On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Somerville Council on Aging welcomed community members to their monthly Cultural Series luncheon at the Dilboy Post. The afternoon was filled with warmth, conversation, and the joy of shared experiences. Guests were treated to a performance by Rich O’Reilly, whose easygoing acoustic style set the perfect tone for the gathering. Blending classic pop, folk, and light Americana favorites, his music created a relaxed, inviting atmosphere that had many attendees smiling and reminiscing about familiar tunes. ~ Photos by Claudia Ferro

The City of Somerville’s Veterans’ Services Department invites community members to a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 11, at 6 p.m. in Davis Square to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and honor all victims as well as first responders, workers, and volunteers who rushed to the scene to save lives or to later help carry out the dangerous cleanup.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

If you look around Somerville, you will still see some grand old brick structures that used to be elementary schools. The Brown, on Willow Ave., which was built in 1900, is the last one still actually being used as a school. Some of them have been converted into condos, such as The Lowe School on Morrison Ave. and the Carr School on Atherton.

The Somerville City Council approved a resolution to retain the MBTA bus Route 80 through the city. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Harry Kane

The MBTA is undertaking a large-scale redesign of the entire bus network called the Better Bus Network Project. As part of the improvements, the MBTA is cutting Route 80 through Somerville, City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen explained.

Update: Somerville’s Nepali Street Food Festival on September 5 has been postponed. A new date will be shared at somervillema.gov/news.

Celebrate the rich flavors and vibrant culture of Nepal at the Somerville Nepali Street Food Festival on Saturday, September 5, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Somerville City Hall (93 Highland Ave). The rain date is Sunday, September 6.

Community and Government members gather around planted flags in a moment of silence for those who have been lost to drug overdose. — Photos by Keith Foster

By Keith Foster

Part of the Somerville community gathered outside Somerville City Hall last Thursday, August 27, which was Overdose Awareness Day, for a candlelight vigil and flag planting for eleven victims of opioid overdose. In addition, there will be overdose prevention training events throughout September, which is National Recovery Month.

The proposed zoning amendment is intended to allow for more accessible housing.

By The Times Staff

The ground story elevation requirement in Somerville’s zoning code is under scrutiny thanks to a petition organized by a Tufts University graduate student named Crystal M. Huff. The petition proposes removing the requirement of a 2-foot minimum elevation of any building’s ground story to allow for more accessible housing.

The Mystic River Mural Project revealed its new mural that highlights the impact on Mystic River watershed eagles. — Photos by Bobbie Toner

By Harry Kane

City Councilors Emily Hardt and John Link requested that Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances be amended to ban the use of anticoagulant rodenticides on city-owned property during the last City Council meeting on Thursday, August 27.

Congratulations to the candidates who won their races in this week’s State Primary Election. They will face off with their respective opponents in the General Election on November 3. We thank all the candidates for their participation in the electoral process and wish them the best in the future. Updated election results will be posted on our website: www.thesomervilletimes.com.