Anna Ziering will receive her MFA from Boston University in January 2015. She is currently traveling on a Robert Pinsky and Leslie Epstein Global Fellowship, spending time in Geneva and Prague before embarking on the Camino de Santiago. This is her first publication.

With more than 20 years experience in the recreation, planning and administrative fields, Lathan sets sights on improvements, additions to Recreation programming.

Somerville’s newest Superintendent of Recreation is off and running. Jill Lathan, a Recreation Director from Casco, Maine, took the reins from Acting Director George Scarpelli on Nov. 3, and has gotten off to a successful start in the city.

The Somerville nonprofit community has embarked upon a new journey of collaborative fundraising: Giving Tuesday Somerville. This holiday season, 15 nonprofit organizations are joining forces to collaborate on a first-annual joint fundraising effort as part of the international Giving Tuesday program. Giving Tuesday is an annual global day of giving that helps to raise funds and awareness for important causes everywhere.

Arrests:
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Francisco Rosa-Aponte, of 153 Alewife Brook Pkwy., November 25, 9:38 a.m., arrested at 1370 Broadway on charges of assault and battery and drug possession to distribute.

Jeffrey Costello, of 173 Highland Ave., November 26, 3:09 p.m., arrested at 88 Beacon St. on a charge of operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

Starting this week, birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates may be purchased online with a major credit or an electronic funds transfer, as the Somerville City Clerk’s Office continues to streamline and enhance services.

City, Partners Healthcare, Federal Realty Investment Trust to host groundbreaking at Assembly Row on December 1, 2014.

Somerville Artist David Palmquist is one of many Vernon street artists preparing for December’s Open Studios event. —Photo by Heather Balchunas

By Cathleen Twardzik

This year is the 40th anniversary of Vernon Street Open Studios, which is one of the oldest open studios in the Greater Boston area. A special presentation, Vernon Street Artists’ Anniversary Exhibit, is currently running through December 31 at the Somerville Museum, located at 1 Westwood Road in Somerville. A handful of the original artists and current artists will be present.

This week in Somerville Neighborhood News, we bring you a story on Speeding on Lowell Street. Residents and city officials who gathered on Nov. 12 to discuss possible traffic calming and other improvements to safety on Lowell Street did not see eye to eye on the issue of cars speeding down the major cross street. Neighbors are especially worried because of the imminent opening of the Community Path and the eventual new Green Line station. Both would bring more bikers and pedestrians to the street.

By  Rebecca Danvers

With the holidays just around the corner it’s time to start thinking about holiday gifts! And there’s no better place to find the perfect gift than at Somerville Local First’s Local is for Lovers Holiday Markets on November 30 and December 14. The Local is for Lovers Holiday Market will feature 30 local vendors selling everything from jewelry and handmade soap to sweets and clothing. Their first market takes place on Sunday, November 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue. Knucklebones will be setting up their mobile playspace on Nov. 30 so the kids will have a place to let out some holiday energy while their parents shop.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

When we sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, we’re celebrating a bountiful harvest and reminding ourselves to be thankful for all we have. While we are mindful of why we should be thankful for the blessings in our own lives, during the holidays our thoughts also turn to those who may be struggling to put food on the table, find a home or care for their families. My time as mayor has taught me that I am never alone when it comes to speaking up for the people of our city. That’s part of Somerville’s soul—the desire to speak out for our neighbors and stand up for one another. We can count on each other. There are organizations across Somerville that help out those who need help, or who provide a unified voice for groups in our community. This holiday season, 15 nonprofits are coming together to make it even easier for all of us to stand up for those in our community who need our help.