Somerville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, in collaboration with Saint Benedict Church, invites community members to a festive Three Kings Day celebration. This event will be held on Sunday, January 11, at the Prospect Hill Charter School cafeteria (17 Franklin St.) from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Learn more at somervillema.gov/calendar.

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Community members who could not attend the city’s Inauguration Ceremony can watch online on CityTV’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@SomervilleGovTV

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A reminder that Christmas tree pickup is underway in Somerville through Friday, February 13. Trees can be placed curbside on your regular trash day after removing all decorations. Do not put trees in a plastic bag. Constituents should contact 311 (617-666-3311) if their tree has been out for over two weeks.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Katie McDaid. We wish her a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to retired high school teacher Marion Joyce. We hope she enjoys her day. Happy birthday to Ken Kotch, a great photographer. We hope he has a nice day. Happy birthday to Phil Forsyth. We wish him the best. Happy Birthday to a great guy, Matt Hoey. We wish him a nice day with his family. Happy birthday to Donna Desrescente. We wish her the very best. We wish all our Facebook friends, such as George Allen, Linda M. Alves, Rose Amabile, Chris Walsh, Alberta Healey, Janice Burpee, and Rick Jackson a 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 Mayor Jake Wilson is collecting information for his transition office. This survey is a way for you to tell the incoming mayor what is important to you. There are 18 topics – everything from arts to schools – to choose from. Take a few minutes to share your thoughts and then share the survey with your Somerville friends and neighbors. Take the survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccTinrTVBzR6yCWP-6ZZ4JtBvJ5Z6476u3ijF5HGlIIFceA/viewform.

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The community is invited to see the creativity and holiday spirit of their neighbors by embarking on a self-guided Illuminations Tour through January 2026. The Illuminations map is available to take a self-guided tour: https://somervilleartscouncil.org/illuminationstour.

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Boston-based sketch comedy trio Field Trip makes its Rockwell Theatre, 255 Elm Street, debut with a greatest hits live show packed with original sketches. Drawing from three years of sold-out performances around Greater Boston and at comedy festivals across the country, the group delivers a fast, absurd, and joyful night of comedy built around sharp writing, big characters, and maximum fun. For more information, visit: https://therockwell.org/calendar/field-trip-live-at-the-rockwell/.

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Somerville Fire Local 76 Bfit Skate with Blades will be held on January 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., LoConte Rink, 97 Locust St, Medford. Admission is $20. Includes skate rental while supplies last. Enjoy a night of skating, raffles, and pizza all in one spot.

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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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Take steps to protect yourself and loved ones against COVID-19, the flu, and other illnesses this winter. Somerville’s Health and Human Services Department is hosting free vaccine clinics at locations across the city. Upcoming clinics include: Thursday, January 15, Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs (42 Cross St.), 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, January 22, West Branch Library (40 College Ave.), 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Find all vaccine clinics on the city website and register online at www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations.

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Attend the inaugural SomerWrites event on Tuesday, January 27, at 7:00 p.m. at Portico Brewing, featuring an open mic and guest talk with Somerville Poet Laureate Lloyd Schwartz, and moderated by Somerville Arts Council Board member Sarah Beckmann. These events are free and open to all, no matter your genre or background. Whether you have academic experience in a writing field or are simply curious to learn more about different types of writing, this space is an opportunity for you to share your work and/or network with local artists. Contact Sarah (beckmann.sarah12@gmail.com) to add your name to the open mic list or to become a featured guest during one of these events.

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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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FDIC: Money Smart/Avoiding Charity Scams, Friday, January 9, at the Council on Aging Holland Street Center, starting at 11:00 a.m. This month, representatives from Northern Bank will be discussing Avoiding Charity Scams. While we may want to open our hearts and wallets to contribute to the public good, scammers are hoping to trick you and steal your money. During this presentation, you will learn how to spot a charity scam and what to do to avoid being scammed. To RSVP, please contact Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317.

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Apply today for Creative Space at Somerville’s Armory. All creative disciplines are encouraged to apply for open spaces now through March 11. The city is now accepting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) from arts and creative enterprises interested in leasing space at the city-owned Armory at 191 Highland Ave. The RFP will remain through March 11. Full details on eligibility, available spaces, lease terms, evaluation criteria, and how to submit a proposal are available on the Armory Master Plan SomerVoice page, which will serve as the primary hub for this process: www.voice.somervillema.gov/armory-master-plan. To help applicants feel confident throughout the process, the city will soon offer building tours, Q&As, and workshops. Subscribe to project updates on the SomerVoice page to be the first to know when new resources are posted. The full RFP is available on the SomerVoice page and at www.somervillema.gov/procurement.

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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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Plants 101, Tuesday, January 13, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Council on Aging Holland Street Center. Alexandra is returning to share her love of plants with you. Bring your questions and curiosity about how to choose and cultivate healthy and happy plants. RSVP to Natasha Naim by calling 617-625-6600, ext. 2317.

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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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Your child is invited to a free screening to assess their development. Open to any child, ages 3–5, who is a resident of Somerville and is not enrolled in one of our school programs. January 13, 8:30–11:30 a.m. March 26, 8:30–11:30 a.m. Screenings are conducted by appointment only. Please register at this link: tinyurl.com/Screenings2025. All screenings will be held at the Capuano Early Childhood Center at 150 Glen Street, Somerville.

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The City of Somerville is seeking one new member to join the Mayor’s Appointments Advisory Committee (AAC). If you care about fairness, transparency, and community voice in local government, this is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact. The AAC plays a key role in strengthening how Somerville selects members for its regulatory and decision-making boards and commissions. By helping review applicants and recommend finalists, AAC members ensure that appointments reflect the needs, values, and diversity of our community. How to apply: online, somervillema.gov/besomerville, email, send materials to Careers@somervillema.gov with the subject line: “AAC Member Application”, mail: City Hall – Attn: HR / Kristen Hill, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143.

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Tour any of Somerville Public Schools’ Prekindergarten to Grade 8. January tour dates: January 8, 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m., January 27, 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 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 the medical equipment needed. 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 fr