Master mask maker Eric Bornstein turns fantasies into reality as he puts his magic touch on the works he produces in his studio.

By Dian Zhang

Magic takes place in Eric Bornstein’s studio. There are white unicorns, wild tigers and Asian dragons. Bornstein doesn’t need to wave his wand to create this magic; he just needs some paper, glue, paint…and imagination.

The public is invited to comment on potential adverse effects resulting from the sale of the historic Somerville Main Post Office in Union Square at a public meeting held by the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in the 3^rd floor conference room at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

A lot of us Somerville “old timers” remember The Logan Post #6800, which was located at 901 Broadway outside of Teele Square. Many of our parents belonged to the post and some of our grandmothers were Gold Star Mothers based there. Not only was it a veteran’s post, but they rented out the hall for functions. Many of us recall wedding receptions, anniversary parties, baby showers, christenings, Super Bowl parties, political parties and rallies (for winners and losers), Pop Warner events, Little League affairs, cheerleading practice, Christmas parties and reunions being held at The Logan Post.

By Douglas Yu

The city presented an executive summary of the 10 master development proposals last Wednesday to the members of the Union Square Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) at the Argenziano School.

Community input on desired characteristics and qualities of new chief will be gathered at public hearing and through survey

Somerville is seeking a new police chief and the city wants to hear from the community what characteristics and qualities they would like to see in a new chief, with a public hearing scheduled for March 5 and a survey that will be available both online and in hard copy.

By William C. Shelton

 (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

In Somerville, we:

• Celebrate the diversity of our people, cultures, housing and economy.
• Foster the unique character of our residents, neighborhoods, hills and squares, and the strength of our community spirit…

Fire spinners, ice sculpting, and family-fun activities abound!

Tired of snow? Wishing winter lasted even longer? Whether you love this season or not come celebrate being cold and getting warm at Fire & Ice!

State-funded Prevention Collaborative between Somerville, Cambridge, Everett and Watertown reports on needs and next steps, including prevention initiatives and NARCAN use

Strategies to expand efforts to prevent heroin and opioid use and overdoses, including the use of the opioid overdose antidote nasal NARCAN, are now being developed by a four-city Massachusetts Opioid Addiction and Prevention Collaborative (MOAPC) that includes Somerville, Cambridge, Everett and Watertown. Funded by a $100,000 Massachusetts Department of Public Health MOAPC grant awarded in July 2013, the Collaborative conducted an in-depth needs assessment and presented its findings on Feb. 10 to Somerville’s new Substance Use and Mental Health community stakeholder group, which unites community stakeholders working on suicide prevention, jail diversion and substance use.

Porter Square Station: “Glove Cycle” by Mags Harries.

By Claire Felter

On a large projector screen in a dimmed conference room is a two-dimensional visual of the future Washington Street T Station in Somerville. The image displays a brand new gallery, a hallway clear of the grime that collects over time in older subway stations. There is something else absent as well, though. Several hologram-like people placed into the picture stare at a stark white wall – an allusion to the filling of these blank panels with artwork when the station is constructed in several years’ time.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and  do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

On March 4, the city, Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) and Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) will hold the third public forum on housing affordability in Somerville, to continue to strategize around a strong and effective housing agenda for the city. I hope you’ll attend, as there is plenty to talk about, like “Dimensions of Displacement,” the report that the MAPC produced with support from the city and SCC on potential gentrification along the Green Line Extension corridor.