Appropriating funds to further the construction of a sound wall along I-93 at the Mystic housing developments was among the top items of business addressed by the City Council’s Finance Committee at their latest meeting. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jennifer Purcell

Last Tuesday, Somerville’s finance committee held a meeting to discuss and approve several grants that had previously been requested for approval by Mayor Ballantyne. The meeting lasted about two hours as a variety of topics that would ultimately lead to the betterment of the community were discussed.

(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

Every year at the end of summer, the city’s housing and economic development planning staff carries out a performance and financial review of the city’s Community Development Block Grant programs. Even though this involves a relatively modest grant of $2 to $3 million per year, the annual review offers insight into the progress that the city is making to achieve its goals of affordable housing and community development.

Fall 2023 City Hall Community meetings are underway. These meetings are held twice a year in each of Somerville’s seven wards to share the latest city and neighborhood updates with community members. They are an opportunity to get an overview of the latest city news, learn more about city programs and initiatives, meet your neighbors, find ways to get involved, and talk with elected officials and city staff. Join them in person from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to ask questions and get updates from the mayor and city staff. Swing by early at 6:00 p.m. for pizza and refreshments. To learn more and find the meeting in your ward visit somervillema.gov/communitymeetings.

It’s no secret to the people of this city that with all the open-space and recreational opportunities available, Somerville provides an ideal environment for families to live, play and stay healthy and happy.

But it it’s also nice when this is recognized by outside parties, those who compare what cities across the country offer to their residents in the way of family-friendly amenities.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

The Somerville 5K Road Race returned for a 28th year on Saturday, September 30, in Davis Square. Staff, clients, supporters, and local partners came together once again to raise awareness and support for our most underrepresented neighbors, helping in the fight to end homelessness, hunger, and eviction. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/Somerville5KRoadRace.

Eagle Feathers #289 – The Season of the Witch

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

It was considered a time of year when both good spirits, evil spirits and ghosts flourished. Bonfires were lit. Masks were made. Jack-o-lanterns were carved out, and witches were said to have haunted the skies on brooms. Halloween, the last day of October and the day before the Christian holy day of All Saints Day had its origin in ancient Celtic lore. Most of these fables and myths never crossed the ocean, but unfortunately some took root here.

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Interview by New England Poetry Club Co-President Doug Holder

I recently caught up with poet Daniel Tobin to discuss his new book of poetry The Mansions. From the publisher’s website (Four Way Books):

From award-winning poet Daniel Tobin comes The Mansions, an epic trilogy of book-length poems which examines exemplary 20th Century figures Georges Lemaître, Simone Weil, and Teilhard de Chardin, all at the crossroads of science, history, and religion. Capacious in their philosophical explorations, immaculate in their form, stirring in their alchemy of faith and empiricism, each complete section works both autonomously and as part of the whole, building a house that contains many mansions, simulating the dynamic enormity of creation itself – always already entire and yet unfinished, borderless, infinite. Immersed in a time when cataclysmic geopolitical events coincided with revolutionary scientific progress, The Mansions charts a Dantean journey as it confronts the exigencies and contingencies which define modernity: history, religion, our planet’s fate, and the purpose of humankind.

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Mary Buchinger is the author of seven collections of poetry; her most recent books are Navigating the Reach (Salmon Poetry, 2023) and Virology (Lily Poetry Review Books, 2022); The Book of Shores is forthcoming. Her work has appeared in AGNI, Maine Review, Plume, Salamander, Salt Hill, Seneca Review, and elsewhere. She teaches at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and serves on the board of the New England Poetry Club. Website: www.MaryBuchinger.com.

From Left to Right: John Smith-St. Cyere of Camfield Estates, Jessica Cantin, the new CEO of Food For Free, and Justice Kumahia of Bunker Hill Community College. ~Photo by D. J. Baker

Last week, more than 300 supporters, donors, and community members gathered for Party Under the Harvest Moon, hosted by Food For Free. The annual event raised $170,000 to support the nonprofit’s year-round food rescue and redistribution efforts in 27 communities across Eastern Massachusetts.