*
Poet Daniel Kitmanyen writes: “I’m an Endicott College student in the class of 2026. I study environmental science and want to work in conservation. I love poetry because it’s a great way to express yourself.”

Host, Sarah Fishman speaks with Councilor At Large, Kristen Strezo, as they play skeeball at The Public Tavern on Broadway and pinball at Dragon’s Lair in Davis Square.

The MBTA today announced service changes in January on the Silver, Orange, Red, Newburyport/Rockport, and Haverhill lines.

The MBTA is in the process of finalizing its construction schedule for the 2025 calendar year. With the MBTA’s Track Improvement Program complete, work next year will focus on other critical priorities, including continuing to modernize the Red and Orange Line signal system to provide a more reliable trip for riders, accessibility upgrades, performing regular and necessary infrastructure maintenance, and more. The vast majority of work in 2025 will take place during weekends and evenings with some limited weekday outages. The MBTA will release more information about 2025 outages next month.

Community members are invited to a ceremonial Menorah Lighting event on the City Hall concourse (93 Highland Ave.) on Deecember 26 at 6 p.m.  Enjoy traditional songs and sing-alongs. Special gifts will be available for children and light refreshments will be served. The Menorah will be lit each night of Hanukkah.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan convened a Workplace Violence Roundtable last week at Emmanuel College featuring experts across different fields for over 80 leaders of Fortune 500 companies, hospitals, schools and law enforcement. The roundtable emphasized the importance of implementing and training employees on policies and protocols to identify threats and establish safe work environments.

Join in celebrating the incredible artistry of our residents and businesses as they transform yards, windows, and storefronts with festive lights, whimsical decorations, and dazzling displays of creativity. So get ready to plug in those lights, grab your bike helmet, and experience Somerville’s unique and interactive Illuminations extravaganza.This year, enjoy Illuminations through self-guided tours.

Event will feature activities for children, refreshments, city department tabling, and more

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs, in collaboration with Saint Benedict Church, invite community members to a festive Three Kings Day celebration on Sunday, January 5, at the Prospect Hill Charter School cafeteria (17 Franklin St.) from noon to 3 p.m.

City buildings will be closed Wednesday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday.

There will be no street sweeping on Christmas and meters and parking permits will not be enforced.

Trash and recycling collection will be on a one-day delay all week.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta)  announced the recipients of its 2024 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund awards. Through the program, more than $55 million in grant funding is being awarded to 66 affordable housing initiatives in 12 states and Washington D.C. to assist in the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, or preservation of more than 4,200 affordable rental and homeownership units.