A.J. Wright stores will close sometime between late January and mid-February. - Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Cathleen Twardzik

A.J. Wright has been an employer in Somerville for the past 12 years. Now, in the midst of the holidays, those jobs are gone as the company closes its local store.

The company will convert 91 A.J. Wright stores to either T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods.

A Merry Christmas to everyone from the publishers and staff of the The Somerville News. Christmas is a time for family and friends and we are so fortunate here in Somerville to have many friends across the city, we are truly blessed and thank everyone for it.

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Very nice gesture by the incoming President of the Board of Alderman and Vice President, they treated everyone on the board and the staff out to the Highland Kitchen to a very nice dinner, and then Rebekah Gewirtz the incoming president presented everyone with a “Tree” to be planted. That’s very nice of her to give the gift of eternal life just as the meaning of the Christmas tree means to many in this the Christmas season, also proving she’s thinking green.

- Photo by Rob Stanhope

You can see joggers in Somerville everyday but how often are they wearing elf hats or dressed in reindeer costumes?

Those were the sights Sunday at the Jingle Bell Run in Somerville, the biggest such run on the East Coast. The run, organized by the Somerville Striders Atheletic Club, covered Davis, Teele and Ball Squares and made a $10,000 donation to Toys for Local Children.

By  George P. Hassett

On a night when former Acting Chief Mike Cabral was recognized for leading the police department through a tumultuous year, Deputy Chief Paul Upton and Captain Charles Femino were honored for their work.

By William Tauro

Over 125 local seniors joined Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Council on Aging Director Cindy Hickey to enjoy holiday music, dancing, fine catered food by Amelia’s Italian Restaurant and even a visit from Santa.

By George P. Hassett

The Board of Aldermen met Dec. 16. Here are some highlights from the meeting.

Mangan honored

Aldermen honored Somerville Youth and Recreation Foundation President David Mangan at Thursday’s meeting.

Recreation Director James Halloran said, “Hundreds of kids had opportunities that otherwise they would not have had” because of Mangan’s work with the foundation.

Arrests

Daniel Percival, 27, of 46 Marshall Street, Dec. 14, 9:51 a.m., arrested at home and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and defacing property.

Stephen Carey, 44, of 95 Locust St., Burlington, Dec. 15, 12:29 a.m., arrested at 103 Gilman St. and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and possession of a class A drug.

By Mike Rubin

Even in a rebuilding year, the Somerville swimming team has remained a solid competitor in the Greater Boston League. After cruising to a 93-71 win over Malden, the Highlanders suffered a tough 88-80 defeat to Malden last Wednesday to stand at 1-1 overall.

In the loss to Malden, key victories for the Highlanders were the 200-yard medley relay team, which finished with a time of 2:00.34 while Kyle Azevedo emerged as a double winner in both the 100 yard butterfly and the 500-yard freestyle events.

Pam Annas, a professor of English at UMass Boston, poet and a member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards won honorable mention for the Ibbetson Street Poetry Prize 2010. I decided to include it in this edition of the LYRICAL.

By Mike Rubin

Kelsey Garrity led the Highlanders with 10 points in a losing effort.

For the Somerville girls basketball squad, victory was within grasp. Instead, the Highlanders suffered a hard fought 39-33 defeat to Lynn English  in falling to 0-2 overall.

“We’re very close and we’re getting there,” said first year coach Shannon Clark. “The girls are giving it their best effort, and we’ve had some great performances. It’s a new system, and the girls will get it, and once we do, we’re going to be just fine.”