(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)

On the September 3 primary ballot, Democrats will nominate their candidates for Congress and State offices including the contested State House race in the 27th Middlesex District in Somerville between incumbent Erika Uyterhoeven and challenger Kathleen Hornby. Last week, the elected members of the Somerville Democratic City Committee “SDCC” voted overwhelmingly to endorse incumbents Sen. Warren, Rep. Pressley, state Sen. Jehlen, and state Reps. Connolly and Barber along with first-time candidate for state rep. Kathleen Hornby. Erika Uyterhoeven’s subsequent public comments calling duly elected members of the SDCC “out of step with the clear progressive values of this district” is yet another example of Erika Uyterhoeven’s tactics that are hurting the progressive movement in Somerville and beyond.

The Somerville Homeless Coalition is currently holding a school supplies drive for back-to-school items for Somerville students.

By Cathleen Twardzik

It’s that time of year again – time to start a new scholastic year. Sniff that new backpack smell, show up with that spiffy lunchbox, and jot notes down in that shiny and colorful notebook that you selected after you stepped with satisfaction into the school supply aisle of your local store or online go-to spot.

(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)

Dear Fellow Somerville Democrats,

As long-standing Democratic Party activists in Somerville, we are writing to respectfully dissent from our City Committee’s endorsement and express our full support for the reelection of Erika Uyterhoeven to represent the 27th Middlesex district in the State House of Representatives.

(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

The ongoing controversy over the war in Gaza has, once again, brought to the surface the dividing line between the two wings of the American Left.

The largest and most effective wing of the Left is made up of millions of progressive activists, writers, voters, and elected officials who are pragmatically working to achieve fundamental changes in our domestic and foreign policies. They do so by strategically challenging the powers that be in ways that unite as many people as possible.

Join the Assembly Row Development team, the City of Somerville, and Ward Councilor Matt McLaughlin for a virtual neighborhood meeting. Wednesday, August 21, 6:00 p.m. Dial-In Info: Zoom meeting: https://frit.zoom.us/j/96871731950?from=addon In this meeting, the development team will present the conceptual design(s) for Block 9 at Assembly Row. There will be an opportunity to discuss ideas and feedback. Contact Councilor McLaughlin at mattforward1@gmail.com or Sarah Lewis at slewis@somervillema.gov if you have difficulty accessing the virtual neighborhood meeting.

Eagle Feathers #311 – British Landing

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

It was the end of the summer in 1774. In Boston, tensions between the occupying British Army regulars and the Massachusetts Colonists were at a near boiling point. For years, citizens had suffered intolerable acts and taxation. British Tories, or citizens in favor of English rule, were moving closer to the city for protection, and local town farmers began withdrawing their gunpowder stores from the colony’s arsenal at Charlestown’s Quarry Hill.

Sam Cornish Award recipient Gloria Mindock.— Photo by Paul Miller

On Sunday, August 11, Somerville Poet Gloria Mindock was honored with the Sam Cornish Award at the Longfellow House, Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site in Cambridge.

It goes without saying that not everyone gets their way when election time rolls around. There are winners and losers, the satisfied and the disgruntled. As passionately as we may feel about our pet issues of interest, the inevitable day comes when our convictions are put to the test and the results are set in stone, for better or worse, depending on which side you are standing on.

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Interview by Doug Holder/ New England Poetry Club – Board of Directors

Recently, I was out in Amesbury, Ma. for a memorial reading for the late Poet Laureate of Amesbury, Lainie Senechal. The reading was on the grounds of the Whittier House. There I met poet Lisa Usani Phillips, the current Poet Laureate, and she told me she has a new book of poetry out titled Guest People (Wheeling Tern, 2022). She generously agreed to this interview.