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.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Walking into The Railside Lounge and restaurant in the ‘70s was not like walking into one of the bars/restaurants in Davis Square today. You were met with a blast of cigarette smoke that stayed on your clothes and your hair. If you weren’t supposed to be there, your pungent scent ratted you out! The clientele was a lot different, too, because Somerville back then was different. Salt of the earth, slice of life, work with your hands, shot and a draft beer, different. They called that drink a boilermaker, and you could get a good one at The Railside.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Council on Aging’s Halloween Celebration took place on Thursday, October 30, at its Holland Street Center. Participants enjoyed music, a costume contest, and trick-or-treating with the COA staff and other guests.

The Elizabeth Peabody House’s food pantry provides much-needed food to those in need locally. — Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Peabody House

By Harry Kane

The Elizabeth Peabody House provides free groceries at its food pantry for those in need, but since the government shutdown and SNAP freeze, there is a greater demand.

The local distribution center provides a lifeline to households experiencing food insecurity amid a looming crisis. Last week, EPH served groceries to some 425 households, an uptick of 15 to 20 percent since the shutdown began.

A “No Parking Here to Corner” at Walnut Street and Sunnyside Avenue was deemed unnecessary by Director of Parking Suzanne Rinfret, advocating instead for stricter parking enforcement. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jordan Pagkalinawan

 The Traffic and Parking Committee met on Monday, October 27th, to discuss various speed control measures and debate several issues related to the testing of autonomous vehicles.

Walnut Street “No Parking Here to Corner” Sign

The committee first heard from Director of Parking Suzanne Rinfret, who explained a work order to evaluate a request for a “No Parking Here to Corner” sign at Walnut Street and Sunnyside Avenue. After the department frequently checked the intersection and noticed only three tickets issued between October 24 and 27, Rinfret said such a sign would not need to be installed.

Congratulations to the new Mayor of Somerville, Jake Wilson, the City Councilors, and School Committee members. We congratulate them all on their well-run campaigns and wish them the best as they delve into their roles as Somerville’s latest group of civic leaders.