Members of the Somerville High School Class of 2023 who participated in the Early College program at Cambridge College. Back row, left to right: Marco De Toledo, Shital Oli, Anders Haugesag; Front row, left to right: Laura Garcia Yanes, Jahvory Clergeau, Kayala Nayak. Not pictured: Julissa C., Jaslene Jean-Francois.

Eight Somerville High School (SHS) graduates from the Class of 2023 started college this fall having already earned credits toward a higher education degree, thanks to their participation in the Early College Program at SHS. For the past two years, the students took courses at Cambridge College as part of the program.

According to Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin, the city is not moving fast enough in dealing with the needs of the homeless. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

Homelessness in Somerville is rising, with parts of the city like Davis Square and East Somerville being impacted the hardest. Recently, the City Council urged the mayor to declare the issue an emergency.

Members of the Brazilian Women’s Group took pride in witnessing the raising of the Brazilian flag at City Hall last week.

By Jennifer Purcell

On Wednesday, September 6, residents of Somerville came together to celebrate Brazilian Independence Day by raising the Brazilian flag outside of City Hall. This event, hosted by Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the Brazilian Women’s Group, and Somerviva, is one that has been in the works for the past twenty years.

Baby; Baby: Explores is one of the many bands performing at Boston Fuzzstival this coming weekend at the Center for Arts at the Armory.

By Jason Gutierrez

Step aside fluff, the fuzz has arrived. The ninth Boston Fuzzstival finds a new home in Somerville’s Center for Arts at the Armory. Presented by the Boston-based, volunteer-run show series, Illegally Blind, the all-ages music festival features 22 bands spanning hip-hop to rock.

(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

The Somerville Commission on Energy Use and Climate Change last week endorsed a proposed action by the city’s Office of Sustainability and Environment to seek designation of the city as one of ten Massachusetts municipalities that will enact Fossil-Fuel Free ordinances. 

Somerville’s rescheduled Senior Picnic takes place on Thursday, September 14, at 11:00 a.m. Join in at Trum Field for delicious food, music, and a great atmosphere for meeting new people and catching up with old friends. Call the Somerville Council on Aging for a free ticket at 617-625-6600 ext. 2319.

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This recipe produces a very satisfying, healthy, and delicious meal. I had a squash that needed to be used up, so I rummaged through my pantry looking for ideas. I always have a variety of beans, grains, nuts, and dried fruits on hand. This is what I came up with.

The “What the Fluff?” festival hits Union Square once again soon, an event that has grown in the hearts of so many here.

For all these years Marshmallow Fluff has been a favorite snack food for many, while others could, frankly, take it or leave it. Either way, few would argue that the annual festival itself is chock full of fun and frivolity for everyone who attends.

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The Cervena Barva Press of Somerville has released a new collection of poetry American Queers by Jesse Diamond. Poet Judson Evans writes of this book:

“In AMERICAN QUEERS: Poems Celebrating Mid-Century Gay Activists, Jesse Mavro Diamond imagines a metaphoric kingdom inhabited by four relatively unknown gay and lesbian royal champions. With sharp wit and whole-hearted empathy, the poet extols and elegizes Stormé Delarverie, Richard Leitsch, Pat Parker and Charley Shively. Appending the poems with well researched biographical notes on each activist, diverse readers, students and teachers will discover the work is compelling and informative. AMERICAN QUEERS “impresses with historical vision and authenticity.”

I recently caught up with Diamond to conduct an interview for The Somerville Times.