Dr. Mouhab Rizkallah

While most orthodontists focus on reshaping their patients’ mouths, Dr. Mouhab Rizkallah has been working to reshape the dental industry itself. His push for a dramatic change in how dental-coverage companies pay out benefits – via his successful 2022 Massachusetts ballot initiative, Question 2 – is just the latest in a string of battles this orthodontist has fought to improve care for patients.

Riverfest 2023 has been postponed this weekend due to the anticipated effects of Hurricane Lee.

Exhibition will be on view through December 2023

As part of a range of activities to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) invite the community to Las Chicas Artistas, an all-Spanish-language exhibition celebrating local women and women-identifying as Hispanic artists. 

(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 Alex Roy

A squirrel writhes in the August sun, its midsection bruised, blood seeping from its eyes. Flies circle its head; on closer inspection, its body is covered in ticks.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) invite the community to SomerStreets: Strike Up the Bands on Sunday, September 17, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., rain or shine, on Highland Avenue between Central Street and Lowell Street.

“The One With the Yellow Flowers and the Blue Cloth” by Noa Chandler.

By Jason Gutierrez

Photographers capture moments from the magnificent to mundane. More than a trick of the light, photos immortalize their subjects and remind the viewer of a familiar day, time, and what may feel like a different life.

Community members ages 12 and older can now vote on how to Invest $1 Million in city improvement projects

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is inviting all Somerville residents ages 12 and older to vote in the City’s first-ever Participatory Budgeting process. Voting is open now through Friday, October 15, 2023. The City will begin taking steps toward implementing the winning projects later this fall.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Back in the day, Boston politician Dapper O’Neil said they should put a fence around Somerville and give everybody 3-5 years. Wow! Well, we’ve come a long way since those days. I experienced a special Somerville moment recently.

Members of the Somerville High School Class of 2023 who participated in the Early College program at Cambridge College. Back row, left to right: Marco De Toledo, Shital Oli, Anders Haugesag; Front row, left to right: Laura Garcia Yanes, Jahvory Clergeau, Kayala Nayak. Not pictured: Julissa C., Jaslene Jean-Francois.

Eight Somerville High School (SHS) graduates from the Class of 2023 started college this fall having already earned credits toward a higher education degree, thanks to their participation in the Early College Program at SHS. For the past two years, the students took courses at Cambridge College as part of the program.

According to Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin, the city is not moving fast enough in dealing with the needs of the homeless. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

Homelessness in Somerville is rising, with parts of the city like Davis Square and East Somerville being impacted the hardest. Recently, the City Council urged the mayor to declare the issue an emergency.