Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte 

So, what do you think about all the speed humps throughout the city? Did you go over one by accident too fast and everything in the car lifts up in the air and crashes back down? I did that once. Those humps are popping up all over the place. I asked my Somerville social friends for their opinions. Each new comment is in quotes.

Somerville residents ages 17 and older can apply now to review ideas submitted for the city’s first-ever round of Participatory Budgeting. Applications due May 20.

The City of Somerville is now accepting applications from residents ages 17 and older to join the city’s Participatory Budgeting process as Budget Delegate Volunteers. This role will give residents hands-on experience working directly with city staff to review Participatory Budgeting idea submissions and determine which 20 ideas will be voted on by their fellow residents. No previous finance or budgeting experience is required; all residents will be given training and background as needed.

City officials met with the public recently to discuss gunfire incidents and other threats to the public safety.

By The Times Staff

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan, Somerville Chief of Police Charles Femino, and Director of the Department of Racial and Social Justice Denise Molina Capers invited community members to a Community Safety Meeting on Tuesday, March 28, at the Healey School Cafeteria.

(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)

Every day, members of our community are asked to make an almost impossible choice: Remain in an unsafe relationship, or leave at the risk of losing their housing? Domestic violence survivors are already at an increased risk for housing instability and eviction. In the midst of our affordable housing crisis, open access to these records is further narrowing survivors’ housing options. The Community Action Agency of Somerville and RESPOND are two of the many organizations in Somerville that see firsthand the relationship between housing instability, eviction, and domestic violence. For that reason, we support the passage of the HOMES Act, and urge our legislators to help lessen the barriers to housing access that exist for domestic violence survivors.

Somerville’s Arts at the Armory is hosting an exhibition by Brad Casler at its ROOTED Café now through April 29.

Casler is a native Bostonian who has spent the majority of his life living in Boston. He is an abstract expressionist artist who draws upon the flavors, smells, sights, and events of his own experiences to assemble an artwork that moves both mind and spirit.

(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)

From any perspective, US2 is the wrong developer to be building on the 200 McGrath Highway (Glass Stop) site.

As Somerville welcomes commercial development in its transformational zones, the administration needs to be more selective in the choices it makes for who does the building.  The latest purchase by US2 of the 200 McGrath Highway site (across from the Target parking lot) is an example of how not to choose a developer. Indeed, US2 is the wrong developer to build on the 3.1-acre former Glass Stop and Pat’s Towing site for five significant reasons.

Happy Easter and Passover this week to all who celebrate. May the holidays bring joy and fun to families, friends and everyone who gathers together to observe the occasions.

Eagle Feathers #276 –Daniel vs. the Lions

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

On October 17, 1781, General George Washington’s combined 17,000-man Colonial and French Army, along with a French Naval Fleet, ended the month-long siege of Yorktown, Virginia. This battle, one of the most important of the American Revolution, effectively ended the war. One month later in a letter to French General Lafayette, Washington stated, “It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force, we can do nothing definitive, and with it everything honorable and glorious.”

— Photos by Alex Fredette

Somerville High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse came out strong against the Fitchburg Raiders on Monday afternoon, but the Raiders never went away. The Highlanders played well but lost 8-9 in overtime. To view all the photos, go to https://alexfredette.smugmug.com/Lacrosse/SHS-Lax-W-Fitchburg/

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.