By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

The term “anchor store” usually invokes the idea of a large department store, grocery store or some national chain in a big shopping center, but in our neighborhoods, it’s actually small local businesses that are collectively our anchor stores. Instead of one megastore trying to offer everything, our neighborhoods and squares have independent entrepreneurs who specialize in a particular product or service, often in a way you can’t get anywhere else. Nowhere is that more evident in Somerville than on East Broadway. From boutiques to eateries, the businesses along this newly reconstructed and improved stretch of East Somerville are intrinsic to the neighborhood’s identity and success. They are a cornerstone of its foundation. So, the City is targeting support for these businesses as we launch the next round of our Small Business Assistance Program.

By Donald Norton

The Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation celebrated its 25th Anniversary last Saturday evening, October 17, at the Holiday Inn.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Home Depot store on Mystic Ave. last Thursday on reports that a suspected shoplifter was being detained by store loss prevention personnel.

Upon arrival, officers were briefed by store employees and taken to the loss prevention office where the suspect, Noah Phillpotts, was being held.

The state-of-the-art DS 200 Precinct Scanner & Tabulator is scheduled to be in place in time for the March 1 presidential election. — Photo courtesy of Election Systems & Software

By Josie Grove

Somerville voters will notice something a little bit different when they cast their ballots in municipal elections in the future. Last Wednesday, the Finance Committee approved $188,344 appropriation from the Capital Stabilization Fund for new ballot counting machines.

— Photos by Kevin Dickinson

Somerville’s Haitian and Brazilian communities came together for “Haiti and Brazil Hit The ‘Ville,” a cultural festival on Sunday, Oct. 18, featuring music, dance, food, family-friendly activities and more for the entire community.

Weather permitting, on Thursday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Oct. 23, a MassDOT contractor will install a temporary pavement layer over the entire length of Beacon St. as an interim measure to improve roadway conditions prior to the full-scale reconstruction project.

All community members are invited to a Playground Design meeting for the new Argenziano School Playground on Saturday morning, Oct. 24, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. City staff and officials hope to hear from residents of all ages (children included!) about the proposed designs for the Argenziano Schoolyard, and the new children’s play and water spray area located at the core of the new park design. The meeting will be held in the Argenziano School cafeteria, and will include a walk outside to the park to review the new spaces.

Mayor Curtatone and City’s community-driven plan for area around new Green Line Station earn recognition from the Congress for the New Urbanism New England

The City of Somerville’s community-driven plan for the area around the future Green Line station in Gilman Square has won recognition for its people-centric design from the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) New England Chapter, which will also honor Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone for his leadership in urban planning and advocacy at the organization’s annual awards gala on Oct. 21.

Residents and city officials have been coming together for discussions on race and racism as the Community Conversations Series continues throughout the month of October.

By Mellow D.

Throughout October Somerville has been hosting the Community Conversations Series where residents are encouraged to attend and share their “experiences, concerns, and ideas.”

Somerville-trained boxer Melanie Costa will be making her bid for a place on the 2016 US Olympic Team at the trials being held in Memphis, TN. — Photo by Stephanie Buonopane

By George P. Hassett

A Somerville-trained boxer is on her way to Memphis this week to try and win a spot on next year’s US Olympic team.

Melanie Costa, 22, starts fighting Monday in the Olympic Trials. If she wins four fights she will represent the United States in women’s boxing in Rio De Janiero. “There’s one more step to making my dream come true and now I want to keep going,” says Costa.