Somerville’s annual “What the Fluff?” Festival returned to Union Square on Saturday, September 19. This year’s theme, “Legally Fluff: A Toast to Union Square,” celebrated the festival’s 21st year. Community members of all ages enjoyed free festivities honoring the invention of Marshmallow Fluff and the neighborhood’s creative spirit. The festival honors the invention of Marshmallow Fluff by Archibald Query in Somerville in 1917 and salutes the spirit of innovation that still thrives in Union Square today.  ~ Photos by Matthias Gat

The city’s Legislative Matters Committee recommended approval of the DSNC to the City Council.
~ Photo by Tim Sackton, under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike license.

 By Harry Kane

The law has spoken, and the proposed Davis Square Neighborhood Council could include residents from neighboring cities, according to City Attorney Cynthia Amara. And, at the Legislative Matters Committee meeting on September 15, members voted to recommend approval of the DSNC, which will go to the City Council for formal recognition.

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Shalom Somerville –

For most of us, Somerville in the fall is a pretty great place—fruit trees overhanging the crowded sidewalks, a band in the park, pickleball and backyard grills. Most of us look around and feel the excitement of the college students returning and kids with backpacks headed to school with their parents in the morning.

Community members are invited to join Mayor Jake Wilson, the City Council, and the School Committee during the 2026  “Neighborhood Connect” meeting series. The series kicks off on Wednesday, September 23, in Ward 4 (Winter Hill, Ten Hills, and more) at the Healey School cafeteria (5 Meacham St). from 6 – 8 p.m. Free pizza and refreshments will be available starting at 6 p.m.  Neighborhood Connect (formerly City Hall Community Meetings) will debut a new meeting format, moving from formal presentations to a science-fair format with City staff setting up at tables. Meetings will kick off with quick citywide updates and a brief welcome from the Mayor and Ward Councilor before breaking to allow attendees to move about for one-on-one and small group conversations. Unsure about which ward you live in? Find out with the MySomerville address lookup tool at somervillema.gov/mysomerville.

The “PICK UP! Somerville Museum is calling!” fundraising event brought local historical awareness to life in a fun and witty fashion. ~Photos courtesy of Somerville Museum

By Eliot Josti

The Somerville Museum displayed an array of artwork, from modern to historical, focused on a fundraising event on Thursday. “PICK UP! Somerville Museum is calling!” brought in amazing local acts from comedians to dancers to honor the first residential phone ever made in the world.

The “What the Fluff?” festival hit Union Square once again last weekend, proving to be an event that has grown in the hearts of so many here.

The festival is proof that Somerville doesn’t just have a proud tradition of innovation; it has a world-class sense of humor and community spirit.

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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.

While visiting his son, former Alderman Bob McWatters met Matthew Schindler, an elected member of the Maryland House of Delegates in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Review by Dennis Daly

Mnemonic sentiment, boiled down to its essential, tear-charged elements, cannot be ignored. It drives human nature. It mobilizes the emotions. It guides our unruly impulses toward goodness. Poets who completely excise sentimentality from their art do so at their own peril. Thankfully, Gary Metras is not one of those poets.