Free public health vending machines were installed in front of the West Branch Library in Davis Square. —Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Matthias Gat

As a result of advocacy from At-Large Councilor Kristen Strezo, these new kiosks provide 24/7 access to various health and safety products at no cost.

In November, Somerville’s first public health vending machines were installed in front of the West Branch Library in Davis Square and Project Soup in East Somerville. These kiosks are part of a larger initiative funded by Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership, which is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

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.

Eagle Feathers #351 – Torpedoes Away

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Before Vice-Admiral Ralph Waldo Christie left the U.S. Navy in 1949, he had spent thirty-eight years working his way up the ranks. The Somerville native graduated from the Naval Academy in 1915. As an Ensign, he had various duties. His first ship assignment was on the battleship New Jersey, where he received instruction on submarine construction and torpedo design. This prepared him for the newly opened Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, becoming one of its first members. By 1923, he had earned a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

*

Recently, I caught up with poet Wyn Cooper, a former Somerville resident, to talk about his new collection of poetry, The Unraveling.

Wyn Cooper has published five books of poetry, including, most recently, Mars Poetica.

*

Trapper Markelz (he/him) writes from Arlington, Massachusetts. He is the author of the chapbooks Childproof Sky (Cherry Dress, 2023) and Off To War, Daughter (Rockwood Press, 2026). His work has appeared in the journals Baltimore Review, Passengers Journal, Pine Row Press, Wild Roof Journal, The Dewdrop, and Poetry Online, among others. Learn more at trappermarkelz.com.

(L to R) Krista Easterly, IIDA New England Chapter, President, Autumn Thompson, Somerville resident and IIDA Advocacy Committee, State Representative Christine Barber, Heather Gaidjunas, IIDA Advocacy Committee, Kalyn Pavlinic, Somerville resident and IIDA New England President-Elect, and Betty Chen, IIDA Advocacy Committee

Rep. Christine Barber, representing the 34^th Middlesex District, has been honored as the 2025 Legislator of the Year by the International Interior Design Association’s New England Chapter (IIDA New England). The award, presented at IIDA’s Annual Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House, recognizes Rep. Barber’s advancement of women’s rights and social equity in the Commonwealth.

The proposed Fiscal Years 2027 – 2031 MBTA Capital Investment Plan includes all planned capital investments over the next five years.~Photo by Bobbie Toner

On Thursday, March 26, the  MBTA released the proposed Fiscal Years 2027 – 2031 MBTA Capital Investment Plan (FY27 – 31 MBTA CIP) for public comment, marking the beginning of a 21-day public comment period. 

Eligible property owners: please note that Wednesday, April 1 is the deadline to apply for property tax exemptions or relief such as the Residential Exemption or the Senior Tax Deferral.

Find details at somervillema.gov/assessing, or contact the Assessing Department with any questions at (617) 625-6600 ext. 3100 or by emailing assessing@somervillema.gov.