Community invited to honor lives lost to anti-trans violence, reflect, and stand in solidarity at ceremony Thursday, November 20

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Department of Health and Human Services invite community members to attend Somerville’s annual Transgender Day of Remembrance and Resilience on Thursday, November 20, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Council on Aging (167 Holland St).

Paid snow shoveling program pairs teens with senior homeowners and homeowners with disabilities for shoveling assistance

Teens earn, and neighbors stay safe. Somerville’s Teen Shoveling Program is back for the 2025/26 season, providing a paid opportunity for youth to assist local seniors and homeowners with disabilities clear snow after a storm.

(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)

The results are in. In a progressive city with 82,000 residents, Question 3 passed with only 11,500 votes, just 55% of those who cast a ballot. That is clearly not the mandate supporters of Question 3 have claimed, and proves that most Somerville residents do not want to demonize Israel, hurt their neighbors and divide our community.

(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)

Voters say no more tax dollars for Israel’s genocide against Palestinians

Massachusetts voters have delivered a decisive victory on a historic ballot question, voting overwhelmingly to end city business with companies sustaining Israel’s apartheid, genocide, and illegal occupation of Palestine. On the same night of Zohran Mamdani’s historic victory as the first Muslim-American mayor of NYC, Somerville voted for Palestine, showing that grassroots, values-aligned campaigns win.

Newly elected Emily Hardt, Ward 7 City Councilor and City Council Vice President Will Mbah sit down this week to discuss city business and the issues facing Ward 7.

Incumbent Somerville City Council Vice President Will Mbah is excited to announce that he has topped the ticket for At-large City Councilor in Somerville, MA. The election officials have announced Will’s decisive victory–garnering 13,051 votes.

The Somerville Winter Farmers Market runs through April 11, 2026.

UPDATE: During the federal government shutdown, the Somerville Winter Farmers Market will offer active EBT customers $15 of tokens to spend at the market for FREE! For more information visit https://www.somwintermarket.org/snap-hip

The Center for Arts at the Armory (CAA) announces that it will host and manage the 16th Annual Somerville Winter Farmers Market (SWFM) every Saturday beginning November 1 through April 11. This weekly market offers the best locally grown and regionally produced agricultural items, including vegetable produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, pastries, and sweets. Each market will feature more than 30 weekly vendors and several rotating guest vendors while welcoming an anticipated 1,000+ visitors every Saturday.

An update on the schoolyard renovation project at the John F. Kennedy School was provided at the latest Somerville Community Preservation Committee meeting.

By The Times Staff

During the October 22 Somerville Community Preservation Committee meeting, a new timeline was established for the long-awaited schoolyard renovation project at the John F. Kennedy School (PK-8), which will replace the blacktop space.

Somerville resident Marissa Fried addressed the council, advocating for the resolution.

By Harry Kane

Federal cuts for public higher education are deeply concerning, which is why the city council is supporting Governor Maura Healey’s DRIVE Act, which hopes to offset recent federal funding reductions.

Community invited to public reception on Saturday, November 8. — Photo courtesy of Somerville Arts Council

A new public artwork in Somerville being installed this week will soon literally be growing in Somerville’s Lou Ann David Park. Local artist Anna Fubini gathered the voices of Somerville residents through a writing process centered on themes of impermanence, transformation, renewal, and resilience. Her artwork, Letters Rewoven, transforms participants’ writings into paper pulp mixed with wildflower seeds that covers the sculpture’s panels. As the installation weathers and decomposes, the seeds will sprout, symbolizing regeneration and the cyclical nature of community and change.