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I contacted poet Trapper Markelz about his new collection of poetry, Off to War, Daughter. Trapper is on the advisory board of the New England Poetry Club.

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Brian Russell is an undergraduate at Endicott College in Beverly, MA.

City rolling out tools and tips to tackle rodent activity head-on

As rodent activity increases with warmer weather; Somerville is launching a push to help the community prevent and address rat activity. DeRATification Week, running April 27 through May 3, combines new tools and clearer guidance, making it easier for Somerville to make life harder for the rats.

Collaborate with the city’s design team to help inform how our next new school building can serve the community outside of school hours

As part of the design process for the new school building at 115 Sycamore Street, all community members are invited to join a collaborative workshop focused on planning for community programming uses at the new school building. Please join us on Monday, May 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Tufts Administration Building Atrium Conference Room at 167 Holland Street. The feedback gathered will be used by the city’s project team and architects to help inform design efforts and work moving forward.

Learn about the crossing project, review design alternatives, and share feedback.

The Brickbottom and Inner Belt neighborhoods are separated from one another by train tracks. Currently, residents and visitors looking to move between these areas must follow a lengthy route that includes walking under McGrath Highway via the underpass on Washington Street.

Opening $100,000 in micro-grants for community-led justice work

Applications open May 1 through May 29 for Somerville residents, advocates, and service providers

The City of Somerville is putting money directly into the hands of residents, advocates, and service providers working to advance racial and social justice at the local and neighborhood level. Mayor Jake Wilson and the Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) today announced the launch of the City’s first-ever RSJ Fund Public Grants round, a new micro-grant program offering up community programming grants — with individual awards ranging from $250 to $9,999. Applications will be accepted from Friday, May 1, through Friday, May 29, 2026.