(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 Jack Connolly
Jackconnolly422@gmail.com

If you take a look at the previous Ward community meetings over the past several weeks on the city of Somerville website, you see that each one has a significant repeating ‘boilerplate’ theme for these Ward community get-togethers.

Historic reenactors helped to educate visitors about Milk Row Cemetery and its many “residents” during the “SomerStreets Monster Mash” event last Sunday. — Photos by Emilia Wisniewski

By Emilia Wisniewski

On the final SomerStreets event of the year, Milk Row Cemetery held their annual Ghosts of Somerville event on October 30.

People of all ages entered the cemetery for a guided tour and were able to interact with historical actors who told the stories of the people who were buried.

The Massachusetts general election is being held on Tuesday, November 8. This election will determine Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Representative in Congress, Governor’s Council, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, District Attorney, and Sheriff. There are also four ballot questions. Sample ballots are available at somervillema.gov/sampleballots. Somerville voters can vote early, by mail, or on Election Day. For all information about voting in Somerville, go to somervillema.gov/elections.

After partying and losing ourselves in the festive spirit of Halloween this past weekend, we are now tasked with searching our souls for the right answers to the options presented at the ballot box next week.

For some of us the choices are blessedly clear, while others may have difficulty culling the wheat from the chaff amidst all of the conflicting messages put forward on each side of almost every issue. Politics as usual, really.

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There are many variations of bruschetta, but this, in my opinion, is a hearty and delicious combination that will make you feel guilt free eating this delicious snack. It can also be served as a pre dinner appetizer or as a side to go with a steaming bowl of soup.

Prospect Hill Academy Charter School’s (PHA) varsity girls volleyball team won their first ever MCSAO (Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization) championship this past Saturday, November 29, 3-0 over Pioneer Charter School of Science II. Senior Trisha Exantus was chosen as the Division’s Most Valuable Player and Senior Mia Morris, Senior Angie Casseus, and Junior Lydia Martins were all selected to the MCSAO all-star team. The season is not done yet, as the girls head to Georgetown High School on Wednesday, November 2, at 5:00 p.m. for a preliminary round matchup in the MIAA playoffs.

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For years I’ve seen and chatted with Somerville writer Regina Hansen at my favorite haunt in Union Square, the Bloc 11 Café. However, I had never had the chance to interview her. But with her new young adult fiction novel The Coming Storm coming in with the literary tide, I was on it like a hornet, and got to speak to her in my familiar environs at the back of the said café.

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Faith Ploof writes: “I am 20 years old and a sophomore at Endicott College, studying education with a concentration in educational studies. I am originally from a small town in Vermont and came to Beverly to further my education. I have always enjoyed school and the challenges it presents me with. My favorite subjects have always been reading and writing and that has only grown since I have learned to use my creative mind when writing. My goal after graduation is to teach in a kindergarten or first grade classroom. Outside of school I love all things outdoors, which inspired this poem, especially hiking and camping with my family. I am also on the Endicott Equestrian Team and have been riding horses almost my whole life. Writing poetry for my creative writing class was a bit outside of my comfort level at first but I have since learned to love the art and the places it can take me.

The City of Somerville is forming a 12-member Civic Advisory Committee to represent the public in the redevelopment of 90 Washington St., and all residents are encouraged to apply. The Committee will meet regularly starting in January 2023 to advise City staff and consultants in selecting one or more development partners for 90 Washington St. Committee members will include eight residents, two local business or non-profit representatives, and two City Councilors. 

Bus routes are going to change in Somerville (and beyond), and the MBTA shared an updated proposal of what that might look like. Since the initial proposal in May, they made lots of changes based on public input. But there’s still room for your input! Join their online meeting Nov 2. Public Meeting | Bus Network Redesign (Virtual) | Events | MBTA