Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

The Tip Top Market, formerly at the corner of Walnut and 211 Pearl Street, pops up quite a bit when people reminisce about the old days in East Somerville. We still have lots of corner stores in Somerville, but those neighborhood grocery, variety stores, and meat markets of yesterday had a different feel. It was a warm, welcoming, and familiar feel. Back then, a cuff wasn’t only on shirts and trousers. It was a way of getting by until payday.

The Boston Bruins have teamed up with libraries across the Commonwealth to encourage kids and teens to keep reading over the summer. Blades joined readers at West Branch Library on Tuesday, August 11, for a story, fun, and crafts. Attendees designed and made their own Bruins fan button, took pictures at the ice rink photo station, and more.

Mayor Jake Wilson joined other community leaders in promoting organ donation on Tuesday. ~Photo courtesy of New England Donor Services

On Tuesday, August 11, New England Donor Services joined Mayor Jake Wilson, City Councilor Jon Link, Registry of Motor Vehicles leadership, and individuals touched by donation at City Hall to celebrate organ donation and encourage people to register as donors at the RMV when getting their license, ID, or REAL ID, or online at www.mass.gov/OrganDonor. The Mayor and the City Councilor both displayed the hearts on their licenses during the event, showing pride in their decision to register as donors.

By Matt McLaughlin
Candidate for State Senate, 2nd Middlesex District

There is a civil war within the Democratic Party. The establishment is fighting off an insurgency for the soul of the party. As with any war, the victims are everyday working people, caught between factions who claim to fight for them but are in fact causing the suffering.

The State of Massachusetts will hold its Primary Election on Tuesday, September 1. This election will narrow the candidate pool before the November Election on Tuesday, November 3. Offices on the ballot include: Governor, Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, District Attorney, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Councilor, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, and Register of Probate. Eligible voters may vote one of three ways: on election day, via early voting, or vote by mail. Deadline to Register to Vote for the Primary Election is Saturday, August 22. More information for the State Primary Election is available at somervillema.gov/elections. You can also call 311 (617-666-3311) with questions.

Somerville Police Officers interacting with families at bouncy houses. ~Photos by Keith Foster

By Keith Foster

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, Somerville’s annual National Night Out was held at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville. The goal of this fun-filled family event is to get the community, especially children, to trust the police and emergency personnel.

The Somerville Homeless Coalition held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 24 to celebrate the opening of their new Engagement Center and Offices at 362 Summer St. The new shelter is expanding its adult shelter from 16 to 26 beds to better serve the community. Presenting at the ribbon-cutting were Executive Director Michael Libby, President of the Board Sébastien Cimon Gagnon, and Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson. Former Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, First Church Somerville, SHC  Board of Directors, local officials, community members, and local business supporters gathered to mark this significant milestone.

Here’s a great recipe for meatless Monday. Packed with sweet and savory flavors that go well with spaghetti squash or pasta. The different textures will leave you truly satisfied with this vegetarian knock off of a meat filled ragu.

Those in public service to our state must be ready, willing, and able to rise to the occasion when called upon to do so. Each one of us, whoever we may be supporting in this year’s statewide election, is searching our hearts to determine whom we feel will best fill those roles.