— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Over 200 people joined together to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 at The Somerville Community Growing Center. Partnered with the City of Somerville’s Office of Sustainability and Environment and the Climate Coalition of Somerville, the Earth Day celebration included participatory gardening – seed and seedlings to take home – and nature-based art activities, learning about biodiversity and attracting pollinators to urban settings. Due to the rain, the Open Hours for the Arts: MUSIC launch, has been rescheduled to Sunday, May 14 at 3:00 p.m.

The City Hall Community Meetings kick off in your area this week. Tonight, Wednesday, April 26, the Ward 5 meeting will take place at the Kennedy School (5 Cherry St.). The in-person meetings run from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Ask questions and get updates from the mayor and city staff. Swing by early at 6:00 p.m. for pizza and refreshments. Learn more at somervillema.gov/communitymeetings.

The Hamilton Company has announced that it has initiated the process for obtaining approvals for One Union Square in Somerville – a transformative development that will anchor new economic activity, create new civic and community spaces, and help realize Somerville’s long-term objective of strengthening Union Square as both a neighborhood and commercial center.

By State Senator Pat Jehlen

Last year, Gov. Baker proposed tax cuts totaling $700 million. The House and Senate each proposed a tax cut package of around $500 million. But we never reached agreement, after discovering that a 1986 law required returning $3 billion to taxpayers because of a “surplus.”  (More on the surplus soon.)

One of the greatest things about our American democracy is its resilient capacity for freedom of expression, along with lively engagement with our governing bodies. This extends from the highest levels on the national level down to local civic affairs.

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I always have lentils in the pantry for a quick and easy weeknight meal. This soup is a perfect accompaniment to a hearty salad and some crusty bread.

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I noticed that the Somerville Media Center is to have an art exhibit in April and George Teshu is one of the exhibitors. I caught up with Teshu recently, and we talked about his colorful and evocative paintings, and his perception of art and life.

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Gianna is a junior studying English at Endicott College. She is involved on campus as the Editor-in-Chief of the Literary Arts Magazine as well as the News Editor for Endicott’s newspaper. She is from Richmond, Rhode Island, a small town by the coast. Being one of five, Gianna grew up in a warm and happy home that has been difficult to be separated from. But Gianna believes you can have roots and wings. Her love for reading and writing has evolved into a passion that she hopes to maintain with a career in book publishing. She is grateful for her family at home and at school for their unwavering support.

“Make the Voices Stop!”

Interview by Doug Holder

Recently, a student in my Boston Literature and Film Class at Endicott College told me he is going to have a short documentary that he produced screened as part of the Boston Student International Film Festival Showcase. The film, along with many others can be viewed at the old and storied vaudevillian Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, Somerville, Massachusetts at 1:00 p.m. on April 29. According to the budding filmmaker, undergraduate Foster White: