~Photos by Claudia Ferro

East Somerville Community School held its annual Holiday Store event in the ESCS Atrium December 12-15. Toys, crafts, and lots of surprises were offered for shoppers looking for unique gifts for the holiday season.

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Many a poet has passed through Stone Soup Poetry founded by the late Jack Powers on Beacon Hill over four decades ago. I had the privilege of being the president of Stone Soup one short year, about 20 years ago. I also conducted a series of interviews with Powers, and the interviews are online, and one is in the video collection at the University of Buffalo. Somerville resident Kirk Etherton is the  “interim host” of the venue now, so he offered to share a few words:

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Robert K. Johnson is a retired professor of English, Suffolk University/Boston. For many years he was the Poetry Editor for the Ibbetson Street Press. He has been widely published, both poetry and non-fiction.

Protect Yourself Against Online Scams*

With everyone starting their holiday shopping for their family, it’s definitely the best time for shoppers to be more vigilant of scams. Criminals know that sometimes shopping online is the best way to steal unsuspecting shoppers of their money and personal information. These criminals can be very creative and their efforts to obtain your money and personal information can result in devastating outcomes for families. Don’t become a victim.

Arrests:
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Ruben Quinones, of 30 Fremont St., Arlington, December 15, 10:07 a.m., arrested at Bay State Ave. on warrant charges of marked lanes violation, uninsured motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of property damage.

Martin Acosta-Rosario, of 20 River Rd., December 15, 7:00 p.m., arrested at Washington St. on warrant charges of conspiracy to violate drug law, carrying a firearm without a license, armed assault to murder, carrying a firearm with ammunition, distribution of a class D drug, distribution of a class B drug, fugitive from justice, and ammunition without FID card.

Christmas is on a Sunday this year, but the City is observing it on Monday, December 26. City offices will be closed. Trash and recycling pick up will be on a one-day delay all week. There will be no street sweeping and meter and residential permit parking will not be enforced on December 26.

For more information contact 311 or 617-666-3311

On Wednesday, December 21, the Chandler Travis Philharmonic hosts the 12th Annual Boston Christmas Cavalcade for the Homeless at the Once Ballroom (aka Cuisine en Locale, at 156 Highland Ave., Somerville; 617 285-0167), featuring the Stompers, the Boston Typewriter Orchestra, Jennifer Kimball, the Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band, Amy Fairchild & Carla Ryder, Ramona Silver, the Weisstronauts, Erin Harpe, Shaun Wortis, Merrie Amsterburg, Rose Polenzani, the Darlings, Jen D’Angora, Alastair Moock, the Classic Ruins, Bird Mancini, the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, Mike Gent, the Boogaloo Swamis, Kimon Kirk, the Philharmonic Trombone Shout Band, the House of Bangalore Holiday Band, the Ding Donnelly and Danny Devereaux Show, the Athol Thingerth, and more TBA.

Left to right: Maryann Taranto, Kellie Pini, and District Attorney Marian Ryan

The Office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan this week continued the office’s annual tradition of donating to Toys for Tots. New and unwrapped gifts for children of all ages were collected at the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office in Woburn as well as Middlesex Superior Court.

Roughly a dozen volunteers joined with Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services to pack special holiday gift bags for Meals on Wheels clients on Dec. 6. The bags were decorated by local elementary school students, and contained an assortment of sweets and baked goods.

By Nathan Lamb

Roughly 500 Meals on Wheels clients will receive a special delivery this December, thanks to the efforts of some dedicated volunteers and the Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) Holiday Bag program.

By Tom Bannister

When it comes to strengthening that critical home-school connection, School-based Family and Community Liaisons play an important role, supporting students by supporting families in many ways.