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.

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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 knockoff 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.

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I recently caught up with Somerville professor and poet Beth Rosenberg. Along with her mentor, Chuck Levenstein, they have written a book of poems about the workers in the nuclear industry.

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Poet Doug Holder writes: “You know, I have taught Ray Bradbury’s short story There will come soft rains for years now at Endicott College. The story is about the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. The date for the piece is set on Aug. 4, 2026. And now with wars around the world … I wrote this small poem that was inspired by Bradbury.”

As of today, the City of Somerville Election Department has begun mailing Vote-by-Mail ballots to voters for the September 1 State Primary Election.

Ballots will continue to be mailed regularly as applications are received and processed. Voters are encouraged to return their completed ballots as soon as possible. Returning your ballot early allows the Election Department time to review the ballot envelope for completeness and contact you, if necessary, should any issue arise that could affect whether your ballot is eligible to be counted.

State Senate candidate Erika Uyterhoeven speaks at July 7 Mystic Valley Voters Forum

The second Mystic Valley Voters Forum (MVVF) will be hosted on Wednesday, August 19 at Bonsignore Hall in Medford Public Library from 6:00-8:00 p.m.