– Photos by Susan Callahan

The Kiwanis Club of Somerville recently hosted its Annual Head Start Children’s Holiday Party at The City Club.  Fifty children from the Somerville Head Start pre-school program attended along with their parents, teachers and administrators. Somerville Kiwanians sponsored the children by purchasing Christmas gifts for each.  Pizza was supplied by Mama Gina’s of Union Square.  The hall was donated by The City Club.

RESPOND Inc., a Somerville-based domestic violence agency that serves communities throughout the Greater Boston area, is holding its Holiday Needs Drive for the survivors of domestic violence.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Holiday drives in Somerville have commenced, all of which will assist or have already aided various groups of individuals who require items to ensure that the season is a merry one for each person in the area.  Seasonal sales have recently started.

Op-Ed from Representative Tim Toomey

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that they have shelved a proposal to use the Grand Junction Railroad for Commuter Rail service to North Station. This is truly a victory for our community and proof of the necessity of a public process in transportation planning decisions.

Congressman Michael Capuano warned of new austerity measures on the horizon for Somerville.

Congressman warns of more cuts

By Andrew Firestone

Severe cuts. A down economy. A loss of local jobs. Perhaps not the most vibrant of pictures, but one that might be the most realistic, given the future cuts in spending by the federal government.

By William Tauro

Over 125 Somerville seniors enjoyed a fun filled day at the Council on Aging’s Annual Christmas Party that was hosted and sponsored by the Winter Hill Yacht Club in Somerville.

Somerville’s 15th Annual Illuminations Tour (we still refer to them as Christmas Lights) takes place this Saturday, December 17 (Snow date: Sun., December 18) The tours leave Somerville City Hall from 4:30 p.m. through 9:15 p.m. The tour guides lead trolleys past the city’s most spectacular displays of nicely decorated homes in Somerville. For more details go to www.somervilleartscouncil.org. The Somerville Bicycle Committee will also lead the second annual Illuminations bike tour on Saturday, December 17, 2011. The Bike Tour will leave Somerville High School concourse at 6:20 p.m. and take a slow ride by some of the most well lit houses in the city. The bike tour is about an hour long with many stops to chat and see the lights.

We have been wondering lately why it is that long established traditions, in some instances spanning hundreds of years, are becoming revised and “improved” by certain self-appointed arbiters of social propriety.

We are particularly vexed by the now commonplace practice of replacing references to all things pertaining to “Christmas” to that of the “holidays” – as if the word “Christmas” itself has somehow taken on an odious meaning, as inconceivable as that may be.

“Occupy Somerville” participants focused on their grievances against Bank of America last week. – Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Politico-economics took on a local flavor this last Saturday, December 10, when Occupy Somerville took to Davis Square. Organized by local activist Matt McLaughlin, the protest included passionate speeches, a march to the local Bank of America branch, and the closing of at least three accounts there by local residents.

Riverfront Park along the Mystic River is slated for a major upgrade, paid for by the Assembly Row developer.

Riverfront Park gets facelift from Assembly Row project

By Elizabeth Sheeran

A place to stroll or bike along the riverbank under the shade of trees. To look out over the water, watching the sailboats and birds as they come and go. To take in an outdoor concert, have a picnic or toss a Frisbee. You soon won’t have to head to the Esplanade for that kind of a place. It will be right here in Somerville, along the Mystic River.

By Max Sullivan

After months of struggling, outreach group Groundwork Somerville finally made progress in getting people living in Clarendon Hill involved in the North Street Park renovations, drawing around 50 people to Friday night’s meeting.