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Clarity Tattoo Removal, a new tenant in 259 Elm St., lower level held their official Grand Opening event on December 12. They are excited to bring the newest laser technology for tattoo removal to Davis Square and the rest of Somerville. Check them out online to learn more about what they do and the technology they utilize: http://www.claritytattooremoval.com.

The shopping is done, the presents are (hopefully) wrapped, and the plans for the big day have been made. Now is the time to slow down, relax and enjoy the holiday and all the finer things that come with it.

Being with family, friends and loved ones and sharing warmth of the occasion is unquestionably at or near the top of the list of things we like most at this time of year.

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Recently I caught up with Michael Silverman, one of the many artists in our creative burg. He writes, “My wife and I are both artists in Somerville in that we try to draw something every day at a coffee place. Over the last 6 years or so we have a stockpile of thousands of drawings. The whole thesis we have is to have fun with it.”

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Meg Smith is a writer, journalist, dancer and events producer living in Lowell, Mass., and who spent part of her childhood in Somerville. In addition to The Somerville Times’ Lyrical Somerville, her poetry has appeared recently in The Cafe Review, The Lowell Review, Muddy River Poetry Review, Poetry Bay, Acropolis Review, and many more. She is creator of Poe in Lowell, honoring Edgar Allan Poe’s three visits to Lowell, and a board member of Lowell Celebrates Kerouac. She is author of six poetry books and a short fiction collection, The Plague Confessor. She welcomes visits to megsmithwriter.com.

Somerville High School proudly presents the 2024 Music & Art Winter Showcase on Thursday, December 19, at SHS’s Centennial Auditorium. Check out the art exhibit at 5:00 p.m., then watch the concert at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy music performed by the Somerville High School Chorus, Orchestra, Band, World Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Guitar Class. Artwork from current high school art students will be on display and select ceramics pieces will also be available for purchase. All staff, family, and friends of the Somerville Public Schools community are invited to enjoy an evening celebrating the arts!

General Manager Eng congratulates team on a successful rollout along with other supporters by riding the upgraded Route 104 bus.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) hosted a Route 104 ride along Monday to celebrate the launch of the Bus Network Redesign (BNR) Phase One, which officially went into effect December 15. The MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign is a major initiative of the Better Bus Project aimed at improving bus service reliability, frequency, and connectivity throughout the region. 

Big Sister Kristen with Little Wild — Photo courtesy of Kristen Erekson

This winter, Somerville resident and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) volunteer mentor, Kristen Erekson, is celebrating her 19 years of cumulative mentorship in a BIG way. Erekson, a long time Big Sister and BBBSEM Board of Advisor member, is holding a 19-day donation challenge from December 13 through December 31 in which she will match up to $19,000 in financial contributions to support BBBSEM’s year-round one-to-one youth mentoring programs.

Councilor-At-Large Jake Wilson is launching a campaign for mayor in the 2025 Somerville municipal election. A two-term Councilor-At-Large, Wilson is looking to bring accessible, collaborative, and decisive leadership to the job.

With a focus on innovative problem solving and communication, Wilson’s time on the City Council has seen him serve as the chair of the Finance Committee since 2022. As Finance chair, he has overseen and overhauled the annual budget review and introduced a new process for the council to identify its top shared budget priorities. Prior to his election to the City Council, Wilson worked in journalism and communications before moving into community non-profit administration in 2017. 

Phase 1 will affect six bus routes where service will increase by 60%. Four Frequent Bus Routes will operate every 15 minutes or better. MBTA staff will be at key bus stops and stations through December 20 to assist riders with information and support.

The MBTA is reminding riders that Phase 1 of Bus Network Redesign (BNR) will launch this Sunday, December 15, and will change bus routes 104, 109, 86, 116, 117, and 110. The MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign is a major initiative of the Better Bus Project aimed at improving bus service reliability, frequency, and connectivity throughout the region. Phase 1 introduces significant service changes to six bus routes serving the communities of Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Malden, Somerville, Cambridge, Allston, Brighton, and East Boston. The Phase 1 changes will increase service by 60% on these routes and establish several Frequent Bus Routes, which will operate every 15 minutes or less. These changes add a new one-seat bus ride from Malden and Everett to Airport and a new direct connection to the Red and Green Lines. Riders can find complete information on these service upgrades at mbta.com/Phase1.