The deadline to register to vote or update your party affiliation or address for the September 14 preliminary election is Wednesday, August 25, at 8 p.m. Massachusetts voters have the option to register online or via a paper form. To register by mail you can call (617) 625-6600 ext. 4200 and request a form be mailed to you, or you can download one from the Elections website. Don’t forget that your form must be returned to the Somerville Elections Department by 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25. You can also visit the Elections Department in City Hall to register to vote. Please note face coverings are required in all City buildings. This year there will be preliminary votes held to narrow the field of candidates for Mayor, Ward 5 City Councilor, and Ward 7 City Councilor.

(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

This fall, voters in Wards 5 and 7 have the opportunity to take a historic and long overdue step towards making Somerville’s city government more reflective of the racial and ethnic make-up of our community. Until now, no Latino or Latina has ever been elected to public office in Somerville. However, this year we may see not one, but two Latinas elected to the Somerville City Council. 

By Rachael Hines

Nonprofit group East Somerville Main Streets is creating a new food-themed mural for Deano’s Pizza, located at 15 Garfield Ave, in the east Somerville business district.

The mural is currently expected to be completed by the end of summer, and will feature the artwork of acclaimed artist and storyteller Michael Talbot.

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This fruit salad recipe can be used as a dessert or breakfast topping. I like it over cottage cheese or Greek yogurt. It also goes well with lemon sorbet. It’s tart, sweet, and refreshing.

It can sometimes seem overwhelming, keeping up with all the latest orders and advisories that are issued as we all deal with the daunting task of protecting ourselves and others against the further spread of the COVID-19 virus.

And yet it must be recognized and acknowledged that this is an entirely fluid situation, a thing that is so new and maddeningly unpredictable that even the world’s foremost authorities on viral infections are still contending with the wild fluctuations of infections, even as so many are getting vaccinated.

Arrests:
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Lorena Dos Santos, August 2, 7:32 a.m., arrested at Broadway on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60.

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The Wind’s Tale, by Paul Steven Stone, illustrated by Carla Carey, transports the reader to a magical place as seen through the eyes of Bobby, a young boy confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak.

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As a seven-year-old boy I visited my grandparents on Manida Street in the Bronx. Now, I hear it is a historical district. It was a magical place for me back then. In my career as a poet, I have written a number of poems about the Bronx.

Somerville mayoral hopefuls to discuss elder issues at forum

For the first time in 17 years, Somerville seniors will be voting for their next mayor.

Candidates vying to be the next mayor of Somerville will discuss issues of interest to older adults at a special candidate forum on Thursday, August 5 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the new VNA Senior Living at 186 Highland Avenue (formerly the Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence).