The Somerville Fair Housing Commission asked a series of six questions of the mayoral and City Council candidates concerning housing issues in the city. Last week we published the first two questions and answers. The questions were presented to all of the candidates, and the answers presented here were the ones received by the Commission. The remaining two questions and answers will be published next week.

(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 Justin Klekota

The recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that global temperature increases are accelerating underscores the urgency with which Somerville and Cities worldwide must transform our economy to be free of fossil fuels. Along with concerted efforts to transition to renewable energy (cleanchoiceenergy.com), increase energy efficiency (masssave.com), and transition our buildings and vehicles to all-electric (masscec.com), we must prepare our students and workforce for the green economy of the future. This means increased resources for our schools and expanding public education to guarantee after-school programs including extra courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as life-long training opportunities for in-demand job skills as we transition to a greener economy.

Because of rising COVID-19 cases fueled by the Delta variant, Mayor Curtatone has submitted a request to the Board of Health to reinstate a face covering mandate for indoor public spaces for anyone age two or older. If approved at the August 19 BOH meeting, the mandate would go into effect on August 20.

Julie Ann Otis’ “Wondering” from her Textbook Behavior series, as installed at Dugger Park in Medford, then vandalized two days later. (click to enlarge)

By Rachael Hines

Textbook Behavior is an 8-piece visual art installation by artist and intuitive healer Julie Ann Otis. The project is set to debut in Somerville on September 8 and be displayed for 8 to 10 weeks.

The project initially debuted to some controversy earlier this summer in Medford, at Morrison Park, Duggar Park, and Tufts Park. Otis said the art was installed for less than two days before she received a concerned phone call from a Medford resident, notifying her that multiple pieces of artwork had been vandalized.

— Photos by Monica Calvo

The Somerville Community Growing Center, located at 22 Vinal Ave. in Somerville, hosted Photography in the Garden last Sunday from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. An Artist Reception with Iaritza Menjivar featured First Generation, a photography exhibition from photographer Menjivar about family life will be “popping” in the Growing Center through the month of August. Menjivar is exhibiting newer work made before and during quarantine. See more of Menjivar’s work at www.iaritza.com.

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Just a few weeks ago I picked up a package of store-bought corn tortillas and was extremely disappointed with the texture, taste, and overall quality of the product. Then I thought, how hard could it be to make my own? Let me tell you, not hard at all!

Those in public service must be ready willing and able to rise to the occasion when called upon to do so. Each one of us, whoever we may be supporting in this year’s local election races, is searching our heart to determine whom we feel will best fill those roles.

Most of us seem to be very confident that our favored candidates are up to the task. Others bemoan a lack of integrity or skills required to do the job well among those who are running.

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A Showcase for Artists of All Stripes
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I caught up recently with Laura Brereton, the new director of the Mystic River Celebration that is to be held on September 25. This celebration, by the waters of the Mystic River will be open to Medford and Somerville artists, as well as regional artists. Its main focus is to bring the arts to Medford.

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Kentucky native CD Collins follows the storytelling traditions of the South, both as a solo artist and when accompanied by musicians. Her work is represented in five compact discs, one of which won Best Spoken-Word album at the Boston Poetry Awards. She is the author of three books: a short fiction collection, Blue Land (Polyho Press), a poetry collection (Ibbetson Street Press) and a novel, Afterheat (Empty City Press). Her work has appeared in numerous literary magazines including StoryQuarterly, Phoebe, Salamander, and The Pennsylvania Review. Ms. Collins was guest at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. for a pilot conference to advance the development of innovative technologies that support the inclusion of people with disabilities.

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Taped August 12, at Somerville Media Center, Adam Sweeting moderates a debate among candidates (Tessa Bridge, Todd E. Easton and Beatriz C. Gomez Mouakad) for City Councilor Ward 5.