The 2015 Marathon Sports Somerville Jingle Bell Run is pleased to announce that it has awarded the Somerville Toys for Local Children Program $10,000 last week at it’s annual Christmas Party Fundraiser at the Holiday Inn in Somerville. The donation is to be used for new toys for disadvantaged children in Somerville for Christmas this year. Please see http://baevents.com/jinglebell/beneficiaries.html for more information.

By Somerville Neighborhood News
Contributing reporter Kelly Thomas

Health care is often out of reach to Somerville’s immigrant communities because they don’t know where to go or how the system works. The Cambridge Health Alliance launched the Volunteer Health Advisors or VHA program fourteen years ago to change that.
The VHA is a multicultural and multilingual group of highly trained community health volunteers based out of Somerville Hospital. During each training cycle thirty immigrant scholars spend ten months attending free weekly classes.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

On December 5 and 6, Vernon Street Studios hosted their annual open studios, which has become a much-anticipated annual event.

Just in time to complete your holiday shopping, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission has Preserving Somerville merchandise available for sale! The T-shirts (youth and adult sizes), long-sleeved shirts, and tote bags come in a variety of colors that can be viewed on the Commission’s website at http://www.somervillema.gov/departments/historic-preservation-commission/shop. Full color woven and washable afghans are also available and include images of iconic historic sites in the city.

By William C. Shelton

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

At the end of October the Principle Group presented its Neighborhood Plan for Union Square and Boynton Yards redevelopment. The city administration had requested it, the US2 developers paid for it, and the redevelopment district’s neighbors rejected it.

New and amended regulations pertain to sales of tobacco and e-cigarettes, penalties, and allowed locations for smoking, among others.

On Nov. 19, 2015, the Somerville Board of Health voted to adopt amended tobacco regulations in the City of Somerville pertaining to sales of tobacco and nicotine delivery (e-cigarettes) products, as well as to smoking in workplaces and public places. The new regulations take effect March 15, 2016.

Join your neighbors, family and friends for an afternoon of holiday cheer to enjoy food, holiday decorations, and special treats while also doing holiday shopping and/or buying your tree.  Participating business to date include:  Ricky’s Flower Market, Loyal Supply, Workbar Union, Cove, Brass Union, El Potro, East Boston Savings Bank, PAs Lounge, Taza Chocolate, The Independent, Beadkreative, Gracie’s Ice Cream, Thunder Road, Union Pop Up Holiday Market and more to come.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

The 20th annual Somerville Public Schools Tree Lot Fundraiser kicked off on Friday, December 4, at Somerville’s Foss Park on the corner of Broadway and McGrath Highway. This annual fundraising event will run from December 4 through December 21. The Tree Lot will be open from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. during the week, and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends. Trees range in price from $19 to $49. Wreaths are also available for purchase for only $15 apiece. Proceeds help support programs and scholarships for Somerville Public Schools students. Stop by to purchase your holiday tree or wreath, and support Somerville Public Schools.

The artist members of Washington Street, in Somerville, invite you to their second art auction fundraiser benefitting their friends at the Somerville Homeless Coalition, a wonderful organization that has helped so many Somerville and surrounding area residents in the past, and is there for people when they find themselves without one of the things everyone needs: a home. Their first fundraiser, held in 2011, was a sweet success, and they hope to match that this year. This is a silent auction, but friendly “bidding competitions” are encouraged. 100% percent of all art sales and other donations will go directly to the Somerville Homeless Coalition. The SHC provides a myriad of services to those in need, including emergency food and shelter, a soup kitchen, permanent housing assistance, case management, as well as a compassionate, generous staff and group of volunteers. Art will be on display from December 5 – 26.

The following information is being sent on behalf of the Somerville Public Schools:

The information posted by the Somerville News Weekly today, Thursday, December 10, regarding a terror threat is incorrect. There was and is no such terror threat or other threat of violence in the Somerville Public Schools or the City of Somerville. Based on information brought to our attention last week and immediately reported to Somerville Police, an investigation was launched that revealed no threat. Because no threat was found and the student involved is a minor no additional information can be shared at this time.