(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 Tyler Mourey

As a resident of West Somerville, I frequently use the wooded refuge of the Alewife Brook Reservation to briefly escape from urban life. After a stressful commute home in Boston traffic, a jog across the boardwalk that runs along the brook, past wildflower meadows, mute swans, and great blue herons, is often all it takes to soothe my nerves that have been frazzled by staring at brake lights, surrounded by irate commuters and blaring horns.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne leads the official opening of the new Reavis Field at Somerville High School.

PJ Broderick and Mary (Sullivan) Broderick, both lifelong residents of Somerville, were married on Sunday, October 22, 2023. Congratulations to the Brodericks.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Now that another summer is in the rear view mirror the kids are back in school and the leaves are falling. Summer went by fast! I asked this question: What was your favorite summer past time growing up in Somerville?

Carol Ann (O’Connell) Bradley, age 76, of East Longmeadow, MA died Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Facility. 

Born in Somerville, MA to the late Jeremiah O’Connell and Catherine (King) Casey.  

— Photo by Bobbie Toner

November is here, and Somerville is proud to celebrate Family Literacy Month to inspire a love for reading and learning among families. This year, we are thrilled to announced several engaging events and activities that will make Family Literacy Month in Somerville truly special: Story Walks, Intergenerational Family Story Time, and access to multilingual books at multiple locations.

East Somerville Main Streets’ Halloween Block Party and Pet Spectacular 2023 took place on Saturday, October 28, at Chuckie Harris Park. The special event included a wide range of family activities, a pet costume contest, raffles, vendors, food, music, and so much more. — Photos by Claudia Ferro

By Jennifer Purcell

It is no secret that the West Somerville Neighborhood School has been in desperate need of a new schoolyard for the children to play in for many years now and after seven long years of working on this project, Mayor Ballantyne was proud to announce the opening of the brand-new schoolyard last Tuesday.

The Somerville Fair Housing Commission, a nonpartisan group of citizens serving the community, asked candidates for Mayor and City Council a set of questions about Fair Housing in 2021 and again this year, in 2023. The following are answers from the incumbent candidates.

1. (As a follow-up to question #1) Now that you have served in your current position, would you have handled the housing discrimination that you experienced in a different way? What advice would you now give to Somerville residents who may be facing housing discrimination?

2. (As a follow-up to question 5) Since being elected to your current position, how do you feel that you have addressed systemic housing discrimination against protected classes in Somerville and affirmatively furthered fair housing in Somerville?