Get ready to dance, celebrate, and show your Pride. Mayor Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council invite you for the return of Big Gay Dance Party in Union Square Plaza on Saturday, June 21, from 5 to 8:00 p.m. (Rain date: Sunday, June 22). 

By Dennis Fischman

It’s funny, I’ve recently read two different mysteries set in Cambridge, MA, around the environs of Harvard – this one and The Memorial Hall Murder. The two books couldn’t be more different. Jane Langton created quirky characters, some lovable (like Homer Kelly) and some so villainous you could almost hear them spit with every sentence.
In Quaker Silence, author Irene Allen takes a more humane approach. Her people are flawed characters striving to be good, no matter what role they play in the story. Her detective, 66-year-old Elizabeth Elliot, can sometimes be self-righteous (and she knows it, and deplores it), and sometimes she bends corners on ethical issues when she feels she hears a higher call out of the silence.

Owner Lori Pino recounts the 30-year history of Amal Niccoli salon.

By Jeffrey Shwom

Long-time hair and skin care salon owner Lori Pino celebrates her 30-year anniversary in the heart of Ball Square and almost 40 years operating in Somerville, with no plans to close her shop, Amal Niccoli, anytime soon.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I usually write about the old days of Somerville in one shape or form. It’s pretty simple because I can delve into actual proven history which is chronicled. Plus, I was usually there. It’s rare for me to get a scoop, or an inside tip on a cool story. Well, the following is a hum dinger! I may have found the source of how and when the three extra ” so goods” became part of the iconic Neil Diamond song Sweet Caroline.

— Photo courtesy of  Somerville Kiwanis

On Thursday, June 5, one of our most gratifying meetings of our year was held at the Burren Restaurant and Pub in Davis Square. Our annual scholarship awards meeting was held to celebrate and award twelve amazing Somerville High School graduates with a $1000 scholarship each. Eleven of the twelve graduates were able to join us for today’s meeting.

(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)

As of 9:18 a.m. June 9 2025, the USNC/Somernova CBA final vote count was verified. The USNC is thrilled that the CBA with Rafi Properties passed and that the community elected to support this CBA with over 71% of the votes. 

The biggest take-way for the USNC is that community-driven processes work, and that together we can bring about transformational change that works for Somerville. A coalition of neighbors, artists, volunteers, and abutters twice stopped the Somernova project. We further joined forces with local non-profits and labor unions, to fight for a development that better responds to the needs of residents, workers, creatives and Somerville youth, resulting in a CBA that contains provisions that offset the negative impacts large-scale development brings.  

The city’s Land-Use Committee postponed a vote on proposed changes at their latest meeting.

By Norah Doyle

On June 5, the Somerville Land-Use Committee met with the Planning Board virtually to discuss proposed changes to the city’s zoning ordinance, many of which would impact Somernova, Somerville’s innovation hub. After nearly four hours of discussion, the committee decided to table the vote and delay their decisions on the changes due to concerns about parking, traffic, and how the surrounding neighborhood would be impacted. The meeting included three different presentations.

The indie rock festival SOMEDAY FEST took place last Saturday at the Boston Figurative Art Center in Union Square. — Photos courtesy of Tyler Lehren

By The Times Staff

SOMEDAY FEST finally happened. After months of planning, the Somerville Organization for Multimedia Experiences (SOME) presented their first-ever indie rock festival, SOMEDAY FEST, at the Boston Figurative Art Center in Union Square on Saturday, June 7.

The Somerville Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the return of the Taste of Somerville Festival on Wednesday, June 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Boynton Yards to benefit your favorite nonprofit, the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Returning for its 27th year, Taste of Somerville is the premier all-you-can-eat culinary and creative arts festival of Somerville with over 50+ food and beverage vendors, local artisans, live entertainment, lawn games, and more – all in the heart of Union Square at Boynton Yards. For more information and tickets, visit https://tasteofsomerville.org/.

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This quick and easy salad will make a great lunch or a side for a small gathering. The textures, color combination, and unique flavors will definitely leave you craving more.