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)

Whatever you celebrate, the holidays are a time to spend with family and often reconnect with people we may have lost touch with. Some of us send Christmas cards, and others write letters updating friends and family with the events that have marked our lives throughout the past year. Though I look forward to holiday notes filled with warmth and well wishes, I do wish we could all carry this sense of connection with us throughout the year.

 By Jim Clark

Last Thursday, members of the Somerville Police Department Anti Crime and Drug/Vice Control Unit, engaged in an ongoing investigation of alleged sex trade activity conducted by way of solicitation on the Internet, responded to an advertisement reportedly made by Magan Dugas, 25, of Boston.

“Best Variety” and “Best All-Around Restaurant,” Kelly’s Diner at 674 Broadway (Ball Square) brings you back to the old diner days, offering the nostalgia of comfort food for breakfast and lunch.

Somerville firefighters responded to a fire at the Winter Hill Laundromat early Sunday morning, Dec. 22.

Somerville firefighters responded to a fire at the Winter Hill Laundromat early Sunday morning, December 22. Firefighters found flames burning inside the rear of the building which had spread into a wall and across the ceiling. The fire was reported by a passerby who spotted flames inside the business at 1:33 a.m. The one story building is located at 483 Broadway just outside of Magoun Square. The fire is believed to have originated in a clothes dryer. Firefighters had to force entry into the building which was closed at the time. Firefighters broke out several large plate glass windows to ventilate the heavy smoke and also cut a hole in the roof to stop the spread of fire above the ceiling. The building suffered extensive damage from fire, smoke and water in excess of $100,000.

The path to health leads to 735 Broadway in Somerville, home to KenkoDo acupuncture clinic.

By Nidhi Mathson

“It’s so relaxing,” Paula Hogan said. “For me, it’s stress relieving. I’m in outside sales all day, driving all day, and I’m like, this is better than any cocktail, any good book. This is overall good for my wellbeing.”

By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to Park St. last week after receiving reports that a man was behaving erratically and disturbing people in that area.

Officers arriving on the scene reportedly spotted the man in question, Christopher Doherty, 36, of Wolfeboro, NH, waiving his arms and yelling as he walked along Park St.

10-year-old with brain cancer receives very special visitor
*

Jayson Cameron and his siblings enjoyed a special visit by that jolly old gentleman last week.

By David R. Smith

Sometimes Santa is just a phone call away, and sometimes he may even just be on the other side of the door.

That was certainly the case last Wednesday, when the big guy stopped by the home of 10-year-old Jayson Cameron.

Christmas in the Ville

By Mike Browne

Christmas in the Ville is so rich in history

The culture, the landscape, some of it’s a mystery

There are so many things for a Villen to do

Tree lightings, Bazaars, and festivals are a few

 – Photos by Bobbie Toner

The annual Marathon Sports Jingle Bell Run took place on Sunday, Dec. 22 in Somerville.

On behalf of the owners and staff here at The Times, Merry Christmas to all our loyal readers and friends in the Ville. We wish for a peaceful family time for all, remembering what Christmas is all about.

*******************

Happy birthday this week to a lot of our friends here in the Ville and elsewhere. Political and all-around nice guy Jim Henry is celebrating this week, as is local newcomer to the city Kevin Dickinson. A happy birthday also to Chris Gerber, who is known here in the Ville, and to Kristen Chamberlain, whose Somerville ties go back a few generations. To a good guy, Zachary Atwell, who is originally from Maine, is married and the father of a young a child here, we wish a happy birthday. Those wishes also go out to Tayla Ingle Doherty and Mary Midge Donovan Kelly. Best bday wishes to Diane Nazzaro Haley, who lives here in the Ville. And happy birthday to Glen Kulbako, who is originally from upstate New York and now lives in the Ville and is self-employed at his photography company.  Happy birthday to Michelle Barnard White, as well as to Joseph Amaral, who is self-employed at The Amaral Group in Cambridge, a computer services company.