This year’s installment of PorchFest hit the city this past weekend. Those who have, in the past, taken notice of the event – and it is an event that is rather difficult not to notice – usually have fairly strong opinions of approval or distaste for the goings on. It was no different this time around.

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Review by Ruth Hoberman

In March 2020, the Northwest and the Northeast shared a peculiar horror: that first onslaught of deathly ill people, the sirens and scrambling for masks and ventilators, the fear of contagion – all weirdly juxtaposed with daffodils and nesting birds. John Okrent’s recent collection of sonnets, This Costly Season, recreates the anxiety, despair, and rare glimmers of hope so many of us felt during that time.

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A month after her family put down the family cat, Chloe, 12-year-old Maisy Flynn penned a tribute to the companion she had known all her life. This one’s for Chloe. Maisy Flynn is a 12-year-old girl who lives with her mother, father and brother. When not at Middle School, Maisy can be found hanging out with friends, enjoying time with her family or working on arts and crafts. She is the beloved granddaughter of Paul Steven Stone, a local writer and member of the Bagel Bards writers group.

— Photo courtesy of The Center for Teen Empowerment, Inc.

Dear Community, Students, Parents, and Guardians,

On Friday, youth in our City rallied for peace including calling for safety from gun violence and the impacts of racism in all of its forms. It was an act of both frustration and hope, of both concern and determination organized by youth involved with the nonprofit Teen Empowerment. Many of us went, and we were impressed and moved.

FabVille, the City of Somerville’s digital fabrication lab, is hosting its first Maker Showcase to celebrate the local maker community and their diverse creations. All are welcome at this evening of free demonstrations, talks, networking, and refreshments. 

Brickbottom: Impressions of the Past, Visions for the Future

Jane’s Walks honor and activate the ideas of Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walk is a community-based approach to city building that uses volunteer-led walking tours to make space for people to observe, reflect, share, question and re-imagine the places in which they live, work and play. JanesWalk.org

Two volunteer docents explain some of the history of the Old Powder House located in Nathan Tufts Park. The docent program is sponsored by the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission and the Somerville Museum.

Senator Edward Markey (D–Mass) will join dozens of local supporters of the Fair Share Amendment to launch the Somerville campaign for the statewide ballot question today,  Sunday May 15.  Teams of Fair Share advocates will be canvassing the Somerville’s neighborhoods and speaking directly to voters.