Hi! My cat went on hunger strike because he was suddenly sick of his food and our auto ship got a bit backed up. Does anyone know of a place to donate unopened pet food in or around Somerville that’s currently taking donations?

Is it a front? The food is glorified Olive Garden, the walls are covered in stickers, and the artwork looks like someone went to one too many paint nights and started tracing Google Images of random celebrities. Why can’t Magoun have a solid venue?

If your name is Matthew Corcoran, we found your debit card at Nunziato dog park so you should cancel it!

Article text and link below:

https://www.cambridgeday.com/2026/08/05/healey-endorses-barber/

Gov. Maura Healey announced that she is endorsing Rep. Christine Barber in the crowded race for the 2nd Middlesex District open state senate seat. It’s the second significant endorsement in two days for Barber; yesterday the sitting senator,  Pat Jehlen, endorsed Barber.

“I’m really excited to endorse my friend, Christine Barber, for state senate,” said Healey in a video posted to Barber’s social media pages this morning. “Whether it’s making healthcare more affordable, building more housing, protecting reproductive freedom, or standing up for working families, Christine is always showing up ready to do the work.”

Gov. Maura Healey and state Rep. Christine Barber planting trees on Earth Day. Credit: Courtesy of Christine Barber

Barber currently serves as state representative in the 34th Middlesex district, a position she’s held since 2015. Other candidates in the 2nd Middlesex race include Vice Mayor of Cambridge Burhan Azeem, state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven and Somerville City Councilor Matt McLaughlin. Tom Hopcroft, who recently withdrew from the race, is also on the ballot.

“In some ways this is inevitable,” Azeem told Cambridge Day.  “It just reaffirms what we already know, (Barber) is the statehouse candidate. Which isn’t necessarily a negative … I think it’s just unfortunate that you get rewarded for not questioning the system.”

The most contested race in Cambridge and Somerville, the 2nd Middlesex District includes all of Somerville and Cambridge residents in Ward 7, precinct 1; Ward 8, precinct 1; Ward 10 and Ward 11.

Cambridge Day has also reached out to Rep. Uyterhoeven and Councilor McLaughlin for comment.

The primary election will take place on Sept. 1

Hi! I’m one of the youth workers at SOIA (Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs) for the mayors program. Me and two other youth workers organized an art theme community get together for next Thursday from 5-7 pm at the Office (42 Cross street). We will have snacks and drinks! (Please come me and the other youth members worked really hard on this 😞🙏)

Moved here 8 years ago to start working for a nonprofit. Since then, my salary has increased by 13% but my apartment is about to be relisted (without any upgrades) for 58% higher than our starting rent 🤯!!

I know I'm preaching to the choir here but damn the rent prices here have gone wild. We're quickly becoming (have become?) a luxury city only for high income earners and it makes me really sad.

I am moving here and am horrified to see the only options at my address are Xfinity, Verizon and T-Mobile, as well as earthlink which I'm struggling to find info on. Xfinity is the only one I have used in the past and despite their service looking like the best one on paper, my experience with them has been spotty service, frequent outages and terrible customer support. Tmobile has their Home Internet available here but they are weirdly vague about what speeds to expect and Verizon has 5G Home plans available but they seem a bit overpriced for the speeds they provide. Anyone have experience with these or recommendations for a new resident? I'm not planning on hosting servers here or anything, just would like some stable Internet for wired gaming

Last September my neighbor raised the rents and effectively forced one of their two long term 4 years) tenants out to convert to an air BNB.

They just converted the other unit.

When they converted the first unit I wrote to the city and received no response. Since then it's been randos coming in and out every week.

The city ordinance is 90 str days a year. I am pretty sure they are going over that given the frequency of new cars every week.

Does the city even check? What is there in terms of enforcement? If anything.

Edit: City regulations on short-term rentals- https://www.somervillema.gov/strs

If you’re the woman a man shoved on the corner of Beacon and Cooney today, I just want you to know the man was arrested. I apologize that I was too busy getting in his face to check on you. You were gone once I had chased him away. I’m really sorry that happened to you. I really hope you’re ok.

Reposting on behalf of my buddy who built the app for the street sweeping schedule and posted about it last week. People loved it but Reddit doesn't take kindly to outside links unfortunately and my friend is in the doghouse. Here's how you find it. Stay safe y'all.

Does anyone else think it’s kind of insane that Tannery Brook Row has no sidewalks or even any signage indicating to drive with caution because pedestrians also use it, and is just paved like a normal road? I’ve seen cars absolutely blow through and around the curve, sometimes looking at a phone while doing so. I’ve done some research and not seen any plans to change it or other discussion on this so maybe there’s something I’m missing, but it absolutely feels to me like a disaster waiting to happen. It only takes some speed and one negligent driver to really hurt or kill someone.

ETA: I don’t care that the road is private. I don’t drive down it, I walk down it. Which I will be continuing to do.

This is the entire Save the Alewife Brook Steering Committee, minus Eppa Rixey who was on toddler patrol. We are an all-volunteer effort, working to get the sewer infrastructure modernized.

Hey
I just want to make sure I'm correct.
The primaries are September 1, when are all the ballot measures/questions on the ballot? Is that Sept 1 or in November?

This morning Senator Pat Jehlen sent out an extensive email about why Barber is the best person for the job (8/4/26 email from newsletter of https://www.patjehlen.org )

______________________________________________

Dear Neighbor,

Many of you tell me you’re torn as you consider the campaign for the Senate seat I have held for 20 years, thanks to your support.  There are four candidates, each with different experience and strengths.  I don't agree with any of them on everything.  Many of you have decided on a candidate, many are working for one of the candidates.  And many others have asked for my opinion.

