We here at The Times wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday. As we approach holiday gift shopping, don’t forget to shop local to support local businesses. City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, for Thanksgiving. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day. The Council on Aging will be closed on November 27 and Friday, November 28, in observance of Thanksgiving.

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The Somerville varsity football game vs. Cambridge Rindge and Latin (Cambridge, MA) takes place on Thursday, November 27, at Cambridge-Russell Field, 335 Rindge Ave., Cambridge.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Jason Fucile. We wish Jason the very best birthday. Happy Birthday to Peter Forcellese. We wish him a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Lisa Hastings, celebrating her birthday this week. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Mary McGuire, Julie Adelsberger, Gamal Elfouly, Brian Kirk, Kim Volz, Joseph Di Pietro, Nancy Robinson Faulkner, Lee Grassia Anderson, and Dorothy Dervishian O’Malley 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 29th Gobble Gobble race takes place on Thursday, November 27, at 9 a.m. Presented by the Somerville Road Runners, the Gobble Gobble Gobble road race starts and ends in Davis Square (at the heart of Somerville), features a unique 4-mile course, and offers a fun opportunity to start Thanksgiving on a high and healthy note. Proceeds benefit Somerville Homeless Coalition, Somerville Track PAC, Stride for Stride, and Dilboy VFW Veterans Relief Fund. For more information and registration, visit https://runsignup.com/gobblegobblegobble.

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Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines are conveniently offered at multiple locations across Somerville, improving access for all residents with no out-of-pocket costs. Visit https://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations to see more clinics.

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Our condolences go out to the family of Dolores Breen, the mother of Chief Engineer Charles Breen Jr, Senior Fire Alarm Operator Todd Breen, and Fire Alarm Operator and Local 76 Union Steward Scott Breen. Mrs. Breen was also the wife of the late Somerville Firefighter Charles Breen Sr. Our thoughts are with the family during this sad time.

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The Connexion closet is accepting clothing donations, all seasons, all genders, and all sizes. The most wanted items are pants and jackets. You can drop off donations at Connexion, 149 Broadway, this week, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please make sure you leave donations inside the building with a label that says, “For Connexion closet”. Need clothes? The Connexion closet opens Mondays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays 4 to 6 p.m. Want to donate and can’t drop it off? Email closet@connexionumc.org to coordinate a pickup. Questions email: closet@connexionumc.org.

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On Thursday, December 4, the Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on the City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.). Activities begin at 5 p.m. Special gifts will be available for children. Includes live entertainment and light refreshments. Rain date: December 9.

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Shop 50+ artisan, maker, and vintage vendors at Small Mart Holiday Markets on December 6 and 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crystal Ballroom, Davis Sq. Small Mart brings together over 50 artisan, maker, and vintage vendors offering unique, thoughtfully made gifts. You’ll find hand-printed art, cozy ceramics, standout vintage fashion, and locally crafted goods that make giving (and shopping) feel good.

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Davis Square Holidate takes place on Saturday, December 6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 409 Highland Ave., Somerville. Join over 20 local businesses celebrating the Holiday Season with special promotions, give-a-ways, and Holiday sales. Every purchase at a participating business will also give you the chance to win one of 4 gift packages worth more than $200 of local dining, shopping, and services.

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The Union Square Jingle Shop, Sip & Mingle takes place Sunday, December 7, 1 to 6 p.m. In Union Sq. Union Square businesses are decked with sparkling lights, dressed up windows, and instagrammable inflatables that are ready to help you be a holiday host with the most: Make your way to Union Square in Somerville on Sunday, December 7, from 1 to 6 p.m. (extreme weather date December 14) by foot, bike, bus, Greenline, or sleigh. Metered parking is free on Sundays.

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Somerville Illuminations begins Friday, December 12. Showcase and admire Somerville’s best and brightest holiday lights. Add your home or business by Thursday, December 11, to be featured on the online Illuminations map https://somervilleartscouncil.org/illuminations/.

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On Monday, December 15, the Menorah Lighting takes place on the City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.). Activities begin at 6 p.m. Traditional songs and sing-alongs. Special gifts will be available for children. Light refreshments will be served.

