The publishers, staff and everyone associated with The Somerville Times wish one and all a very Happy Holiday and Merry Christmas, as well as a prosperous and healthy New Year in 2024.

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The Somerville Times’ staff is taking a small holiday vacation from the print edition next week, the next issue coming out will be on January 3, 2024. Anything that comes in and is Somerville related through that period will be posted online to our website. We want to thank all our readers for your support this past year. Don’t forget, you can go online to our website and register online for a free subscription of the paper.

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See Somerville’s best and brightest holiday light displays now through early January. Celebrate the artistry and creativity of residents and businesses that transform their spaces and yards with lights, ornaments, and shrines of devotion and fantasy. To access the map to take a self-guided tour, visit somervilleartscouncil.org.

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Happy birthday for the next two weeks while we are on break: We send a very special birthday wish out to Eleanor Dunne. Eleanor will be celebrating her 100th birthday on Friday. We wish her a very happy day and wish her many happy healthy birthdays to come. Happy birthday to Zachary Atwell, who is celebrating this week. We wish him a great year. Happy birthday to Christopher Kenney. We hope he has a great day. Happy birthday to great person and great friend, Monica Calvo. We wish her a very happy birthday. Happy birthday also to Jim Henry, a well-known man in Somerville, we wish him the best. Happy birthday to Kristen Marie Butler as well. We hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to Maria Curtatone, who is the Register of Deeds for Middlesex County. We hope she has a great day on her birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Debbie Hurley, Lori Courtney, Erica Voolich, Natalia Caliman, Caddy Villen, Chris McCarthy, Liz-Mary Jelinek, Caroline C. Carafotes, Brian M. Conley, Richard Murphy, Bob Cammarata, Bobby Martini, Thomas Ross, John Brady, Martha Rheaume, Jimmy Deoliveira and Jon Curtis 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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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the Somerville City Council, and the Somerville School Committee invite the community to attend the 2024 inauguration ceremonies on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. The inauguration ceremonies and addresses by Mayor Ballantyne, the incoming City Council President, and the incoming School Committee Chairperson will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, in the Somerville High School auditorium (81 Highland Ave). Organizational meetings of the City Council and School Committee will precede the ceremony at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in City Hall (93 Highland Ave). A public reception at The Row Hotel (360 Foley Street, Assembly Row), will immediately follow the inaugural ceremony starting at approximately 7:30 p.m.

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Because this winter begins in an odd-numbered year, snow emergency parking will be on the odd side of the street all winter, unless posted signage says differently. Check street signs in your neighborhood so you know where you can park ahead of winter weather. You can also learn more about the city’s snow policies at somervillema.gov/snow.

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As the holiday gift shopping season intensifies, it’s important to remember that our local merchants are depending on us all to do our best to shop local.

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How about making your holiday a little greener by creating a holiday greeting on video free at the Somerville Media Center? Make yours by scheduling at frontdesk@somervillemedia.org.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Museum will kick off the New Year on Monday, January 1, 2024, with a ceremony for the anniversary of the “Grand Union” flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park. A processional will leave from the City Hall Concourse at 11:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at Prospect Hill Park from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. As always, members of the public, including families with school children, are invited to participate, and to inspire authenticity, all are encouraged to wear what they consider to be traditional colonial clothing. Light refreshments will be offered, as well as a few items highlighting the city’s historic assets for purchase from the Somerville Museum. Depending on the weather, the Tower will be open briefly to the public following the ceremony.

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Enrolling a prekindergarten or kindergarten student? The next PK-8 School Open House events are January 9, 2024 and the online enrollment portal opens on January 3, 2024. Watch a video about enrolling your student in prekindergarten or kindergarten. https://youtu.be/HgdlsI8IapM. The video is also available in Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole on the Enrollment Office website, where you can find many more resources: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/enrollment.

