Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA) and the Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) are inviting the Somerville community to join a vibrant celebration of Latin American and Caribbean Heritage Month, this Saturday, October 12.

The City of Somerville Rodent Issues Special Committee continues its efforts to mitigate rodent infestation in the city.

By Katherine Davis

The Rodent Issues Special Committee held their regular meeting on Monday, September 30, to cover the ongoing issue of any city – rodents. While rodents, especially rats, are present in any city, they only continue to thrive because of human activities such as open top and easily accessible outdoor trash cans, yard debris, overgrown vegetation, and more. Taking a few extra steps can make the difference for you and your neighborhood.

Good Trouble Brass Band (current photo)

By Harry Kane

For the 19th year, activist street bands gather to honk their horns and rally the residents in a commitment to promoting peace, social justice and civic engagement at the annual HONK! Festival.

State Representative Christine P. Barber, 34th Middlesex District

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

By State Representative Christine P. Barber

It’s 2024, and yet, for every dollar a man makes in Massachusetts, a woman earns 84 cents. Despite major efforts to address women’s equality in the workplace over many decades, significant gender and racial wage disparities for workers persist and contribute to the wealth gap. Recently, the National Women’s Law Center found that for every dollar white men earn, Black women earn 59 cents and Latinas just 53 cents.

Padres Latinos is providing support systems for Portuguese and Spanish-speaking Somerville parents in Somerville. — Photo courtesy of Padres Latinos

By Jeffrey Shwom

Uplifters, supporters of youth, skills trainers, information sharers, bridge makers, art exhibit curators and turning moms into superwomen. Those are just some of the terms that scratch the surface of the impact Padres Latinos (Padres) has had on Latino parents and the community.

Community members are invited to a neighborhood meeting tonight, Wednesday, October 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., to discuss public safety and homelessness in the broader Seven Hills/Davis Square area. Join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Police Chief Shumeane Benford, Health and Human Services staff and more for an up-date and discussion on these issues. All members of the community including individuals and businesses are invited. The meeting will take place at the Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

The HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands returned for another year of reclaiming the streets for horns, bikes and feet. The free 3-day festival took place from October 4 to October 6 in Davis Square.

With the passage of time, more and more cities and states in America are officially recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of the traditional observance of Columbus Day.

Somerville has been onboard for a few years now, and more of our neighboring communities across the Commonwealth, including the City of Boston, are joining in each year.

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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Lo Galluccio

Is the title ironic? Is it meant to mimic a toothpaste or detergent commercial? X-tra Whiteness suggests not race in this book, but some kind of gleam. Or maybe Gager is playing on the theme of whiteness, and even including race. After several readings, I’m still not sure but the title, it’s pop and its ambiguity, drew me to this collection, without a doubt.