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For anyone in need of food resources, go to the Somerville Food Coalition’s website: www.https://bit.ly/4ocJ6NB. Free local pantries, community meals, community fridges, and more. Find more information at https://www.somervillema.gov/snap. Here are some locations where you can find free food at Somerville’s Community Fridges can be found at 35 Prospect St., Elizabeth Peabody House, 275-277 Broadway, St. Clements, across from 29 St. Clements Road. Donations are welcome at these locations.

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Next Wave and Full Circle Wreath Sale is the district’s alternative therapeutic middle and high school. They work with kids from across the district who have experienced academic setbacks and need support getting back on track. They are selling wreaths to help fund field trips, experiential learning, community building, and incentives. Wreaths cost $25 and can be purchased at this order link: https://trst.in/s0aASi.

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The Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., will host and manage the 16th Annual Somerville Winter Farmers Market (SWFM) every Saturday beginning November 1 through April 11, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This weekly market offers the best locally grown and regionally produced agricultural items, including vegetable produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, pastries, and sweets. In addition to cash, credit, and debit, SNAP / EBT is also accepted at the market. CAA raises funds to be able to provide a $15 match so that SNAP / EBT for every SNAP/EBT customer who spends at least $15 of their SNAP/EBT dollars at the market. The market is also participating in the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which allows qualifying customers to receive between $40 – $80 worth of free farm-fresh fruits and vegetables from participating HIP vendors. To learn more and for a complete listing of vendors, weekly specials, and live entertainment, please visit www.somwintermarket.org.

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The Somerville Police Department is now accepting direct hires. They are looking for dedicated, motivated individuals ready to serve one of the most diverse and dynamic communities in the Northeast. If you’re MPTC-trained and looking for a department that values teamwork, community engagement, career growth, and competitive benefits, this is your opportunity. Join our team and make a real impact. Apply at: CityOfSomerville.ApplyToJob.com.

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Visit ROOTED Armory Café for their monthly recurring Café events this November. Upcoming events include: Nova Comedy Collective’s Big Bang Standup, Friday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. More info available for each event on their website.

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Somerville Community Growing Center’s annual wreath sale is its biggest fundraiser of the year. Consider purchasing a beautiful, handcrafted holiday wreath through December 1, and help support programming and care for the Growing Center. Wreaths feature a homemade bow and are adorned with locally sourced pinecones, delicate dried flowers, and ornamental peppers and berries. Visit https://www.thegrowingcenter.org/wreathsale.

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Somerville Water and Sewer billing is now on a quarterly schedule. As of November 2025, all Somerville Water and Sewer residents will move to a quarterly billing schedule, designed to make managing your water and sewer payments simpler, more predictable, and easier to budget throughout the year. Under this schedule, bills will be issued four times per year. https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/water-and-sewer/billing-schedule.

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The Cosmetology Salon at Somerville High School is open. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment only. Make an appointment by calling 617-629-5250 x611550. All services are provided for a nominal fee.

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Arts Editor, Doug Holder, for setting up a GoFundMe campaign for The Somerville Times. With the cost of printing going up and a lack of businesses having the resources to advertise, free papers feel the effect. We sincerely thank all who have already contributed and thank any future contributors. If you are interested in helping, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-somerville-times. Or if anyone is interested in advertising, please contact Bobbietoner@aol.com. We offer great discounts to help our advertisers be able to advertise. Thank you all so much for your support!

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The Somerville Museum presents Discover “Ring It On” at Market Basket in Somerville. A glimpse into modern life through digital video projection. By Barbara Jo, Nathan, Fash, and Olga Mesa. On view until December 6. Visit today (2 – 5 p.m.) or Saturday (12 – 5 p.m.). One Westwood Road. For more information, visit www.somervillemuseum.org.

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Through the generosity of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and under the direction of Mayor Ballantyne, the Council on Aging can provide Durable Medical Equipment at no cost to Somerville residents. Residents with a documented need for medical equipment must be over the age of 60 or have a permanent disability and must be otherwise unable to afford or access needed medical equipment. For additional information or for an application, please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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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.