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In the giving spirit of the season, the city is collecting toy and gift donations at City buildings, libraries, and firehouses through Friday, December 22. If you are able and wish to donate, please bring new, unwrapped toys and gifts for children of all ages and age-appropriate gifts, clothes, and winter boots for teens. Donations will support two community gift drives: Toys for Local Children and MAMAS – Mutual Aid Medford & Somerville. More information on their gift drives and other ways to help support the drives can be found at mutualaidmamas.com and toysforlocalchildren.org. Learn more and find a donation box near you: bit.ly/47O4wYK.

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Small Mart Holiday Market, your favorite fun sized vendor market, is back. The Small Mart marketplace has a sense of humor and wants to turn the idea of the big box store on its head by empowering local businesses to come together to create a space of accessibility for a thoughtful shopper. The vendors have been carefully chosen and their goods are unique and small. Stop by December 23, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, crystalballroomboston.com.

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COA’s Brown Bag Supplemental Food Program pick up is Thursday, December 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street. For an application contact Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317.

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Children and caregivers are welcome to come create mini “gingerbread” houses out of graham crackers. Supplies will be provided. Ages 3-10, younger kids please be accompanied by an adult. December 23, 2:00 p.m., Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave. To register visit www.somervillepubliclibrary.org

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The Fuel Assistance Program, also known as the Home Energy Assistance Program, helps low-income households pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Renters and homeowners in Somerville are eligible to apply if they meet federal income guidelines. Learn more at somervillema.gov/heatingassistance.

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The last day for street sweeping until spring is December 31. Street sweeping resumes April 1.

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Is your teen looking to make some extra money? The city’s Snow Shoveling Program is hiring youth to assist shoveling seniors and homeowners with disabilities out after snowstorms this winter. Teens and homeowners are paired for the season. After each storm, the homeowner will contact their assigned youth to request shoveling services. Somerville teens ages 14 to 19 are welcome to apply. Learn more and apply at somervillema.gov/shoveling. Looking for snow shoveling services? Contact Debby Higgins at dhiggings@somervillema.gov.

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Take steps to protect yourself and loved ones against COVID-19. Somerville’s Health and Human Services Department is hosting a series of COVID-19 booster (Moderna) vaccine clinics throughout December at locations across the city. Vaccines are available for community members age 6 months and older. Register for a vaccine clinic at somervillema.gov/vaccines.

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Since 1987, The Welcome Project has worked tirelessly to give a voice to the immigrant community of Somerville and provide them with the education and support they need to advocate for themselves in their new home. Through English language classes for parents, translator training for high school students, and workers’ rights campaigns, we are always advancing the mission of equity and highlighting how immigrants are an integral piece of our Somerville community. As they come to the end of 2023, The Welcome Project humbly asks if you could support their work and donate today. As the immigrant community continues to grow in Somerville, your generosity allows your new neighbors to get the education they need to succeed in their new home. To donate visit: https://www.welcomeproject.org/eoy_appeal.html.

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In preparation for the cold months ahead, the Somerville Homeless Coalition is in urgent need of winter clothing and apparel to keep their clients warm and safe. Donations of socks, hats, jackets, hand warmers, sweatpants, and more will go a long way towards keeping the most vulnerable clients protected against the unpredictable New England weather. All donations can be dropped off at their Engagement Center located at 1 Davis Square, Somerville between and Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed each day from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for lunch. Help keep our neighbors safe this winter.

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Help keep our waterways clean in your neighborhood by joining Somerville’s Adopt-a-Drain program. A storm drain clear of leaves, trash or other debris allows water to flow into the catch basin sump and can prevent flooding. When you adopt a drain (or drains), you commit to caring for a local storm drain of your choice by checking on it before and after heavy rain, wind, or snow. Bonus perk: you can also give it a name. Claim your drain at somerville.mysticdrains.org.

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The Center for the Arts at the Armory offers a weekly winter market with 71+ local food vendors with the best locally grown and regionally produced foods, including fresh produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, tamales, pastries, chocolate, skincare products, and more. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and HIP benefits. They also offer a $15 SNAP match to customers each week. Visit the Somerville Winter Farmers Market on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 191 Highland Ave. Through April 6, except 12/30. For a list of weekly events visit www.somwintermarket.org.

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Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website over to the right side and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper.