(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 Boston chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America had a rude awakening on election day. The city of Somerville wasn’t ready to be taken over by a Boston-based group that backed a slate of candidates who did their best to conceal their support for the “abolish the police movement” as well as its goal of making Somerville the first city in the history of New England to have a socialist majority control its city council.

By Joseph Pauletto

Since early September, Ellen Shachter’s schedule has been packed to the brim. Between managing her team in the Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS) and working on policies and programs to help tenants and landlords, every day brings new challenges.

Eagle Feathers #242 – The Neck

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

When first settled, the pear-shaped peninsula of Charlestown reached out toward the great basin of Boston’s Back Bay. At its stem or neck was a low, narrow strip of land. When it overflowed at high tide, the town became an island. At its low ebb, the town became a peninsula connecting with “Charlestown Beyond the Neck” or today’s Somerville. The tidal flows emanated from the Mystic River on the north and the Charles River on the south. The historic nature of this narrow strip of land is far reaching.

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.

The 12th edition of the Somerville Winter Farmers Market will kick off on December 4 at the Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville.

The Center for Arts at the Armory (CAA) has announced that it will host and manage the 12th Annual Somerville Winter Farmers Market (SWFM) every Saturday beginning December 4 through April 16.

This weekly market offers the best locally grown and regionally produced agricultural items, including vegetable produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, pastries, sweets, and hard cider. Each market will feature more than 35 weekly vendors and several rotating guest vendors while welcoming an anticipated 1,000 – 1,500 visitors.

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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Ed Meek

Heather McGhee makes the argument that racism has hurt all of us and continues to harm the country as a whole. In doing so, she updates and expands on positions taken by Martin Luther King among others – that the way the wealthy and powerful maintain their status is by dividing the poor, the working class and the middle class into camps at war with each other often on the basis of race. McGhee claims racism is a weapon the Republican party has used to divide us, lower taxes on the rich, and transfer wealth upward.

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Timothy Johnson writes: My name is Timothy Johnson. I am a Sport Management Major and a Creative Writing minor at Endicott College. In my free time, you can catch me writing, playing basketball, bowling, and taking care of my puppy! I am also a devout Red Sox fan!

Arrests:

Julien Vasquez, of Newport, RI, November 9, 5:46 a.m., arrested at Artisan Way on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, larceny over $1200, resisting arrest, attaching wrong motor vehicle, and unregistered motor vehicle.

Next Wave/Full Circle is holding its annual Winter Holiday Wreath Sale. Each balsam wreath is decorated with a red bow and costs $25. Payment can be made with check or Venmo, and there will be three convenient pick-up locations the week after Thanksgiving. Learn more and find the link to preorder at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/wreathsale.