SHS Track Parents & Alumni Club, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is running its 5th Annual Somerville Monster Dash 5K (3.1 miles) and youth runs (200 meters and 800 meters) on Sunday, October 25 at Riverfront Park/Assembly Row starting at 10:30 a.m.

Somerville Public Schools has earned a high rating from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

An independent review of Somerville Public Schools conducted on behalf of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has highlighted the district’s strong foundation for teaching and learning, supportive classroom environments, commitment to equity, investment in educators, and comprehensive student and family supports.

City Line Laundromat is currently hosting the “Re UNIDOS: Pasado Presente y Futuro/Past, Present & Future” exhibit photos. — Photos courtesy of Mario Quiroz

By Eliot Josti

Art is in every corner in the city of Somerville. From museums to personal exhibitions, the creativity of the community can be found in places even where you least expect it … like a laundromat.

By Keith Foster

Ward 7 took its turn at a Neighborhood Connect Meeting last Thursday, October 1, at West Somerville Neighborhood School near Teele Square for an update on the city, followed by a “walk and talk” with city organizations setting up tables in the cafeteria.

Community members are invited to join Mayor Jake Wilson, the City Council, and the School Committee during the 2026 Neighborhood Connect meeting series. The next meetings will be Ward 3 (N. Union Sq., Prospect Hill, Spring Hill, Central Hill) on Wednesday, October 7, at the Somerville High School Cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave., and Ward 1 (East Somerville, Assembly Sq.) on Tuesday, October 13, at the East Somerville Community School Cafeteria, 50 Cross St. 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.

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There are many variations of bruschetta, but this, in my opinion, is a hearty and delicious combination that will make you feel guilt free eating this delicious snack. It can also be served as a pre dinner appetizer or as a side to go with a steaming bowl of soup.

A child smiles while getting his face painted.

Somerville Recreation’s Fall Festival was held this past weekend on Saturday, October 3, at Founders Memorial Rink. The fall afternoon featured bounce houses, music, a magician, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and plenty of fall-themed fun for kids of all ages. Costumes and cozy sweaters were welcome. To learn about more programming from Somerville Recreation, be sure to sign up for the Parks and Recreation newsletter at somervillema.gov/subscribe.   — Photos by Mina Rose Morales

Whether it be homegrown or imported, we have at our fingertips an incredibly diverse and nearly exhaustive supply of mellifluous entertainment to keep us amused and amazed as we watch it pass through our community.

The same goes for commitment to political and social issues. It’s natural for the HONK! Festival organizers to choose our community in which to hold this event. Activism thrives here, driven by a long tradition of dialog on important issues of the day and a genuine concern for the betterment of our own community as well as that of the world at large.

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Presented by Off the Shelf Correspondent Michael Steffen

….from Rattle Fall 2026 (presented online 23 September 2026)

Psalm 131

by George David Clark