The winners of The Somerville Times Reader’s Choice results for

THE BEST OF SOMERVILLE 2025

Congratulations to the winners!
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By Dennis Fischman

Among the readers in the Somerville Public Library’s Mystery Book Club, there are people who love every subgenre of mystery. At the far ends of the mystery spectrum, there are cozies, and then there are thrillers involving psychopathic serial killers. Never the twain shall meet…or shall they?

City of Somerville shares City of Boston’s press release announcing executive orders to limit unconstitutional federal actions

Thursday, February 5, 2026 – Mayor Michelle Wu stood together with mayors and city managers from neighboring municipalities today to give an update on how the City of Boston and neighboring municipalities are taking steps to address unconstitutional federal operations. She was joined at the event by Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang, Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson, Newton Mayor Marc C. Laredo, and Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson. 

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

 Before all the yogurt joints, restaurants, and bars with great big windows, there were the native people of Somerville, or “Summahville,” as we pronounce it. A lot of us are still here raising our third-, fourth-, fifth-generation kids. Those of us who grew up on the streets of Somerville in the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s had our own way of talking (before we went to school and learnt to talk right!). You know what I’m sayin’? Bordering cities may have had similar phrases, sayings, and styles of language, but we “stahted” it!

Updates on the 299 Broadway and 15 Temple development projects were provided at the latest meeting of the Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan Civic Advisory Committee. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By The Times Staff

The January 28 meeting of the Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan Civic Advisory Committee (CAC) covered updates on the 299 Broadway and 15 Temple development projects. Scott Lombardi from Mark Development reported that financial closing and demolition have begun, with vertical construction expected to start in April 2026.

By Mayor Emeritus Eugene C. Brune

I am sure that there are so many of us who are proud of the accomplishments made in life by family members, and I am no exception. I had two sisters, both of whom attended Somerville High School. My sister Maria Baino married her husband Nat, who, in his younger days, was an amateur boxer and at that time in life had an outstanding record and made the Boston Globe several times by winning the Golden Gloves and the Golden Belt. Nat could have box professional boxer, but my sister insisted that he quit boxing. That was several years ago, they had five children, four daughters and one son, Johnny Baino.

Join Somerville’s Finance Committee to give input on priorities for the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget at a virtual community budget meeting on Tuesday, February 10, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held on Zoom and is open to all residents. Register:  bit.ly/49PuSvU. And if you want to learn more about past budgets, visit somervillema.gov/budget.

By Dennis Orellana

My name is Dennis Orellana, Coach D, Head Varsity Coach, Boys Basketball at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, with campuses located in Somerville and Cambridge.

We are off on a Historical run (10-1). Once rankings were released back on January 9, 2026, the Wizards have been ranked #5, #4, and #3 in the State of Massachusetts for Division 5 basketball (highest in any sport in school history). As of January 20, the Wizards are ranked #3 for back-to-back weeks.

Upcoming events offer tours, Q&A, and proposal guidance for applicants

Want to make the Somerville Armory your creative home base? The City of Somerville’s Armory leasing RFP is underway, and artists and arts organizations are invited to tour the building, meet potential partners, and get hands-on guidance on putting together a strong proposal.