~Photos by Claudia Ferro

HONK! Festival 2023 took place last weekend, with this year’s participants hailing from all across the United States.

HONK! is a very unique musical movement that first began right here in Somerville back in 2006. Out of those humble beginnings, HONK! has become a recognizable worldwide phenomenon.

The future of Winter Hill Community Innovation School was recently discussed at a meeting of the city’s The School Building Facilities and Maintenance Special Committee. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Beatriz Leite

“It’s a decision for the next 50 years, so whatever choices we are making are the things that are going to impact the next several generations of students,” said Laura Pitone, Elected Ward 5 Representative for the Somerville School Committee.

By Jennifer Purcell

The Legislative Matters Committee held their bi-weekly meeting last Tuesday to once again discuss more potential changes to several of the ordinances and other laws that have already been set in motion.

(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 Will Mbah
Candidate for Somerville City Councilor at Large

Last week I met with members of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce to discuss their issues of concern on city policies and plans. As always, in these meetings I got insights about how the city’s economy is performing and how recent government actions are impacting business in positive and negative ways.

Moving Somerville Forward Climate Forward is a free event open to the entire Somerville community. At this event, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Somerville’s climate action plan update, speak with city staff and volunteers about plan topic areas, provide your ideas and suggestions, and celebrate the progress we’ve made as a community already. Whether you’re an environmental enthusiast or just curious about ways to reduce your carbon footprint, this event is for you. Wednesday, October 11, Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Program will include an overview of the update process at 7:00 p.m. A gallery walk with refreshments starts at 7:30 p.m. Featured speakers include Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.

The 11-mile Historic Bike Ride on Sunday, October 8, collecting ingredients to make fluffernutter sandwiches included 25 hardy cyclists, including young Simon who traveled in his mom Jamie’s e-cargo bike. The group started at City Hall at 2:15 p.m. and almost all made it back to create and enjoy fluffernutter sandwiches in the Somernova courtyard with key donations from Lyndell’s Bakery (bread), Teddie’s Peanut Butter (plant in Everett) and Marshmallow Fluff from Union Square Main Streets, plus historic Somerville root beer and other craft sodas from Tower Beverages (originally based and known as Prospect Hill Bottling and Soda Water Co. launched in Union Square in 1914) and Aeronaut beer to wash all of the stickiness down. The rides leaders were Brandon Wilson, Dick Bauer, Jeanine Farley, and Alan Moore.

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As a kid during the 1970’s, I couldn’t stand asparagus. The reason, asparagus was served out of a can, at least in my home, yuck!

One of the staples, usually on a Saturday, was an asparagus and egg frittata. Just picture mushy with some hard chewy watered down gray colored nastiness spread throughout the frittata. I would save up my allowance to treat myself on a Saturday for a delicious burger at the Stephen James House, or a luncheon special of chicken chow mein, chicken fingers, rice and crab rangoon at Yee’s Village. Sorry for the digression.

For some of us it feels like forever since we’ve shaken off the cares and concerns that seem to be bearing down so heavily as we observe the divisions and discord that has been so prevalent in our society over the past few years.

Another election is just around the corner, and the national election is coming up next year. The balance of power in Washington will still be in play, and more than ever it seems as though so much will be at stake in that particular election cycle, no matter which side we align with.

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I know many people have glitches in their work. But here is an artist who celebrates them. Have if you will, one Jael Whitney.