Members of the Somerville Kiwanis Club organized the drive for their annual school supplies donation program.

On August 19, the final step in our annual school supplies/backpack drive before final delivery was completed at the Somerville headquarters of PUMA North America. A great group of Kiwanis members, assisted by some friends and an amazing group of PUMA employee volunteers, was able to stuff all 200 high-quality backpacks with needed school supplies in less than an hour. After a quick group photo, the boxed backpacks were loaded onto member vehicles for delivery to Somerville High School and Prospect Hill Academy.

Fair Housing means no discrimination! Candidates for Mayor and City Council had the chance to present their views on non-discrimination in housing by answering a questionnaire from the Somerville Fair Housing Commission, a nonpartisan group of volunteers. We are sharing all the answers we received. The Commission hopes you, the voters, will use the candidates’ answers as you decide how to vote in the September 16 primary and the November general election.

The Somerville School Building Committee recently met to go over issues related to the Winter Hill Community Innovation School project.

By Norah Doyle

The Somerville School Building Committee met on August 18 to further discuss progress regarding the Winter Hill Community Innovation School project and the feedback received from the community surrounding it so far.

On Thursday, August 28, at 6 p.m., Mayor Ballantyne will host an Overdose Remembrance Event to remember the eight Somerville residents who passed away from a substance use-related overdose in 2024. This event will include the planting of eight purple flags on the Highland Ave. side of City Hall, and one larger flag representing all those lost in prior years. Attendees are welcome to bring a small item of memorabilia to honor their lost loved one. The event will conclude with a moment of silence and candle lighting. City Hall will be lit with purple lights in recognition of Recovery Month. The flag and light displays will remain for the entire month of September. August 28, 6 – 7 p.m. (Narcan distribution) City Hall Lawn, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville.

As the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators continues its 50th Anniversary celebration, August 31 marks a symbolic milestone: the 243rd day of the year, and the 243rd woman elected to serve in the Massachusetts Legislature.

To commemorate this moment, the Caucus launched a campaign earlier this year to highlight every woman who has ever served in the Massachusetts Legislature, one woman per day throughout 2025. With just 243 women elected in the entire 401-year history of the General Court, this year-long recognition honors both the trailblazers who came before and the leaders shaping our Commonwealth today.

Eagle Feathers #336 – Two Guys, A Girl, and iRobot

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

The inspiration and genius of Thomas Edison is still alive and well. The first recording of words capturing sound so that you can hear yesterday’s words today was accomplished by Edison. He held over 1,200 American patents in his lifetime.

On the first Monday of September, Labor Day is celebrated to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements in the United States.

It is also a time to show appreciation for all the everyday workers of today who help keep our economy strong and serve the needs of everyone.

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Recently, I caught up with Somerville writer Lesley Pratt Bannatyne to talk about her new book Lake Song: A Novel in Stories. Bannatyne is best known for her books about Halloween, but she is also an accomplished fiction writer, as evidenced by her new book.