Winter Hill Bank has once again received an “Outstanding” rating under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. This marks the bank’s seventh consecutive top rating—an achievement that reflects its strong performance in community development lending, affordable housing finance, and providing accessible banking and financial services. This achievement underscores the Bank’s continued leadership and commitment to serving all segments of its communities.

With the passage of time, more and more cities and states in America are officially recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of the traditional observance of Columbus Day.

Somerville has been on board for a few years now, and more of our neighboring communities across the Commonwealth, including the City of Boston, are joining in each year.

Four years ago, the Biden administration announced its proclamation endorsing the nation’s adoption of the occasion.

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Creamy, full of flavor, and deeply satisfying. The roasted butternut squash adds a lovely caramelized sweetness that balances beautifully with the tangy feta. A touch of zá atar lifts the dish with a subtle herbal note. Perfect over pasta-rich, comforting, and surprisingly elegant.

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 Article by Off the Shelf Correspondent Diana Kouprina

 I met poet/writer Diana Kouprina at a meeting of my literary group the Bagel Bards, which meets every Saturday at Cafe Zing in Porter Square. She has had a hardscrabble background, but has overcome this, and now she is a prolific writer and social media personality.

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Richard Wilhelm is a painter and poet who was a founding member of the Ibbetson Street Press and one of the co-editors of the 2000 anthology, City of Poets: 18 Boston Voices. His poems have appeared in Spare Change News, The Somerville Times, Ibbetson Street, and several other journals and anthologies.

The Nova Comedy Collective’s show, ADVENTURE IMPROV, is a fun, interactive musical comedy experience for the whole family!

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne welcomes the community and community leaders to celebrate the City’s second annual observance of Italian-American Heritage Month with the raising for the Italian flag at City Hall concourse on October 9, 2025.

~Photo courtesy of the City of Somerville

Join your ward’s City Hall Community Meeting for an overview of the latest City and neighborhood news.

City Hall Community Meetings are an opportunity to learn more about City programs and initiatives, meet your neighbors, find ways to get involved, talk with elected officials and City staff, and enjoy local pizza. The Fall 2025 meeting series concludes continues next week with a virtual meeting for all wards on Tuesday, October 14, and in Ward 2 on Thursday, October 16.