Mrs. Josephine M. (Alibrandi) DiPersio, a lifelong resident of Somerville, died on Saturday, November 26th, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. She was 82.

Born and raised in Somerville, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Helena (DeAngelis) Alibrandi. Josephine worked for many years in Cambridge as a clerk at the Registry of Deeds. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis C. DiPersio.

Don’t wait till the next Fluff Festival to discover the treasures that quirky Union Square has to offer. On Saturday, December 10, Union Square Main Streets presents the Holiday Stroll, from 11:00 a.m. to the close of businesses. The Stroll will include live music and special offerings from the over 20 participating businesses. Artists will be offering great gifts to purchase for the holidays inside many of the Union Square establishments from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Santa will be there!

The Marathon Sports Bill Rodgers Jingle Bell Run on December 18 in Davis Square-Somerville is donating $10,000 for the sixth year in a row to the Somerville based Toys For Local Children program based in Somerville. They will also be accepting toys from registered runners and walkers to be donated to the program at all of the bib and tee pick-ups at Marathon Sports, Olde Magoun Saloon and Somerville Senior Center during race week and race weekend. Go to http://www.baevents.com/jinglebell/ for more information and to register for the event.

During snow emergencies this winter, residents must park on the EVEN side of the road only, unless otherwise posted.

 Parking will NOT be on the odd side as in the past. Parking will switch sides each year in November.

Say it ain’t snow! As snow season approaches, the City of Somerville reminds all residents that, beginning this winter season (2016-2017), the side of the street where snow emergency parking is allowed will now alternate by winter season. Because this winter season begins in 2016 – a year ending in an even number – it is an EVEN-side parking year, unlike previous years, which were odd-side parking years.

Jeanne Leyden (left) and Melissa Guevara display items from the caregiver appreciation packages that Adult Family Care is distributing as part of National Family Caregivers Month. The program serves more than 250 caregivers across the Greater Boston Area. — Photo by Nathan Lamb

By Nathan Lamb

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and a regional non-profit program is marking the occasion by promoting caregiver well being.

The Adult Family Care (AFC) program provides support for more than 250 family caregivers in the greater Boston area, and will provide care packages for its caregivers during the month as a show of appreciation for all that they do, explained AFC Program Director Jeanne Leyden.

Intersection of Medford & Pearl closed for  emergency  sewer work through –12/5

Beginning on Monday, Nov. 28, and lasting for approximately two weeks, the intersection of Medford and Pearl Streets will be CLOSED AT ALL TIMES to through traffic in order for City contractors to repair a collapsed sewer at that intersection. The portion of Medford St. between School St. and Pearl St. will remain open to abutters and for patrons of local businesses. Work hours each day will be from 7 a.m. to approximately 8 p.m., however the intersection will remain closed after work hours (24 hours a day, seven days a week) for public safety. Sidewalks will remain open. Trash pickup in your area will occur as normal.

Michael McWilliams, Middlesex Federal Loan Officer and Somerville Kiwanis President, places his toy donation into the Middlesex Federal’s Davis Square Toys for Tots collection box.

By Louise Carpenter

Middlesex Federal invites employees, customers, neighbors, and friends to bring a new, unwrapped toy between November 25 and December 13 to any one of its branch locations. For every toy collected at its three locations, Middlesex Federal will donate another toy, up to at least 125 additional toys. This matching program is part of the Bank’s 125th anniversary local giving initiative. All toys will be distributed by the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program to local children.

The Wrap Around Project will be featured at the Nave Gallery through December 18.

By Rebecca Danvers

Created as an annual sale of knitted goods to benefit SHC, The Wrap Around Project has grown into a yearlong campaign that combines art and activism to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness in our area. Somerville’s homeless population is comprised of elders, single working adults, disabled individuals, and many families with children from newborns to teenagers. The typical homeless family that SHC serves is a mother with two children.

Chairman of the Somerville Board of Alderman’s Committee on Public Health and Public Safety Alderman at Large Jack Connolly and Ward Six Alderman Lance Davis, will host a neighborhood meeting on Monday, November 28th, at 6:00 P.M. at the Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave., Somerville, MA. The purpose of this meeting is to allow members of the public to hear a presentation from Garden Remedies Inc. dba Garden Remedies (www.gardenremedies.org) regarding a medical marijuana dispensary proposed by Garden Remedies inc. , to be located at 245 Elm St. (currently the site of Family Dollar). Representatives from Garden Remedies will take questions regarding the application and their intent to seek a Special Permit form the City of Somerville.

Part 1:  Community disintegration and voter fragmentation
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By William C. Shelton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

You may be familiar with the parable of the blind people describing the elephant. One asserts that an elephant is like a wall. Another, that it’s like a tree trunk. A third counters that it’s like a snake. “Not a snake, but a stake,” insists the fourth. The fifth can’t imagine why the others don’t know that an elephant is like a warm flapping blanket. And so on. Each is certain because, for a moment at least, each directly experienced the elephant.