A joint meeting was held last week to discuss the many pressing issues facing Somerville schools.

By Carlie Lombardi

On Monday, March 3, the School Committee’s Building Facilities and Maintenance Committee held a joint meeting to address pressing concerns about school infrastructure, budget constraints, and emergency planning for potential school closures.

Jovana Calvillo a lead organizer with Somerville for Palestine and of the rally sharing her story growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants.

On Saturday, March 8, 200 Somerville residents rallied in support of our immigrant neighbors in front of the East Somerville Library for two hours in 30-degree temperatures. The rally featured Somerville residents sharing their immigrant stories and loudly declaring their existence here. Many local organizations shared their ongoing work and commitment to support immigrant communities during national attacks on immigrants and undocumented people. Rally attendees joined calls for an end to deportations and ICE raids, for Maura Healey to declare Massachusetts a Sanctuary State, to uphold Somerville’s sanctuary city status, and for city elected officials to affirm immigrants’ important role and right to be in our city and schools.

The recent theft of public art in the Gilman Art Park area has left some local artists saddened and concerned. — Photos courtesy of Robert Smith

By Alexi O’Neil

Gilman Park is a small area on Pearl Street where artists have been able to place their work for decades. After becoming a finalist for an art-fueled grant through the city of Somerville last month, artist Robert (Bob) Smith has come forward to announce his heartbreak over his missing sculptures.

(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)

By Jack Connolly
Jackconnolly422@gmail.com

Several community meetings have been held by Copper Mill LLC, the proposed developers of the Elm St./Grove St location currently occupied by the Burren, McKinnon’s Market and Dragon Pizza. The most recent meeting was held on February 12th before a standing room only crowd at the Community Baptist Church. The developers stated that the city encouraged them to meet with the community to get reaction to their proposal for a 500-unit, 25-story [put height in feet here] tower. The developer claims that this size and scale are necessary to make the development profitable and that there would be no compromise on the proposed number of apartments and building height. By the way, this is the third attempt at redeveloping this site by the owner and development team after two failed previous attempts.

Somerville’s Council on Aging St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon takes place on Thursday, March 13, starting at 11 a.m. at the George Dilboy Post, located at 351 Summer Street. $10 per person. Join in for a performance by the Rebecca McGowan School of Irish Dance and a special meal (corned beef and cabbage). Reserve your spot for the event and lunch by calling Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

Students putting the final touches on a wedding scene.  — Photos by Liam Beretsky-Jewell

By Liam Beretsky-Jewell

Thursday, March 13, will be opening night for the Highlander Theatre Company’s second major production of the 2024-2025 school year. Dozens of students have been hard at work putting their spin on a Shakespearean classic: Much Ado About Nothing, a drama-filled romantic comedy that explores themes of love, sabotage, and deception, following the tangled love affairs of two young couples.

It’s a tradition that most of us have a lot of fun with. Whether one is of Irish lineage or not, St. Patrick’s Day stands for a recognition of Irish and Irish American culture, and in many ways its resulting fusion.

The religious origins of the day have, for some, been obscured and often all but forgotten in favor of the prominent displays of the color green, eating and drinking, and numerous parades. The day has been celebrated on the North American continent since before the American Revolution, and is actually an official holiday in neighboring Suffolk County. Ask any of our Boston brethren and they would – to a single soul – be aware of this fact.

Eagle Feathers #324 – Hidden Henry Hansen

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

 It has been eighty years since the United States landing on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945.  At an appalling cost of nearly 6,800 lives and 17,000 injured, the month-long struggle proved to be the toughest in Marine Corp’s history.  The battle was highlighted by the early American flag raisings on the island’s highest peak, Mt. Suribachi.  It was a photo of the second and larger flag raising by Associated Press photographer, Joe Rosenthal, that became a national, iconic image.  Two American flags would be flown on that day.  First, a small flag was raised under fire and combat.  Hours later, a larger, more visible flag was raised after the elevation had been secured.  

*

Interview conducted by Doug Holder

Recently, I caught up with Somerville artist Carol Moses. Moses has been affiliated with the Vernon Street Studios, and Brickbottom for many years. From her website:

“Carol Moses paints in watercolor and oil, on paper and canvas. The artist also produces series of photographic portraits with interviews of the subjects. With an affinity for math and logic, and a background in cultural anthropology and linguistics, communication and connection are at the forefront of both the non-representational painting work and the portrait/interview series.”