We honor them every year and we regard them with awe and deepest admiration. Proud, but humble in countenance, they seem to simply play their part in our annual celebration of appreciation for their courageous contributions to the wellbeing of our nation. The well-being of ourselves as a society.

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By Off the Shelf Correspondent Lawrence Kessenich

When I met my wife, Janet, she was a pianist and Eurythmics teacher. She had a variety of ways to make me melt, but one of them was playing Brahms. She would sit at the piano, back straight, head held high, fingers poised over the keyboard, her beautiful green eyes aglow, and then start in, leaning into the piece as she played with incredible feeling, teasing every ounce of emotion out of each measure. It sent shivers up my spine.

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Lawrence Kessenich won the 2010 Strokestown International Poetry prize in Ireland in 2010. His poetry has appeared in the Sewanee Review, Atlanta Review, Poetry Ireland Review, and many other magazines. He has published five books of poetry, the novel Cinnamon Girl, and has had plays performed at many festivals. His books are available at lawrence-writer.com.

Will Mbah celebrates and thanks his supporters on election night at the Winter Hill Brewing Company.

The citywide election for the City of Somerville took place on Tuesday, November 7. A number of City Council seats were contested, along with a challenge for the Office of Mayor.

Applications Due December 1, 2023 

 The Somerville Local Board of Health seeks two new members, and all Somerville residents are invited to apply. The board offers an opportunity for residents with a range of experience, skills, expertise, and perspectives to share their talents and insights with their community. 

The Somerville Times gave each candidate in a contested race an opportunity to reach out to the residents of Somerville to pitch their candidacies. The candidates who responded are presented in alphabetical order:

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne
Mayor of Somerville Incumbent

I’m running for re-election as your Mayor, and humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7th.

We have accomplished much together in my first two years, and, there is more to do for affordability, access to jobs, schools, infrastructure, environment, youth & seniors, social supports, food insecurity and more.

Lead your community in the fight against climate change and apply to join the City’s Climate Forward Ambassador program. Prior knowledge about climate change is not required. Up to 35 members will meet monthly with City staff and engage in discussions and decisions about climate change and environmental justice, learn about the impact of various climate actions within Somerville, engage in City-led climate programs and projects and encourage other residents to take action.

Host, Sarah Fishman speaks with Ward 3 School Committee member, Sarah Phillips.