The publishers, staff, and everyone associated with The Somerville Times wish one and all a very Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah, as well as a prosperous and healthy New Year in 2026.

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The Somerville Times’ staff is taking a small holiday break from the print edition next week. The next issue coming out will be on December 31. We will still be running the website and will be posting anything that comes in  that week. We wish to thank all our readers for your support this past year. We are truly grateful. Don’t forget, you can go online to our website and register for a free subscription to the paper.

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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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Happy birthday for the next two weeks while we are on break: Happy birthday to Zachary Atwell, who is celebrating this week. Happy birthday to a great person and great friend, Monica Calvo. We wish her a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Middlesex South Register of Deeds and Somerville resident, Maria C. Curtatone. We wish her a very happy birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Glenn DiMasse, Toni Guarino, Lori Courtney, Erica Voolich, Fallon Leigh O’Brien, Natalia Caliman, Caddy Villen, Liz-Mary Jelinek, Caroline C. Carafotes, Richard Murphy, and Bob Cammarata, 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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Somerville Illuminations began on December 12. Admire Somerville’s best and brightest holiday lights. Take a self-guided tour using the published map. Visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org/events/illuminations2025 to access the map and for more information.

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Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Carol A. (McKenna) Antonelli, who passed away on December 11. Carol was employed by the City of Somerville as the Superintendent of the Water Department. Services will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville on Wednesday, December 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Raphael Church, 512 High Street, Medford, on Thursday, December 18, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are asked to meet at the church. See the full obituary: https://www.dohertyfuneralservice.com/obituary/carol-antonelli

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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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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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Don’t miss the 2025 SHS Winter Concert and Art Show on December 18. Enjoy music performed by the Somerville High School Chorus, Orchestra, Band, World Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Guitar Class. Artwork from current High School art students will be on display, and select ceramics pieces will also be available for purchase. All staff, family, and friends of the Somerville Public Schools community are invited to join an evening celebrating the arts. 5 p.m. Art Exhibit, 6:30 p.m. Concert. Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue.

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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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Free all-ages flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Thursday, December 18, at City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Ave) from 3 to 6:30 p.m. No cost, no insurance needed. Everyone is welcome. Protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community this season. Learn more and register at somervillema.gov/vaccinations.

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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. Check out the menu: https://linqconnect.com/public/menu/FE53U3.

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The East Somerville Holiday Gift Guide is here. This guide was made to help you shop local and laugh a little along the way. Support small businesses, skip the stress, and find gifts with real East Somerville flavor Visit: https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/. Shop local. Support your neighbors.

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Some reminders for the 2025/2026 snow season: Snow emergency parking is on the odd side of the street all winter, unless posted signage says differently. Sign up for alerts or update your information at somerville-ma.gov/alerts. You can call 311 (617-666-3311) if you need assistance. Flashing blue lights at major intersections indicate a snow emergency. Snow emergencies are announced on the city’s website, social media feeds, City TV, and via information shared with local media.  Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks within six daylight hours of the end of snowfall. For more information on the city’s snow policies, visit somervillema.gov/snow.

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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: closet@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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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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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.