Join this week’s ‘Neighborhood Connect’ meeting for an overview of the latest City and community updates.

The series concludes on Wednesday, October 21, in Ward 2 in the Argenziano School cafeteria (290 Washington St.). The meeting will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Free pizza and refreshments will be available starting at 6 p.m.

— Photo by Bobbie Toner

Free festival brings live music, a costume parade, and fall fun to Union Square

From fluff to frights, Somerville is celebrating its hometown heroes. On Sunday, October 18 (rain date October 25), the Arts & Culture Division is holding its annual Monster Mash celebration in honor of the Halloween classic co-written by Somerville native Bobby “Boris” Pickett. The afternoon-long event will include a costume parade, pumpkin carving, face painting and local food vendors.

Monday’s devastating fire in East Somerville severely impacted several local businesses. Rei Da Picanha restaurant and DaMata Barbershop were total losses, while Los Toritos is also working to recover from significant losses.

By Claire Q. Wood

Somerville’s Finance Committee met on October 6 with remote participation from all attendees. Nine items were on the agenda and were all ultimately recommended for approval.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Mike’s, Angelina’s, and White Sport are among my favorite pizza makers in Somerville. Back in the day, I enjoyed a good pizza from Speedy Pizza in Davis Square. I threw the question out there, looking for Somerville’s favorite pizza joints.

Brass Solidarity and the Leftist Marching Band lead attendees of the Honk Festival out of 7 Hills Park to kick off the festival. — Photos by Joseph Klepeis

The 21st Annual HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands took over Davis Square this past weekend. This year’s festival featured 35 U.S. bands performing on-site, along with livestream participation from several international bands. With perfect fall weather, it was a wonderful day for the community to come together, enjoy the music, and celebrate the energy, creativity, and spirit of activist street bands.

Local officials and others at a ribbon-cutting for the brand-new Neighborway on Tufts Street in Somerville. — Photos by Keith Foster

By Keith Foster

Last week, the City of Somerville hosted a ribbon-cutting to mark the completion of the Tufts Street redesign and reconstruction and Leonard Grimes Park. The redesign included street improvements: a new mural and upgrades.

(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 Bill White
Former Somerville City Councilor for 24 years

Evidently, Mayor Wilson is continuing in his efforts to destroy our residential neighborhoods!  Already, developers can build buildings such as those shown in the photos as of right.  No one can deny that they cause the eviction of tenants, eliminate rental units and replace them with large luxury condominiums.  They create concrete jungles, provide almost no green space and are on top of next-door neighbors.