It’s a tradition that most of us have a lot of fun with. Whether one is of Irish lineage or not, St. Patrick’s Day stands for a recognition of Irish and Irish American heritage, and in many ways its resulting fusion in the modern age.

The religious origins of the day have, for some, been obscured and often all but forgotten in favor of the prominent displays of the color green, eating and drinking, and numerous parades. The day has been celebrated on the North American continent since before the American Revolution, and is actually an official holiday in neighboring Suffolk County. Ask any of our Boston brethren and they would – to a single soul – be aware of this fact.

Eagle Feathers #249 – Don’t Spill Your Coffee

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Tradition has told us that a ninth century Ethiopian shepherd once observed that some of his goats were behaving erratically. They were happier and livelier than others because they ate the magenta berries on a dark green shrub.

Join in virtually on Zoom as members of the local Italian community tell their stories and talk about their work in Somerville’s neighborhoods and beyond.

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I was pleased to catch up with Raphael Matto, an accomplished, multi-talented man, not to mention a new resident of the “Paris of New England.”

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Poet Harris Gardner submitted a poem from his new collection, No Time for Death. The book was published by Somerville’s Cervena Barva Press.

If everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day then the best place to be on March 18 is the Somerville Theatre to celebrate with Irish step dancing, music and four of Boston’s funniest comedians of Irish descent. 

Emily (L) and Piseth (R) outside of P+E Wellness

Queer, BIPOC Owned Business P + E Wellness welcome all to their wellness studio in Somerville

Co-founded and co-owned by longtime Somerville residents Piseth Sam and Emily Kaplan, Union Square’s new small business, P+E Wellness, officially opened its doors at 44 Medford Street to the community this month.

Lillian “Lily” J. (Ivester) DiFraia, a long-time Somerville resident, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 11, 2022.  She was 86 years old.

Known affectionately as “Lily,” she was born one of five children in Cambridge to Ellen (Barrett) and Ernest Ivester  She met the love of her life, Ralph DiFraia, in 1955 and together they began their family, enjoying many happy years together.  They were always a striking couple, impeccably dressed, loved dancing, travelling and spending time with family and friends.  

Please join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS), and the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) for a webinar about tenants’ rights in Somerville, housing advocacy and rental assistance services, and community organizing to prevent eviction and displacement. Somerville’s local eviction moratorium, established in March 2020, currently remains in effect until Saturday, April 30, 2022.