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I wrote this for a distinguished academic journal sponsored by the university, “What’s a matter U”

A bottle of seltzer has always been a comforting, humorous beverage to me. A bottle of seltzer can interrupt the ravings of a pompous ass, it fizzles and sizzles with comic energy – it is the great whoopee cushion of the beverage world. The fizzle of seltzer down my throat brings to mind my father and me as we watched the antics of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, The Three Stooges, not to mention the Marx Brothers, on the black and white TV. One of my close friends jokes that I have not entered the 21st century yet – I am decidedly a man of the 20th. He is probably right. I always talk to my colleagues about ways to engage students in the classroom. I had a crazy idea to use seltzer as an educational prop in class.

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Julia Kanno writes: “I am the mother of two amazing young men. I am from Appalachia and Botswana. I am an artist and also work in healthcare. I have self-published with my co-pilot levin pfeuffer two books of prose a storm is cuming and The hardest helmet. My first reading was done at Northeastern University and since then I have read at the Somerville Armory two times. I consider myself an introverted artist/writer. I give birth to my works including those that have been displayed at the Decordova Museum as well as Howard University and local gems such as The Middle East and Out of the Blue gallery. I will be published in Tell magazine featuring my textiles and art in the spring. Currently, I am studying behavioral science and psychology because there is a need for more people of color to be there for people of color to help end the stigma of seeking mental health.”

Arrests:
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Junior Descoma, of Malden, May 18, 9:24 p.m., arrested at Somerville Ave. on a warrant charge of identity fraud.

Luciano Delira, of Cambridge, May 18, 11:29 p.m., arrested at Broadway on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.

After a five-year remediation and renovation process, Somerville will celebrate the park’s full reopening with a ribbon cutting open to all 

After five years of extensive soil testing, remediation, and renovation, including the removal of 8,700 tons of contaminated soil, Somerville’s Conway Park is set to reopen in its entirety on Friday, May 27.  

The City of Somerville’s Office of Sustainability and Environment along with Somerville Public Schools held a “Flip the Switch” event on the concourse of the East Somerville Community School on Thursday, May 12. It was a way to celebrate the installation of 940 solar panels atop the school building, and the positive impact it has in the pursuit of the city’s goal to achieve net-zero carbon-negative status by 2050. It is the largest solar array in the city, and produces more than half of the ESCS’s energy use. This solar array will increase the city’s solar photovoltaic capacity by 700%.

Eighteen local teens created artwork in response to the questions, how do you share your cultural identity? How would you like to take your place in the museum? The teens’ work challenges stereotypes and will be featured in a museum display which invites visitors to consider cultural identity.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Medford Chief of Police Jack Buckley have confirmed an ongoing investigation into the death of Barbara Novaes, 61 of Medford who was located in an enclosed area outside her home on Emery Street Monday morning.

Open Positions: Two; Term: Five years

The Somerville Housing Authority (SHA) Board of Commissioners seeks two new members, and all Somerville residents are invited to apply. These positions do not have to be filled by SHA residents, but SHA residents are encouraged to apply. Boards and commissions offer an opportunity for residents with a range of experience, skills, expertise, and perspectives to share their talents and insights with their community.

Throughout the month of May, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) partners with other local organizations to host events honoring Somerville’s history and historic assets. All events are open to the public, ADA accessible, and FREE.

 May– October. Launch of Volunteer Docent Program. Three Historic Sites: Prospect Hill Tower, Milk Row Cemetery, and Old Powder House.