Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from all of us here at The News to all our readers out there, both in the ‘Ville and all over the country. May one and all have a great Holiday season and a safe one, and may all our wishes come true.

Bryant Associates’ Mark Suscovich presented details to the curious crowd that gathered at the Holiday Inn last week, hoping for a clear vision of what to expect concerning the Community Path and the Green Line Extension. – Photo by Blake Maddux

By Blake Maddux

In the Suffolk Room at the Holiday Inn at 30 Washington Street last Tuesday, Hayes Morrison of the City of Somerville Department of Transportation commenced a presentation of the plans for the Community Path from Lowell Street to Inner Belt Road.

Giantist took a giant leap of generosity, performing at the Toys for Tots benefit on Saturday. – Photo by Justin Matheus

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

The band Giantist has its humanism down to a science. The band that’s part Evanescence, with a little bit of Deftones thrown in, and rounded out with rich Radiohead ambivalence performed for a Toys for Tots charity event this past Saturday.

Boys track, hockey off to good starts

By Mike Stoller

Two-time Massachusetts and New England champion Andre Rolim, the state record holder in the 600 meter run, is the top returnee to the Somerville High Track and Field team this winter. Rolim is one of three Highlander captains along with Kevin Ma and Marcelo Brociner. Other top returnees include sprinter Anderson Jupiter and Ngawang Tsang.

Arrests:
*

Cheikhou Gueye, 43, of 18 Irving, Medford, December 10, 1:35 a.m., arrested at 366 Somerville Ave. on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Ericka McLaughlin, 35, of 199 Pearl St., December 11, 1:33 p.m., arrested at Fellsway West on a charge of larceny over $250.

– Photo by Jim Henry

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick read the holiday classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to children last Wednesday at the state house. Patrick then handed three-year-old Xavier Rodgers of Somerville, who stole the show during the event, the microphone for the countdown to the annual state house tree lighting.

– William Tauro

At a recent meeting of the Somerville Bagel Bards, I met with artist Anne Johnstone and Tufts University student Libby Schrobe. Both Johnstone and Schrobe are involved with the Outside the Lines Studio near the Tufts University campus. The studio is a sort of clubhouse serving people from the Somerville and Medford area with mental disabilities. Schrobe, an intern at the studio said they offer classes in art, cooking, and other activities for members. The studio has hosted shows of various students’ artwork at local coffeehouses like True Grounds in Ball Square, and others.

Poet Meghan Perkins is a poet who kisses and tells.  And she tells it in this provocative poem Wash Your Mouth. 

Fire at 82 Heath Street, Somerville. – Photo courtesy of Somerville Fire Department

On Tuesday, December 18, at 12:04 p.m. the Somerville Fire Department responded to a house fire at 82 Heath Street.  The fire heavily damaged a second floor apartment in the two story duplex and resulted in water damage to the first floor and basement.

Ward 4 Alderman, Tony Lafuente has submitted a Board of Alderman Order that would dramatically increase fines to Absentee Landlords when their properties become a nuisance or are identified as problem properties, such as illegal activity and disrepair. The measure would also call for police details – paid for by the landlords of problem units – at properties that continue to cause problems for neighbors.