*

It’s that time of year when pumpkin is everywhere. And I do mean everywhere. Pumpkin flavored coffee, beer, baked goods, energy bars, cereals, yogurt, and so on. The beverage industry alone projects the pumpkin spice category to exceed about $2.4 billion by 2031!

The “What the Fluff?” festival hit Union Square once again last weekend, proving to be an event that has grown in the hearts of so many here.

Although a bit of wet weather crept in to put a damper on the festivities, true to form the fun-loving attendees managed to make the best of it after all.

*

Review by Julia Carlson

Many of you may know Lee Varon for her fine poetry, but there is another side to her work, which is a focus on addiction. Varon, a clinical social worker, has explored addiction personally in her poetry, but in the last few years she’s expanded her work to include fiction and workbooks about this complex subject. My Brother Is Not a Monster, a book for young readers from the view of a young girl whose older brother is a drug addict, is a sensitive, realistic rendering of addiction in a family. This story defines addiction, its consequences, and recovery. It is a hopeful story.

*
Maureen McElroy grew up in Boston. She attended Boston University and holds an MFA from Emerson College. She is the author of For Crying Out Loud (Kelsay Books 2024). Her chapbook Car Poems (Finishing Line Press) came out in March of 2020. Her work has appeared in numerous literary magazines, including Nixes Mate, Mothers Always Write, Trampset, Fickle Muses, Literary Hatchet, and Io. She is Co-Chair of the Rozzie Reads Poetry Series sponsored by the Friends of the Roslindale Public Library.

Community members ages 12 and older can submit and vote on ideas for how to invest $1 million in city improvement projects

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is  announcing the launch of Somerville’s second cycle of the Participatory Budgeting process (www.somervillema.gov/PB), giving community members a direct say in how $1 million of city funds is allocated. Somerville residents are invited to begin submitting their ideas today, Friday, September 20. The city will begin implementing the winning projects in summer of 2025.

The Somerville Urban Forestry Committee is seeking two new members to help shape the future of our city’s urban canopy! We have one open position for a youth member (ages 14-17 at the time of appointment) and another position open to any resident passionate about urban forestry and public green spaces.

The Somerville Animal Food Pantry is helping local pet owners who are financially challenged to feed their beloved furry friends.

By Katherine Davis

Having to choose between yourself or your pet is a heartbreaking dilemma that every pet owner hopes they are never faced with. Financial situations that lead pet owners to surrender their pet are generally temporary, but when left to make the difficult decision, in the moment it is often seen as the only way to provide their pet a more stable home. A 501(c)(3) program under the Rescue Allies Inc., the Somerville Animal Food Pantry works incredibly hard to combat financial insecurity within the city of Somerville by providing free pet services to those in need– giving a helping hand to pet owners as they work to get back onto their feet.

Officer Priscilla Ribeiro was awarded the Arthur W. Regan Award today for her initiative and leadership in bringing National Night Out back to Somerville. The Artie Regan Memorial Award is given to an SPD Employee whose work in the community goes beyond the call of duty. Given just a few weeks to organize, she immediately began collecting donations, marketing, and connecting with local businesses and vendors to make National Night Out an unforgettable night for the community. Working with over 70+ city departments, vendors, sponsors and ensuring free food and dessert for all constituents, Officer Ribeiro’s leadership and positive attitude remained constant. We thank Officer Ribeiro for her continued commitment to our Somerville community and are proud to present this award to her.

— Somerville Police Department