— Photos by Claudia Ferro

On Sunday, October 19, residents flocked to Somerville Avenue and Union Square for the annual Monster Mashed-Up @ SomerStreets event, the final installment of the city’s annual Open Streets series. Approximately 7,000 attendees attended the free event.

Each week prior to the November election The Somerville Times has presented the Statewide ballot questions, along with pro and con arguments, one at a time for examination and further consideration. We conclude the series this week with Question 4: Earned Sick Time for Employees.

City residents and Aldermen weighed in on the “Pay to Play” ordinance veto at last week’s Special Meeting of the Board.

By Jim Clark

A special meeting of the Board of Alderman was convened on Tuesday, October 14 to serve as a public hearing on the mayor’s veto of the so-called “Pay to Play” ordinance, as well as to provide an opportunity for city officials and members of the general public to ask questions and make comments on the matter.

Somerville Food Day Weekend starts this Thursday at 4 p.m. The Somerville Mobile Farmer’s Market will be hosting Mobile Market Parties all throughout Food Day Weekend for #SomervilleFoodDay14! On Thursday, October 23, join in at 268 Powderhouse Boulevard from 4 to 7 p.m. On Saturday, October 25, join in at 530 Mystic Avenue from 1 to 4 p.m. Each of these parties will include: The Mobile Market so you can purchase fresh, organic produce at the lowest prices around; Live music featuring your favorite local bands; Children’s activities from face painting to the Somerville Arts Council’s MUSCRAT art bus (only at the Mystic); A food mapping activity so we can collectively map food resources in our city; An urban growing activity to get your hands dirty harvesting vegetables as well as learning how to grow and compost at home; A recipe swap; and a raffle to give away awesome prizes.

Care to try your hand at being Somerville’s first ever Poet Laureate? Now is the time to take the plunge.

By Tom Bannister

The City of Somerville has announced that it will be creating the position of Poet Laureate for the City of Somerville. Candidates for the lofty appointment are being sought now.

With something as important as campaign finance reform, due diligence is essential. Constitutional issues must be cleared while getting the biggest bang for the buck, so to speak. That is, it must have teeth, but don’t bite too hard.

It’s a delicate balance that must be struck, assuring that all sides of the issue are thoroughly examined by lawmakers and everyday citizens alike.

The Yawkee League Champion Somerville Alibrandis were recently honored by the BoSox Club.

By The Times Staff

At its annual awards luncheon, on September 24, the BoSox Club, the official booster organization for the Boston Red Sox, honored the Somerville Alibrandis Baseball Club, winner of the Yawkey League championship.

Rowing for Gentle Giant Rowing Club: EmilyKate Obrien (Somerville High School), Raquel Oppedisano (Somerville High School), Yutha Basuseto (Malden High School), Kaitlin Doherty (Somerville High School), and Katie Donahue (Arlington Catholic) all participated in the Head of the Charles regatta 50th anniversary event this past Saturday. Led by Coach Nick Carter, they finished 76^th out of the 85 boats that were entered.