Here comes the holiday shopping season once again, and we are ready to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the only way we know how: with enthusiasm and optimistic attitudes.

Let the political and social pundits doom and gloom themselves into their usual perpetual state of the doldrums. We know how to lift ourselves, to rise to the occasion and make the most of what we have, in spite of whatever challenges may confront us.

Men’s winner Brian Harvey. ~ Photos by Paul Nelson

Despite cool and rainy weather, the 28th annual Gobble Gobble Gobble, Somerville’s Thanksgiving Day road race hosted by the Somerville Road Runners, went off without a hitch on Thanksgiving morning.

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I have been a Board Member of the New England Poetry Club for a few years now; and I remember judging our Motton Book Prize with other board members. When we came to discuss Heather Treseler’s poetry collection, Auguries & Divinations there was a hands down love for the book. We were impressed with her facility with language, the music of her work and the deep layers of the lines in this insightful new collection. So after she won the Award, I decided to interview the author, and she generously agreed.

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Jake Tringali is published in over 50 journals, and his poetry has appeared in various art installations.  His first poetry book is Poetry for the Neon Apocalypse, which was nominated for an Elgin award. Host of The Outskirts Poetry Podcast. Co-founder of the Roslindale Film Society.

Community members invited to informational meetings in December and January to learn about Networked Geothermal Technology 

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville’s Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) are inviting community members to help the city assess the feasibility of a networked geothermal loop in Somerville. 

Historic New England has announced the recipients of the 2024 Community Preservation Grants, the Somerville Museum being among them.

Each year, one Herbert and Louise Whitney Fund Community Preservation Grant is awarded to a small to medium-size heritage preservation organization in each New England state. Historic New England is committed to telling the whole story of the region’s history. These grants support projects that save and expand the stories shared in our communities. This year, Historic New England awarded grants of $1,250 to six organizations.

New bus stop sign where service will change, covered by a temporary bag showing current service.

The MBTA continues to get ready for the Phase 1 launch of Bus Network Redesign. In addition to new signage and information already available onsite, MBTA staff will be in person December 5 – 20 at key bus stops and stations to answer questions from riders.

The MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign is a major initiative aimed at improving bus service reliability, frequency, and connectivity throughout the region. The initiative’s first phase will go live on December 15. Phase 1 will launch four new Frequent Bus Routes by increasing service on  Route 86, Route 104, Route 109, Route 110, and Route 116/117 in Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Malden, Somerville, Cambridge, Allston, Brighton, and East Boston.