Free Open Streets event to feature live music, a costume parade, roller-skating, and more

Join us at the last SomerStreets festival of the year, the spooky and fun “Monster Mashed-Up,” on Sunday, October 31, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. (rain date November 7) on Somerville Avenue between Hawkins Street and Laurel Street.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Papa John’s restaurant on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of a fight.

The responding officers were informed that six men were fighting inside the parking lot. They were also informed that one man showed a firearm and took off in a car.

Fredrick “Sunny” Federico – of Somerville October 17, 2021.

Beloved husband of 33 years to Anna (Pugiese) Federico. Loving son of the late Gaetano and Brigida Federico.  Dear brother of Anna Castle and her husband Frederick of Somerville, the late Pasquale “Pat” Federico, John Federico and his surviving wife Rosie. Son-In-Law of Mary Pugliese. Brother-In-Law of Josie Kennedy.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Driving in Somerville has become a nightmare. Not only because of all the construction and street repairs, but for the pedestrians walking while looking at their phones and listening to their earbuds. They often walk into an intersection without looking for cars.

There is also an influx of motorized scooters that jut in and out of traffic and often come out of nowhere.

By Joe Creason

The Land Use Committee convened on Tuesday, October 19, to discuss a number of items on the agenda, some which had been discussed previously in a public hearing forum during an earlier committee meeting.

One such item was a request from the Mayor’s Office asking for the approval of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for payments of Certificates of Occupancy. The issue had previously sparked a number of questions for Councilors.

Purple flags are placed at City Hall to represent the lives lost due to overdoses. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Eileen Qiu

A motion to adopt the declaration of the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic as an existing public health emergency was unanimously favored during last Thursday’s Board of Health meeting.

“The city of Somerville has lost 29 residents to fatal overdoses in the past five years,” Doug Kress, the Director of Health and Human Services said.

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

The Somerville Times put four questions of interest to the voters of Somerville to the last two remaining candidates running for Mayor of Somerville, Will Mbah and Katjana Ballantyne. The candidates’ answers are presented in alphabetical order, according to their last names. The questions and answers are as follows:

The inside of Metamorphosis, an eclectic furniture store in Davis Square, Somerville, that sells everything from cabinets, lamps, tapestries, to books, magazines, and vinyl records. — Photos by Anh Nguyen

How a furniture shop in Somerville is keeping alive the appetite for nostalgia and creating items with personality

By Anh Nguyen

On any given day, it is not uncommon to find people between the ages of 17 to 70 walking into a peculiar store in Davis Square. The wooden sign out front indicates that the store is called “Metamorphosis,” but tells passers-by nothing more.

Don’t forget to vote Tuesday, November 2. Three of Somerville’s polling places have been relocated as of the current 2021 election cycle. All other polling locations will remain in the same location as they were in 2020. Before voting in the November 2 general election, don’t forget to double-check your polling location. Voters can check their polling location or Ward and Precinct by entering their address at somervillema.gov/mysomerville or calling 311. This election includes races for Mayor of Somerville; four City Councilor At-Large seats; Ward City Councilor in Wards 2, 5, and 7; and School Committee Members in Wards 3 and 7. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

(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)

Becca Miller for Ward 7 Councilor
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With the municipal election only days away, Somerville voters are carefully considering who they want to represent them on city council and in the mayor’s office next year. Whatever happens, we know this election will mean a big change, because we’re going to have a new mayor and at least five new councilors, including in my own ward 7.