Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services are inviting the Somerville community to join a Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony on Monday, November 20, at 5 p.m. in honor of those members of the community who have lost their lives to violence.  

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported the Tingle and Friends Comedy Benefit that took place on Sunday at the Dilboy VFW Post. Special thanks to Sal Mingace and Jimmy Tingle for putting the benefit together. A big thank you to all the comedians that participated in making the night a fun night of laughter. Thank you to Dilboy Post and the female members of the Auxiliary who handled the food, supplied by Leones, desserts, and raffles. Thank you to The Somerville Times for their support and Claudia Ferro for her photos of the event. The event was a great success and we wanted to thank everyone who made that happen. All proceeds went to benefit the George Dilboy VFW Post 529. Thank you to all the Veterans, we salute you!
— The Mingace Family

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

The backroom lounge area of the Rosebud Diner in Davis Square was once called The Surrey Room. One of its nicknames was The Sorry Room. When I asked people to share their Surrey Room memories a lot of them said, “Sorry, can’t talk about it.” There seems to be a code of silence that some past patrons still abide by today. Here’s what I know from my own experience and from talking to some friends.

Diane Cohen.

The Somerville Housing Authority Board of Commissioners recently appointed Diane Cohen as Executive Director. Cohen will replace outgoing director Joe Macaluso who held the position since 1996.

Diane Cohen’s career spans more than 30 years of progressive leadership in administrative roles for housing agencies. She has been at the SHA for the past year but previously served for 22 years as Deputy Director for the Chelsea Housing Authority.

Somerville High School Carpentry program students recently added three lending library installations to the school community.

Somerville High School (SHS) senior students in the Carpentry Program have completed another successful community project.

Students from the SHS CTE Carpentry program worked with administrators at Capuano Early Education Center throughout the design and construction process of these wonderful additions to the school community.

By Olivia LeDuc

As the winter months are fast approaching, with temperatures expected to drop to frigid levels, homeless advocates and university students are stepping up to raise awareness for the city’s homeless population.

By Jennifer Purcell

Last Thursday, November 9, Somerville’s Traffic Commission met to discuss several potential changes to the city’s streets. Although this meeting was relatively short, motions were made to accept all of the items without discussion, it was agreed that each item was no less important for the future of these streets.

The Fuel Assistance Program, also known as the Home Energy Assistance Program, helps low-income households pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Renters and homeowners in Somerville are eligible to apply if they meet federal income guidelines. Learn more at an information and registration event on Thursday, November 16, at 167 Holland St. from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Learn more at somervillema.gov/heatingassistance.

(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 Chris Dwan

The City Council met behind locked doors last Thursday night.

I know because I was there in person. When the council went into executive session around 8:40pm to discuss the property at the former Matignon School, I took the opportunity to step outside for some fresh air. When I tried to get back in, I was surprised to find the door locked. I’ve been attending council meetings on and off since 2017, and this was a first for me.

Here comes the holiday shopping season once again, and we are ready to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the only way we know how: with enthusiasm and optimistic attitudes.

Let the political and social pundits doom and gloom themselves into their usual perpetual state of the doldrums. We know how to lift ourselves, to rise to the occasion and make the most of what we have, in spite of whatever challenges may confront us.