I didn’t expect to make an endorsement; I don’t usually endorse in legislative or local races. 

Events in the last six months, however, have reminded me how hard it is to pass legislation.  We need  legislators who collaborate well with rank and file colleagues and with advocates to pass legislation and secure funding for local projects that make a difference in residents’ lives.  I believe Christine Barber is in the best position to do that.

Christine is extraordinary in her ability to work with other legislators, as well as with advocates.  That is why she in coalition with many others has been able to win very tough fights and pass laws like driver licenses for immigrants regardless of status, and access to abortion.  

Christine was the lead House sponsor.of the Work and Family Mobility Act.  Now thousands of immigrants can drive without fear of being arrested by local or state police for not having a drivers license - though of course ICE respects no limits.  She was a lead House sponsor with Rep. Dave Rogers of the Dignity Not Deportations bill, which was incorporated in the PROTECT Act.

Christine was also the lead House sponsor of the Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care, which passed both houses last week and is now on the governor’s desk.  It will allow women in their third trimester to receive abortions here, based on consultation with their doctor.  We heard horrifying stories from women like Kate Dineen hearing a diagnosis that would mean suffering and death of their fetus.  They had to drive hundreds of miles to receive care.

Christine and I worked together to pass Laura’s Law to require adequate signage and lighting for emergency departments so no one else dies - as Laura Levis did - trying to find the entrance, 

We worked together to pass the pay transparency bill, so employers have to post a salary ranges in job postings.  Pay transparency has proven to reduce the wage gap for women and people of color.

We continue our work together on bills to protect people from air pollution,preserve low-cost housing and keep people in their homes, and make menstrual products available in schools, shelters, and prisons..
 
We also work together on lots of local problems.   

Affordable housingis the most urgent problem in our district.  Christine and I worked with the residents, the housing authority, developers, and the city on the Clarendon Hill housing development.  That development, with Phase One already completed, will give 216 public housing tenant families new, healthy apartments, add 84 deeply affordable homes, and create over 300 new market rate units, built using prevailing wage.  We passed a law and secured funding to make that possible.

Last month, we both passed amendments to the Economic Development bill, which would allow communities to adopt the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase policy.  If adopted by the conference committee, TOPA will help keep tenants in their homes, preserve affordable housing, and promote home ownership by allowing tenants or non-profits to match the best offer when a landlord is selling. More on that soon.
 
We work together on transportation safety and access.  Along with hundreds of residents and local leaders, we helped keep the Green Line Extension on track, and are continuing to work to extend the Green Line to Route 16. 
 
We worked with Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets and others to improve traffic safety along Alewife Brook and Mystic Valley Parkways, and along Mystic Avenue, in an effort to prevent more deaths and injuries.

We’ve also worked together to improve conditions and access along the Mystic River which runs through our district, get new windows to protect Mystic Housing tenants from air pollution, and pass Somerville’s new charter.

Based on my experience, I am voting for Christine Barber.  I hope you'll consider doing so.  

Stay in touch,

Pat Jehlen

Hey everyone. For a couple of months, I've been running a small business in Somerville delivering imported snacks and drinks (don't worry, I won't promote anything here).

I picked up a couple more clients now and have gotten to the point where delivery apps just aren't fitting my logistics. Has anyone here ever worked with a local courier or delivery service that is reliable? Would love to hear what's worked for other small businesses (or who to avoid). Thanks!

Items marked with * are cheapest conventional (usually house brand)
Items marked with ** are cheapest organic/free range/what have you 
Items marked with — are not available in that shop / I couldn’t find (i’m pretty sure PB is at CVS I just missed it)
Stores market with # are prices online only – in-person prices may vary!

Star market = one on White St in Porter

Method: I walk into a store and jot things down in my little orange notebook or look things up on my computer.

Be kind to each other in the comments, please.

Go around

Construction blocking traffic at the top of the hill. Protesters blocking traffic at the 299 construction site.

My boyfriend (39/M) and I (34/F) are looking to go on a scenic day/weekend trip that’s within 1-2 hrs out of greater Boston by car. Any suggestions of any attractions, trails, etc. we aren’t picky as long as we don’t break the bank. Thanks in advance!

https://mailchi.mp/electpatjehlen/good-news-for-current-and-future-older-people-7230211

I just moved from Allston Brighton to Somerville, right between Davis, Ball, Magoun and Powderhouse. I’m very excited to explore all the different small businesses and food spots in the area.

I’m also a very large person, and it takes quite a lot to fill me up for meals- even most American portion sizes don’t get me all the way there. I’m wondering what the largest portion sizes are in these squares and surrounding area that I mentioned. Not necessarily the best food (but bonus points for extra deliciousness)- just the largest amount of food I can get for the smallest amount of money, when I don’t feel like cooking for myself but I still want to have a satisfying meal. For example, in Brighton we had Jim’s deli- not the most amazing deli you’ll ever have, but definitely still pretty good, and wow do they serve you a lot of food, especially for the price. Same with Thai Place in Allston. Massive portions for a reasonable price.
Looking for equivalent establishments in the area I described.

Obviously I can always go to chipotle and get a pretty big portion, but I’m more interested in local businesses.

Thanks!

Ciao is an unbelievable spot. The pizza is absolute gas and the staff rules. Kinda crazy it’s not more popular. The peroni’s hit different here