Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving. I have a funny true story to share. Monday is trash day for our street so I brought all my stuff out and put it in the barrels. I went back inside and put the TV on waiting for Leave it to Beaver to come on.

As part of its efforts to ensure that the 143-acre Assembly Square parcel develop sustainably to meet Somerville’s and regional needs, the Mystic View Task Force negotiated with the Public Storage Company at 50 Middlesex Avenue to secure a room for community events, including organization meetings and performances open to the public.

The yield of that discussion, the Community Assembly Room, or CAR, is located in the storage facility complex behind Mama Ana Café and is administered by MVTF. It is approximately 20’ x 30’ and has about 50 chairs.  There are restrooms in the hallway between the CAR and the café.

More than 70 community events have taken place in the as-of-yet developed Gilman Station space while details of the plan are being ironed out.

By Jeffrey Shwom

As we approach the two-year anniversary of the opening of the Green Line Extension’s Medford/Tufts line on December 12, the status of transit-oriented and civic space development next to train stations, especially the Gilman Square station, remains in process after years of planning. The Times caught up with the City of Somerville’s Economic Development department, which is touting forward progress in development around Gilman Square.

The former Cummings Elementary School building will serve as a warming center for unhoused residents through the winter months.

By Harry Kane

The city has decided to transform the former Cummings Elementary School building into an overnight warming center for unhoused residents during the cold months.

At the City Council meeting on November 26, the city appropriated $388,000 to cover the costs of the warming center that will be in operation from December 9 through April 15. An additional $35,000 for a restroom trailer and $30,000 for security has been allocated by the city.

Kick off the holiday season on Thursday, December 5, at 5 p.m. at the Christmas Tree Lighting on the City Hall Concourse. Enjoy live entertainment, a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Cafeteria, and light refreshments. All children who attend will receive a special gift from Santa. Santa Claus will be escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police Departments making his grand entrance atop a shiny red fire truck. On Thursday, December 26, the Menorah Lighting takes place on the City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.) at 6 p.m. Traditional songs and sing-alongs. Special gifts will be available for children. Light refreshments will be served.

Bow Market stores hosted Small Business Saturday last weekend, offering holiday shoppers a wide variety of gifts and decorations to celebrate the season. — Photos by Robert Posio

By Robert Posio

On Saturday, November 30, Bow Market hosted Small Business Saturday, a holiday of sorts, celebrating the spirit of community and local businesses in Somerville. The market, known for its eclectic mix of over 30 small shops, bars, and creative spaces, came alive with shoppers eager to explore and connect.

Marie E. Howe June 13, 1939 – December 2, 2024.

Marie E Howe of Malden formerly of Somerville December 2, 2024.  

As Massachusetts completes the celebration of Irish American Heritage Month and Women’s History Month in March, here’s a special shout-out to former Massachusetts State Representative Marie E. Howe, a notable Irish-American woman. 

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This holiday season looks quite different than years past for many of us. Usually, we host between 30-35 people on Christmas Eve. This year, it will be just the two of us. Sure, there will be phone calls, FaceTime, or whatever other platform you use to be in touch with family and friends. I know it’s not the same, but I’m grateful nonetheless. Thank goodness for technology. With the vaccines on the horizon, better days are headed our way. May this pave the way for an outstanding 2021.

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.