USQ, the revitalization of 15 acres in Union Square, is teaming up with the Somerville Homeless Coalition to hold a holiday food drive. They are collecting food and household items for the surrounding community, and those who are eager to help people in need this holiday season are dropping donations off to Workbar – Union Square or Bow Market, and USQ is matching all items donated!

“We are thrilled to be partnering with USQ on a holiday food drive this year. USQ is showing their deep investment in the Union Square community, not only by helping to organize the drive but also by matching all items donated. Many Somerville families struggle during this time of year and these donations will make a real difference.” — Somerville Homeless Coalition.

Daniel Johnston, Executive Director of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts, presents the check to District Attorney Marian Ryan and First Assistant Steve Loughlin

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts, in coordination with the Commissioner of Insurance, to fund investigations and prosecutions of automobile insurance fraud, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced.

(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

They say if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything, and I got a firsthand lesson in that two weeks ago when a bout of the shingles laid me low. It got into my eye and my ear, froze up the right side of my face, and put me in the hospital for the better part of a week. Now I’m wearing an eyepatch and doing occupational therapy to get my facial muscles back in working order.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The annual Christmas Tree lighting kicked off the holiday festivities on Thursday, December 6, followed by a meet and greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Culinary Arts Bistro.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Kmart on Middlesex Ave. last Thursday evening on reports of a shoplifter who was being uncooperative with store Loss Prevention personnel.

Upon arrival, the officers were approached in the parking lot by the suspect, Lesley Smith, of Boston.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

One of the best Christmases for me was the one when I got my first folk guitar. I thought I was getting it the Christmas before but it didn’t happen.

I remember the months leading up to Christmas Day 1964. After The Beatles song, I Want To Hold Your Hand started saturating U.S. airwaves in December 1963, my transistor radio remained glued to my ear. At night it was under my pillow. That song and others by The Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, and The Dave Clark Five literally changed my life. I wanted to be a musician!

By the SMC Team

We are writing to remind you that community media centers and their public, educational and government channels across the country are in serious jeopardy of losing all funding and support. There is still time for you to help us fight this.

2nd grader Daphne Matsakis and 9th grade student Helen Gillespie discuss the student artwork.

The Somerville Public School Art Department had a busy couple of weeks as 2nd graders from the John F. Kennedy School and Studio Art and Cartooning students from Somerville High School participated in the first iteration of The Monster Mash-Up, a collaborative art project organized by teachers Lindsey Richard and Jennifer DeAngelis.

Weston & Sampson consultant George Naslas explained the complexities of the Conway Park contamination cleanup project to those attending last week’s information session.

By Jim Clark

A public information session concerning contamination at Conway Park was held on Wednesday, December 5, at the Public Safety Building.

Weston & Sampson, the licensed site professionals in charge of soil testing, and city staff were on hand to discuss the testing results and the next steps in the recovery process and to answer questions from those in attendance.

Urban Axes is waiting for Somerville to throw business its way.

By Jared Kimler

Urban Axes opened its Somerville venue Friday, December 7. The axe throwing bar at 2 Union Square is the first of its kind in the Boston area. It invites all people over the age of 21 to sign a waiver, grab a refreshment and throw an axe.

The company has locations in several other cities including Austin, Baltimore, Durham and Philadelphia. Two of its four founders previously lived in Boston and thought that Somerville would be a welcome location. Urban Axe spokesperson Courtney Osgood said the concept spoke to Somerville’s “community-centric” and “eclectic” flavor. “It really fit the Urban Axes vibe,” said Osgood.