Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

A very good friend of mine told me a story that had me holding my stomach from laughing. His dad, also a good friend of mine, used to take his son and his friends fishing. Now his son takes his dad shopping. Instead of me telling the story, I will let my pal tell it in his own words. Here goes:

MBTA bus lane enforcement and Route 90 changes were items covered at the latest meeting of the city’s Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jordan Pagkalinawan

On Thursday, September 18, the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee heard updates on the MBTA’s plans for automated bus lane enforcement, as well as proposed changes to service on route 90.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council invite the community to Ignite: A Global Street Food & Fire Festival on Saturday, September 27, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Union Square Plaza (rain date Sunday, September 28). This free community celebration will feature a unique selection of global foods, cultural performances, interactive activities, and the excitement of fire artistry.

The Somerville Public Library is asking for community feedback to help shape its next five-year strategic plan. Residents, workers, and visitors are invited to share their ideas for how the Library can best develop its collections, programs, services, and spaces. The survey is open through Wednesday, October 15, takes about five minutes to complete, and is voluntary and anonymous.  Participants can take the survey online at tinyurl.com/58vmk4vw or complete a paper copy at any Somerville Public Library location. For more information about Somerville Public Library programs and services, visit www.somervillepubliclibrary.org.

Somerville for Palestine members celebrate delivering a total of over 10,000 signatures for the Palestinian Solidarity Ballot Question. — Photo by Matt Abban

On Thursday, September 18, Somerville residents gathered at Somerville City Hall to deliver the final round of signatures bringing the total to over 10,000 submitted signatures for the Palestinian Solidarity Ballot Question. Starting in April 2025, volunteer canvassers have been gathering signatures throughout the week in all corners of Somerville, from Davis Square to East Somerville, talking to Somerville residents about signing on to take action for Palestine. 

Eagle Feathers #336 – All Hail to Hale!

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Heroes come in many different shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. A hero could be a schoolteacher, a military officer, or sometimes both. Such is the case with Nathan Hale, a true American hero. In his brief 21 years on earth, the Yale-educated man managed to become an accomplished Connecticut public school teacher, as well as the first member of what is now known as the Central Intelligence Agency. Hale spent the last year of his life in what is now Somerville, training under George Washington in the newly formed Colonial Army.

Most change leads to new beginnings. That’s what they say anyway. We’ve been through challenging times in the past, and here we are once again with autumn on our doorstep, bringing with it the undeniable realization that change is inevitable.

An incomparably divisive political climate exists with all its intransigence and intolerance of opposing points of view. And who knows whether or not the worst is yet to come as we choose sides and dig in with our individual beliefs and personal commitments?

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Patricia Wild is a well-known and respected writer, Quaker activist, journalist, and community organizer. She is an integral part of the beating heart of Somerville, and beyond. As long as I have known her, she has been a straight, no chaser sort of woman – with a built-in shit detector. She is also a very spiritual woman, who questions herself and the world around her. In her new book, Strands: An Apprenticeship with Grief and Loss, she goes past the bone and into the marrow of grief, loss, and our very souls. I caught up recently with her for an interview.