As cell phone use increases, phone booths have lost their purpose, but many still remain forgotten on urban streets. So what’s a city to do with abandoned phone boxes on sidewalks and building walls? The City of Somerville’s answer is: Turn them into public art—then hold a roving citywide art opening to celebrate the creative works made for The Phone Art Box Project.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and  do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff  or publishers)

Soon the city will be offering Illumination tours for Halloween decorations. What a racket it’s turned into. There are now specialized stores that pop up a month before the 31st selling all things ghoulish and gory. Costumes and masks can cost upwards of a hundred bucks.

Students from Somerville’s Albert F. Argenziano School running club will be dressing up for the 5^th Annual Super Heroes 5K Run/Walk in Cambridge Sunday that benefits local non-profit organizations.

Special emcee and guests at event on Saturday, Oct. 26; Legendary BU Ice Hockey Coach Jack Parker to speak at ceremony

Five Somerville veterans who founded Somerville Youth Hockey and exemplify service to country and community will be honored when the new ice rink at 570 Somerville Ave., next to the Veterans Memorial Rink, is officially dedicated as the Founders Rink at a special event on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m.

By Jim Clark

While serving as the Street Commander at the SomerStreets event last Sunday, a uniformed officer observed a taxi pass through a road barrier that was clearly marked “ROAD CLOSED” in the middle of School St.

Part 2:  Economic Forces
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By William C. Shelton

( The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and  do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff  or publishers)

I was taught in my youth that America is the land of opportunity and that my nation is the most egalitarian in the world. This overlooked a significant number of Americans who lived in poverty. But it was truer for the United States than for many countries. In 1978 the median male worker in the U.S. earned $48,302 in today’s dollars.

The winning team “Back to Basics” – Elliot Rippe, Arjun Singh, and Daniel Portillo.

By Harry Kane

In an annual event held by the Somerville Mathematics Fund, high school students designed and built marble maze mechanisms out of various “junk” materials to create what’s known as a Rube Golderberg machine. You may recall a famous instance of one of these contraptions in the beginning of the film, Back to the Future. The Rube Goldberg machine achieves a simple undertaking, such as the delivery of a marble, and transforms the process into a complex, over-engineered invention.

Renovation of Davis Square park will create a more active, community-focused park based on public feedback

The City of Somerville will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at Kenney Park on Friday, Oct. 25, at noon as work commences on overhauling the park and creating a more active, community-focused space for residents.

2013 Yawkee League Hall of Famer Mike Powers.

By David Treska

Mike Powers has been a part of the Yawkey Baseball League since 1988, spanning over 25 years and in that time he has one of the most distinguished careers in the leagues history.

A 5 time All Star Player and a 12 All Star Coach, his playing career started with the Cambridge Bucs and after a season there he joined the Somerville Highlander Alumni Baseball Club in the 1990 season.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and  do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff  or publishers)

The short and controversial life of the “tech tax” — the state’s proposed levy on software services — came to an end a few weeks ago. After a full-throttle revolt from the innovation sector, all parties — including the governor — agree the existence of such a tax would weaken the power of Massachusetts as a magnet for entrepreneurs and innovators.