It began after a bad oil spill that took place in 1969 off the coast of California. A year later, the first annual Earth Day was celebrated to demonstrate universal support for environmental protection and responsible stewardship of the planet and its inhabitants.

Since then, public and official awareness of the negative impacts of human activity – such as air and water pollution – have been raised to a level where concrete action is being demanded to mitigate those effects and heal the ills that have been inflicted on our world.

Arrests:
*

Jose Lopez Molina, April 11, 10:52 p.m., arrested at Tufts St. on a charge of operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

Tenzen Thoulutsang, of Medford, April 16, 3:14 a.m., arrested at Broadway on a charge of operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

*
Daniel Senser writes: “I am thirty-six years old and have been writing seriously since I was around twenty. I attended the University of Cincinnati, where I received my BA in English. I have had poems published in Jewish Currents, Blue Nib, Bitter Oleander, and Penwood Review, among other journals. My second book of poems, Another Missed Connection, came out in 2020 and was published by Adelaide Books.”

*

Lesley Bannatyne has a new collection of her short stories out, Unaccustomed to Grace. In this debut collection, everyday characters find a kind of magic, grace and redemption. Bannatyne told me she is the type of writer who can step out of her house and literally find a font of fodder for new work. My kind of writer! I caught up with her recently, and she generously agreed to answer a few questions…

(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 2009 until 2019, I lived in 11 different apartments across Medford, Somerville, and Cambridge. Sometimes for more, sometimes for less, and always paying a broker’s fee. My first bedroom in a 4BR/1BA apartment near Teele Square cost $737 per month, adjusted for inflation. Today, a similar apartment costs at least $900 on Craigslist.

Poet, publisher, and instructor Doug Holder reads an original poem in celebration of National Poetry Month at Endicott.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

Today, Somerville residents of all ages celebrated Patriots’ Day outdoors at Foss Park on Broadway.  The event featured a reenactment of Paul Revere’s famous ride from Boston to Lexington, period-appropriate refreshments and games.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

On Saturday, April 16, families enjoyed the Annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Connexion at Chuckie Harris Park.

The owner of Shivalic Food and Spice in Somerville said early Friday morning a theft broke into his store and caused approximately $25,000 worth of damage.

The suspect was seen on surveillance camera, see the full story here.

The City of Somerville is participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this month, hosting two collection events for residents to safely dispose of prescription medications. 

On Saturday, April 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., join the Community Outreach, Help, and Recovery (COHR) Department and the Prevention Services Division at 220 Washington Street and 6 Newbury Street. Staff will be onsite at both locations to collect unused or expired medications and provide overdose prevention information and resources. Free Narcan will also be distributed at each location.