Welcome to the City’s very first virtual First Flag Raising event. 2020 was certainly a historic year in many respects, and Somerville has continuously risen to meet its challenges with creativity, resourcefulness, and concern for everyone’s health and well-being. We hope you enjoy our newest initiative to commemorate a very significant part of our heritage, using both some prior content and adding some new twists, including several engaging youth.

The Somerville City Council and School Committee will hold combined virtual organizational meetings on Monday, January 4, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Members will elect leadership for each body.

Visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5454878807998400015 to register to attend the meeting.

A ribbon cutting, attended by Mayor Joe Curtatone and guests, honors the completion of The Allen Street Playground renovation.

Governor Charlie Baker today signed “An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth,” which creates a mandatory certification process for police officers, increases accountability and transparency in law enforcement and gives police departments a greater ability to hire or promote only qualified applicants.    

ROOTED: Armory Cafe & Farmstand at the Center for Arts at the Armory

Arts at the Armory have approximately $5,000 more to raise to meet their year-end campaign goal of $15,000. These funds will be critical in allowing them to reopen ROOTED Armory Cafe & Farmstand, bring back their staff, and build a bridge to Arts at the Armory’s future. This is your last chance to give to Arts at the Armory in 2020. 

(Left to Right) Sarah Holder, Rita Holder, Doug Holder, Josh Holder, Donald Holder, and Phil Segal.

Rita Baum Holder
(March 16, 1926 to December 30, 2020)

Rita Baum Holder – wife of the late Lawrence J. Holder, beloved mother of Don and Doug Holder, grandmother to Josh and Sarah Holder, and mother-in law to Evan Yionoulis and Dianne Robitaille, passed away December 30, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Center, NY due to complications from cancer.

The grandchildren of Claudia and Sal Ferro have set up a gofundme account to help them after an early morning fire destroyed  their home. If you would like to help go to: https://gofund.me/a0fcdde3

— Photo by Bobbie Toner

At 1:59 a.m. on Wednesday morning, December 30, the Somerville Fire Department responded to a house fire at 20 Kensington Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters were confronted with heavy fire conditions in the basement spreading rapidly up the rear stairway. Two occupants were also trapped on the second floor in the rear. A ladder was thrown and they were removed to safety.