Celebrate Halloween with us at the Somerville Museum! Put on your favorite costume and stop by for an afternoon of trick-or-treating.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Mom’s Beret, turtleneck, cigar-ash goatees, and you have instant Beatnik!

The worst part of trick-or-treating when we were kids was having to wear your clunky winter coat over your costume. We prayed for mild weather. The second worst thing was your parents refusing to spend money on a store-bought costume and forcing you to make one.

Green Line: No trains between North Station and Babcock St (B), Kenmore (C+D), and Heath St. (E), October 31 – November 1. Use buses between Babcock, Kenmore, Heath St (Rt 39) and Copley/Back Bay. Use Orange Line between North Station and Back Bay.

Join Somerville’s Department of Equity and Belonging for a Domestic Violence Vigil on Wednesday, October 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Somernova (15 Properzi Way).

Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the vigil offers an opportunity to come together to remember those lost to domestic violence, support survivors, and stand with everyone whose lives have been affected.

All community members are welcome.

Retiring Senator Patricia Jehlen recently spoke candidly about her endeavors and accomplishments in the State Senate.

By Claire Q. Wood

Massachusetts State Senator Patricia Jehlen will retire at the end of this term following over 20 years in the Massachusetts Senate. Jehlen represents the Second Middlesex District, comprising Somerville, Medford and portions of Cambridge and Winchester. Before her time in the Senate, Jehlen served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for over a decade and on the Somerville School Committee for 15 years.

(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 Jeffrey Shwom

Somerville’s local government apparatus has shown up and made quick build changes on the community path this fall. Now, it’s on us to be better neighbors and users.

I want to applaud the city for implementing calming measures, better signage, and road treatments along the community path, especially near School Street. As a tri-weekly runner, I thank you. And more importantly, as a four-times-a-week Blue Bike user, I hear you.

Ben Wheeler portrayed in a frame from Mickey Duzyj’s short film Confessions of a Jumbotron Addict. — Photos courtesy of Mickey Duzyj

By Eliot Josti

Yahoo x Nonfiction Hotlist, a series of small documentary films, recently picked up a story by filmmaker Mickey Duzyj centered around Somerville’s own Ben Wheeler.

Join Somerville’s Department of Equity and Belonging for a Domestic Violence Vigil tonight, October 28. The vigil offers an opportunity to come together to remember those lost to domestic violence, support survivors, and stand with everyone whose lives have been affected. All community members are welcome. The vigil will be held at Somernova, 15 Properzi Way, Somerville, 6 – 8 p.m.

On Saturday, former Alderman Bob McWatters took advantage of early voting hours at City Hall. While at City Hall he ran into Governor Maura Healey, who stopped by to greet early voters.

Your voice, your vote. Next week on Tuesday, November 3, Massachusetts will hold its State Election, which is open to all registered voters in Somerville.

For some of us, it feels like forever since we’ve shaken off the cares and concerns that seem to be bearing down so heavily as we observe the divisions and discord that have been so prevalent in our society over the past few years.

The state election is just around the corner, and most of us are giving it a lot of thought. The balance of power in Washington will be in play, and more than ever it seems as though so much will be at stake in that particular election, no matter which side we align with.