The Somerville Lions Club members once again joined several other organizations in the city to celebrate Monster Mash. The Lions Club members with the help of the Lions 33K members and our eye mobile were able to examined several members of the Somerville Community in testing their eyes, also looking for problems with glaucoma as well as checking their blood pressure.  The Somerville Lions Club are always pleased to also assist the Somerville school children that are in need of eye glasses with parents that do not have the resources to purchase them by having the Somerville Lions club purchase the glasses for them as well as the examination.

This photo depicts “examples of the block building type.”

By Cathleen Twardzik

A land use public hearing occurred virtually on Thursday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m.

The hearing’s main goal “was to discuss a zoning map amendment for 501 Mystic Valley Parkway. The proposal seeks to change the zoning from a neighborhood residence (NR) district to an urban residence (UR) district, which would allow for increased residential density and a broader range of housing options,” said Grace Munns, Deputy Director of Communications.

(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)

From the Mayor’s Desk
By Mayor Katjana Ballantyne

Violent storms have dominated the national news, putting a stark focus on the resilience of our communities and our stormwater infrastructure. While Somerville hopefully never experiences something as tragic or devastating as the hurricanes that just battered the Southeast United States, we can’t ignore that climate change will bring us more unpredictable and heavier storms in the future.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, along with Somerville’s Department of Public Works and Parks and Recreation Office, invite all local ghosts and ghouls to “Truck O’Treat” on Thursday, October 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. outside City Hall (93 Highland Avenue). In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Thursday, October 31. Costumes are encouraged at the family-friendly event, which will include safe Trick-or-Treating on the City Hall concourse, a spooktacular visit from a decorated City of Somerville truck, refreshments and more.

(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 Ken Brociner

It’s now less than two weeks before one of the most pivotal moments in the 248 year history of our country. If Trump wins the election – or if he successfully steals it – the foundations of our (highly imperfect) democracy will be blown to bits. Trump has made it crystal clear that he will violate the basic principles of the Constitution from day one. And given how many Republican senators couldn’t muster up the courage to remove him from office during his two impeachment trials, Trump would almost certainly be far more dangerous than ever before. He’s already announced that he’ll seek to prosecute and jail anyone who he sees fit to silence.

As we all contend with various travails of daily life, then do our best to give the little ones some semblance of normalcy as they look to celebrate Halloween, we are triply tasked with searching our souls for the right answers to questions posed at the ballot box next month.

For some of us the choices are blessedly clear, while others may have difficulty culling the wheat from the chaff amidst all of the conflicting messages put forward on each side of almost every issue. Politics as usual, really.

Team photo of Highlanders Girls Varsity Volleyball.

By Harry Kane and Steve Walker

Girls Varsity Volleyball had a slow start this season, but lately it’s been just the opposite. The team has been on a winning streak and is headed to the playoffs.

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Ropa Vieja, or old clothes as translated to English, is one of Cuba’s national dishes. This dish is perfect for serving a group of people since it can be made ahead and is perfect for a buffet or served family style. Packed full of flavor the tender flank steak takes on the smoky flavor of the cumin and paprika and has a slight acidic flavor from the wine and tomato purée that make it a perfect marriage of flavors. Recipe courtesy of Fermin Rojas.

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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Dennis Daly

Spectral power belongs to ages and cultures long past. But here and there evidence emerges of its elusive endurance in the form of poetic techniques such as projection and personalization. Here imagination (Cotton Mather aficionados take notice) provides the proper venue with insight, empathy, and understanding as value added attachments. In his new book of poetry, The Biographer, David M. Katz haunts his set of chosen characters with his mnemonic underpaintings. He merges his rich emotional values with the objective facts of his characters, real or fictional.