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Rachel Kushner writes poems, children’s books, and research papers. The research papers and briefs focus on Boston’s public pre-K programming. The poems and children’s books are sick of hiding. She works for the Boston Public Schools Department of Early Childhood as a data analyst and research coordinator. Rachel lives in Union Square with her six housemates in an unofficial co-op. She really likes jumping on her mini trampoline.

DC Activist Street Band, followed by the 700-foot-long “We the People” preamble banner, during the We The People 250 March, held in DC on July 4, 2026
~Photo courtesy of DC Activist Street Band

Heads up! The 21st annual HONK! Festival is already in its fine-tuning stage, preparing to raise a merry impossible-to-ignore ruckus during this year’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend, with the Festival covering Friday thru Sunday, October 9-11. When the initial call went out in the Spring for activist street band participation, over 65 bands applied, hailing from all over the country. It will take a while to narrow down the participation to a manageable size. But suffice it to say that this year’s Festival will indeed be very robust. All prompted by the urgency to loudly convene and joyously perform. With a common goal, to gather in support of “No justice. No peace.”

Chicken Chuchitos by La Todosantera Guatemalan+Mayan Cuisine

Peruvian, Guatemalan, and Ethiopian menus highlight how Somerville’s Nibble Program helps immigrant and women entrepreneurs build food businesses

The City of Somerville’s Nibble Kitchen is serving up a rotating lineup of Peruvian, Guatemalan, and Ethiopian cuisine this summer at Bow Market in Union Square. The tiny space offers big rewards for diners – and chefs.

Public invited to provide comment on body-worn cameras at virtual special meeting and hearing  on July 27

The public is invited to attend a virtual special meeting of the City Council and public hearing on body-worn cameras. The meeting and hearing, initiated by Mayor Jake Wilson, will take place virtually on Monday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. All community members are invited to provide public comment during the hearing portion.  

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Host, Sarah Fishman speaks with Ward 5 city councilor, Naima Sait.

The City of Somerville is seeking a new member to join the Somerville Board of Elections Commissioners. This vacancy is for a registered Republican. The Board consists of four people who represent each of the two leading political parties (Democrats and Republicans), as defined in Chapter 50, Section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws.

The Somerville Fire Department responded on Friday afternoon to a fire suppression incident at the Speedway gas station on McGrath Highway. The Board of Health and Cataldo Ambulance were notified. No injuries have been reported.

The Senate passed legislation to help older adults age in place in Massachusetts by requiring home care agencies to be licensed and meet standards for screening, training, and supervision. The bill also creates a commission to make recommendations for social insurance for long-term care.