respond to two questions I posed about whether she supports impeaching Donald J. Trump and removing him from office. Neither Rep. Pressley nor any member of her staff responded at all. This is upsetting and I am unhappy seeing this lack of foresight and leadership from my district’s representative.

A brother and sister, Barbara Survilas and Joseph Roberts, have been eating breakfast at the same table at the same Somerville restaurant every day for 35 years – rarely, if ever, missing a morning meal together.

To honor their commitment, loyalty, and dedication, McDonald’s owner-operator Vijay Selhi celebrated them last week and added a plaque to their table, which has now officially become Barbara and Joseph’s spot.

If there’s one universal certainty among most – if not all – people, we surely enjoy the transition from the cold, gloomy atmosphere of winter to the explosion of life and natural beauty as the months of spring unfold.

Hallmarks of this special time include the religious holidays that many of us celebrate, such as Easter, for those of the Christian faith, and the rites of Passover practiced by those of the Jewish faith. Likewise, the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr begins later this month.

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Interview with Doug Holder (Board member of the New England Poetry Club)

I decided it was a good time to interview poet Sara Letourneau, as this accomplished poet and New England Club Poetry member has her debut poetry collection out titled Wild Gardens. And it seems that Wild Gardens is an apt label for her book because there is nothing “tame” about her work. It is a collection that drills deep and goes beyond what you see – to what it means – a full-faced exploration.

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Vijaya Sundaram is the current Poet Laureate (2023-2025) for the City of Medford, Massachusetts. Her first collection of poems titled Fractured Lens was published in 2023 by Červená Barva Press. She has written short stories, plays and a short novel (not yet published). Her poetry and short pieces have appeared in publications like The Rising Phoenix Press, The Stardust Review, and TELL Magazine, among others. Vijaya’s statement about poetry: Poetry, to my mind, is the clarion call that urges us to see both the fullness and barrenness of life along with its joys and griefs; to experience the world with empathy and love; to create new landscapes and stories in distilled language, and to share our experiences in words that might be able to evoke those same experiences in others.

Massachusetts has received more than 181,000 requests for heating assistance so far this fiscal year

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joins Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation – Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09)—in writing to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on the sudden termination of the federal staff responsible for administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the impacts to Massachusetts families who depend on the program to stay safe, healthy, and housed.

The Somerville Museum is proud to present History on the Line: a map, exhibit, and event series running through June 2025, exploring the untold stories of Somerville’s revolutionary past. Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism’s MA250 grant program, this dynamic initiative brings history to life in new and meaningful ways. The excitement begins on Patriot’s Day, April 21, 2025, with a free community event at Foss Park – an opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate Somerville’s rich heritage together.

On May 4, Food For Free will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. For the 7th consecutive year, the Somerville-based nonprofit will raise money to support statewide food security through the Commonwealth Program. The Commonwealth gives organizations addressing food insecurity 60% of all funds they raise to support their own hunger relief programs, with the remaining 40% applied to Project Bread’s statewide food security efforts.