(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)

Twenty-three years ago, our city was in decline, with meager job opportunities, underfunded city services, malnourished nonprofits, and scarce and poorly maintained usable open space. At the same time Greater Boston’s most promising development site lay on our eastern edge – 145 acres next to $7 billion worth of transportation infrastructure.

An ill-conceived development plan supported by city officials proposed squandering this asset on seven big-box stores. A group of Somerville citizens proposed an alternative plan that would produce 30,000 new jobs, $30 million in annual net tax revenue, and 30 acres of open space. While their eight-year campaign was only partially successful, it stimulated the construction of a new transit stop and a wave of economic development, transforming our city’s prospects and its regional reputation.

Nibble Kitchen is thriving at its Bow Market location, offering international culinary treats to its patrons. — Photos by Fernando Cervantes Jr

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

Dishes from all over the world are currently being served at Nibble Somerville, a local kitchen. The kitchen, located at Union Square’s Bow Market, has been serving bites since September 2019.

Sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council, the kitchen is part of an initiative to highlight immigrant communities and cuisines in Somerville. Currently the kitchen serves the three cuisines mentioned before from Thursday to Sunday.

We wish everyone a happy and meaningful Veterans Day this week. Let’s let our local veterans know how much we appreciate their service and the sacrifices they made in defending our homeland.

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This is one of those simple comfort dishes that reminds me of my childhood. It’s hearty, flavorful, and satisfying. A dish that can be made from start to finish is under 30 minutes. As a bonus, this whole meal is made in one pot.

Veterans Day is one occasion that all Americans can relate to equally. There is virtually no one in this land that has not been affected positively by the sacrifices made and courage shown by the many who have served their country in uniform.

We may disagree on the policies and actions undertaken by the government itself, but all right-thinking people surely stand with loyalty and pride alongside those who serve and protect us against those who would do us harm.

The Somerville Boys and Girls Cross Country teams both rolled to victory at the Greater Boston League (GBL) League Championship meet held at MacDonald Park in Medford last Thursday. Somerville took home the title on both the girls’ and boys’ sides in the eight team conference. In the boys’ race the Highlanders came in the top three spots. Somerville junior Sam Buckley claimed the individual conference title, covering the 2.85-mile course in 15:03. The Boys team captured the first three spots in a dominant performance, totaling 27 points, with senior Calvin Wicks finishing 10th to claim All Star honors. Runner up Medford came in second with 60 points.

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Back in 1994, I decided to give up my small, rent-controlled flat in the Republic of Cambridge, to get married. My late wife Dianne said, “I am convinced you loved me, because you gave up a rent-controlled apartment for me.”

As it turns out, rent control was soon to be abolished, and there was a mass exodus to Somerville, where – if you can believe it – rents were cheap.

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Shira Hoffman (she/her) is a poet living with multiple invisible disabilities. Her poetry is featured in A Thin Slice of Anxiety and Muddy River Poetry Review and is forthcoming from Ibbetson Street Press and the Bagel with the Bards Anthology. After getting her MFA from the New School and working in traditional publishing, she relocated to Sommerville where the air is cleaner, but the people are still weird. Follow her on twitter @ShiraSHoffman for updates.

Tobin Sprout makes a stop at Arts at the Army next Sunday. L to R: Steve Vermillion, Tommy Schichtel, Gary Vermillion, Tobin Sprout. — Photo by Wayne Pickard

By Blake Maddux

As a member of the scrappy indie rock band Guided by Voices from 1986-1997, Tobin Sprout played on and wrote songs for beloved lo-fi classics such as Bee Thousand, Alien Lanes, and Under the Bushes Under the Stars. Between 2012 and 2014, he did the same for six releases that appeared after the band’s “classic lineup” reunited in 2010.