Homelessness and public safety in the Davis Square and Seven Hills Park areas were the topic at a public meeting held on October 6. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jordan Pagkalinawan

Dozens of residents joined Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Deputy Police Chief Jim Donovan, and other city leaders inside the Somerville Community Baptist Church on October 6 to discuss concerns over homelessness and public safety around Davis Square and Seven Hills Park.

(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 Somerville United Against Discrimination

We are writing to respectfully ask that voters across Somerville vote NO on Question 3.

This ballot question does nothing to constructively help Palestinians, and instead hurts our neighbors and our city itself. Implementing the question is illegal, sows division in our community, and takes our attention and resources off urgent issues facing our city.

(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 Mayor Katjana Ballantyne

 In 2024, my administration released the first update of Climate Forward, our community’s climate action plan. Our vision is to create a carbon net-negative Somerville by cutting emissions to zero and beyond, while adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. To do that, we’re taking bold, strategic, and inclusive action to tackle global challenges with local solutions.

The Ribbon Cutting for Central Hill Veterans Vietnam and Korean Wars Memorial takes place on Thursday, October 16,  from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., 81 Highland Ave. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Ward 3 City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen invite community members to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reinstallation of the Vietnam and Korean Wars Memorials on Central Hill. To learn more, visit www.voice.somervillema.gov/central-hill-memorials.

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.