Elena A. Scimone, Age 92 of Wakefield, Somerville, Rockport and Boston’s North End passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9, 2019 in the presence of her son and care takers at Brightview Assisted Senior Living Wakefield .

Beloved wife of the late Frank J. Scimone, Mother of Frank A. Scimone of Wakefield and his partner Georgette Chappelle. Loving daughter of the late Agripina Aloise and Joseph Aloise.

Courtesy of Somerville High School

Students in Ms. Lindsey Richard’s Calligraphy art class at Somerville High School recently completed an interactive wall mural that invites students to BE THE “I” IN KIND. The colorful mural is located at the end of a third floor hallway at SHS and beckons students to stand on the “X” marked with duct tape on the floor just in front of where the “I” in the word KIND would go. Students are encouraged to interact with the mural by striking a pose and taking a pic. If students choose to share the photo on social media, they can to do so using the hashtag #KINDATSHS.

The American Lung Association reminds the public that e-cigarettes, or vaping, is not quitting smoking

Along with hitting the gym more often and starting a diet, quitting smoking tops many New Year’s resolution lists. There are currently 715,500 smokers in Massachusetts and nearly 60% tried to quit last year. New ads from e-cigarettes companies would have those smokers falsely believe that switching to vaping is quitting smoking. The American Lung Association is reminding Massachusetts residents that the Food and Drug Administration has not found any e-cigarette to be safe and effective in helping smokers quit.

Arrests:
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Paula Nolin, of 359 Green St., Cambridge, December 17, 4:44 p.m., arrested at Highland Ave. on warrant charges of shoplifting over $250 by concealing merchandise, trespassing, possession of a class B drug, larceny from a building, credit card fraud under $1200, and receiving stolen property under $1200.

Lajuane Bleach, of 973 Morton St., Mattapan, December 18, 6:24 p.m., arrested at Middlesex Ave. on charges of removal of theft prevention device, violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon, and shoplifting by concealing merchandise.

Staffers from Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services recently donated roughly 140 gifts to benefit local families in need, through a joint gift drive with Cambridge Health Alliance.

Staffers from Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SECS) recently donated gifts for more than two dozen local children in need.

Coordinated in partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), the gift drive will provide more than 140 gifts for children from 13 local families, said SCES Clinical Director and drive organizer Annie Fowler.  She said it was a team effort, with nearly 30 SCES employees participating.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Ville
Detours were testing our joy and goodwill
On Broadway the traffic caused all kinds of pain
Trying hard to not drive in that empty bus lane
The new High School is coming along at good pace
And condos are rising all over the place
Election Day happened but alas I do fear
re-elected again were … “insert all names here.”

The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is making an urgent plea for help across the Commonwealth as donations to the organization’s Red Kettles are down more than 50 percent from 2018 across Massachusetts, with only days left in the Red Kettle Season.

The potential crisis situation means communities in every corner of Massachusetts are at risk of losing critical assistance for a wide range of programming and services, including shelters for children and families, disaster response, meal programs, clothing and energy assistance.

City offices will be closed after 12:30 p.m. on December 24 and all day on December 25.

Starting on December 25, trash and recycling pickup will be on a one-day delay for the rest of the week.

In its annual tradition, the City of Somerville will kick off the New Year on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, with a reenactment ceremony for the anniversary of the “Grand Union” flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park.

Important note: the park is currently closed for renovations, so the event will be held along Munroe St. adjacent to the park. The road will be closed during the morning events.

Three-year goals designed to lead to bold and sustainable systemic practices that result in elimination of persistent achievement gaps, better outcomes for students

On Monday, November 18, the Somerville School Committee unanimously approved four long-range goals focused on ensuring that the district is making clear and bold progress toward providing equitable access, opportunities, and support for all students in the district. The three-year goals are designed to address the root causes of systemic inequities that have contributed to persistent achievement gaps, particularly for black and LatinX students. School Committee members worked with Superintendent Mary Skipper and her district leadership team over the course of several months to develop specific goals related to the district’s human capital strategy, enrollment and access to programming, resources, and learning milestones that will support the district’s commitment to achieving its vision of equity and excellence.