Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I got my very first electric guitar on Christmas day 1966.I had asked for one the two previous Christmases so it was a pretty big deal. Other great gifts I got were The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour album and an Aurora model car racing set. What was your very favorite gift you received when you were a kid? Here’s a mash up of what some of my Somerville friends said. It reads like the longest Christmas gift list ever.

Kiwanis President Mernaysa Rivera-Bujosa and Program Chairman James Lynch display a couple of more than one hundred donated toys at the annual event.

On Thursday, December 9, the Kiwanis Club of Somerville were joined by members of the Somerville Lions Club and the Somerville Rotary Club for their annual combined luncheon meeting to support the Marine Corps Toys For Tots campaign.

Angelina “Angie” (Puma) Lepore, 93, of Medford passed away peacefully on December 6, 2021. Born on July 19, 1928 in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Paolo and Mattia Puma. Devoted wife of Dominic F. Lepore for 49 years, and loving mother of Ralph Lepore, both predeceased. Beloved sister to her twin brother Paul J. Puma Jr. of Leominster and his wife Rose Marie (Salvi) Puma, and the late Salvatore, Josephina, Louisa, John and Andrew. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Angie was kind, generous of heart and loving, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She will be deeply missed.

A pedestrian refuge island at the intersection of College Ave. and Kidder Ave. in Somerville. — Photos by Melina Nguyen

By Melina Nguyen

Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians travel every day on Somerville’s maze-like streets. According to some, the city haphazardly jumbles together commuters who walk, bike or drive, and pedestrians and cyclists face possible danger at every crosswalk.

By Jim Clark

At the latest meeting of the Somerville City Council on Thursday, December 9, a resolution was written and introduced by Councilor At-Large Kristen Strezo and unanimously approved by the Council in support of workers of Diesel Cafe, Bloc Cafe, and Forge Baking Company (as DBF United) and their goal to unionize.

As the holiday gift shopping season intensifies, it’s important to remember that our local merchants are depending on us all to do our best to shop local. With the challenges they have dealt with over the past year or so, many are struggling to stay in business. Let’s help them to get back to business and be here for us in days, months and years to come.

By Ryan DiLello

The lights that lined the trees and windows in Somerville’s Union Square came as a warming relief on a cold and windy Saturday. Storefronts were decorated for the seventh annual Union Square Holiday Stroll, a neighborhood tradition in the spirit of supporting local businesses.

Eagle Feathers #243 – Doctor Warren

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

“It is the united voice of America to preserve their freedom. Let us prefer the lonely cottage, while blest with liberty, to gilded palaces, surrounded with the ensigns of slavery.” These timeless quotes came from Joseph Warren who was born in Roxbury on June 11, 1741.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

This year’s Assembly Square Ice Sculpture Stroll took place on Thursday, December 9, at Assembly Row. Nine ice sculptures of various sizes, shapes and characters were located throughout The Row for visitors to find. Starting at any location, participants followed a map to visit each special location and enjoy perks and surprises along the way. They then collected a holiday memento when the map was complete. Holiday Music was provided by Kiss 108.

Santa recently visited Sally O’Brien’s and asked former Alderman Bob McWatters and Liam Mannion if they were naughty or nice.