New volunteer coordinator Lindsay Smilack (left) works with former SCES volunteer manager Marie Mazzeo and newly hired elder care advisor Kristine Wiitala to help distribute Meals on Wheels dinners on Thanksgiving. Several agency employees braved the near-record cold to assist volunteers with the deliveries. ~Photo courtesy of SCES

By Colleen Morrissey

Meals on Wheels doesn’t take a day off for Thanksgiving and I would like to thank the many volunteers who braved the cold, so that our drivers could spend the holiday with their families.

All told, 47 volunteers helped with deliveries on Thursday, working alongside Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) employees who chose to come in on a day off and help out.

The East Somerville Community School and the Somerville Public Schools Music Department proudly present the East Somerville Community School Winter Concert 2018 on Tuesday, December 11, 9:00-11:00 a.m., at ESCS Auditorium, 50 Cross St. Please join in for this inspiring program featuring student work from general, vocal, and instrumental music classes, grades K-8. Free Admission.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro
The 27th Annual Somerville High School Craft Fair took place last Saturday with over 100 crafters and a snack bar. There were crafters from ceramics to jewelry and carved wood and everything in between.

Applications due December 5, 2018.

 The Somerville Community Corporation (SCC), in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) announce that applications are currently being accepted by the SCC for the City’s 100 Homes Program. Applications are available at the SCC (337 Somerville Ave.), Somerville City Hall (93 Highland Ave.), and the City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Ave.), and online at somervillecdc.org/100-Homes-Application. The application deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Doug Holder interviewed Mindock at the Arts Armory in Somerville, MA. Mindock was finishing up her two year term as Laureate.

You can listen to the interview here.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

We just celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. For many of us, that meant a long weekend spending time with family, watching some football and doing some shopping. We truly have it good, leading lives with more blessings than we can count. Yet, at the end of it, anyone who turned on the news or opened up a social media app saw images of our country firing tear gas at children along our southern border.

Buena Vista Rd. to Cambridge Line reopens

The Somerville Community Path between Buena Vista Road and the Cambridge City is once again open to pedestrians and cyclists as of Thursday morning, November 29, 2018.

Over the last few months, this portion of the path had been closed for construction to repair the drainage system and to upgrade a retaining wall. These enhancements will alleviate recurring flooding issues and improve safety along the path.

Charles Joseph Breen died peacefully on November 26, 2018 with his wife by his side. Mike, as he was known, was born on October 17, 1934 in Winchester, MA, the son of James and Lena. Charles was the beloved husband of Dolores “Dee” (Murphy) and the cherished father of Charles Jr. (Kathy), Tracy Birchall (Paul), Scott (Sharon), Cindy Breen-Langevin (Peter) and Todd (Michelle). Adored grandfather of Patrick, Caitlin, Caroline, Aidan, Murphy Langevin and Sophia. Predeceased by his eight siblings; James, Henry, Thomas, Bill, Francis, George, Alice and Robert. Veteran of U.S. Air Force, retired Somerville Firefighter.