We here at The Times wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday. Please observe all safety guidelines to make sure we’ll all be together again for next year’s celebration. And don’t forget to shop local when starting your holiday gift shopping. This year more than ever it is important to support local businesses.

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Our hearts are broken to hear the passing of Sal Ferro (our photographer Claudia Ferro’s husband). Sal and Claudia have been married since they were young and raised a big loving family together here in Somerville. Sal was a great father. You could see that in his family who were by his side every step of the way helping him through his sickness. Sal will be missed so much. Our condolences go out to Claudia and her family.

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City offices will be closed Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be on a one-day delay if your normal pick-up day is Thursday or Friday. Residential parking permits and meters will not be in effect Thursday or Friday, and there is no street sweeping Friday

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The Somerville High School Highlanders battle the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Falcons Thanksgiving Day. Cambridge hosts the game at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 25 at Russell Field. Don’t miss the chance to support our team. The game location is subway accessible by taking the Red Line to Alewife Station.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Jason Fucile, who celebrates this week. We miss seeing Jason and Nancy now that Victor’s is closed but we wish them the best. We wish Jason a great birthday. Tracey Leah Pratt is also celebrating this week. We wish Tracey a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Craig Resmini. We wish him a great birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Peggy Ryan Lookliss, Mary McGuire, Julie Adelsberger, Brian Kirk, Kim Volz, Joseph Di Pietro, and Nancy Robinson Faulkner a very happy birthday. We hope everyone has a great day. To all the others we may have missed, we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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The COVID-19 incidence rate is rising again. After a brief dip in local case numbers in October, Somerville’s incidence rate has risen more than 50% over the past two weeks. See the latest Somerville case data at somervillema.gov/covid19dashboard.

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COVID cases in Massachusetts just reached a nine-month high. In order to not repeat the tragic fall and winter surge of last year, COVID precautions are urged for this holiday season. The CDC has a holiday safety guide. The main thing to keep in mind is responsible behavior leading up to the holidays will lead to safer celebrations. Making sure everyone at the gathering is vaccinated, getting a booster if you are eligible, and masking up in indoor public spaces will lessen the chances of people contracting the virus and spreading it to others during what should be a happy occasion. Having smaller holiday get-togethers and keeping it among people who regularly associate with each other also can lessen the spread. Outdoor celebrations (sunny weather is currently forecast for Thanksgiving) are safer than indoor gatherings. Finally, get tested in the days leading up to the holiday if you think you might pose a risk. Go to somervillema.gov/covid19testing to find a testing location.

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Get Elfie + Keep Small Strong for Union Square Main Streets 7th Annual Holiday Stroll. Join in The Holiday Stroll, a three-day celebration of Union Square sparkle, discovery, and holiday delight on December 9, 10, and 11. Revel in this Union Square neighborhood tradition and enter to win cash prizes up to $1000 by helping to judge the Storefront Decoration Contest, conquering the Keep Small Strong Challenge when enjoying unique eats and rad retail, following the Festivus Trail, and taking Elfie Selfies. Dozens of locally-owned businesses await with all you need to stuff your stockings, deck your halls with local art, make your tastebuds celebrate, and more. Bundle up and come on down or snuggle up and shop from home to unwrap Union Square in all its wintry wonderment. For more info on how to enter to win $1000 cash, visit: https://www.unionsquaremain.org/holiday-stroll

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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 by 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. Next Wave/Full Circle staff and students are grateful for ongoing community support of this annual event. All proceeds go toward enrichment programming for students. There will be no tree lot this year due to logistical complications from the pandemic. Learn more about this tight-knit Next Wave/Full Circle school community at their website, www.somerville.k12.ma.us/nwfc.

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Join East Somerville Main Streets for another Pop-Up Holiday Market at Connexion in Somerville. They’ll have some new vendors, more food and more music. Support small, local businesses while you do your holiday shopping. Saturday, December 11, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Connexion, 149 Broadway.

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The Centers for Disease Control has approved COVID-19 booster shots for all adults. That means if you are age 18 and you are at least six months past your second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two months past the date of your Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you can immediately get a COVID-19 booster shot at any medical facility or pharmacy where boosters are being offered. The boosters are strongly recommended as a way to bolster immunity. This is important because immunity from the initial doses wanes over time. The state has put together a list of frequently-asked questions about booster shots: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-booster-frequently-asked-questions. The three main things to know is they are safe, free, and available regardless of your citizenship status.

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Boosters will be an important part of lessening the spread of the disease during the upcoming winter months. Our suggestion for the first place to try is the Somerville CHA Vaccine Center in the Target shopping plaza near Union Square. The site accepts both walk-ins and appointments (though pre-registration could speed your processing and wait times). CHA offers boosters for all vaccine types in addition to initial COVID-19 vaccines for everyone age 5+. One tip when getting a booster shot: bring your vaccine card with you for faster processing. Other options include local pharmacies (pre-registration may be necessary), your primary care provider, vaxfinder.mass.gov, and calling 211.

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The Somerville Arts Council’s Illumination Community Lantern Project returns. As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, they are looking for ways to brighten the darkness. Building off of the success from last year’s Illuminations Community Lantern project, they are encouraging residents to create their own lantern displays in their neighborhoods and Squares as a part of this year’s month-long festivities. If you are interested in leading the charge in your neighborhood, contact SAC and they will put you on the official Illuminations Map. The deadline to be included on the Illumination map is December 1. To light up your neighborhood and get involved, visit https://somervilleartscouncil.org/illuminationstour

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Giving Tuesday 2021 takes place November 30. There are so many different ways to express generosity on Giving Tuesday and every day. It’s a simple idea: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give. Visit /www.givingtuesday.org/united-states

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The Somerville Council on Aging is holding Walking Groups, Fridays at 9:30 a.m. The walking group will meet in front of the Holland Street Center and will enjoy walks through area neighborhoods. All classes and groups will be limited to eight participants and will follow City of Somerville social distancing and mask policy. Pre-registration is required. For additional info or to register for one of the above programs, contact Chris by email at ckowaleski@somervillema.gov or by phone at 617-625-6600 ext. 2315

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The Somerville Board of Health has extended the citywide residential eviction moratorium until April 30 of next year. The moratorium applies to both renters and homeowners, and it means residents cannot be physically removed from their homes, though eviction cases may proceed through court. Back rent ultimately must be paid. If you find yourself or anyone you know unable to make rent or mortgage payments (or if you are a landlord owed back rent), assistance may be available. Immediately contact the Office of Housing Stability at 617-625-6600 x2581 or the Community Action Agency of Somerville at 617-623-7370.

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The Somerville Board of Health approved a face-covering mandate for all indoor public places. The mandate applies to anyone two or older, and face coverings can be removed when people are actively eating or drinking. Masks should have a snug fit and cover the nose and mouth. The order can be read at https://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/COVID-19-Mask-Order-Proposed-8.21.pdf.

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