By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

The Somerville Times put four questions of interest to the voters of Somerville to the last two remaining candidates running for Mayor of Somerville, Will Mbah and Katjana Ballantyne. The candidates’ answers are presented in alphabetical order, according to their last names. The questions and answers are as follows:

The inside of Metamorphosis, an eclectic furniture store in Davis Square, Somerville, that sells everything from cabinets, lamps, tapestries, to books, magazines, and vinyl records. — Photos by Anh Nguyen

How a furniture shop in Somerville is keeping alive the appetite for nostalgia and creating items with personality

By Anh Nguyen

On any given day, it is not uncommon to find people between the ages of 17 to 70 walking into a peculiar store in Davis Square. The wooden sign out front indicates that the store is called “Metamorphosis,” but tells passers-by nothing more.

Don’t forget to vote Tuesday, November 2. Three of Somerville’s polling places have been relocated as of the current 2021 election cycle. All other polling locations will remain in the same location as they were in 2020. Before voting in the November 2 general election, don’t forget to double-check your polling location. Voters can check their polling location or Ward and Precinct by entering their address at somervillema.gov/mysomerville or calling 311. This election includes races for Mayor of Somerville; four City Councilor At-Large seats; Ward City Councilor in Wards 2, 5, and 7; and School Committee Members in Wards 3 and 7. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

(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)

Becca Miller for Ward 7 Councilor
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With the municipal election only days away, Somerville voters are carefully considering who they want to represent them on city council and in the mayor’s office next year. Whatever happens, we know this election will mean a big change, because we’re going to have a new mayor and at least five new councilors, including in my own ward 7.

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By now I’m sure most of you have heard of the Paleo lifestyle. No dairy, no legumes, no grains, no processed sugars, no gluten, no soybean, peanut, corn or canola oils. Only eating fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. Limited raw nuts and seeds, grass fed beef, organic chicken and other organic meats without added nitrates. Basically, no processed foods and added sugar, which is not such a bad thing!

— Photos by Melissa Ianzieri

The freshman class from the Full Circle School took a field trip into downtown Salem last Friday for the Halloween season. They learned more about the history of Salem and the witch trials of the 1600’s.

As we still contend with the awful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, then do our best to give the little ones some semblance of normalcy as they look to celebrate Halloween, we are triply tasked with searching our souls for the right answers to questions posed at the ballot box next week.

For some of us the choices are blessedly clear, while others may have difficulty culling the wheat from the chaff amidst all of the conflicting messages put forward on each side of almost every issue. Politics as usual, really.

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Review by Doug Holder

Back in 1993, Lorena Bobbitt castrated her husband, John Bobbitt. Lorena was the victim of violent domestic abuse from her husband, and as a result she took matters in her own “hands.” By cutting the “manhood” of her partner, she received some payback from all she suffered. This production, written by Eliana Pipes was developed at the Boston Playwrights’ Theatre at Boston University. It started as a classroom exercise, but now has hit the bright lights of the small stage.

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Emily Crain is a current sophomore at Endicott College. She is working to complete a major in English with a concentration in Secondary Education, as well as minor in Gender Studies. She has always enjoyed writing poems and stories in her free time, and she is so excited to be able to finally share her work with the world.

Update: This forum will take place as scheduled, but due to the unstable weather forecast caused by the Nor’easter affecting Massachusetts, the outdoor portion of the event is on hold. Depending on weather conditions, a decision will be made on Thursday to either allow for a casual reception outside or mingling inside following the town hall portion of the event. If the mingling is held inside, attendees will need to wear masks the entire time and food/drink will not be allowed due to COVID safety restrictions. If weather permits for the outdoor portion of the event, the reception will be held with casual snacks and pizza.

As Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone prepares to leave office in January after serving 18 years as mayor, the City of Somerville will host an in-person community conversation with him. The discussion will look back at both city and community efforts during his administration, check in on the ongoing response to the pandemic, and look forward to the challenges and opportunities in the city’s future. Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Byron Barnett (recently retired from 7News WHDH) will facilitate the town-hall-style event, which will be open to attendees’ questions. A casual outdoor reception with local foods will follow, and City staff will be available at the reception to check in with community members on specific questions.