Low-income households may be eligible to receive help with winter heating costs through the Home Energy Assistance Program. This program serves residents of Somerville and Cambridge. Participants receive assistance with their heating costs between November 1 and April 30. Learn more about the program, check if you qualify, and apply for assistance today at somerville-ma.gov/heatingassistance.

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Somerville Illuminations begin Friday, December 12. Admire Somerville’s best and brightest holiday lights. Take a self-guided tour using the published map. Join the Illuminations bike tour on Sunday, December 13 (rain date: December 14) at 5:45 p.m. Meet in front of City Hall (93 Highland Ave.). Visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org/events/illuminations2025 to access the map and for more information.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a great guy and friend, William Murphy. We wish Bill a very happy day. Happy birthday to a great photographer and a great person, Iaritza Menjivar. We wish her a very special day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Annmarie Costante, Sandy Piccolomini Ryle, Barbara Jewers, Barbara J Pinnelle Vivian, Heather Balchunas, Kimberly Pedersen, Olivia Huang, and Erin Madden Capasso, 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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Menorah Lighting, December 15: Community members are invited to a ceremonial Menorah Lighting. Enjoy traditional songs and sing-alongs. Special gifts will be available for children, and light refreshments will be served. The Menorah will be lit each night of Hanukkah. Monday, December 15, City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.) at 6 p.m.

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Somerville Police have issued a warning of identity fraud. In the past few months, several residents have reported becoming victims of identity fraud, specifically involving fraudulent applications for FAFSA (Federal Student Aid). In these cases, victims had never applied for FAFSA and had no connection to the schools listed in the fraudulent applications. Please remain vigilant by regularly reviewing your credit reports and staying alert to potential scams. If you notice any suspicious activity, report it immediately.

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The Somerville Department of Public Works (DPW) wishes to remind residents that the final days for yard waste collection this season will be this week through Friday, December 12. Yard waste can be left out for pickup by DPW on residents’ scheduled trash collection days. Please note: Yard waste cannot be collected if it is put in plastic bags. DPW collection of these materials will resume in Spring 2026 as per the usual seasonal cycle. To learn more, please visit somervillema.gov/trash or call 311 (617-666-3311).

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Each December, the city celebrates the season of giving by supporting local holiday gift drives. Check the city website (somervillema.gov/news) or sign up for the city e-newsletter at www.somervillema.gov/subscribe for details on how you can contribute.

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Support local businesses this holiday season. There are lots of ways to support small businesses, and not all of them require purchases. Sharing your favorite places with friends, showing support on social media, and even window shopping are all low-cost ways to support your local businesses. Learn more about shopping small this winter by visiting www.somervillema.gov/loyaltolocal.

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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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The trailer for Voices of Somerville, produced by Olivia Huang, can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGKV2LhT7WA. It concerns the voices of poets from Somerville and others in the area. The movie includes Somerville residents Gloria Mindock, Doug Holder, Lloyd Schwartz (Somerville Poet Laureate), Denise Provost, and others. The full movie will be released next month.

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School meals are free for all students. Nutritious breakfast and lunch are free for all students in Somerville Public Schools. Breakfast starts at 8:15 a.m. for prekindergarten students, at 7:30 a.m. for students in grades K–8, and at 7:15 a.m. at Somerville High School and Next Wave/Full Circle. To view daily menus, visit https://linqconnect.com/public/menu/FE53U3?buildingId=14d70caa-49e6-eb11-a2c9-fa7552227e36.

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COA Holiday Luncheon, Thursday, December 11, at the Dilboy Post, located at 351 Summer Street, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $10 per person. Lunch will be stuffed chicken, vegetables, and salad. Please reserve your spot by calling Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321. COA Holiday Party, hosted by Somerville’s Veterans Services and the Council on Aging. Tuesday, December 16, at the Holland Street Center, starting at 10 a.m. Join in for a crafting activity from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and for lunch at noon; don’t forget to wear your ugly sweater. Please reserve your spot by calling Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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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. 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: clos-et@connexionumc.org.

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Somerville’s Teen Shoveling Program is back for the 2025/26 season, providing a paid opportunity for youth to assist local seniors and homeowners with disabilities in clearing snow after a storm. The program is available for teens aged 14 to 19 years old. All interested youths must submit an application. Youths aged 18 or 19 must also submit a CORI form. For questions and to learn more, visit somervillema.gov/shoveling, contact Daniel Harris at dharris@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2406, or 311 by phone (617-666-3311), email, text, mobile app, chat, social media, web, and more at somervillema.gov/311.

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Somerville Stitch Club takes place next Wednesday, December 17, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Somerville Public Library, West Branch. Sewing machines available. Bring your project and get those holiday gifts finished. There will be snacks and new friends. Free entry, all ages and skill levels.

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Shop 50+ artisan, maker, and vintage vendors at Small Mart Holiday Markets on December 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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The City of Somerville wants to learn more about how your child commutes to school. Please consider completing this survey for each of your children: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8WVDCBP

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The 5th Annual HollyGay Market takes place at Warehouse XI in Somerville. Expect talented LGBTQ+ makers, festive finds, great vibes, and nonstop fun. They will be serving drag performances throughout the day. Expect camp, glamour, and a whole lot of holiday fabulousness. December 13, 12 – 6 p.m. 11 Sanborn Ct., Somerville.

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Tour any of Somerville Public Schools’ Prekindergarten to Grade 8. January tour dates: January 8, 2026, 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m., January 27, 2026, 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. Learn more: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/tours

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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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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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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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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.