The City Charter is somewhat like a local Constitution, it governs the structure and functions of our local government. The City Council Special Committee on Charter Review is examining the Charter and will recommend changes to the mayor and council. The intent is to update the Charter where needed to meet the community’s evolving needs. Learn more about the Charter Review process at somervillema.gov/charterreview.

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The city will kick off the holiday season on Thursday, December 8, with the Holiday Lighting on the City Hall Concourse, followed by a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School cafeteria. All children who attend will receive a special gift from Santa and will have an opportunity to take a photo with Old St. Nick. Activities begin at 5:00 p.m. with live entertainment prior to the official lighting of the City Hall Concourse. Santa Claus will, as always, be escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police Departments making his grand entrance atop a shiny red fire truck. Light refreshments will be served.

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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 couple of years, let’s help them to get back to business and be here for years to come.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a great and good friend, Billy Murphy, who is celebrating this week. Happy birthday to Irene Bremis. We wish her the very best. Happy birthday to Kevin McDevitt. We wish him a great day. Happy birthday to Ann Cassesso-Ercolini. We wish her the very best of birthdays as well. Happy birthday to Cheryl Callahan, we wish her a great day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Steve Prescod, Kat Rutkin, James V Avila, Rita VanSteensburg, Nicholas Cubides, Kristen Chiaraluce, Annmarie Costante, Sandy Piccolomini Ryle, Barbara Jewers, and Barbara J Pinnelle Vivian a very happy birthday. We hope everyone has a great day. To all the others we may have missed, we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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This year, USQ – Union Square has organized its Second Annual Donation Drive in order to support the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) and their clients. 10 Union Square businesses and organizations are participating by hosting a donation bin from through December 16. You can help by visiting the USQ offices at 31 Union Square with a bag full of the items listed on the attached poster. Make a donation to SHC and add “Holiday Give – USQ” in the comments. Donate: https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org.

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Local small business owners can now apply for forgivable loans of up to $15,000 to assist with financial losses related to COVID-19 via Somerville’s Small Business Recovery Program. To qualify, businesses must be located within the City of Somerville, have 20 or fewer full-time employees, and be able to demonstrate a decline in revenue during the past two years. Home-based and brick-and-mortar businesses are welcome to apply. Learn more and apply www.somervillema.gov/bizrelief.

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The Somerville Museum offers unique items with a Somerville connection that are perfect for holiday gifts, birthdays, or any occasion! Visit https://www.somervillemuseum.org/shop.

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SeedMoney Challenge time is now! The Somerville Community Growing Center hopes to raise $1500 over the next 30 days of this crowdsourced fundraiser (November 15 – December 15). If they raise enough money fast, they qualify for more funding. To donate visit bit.ly/seedsforsomerville.

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The second annual Boynton Yards Winter Fest is happening on December 10 with music from The Velvet Dirtmunchers and Al Watkins, activities from EventThem, craft vendors, and free food from Cuisine en Locale. RSVP: http://ow.ly/NyYb50LCRN6.

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The 8th Annual Union Square Holiday Stroll, a celebration of Union Square sparkle, discovery, and holiday delight on Saturday, December 10, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. www.unionsquaremain.org/holiday-stroll. Stroll the Square to see participating businesses light up the night with the splendid Storefront Decoration Contest and take elfie selfies with incredible inflatables on the Festivus Trail. Dozens of locally-owned businesses await with all you need to stuff your stockings, deck your halls with local art, make your tastebuds celebrate.

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Because this winter begins in an even-numbered year, snow emergency parking will be on the even side of the street all winter, unless posted signage says differently. Check street signs in your neighborhood so you know where you can park ahead of winter weather. You can also learn more about the city’s snow policies at somervillema.gov/snow.

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Somerville teens 13 years and older are invited to earn some extra money by snow shoveling this winter with the City of Somerville Teen Snow Shoveling Crew. www.somervillema.gov/applytoshovel.

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The Somerville School Committee officially launched the search for Somerville’s next Superintendent of Schools in November 2022 with the selection of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) to lead the district’s Superintendent search process. A new Superintendent is tentatively slated to begin their term in July 2023, pending the outcome of the search process. Interested applicants for the Somerville Superintendent of Schools position are encouraged to view materials and access the application portal at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/superintendent-search. Members of the public can access this page for updated meeting minutes, materials, and important public meeting dates. Information will also be shared on the Somerville Public Schools Facebook page.

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A holiday toy drive to support Elizabeth Peabody House is coming up. Please bring a toy or gift card to support a toy drive for Elizabeth Peabody House, 275 Broadway in Somerville on December 17.

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The Somerville Flea 10th Holiday Market takes place Sunday, December 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. You will find two floors and over 30 vendors of vintage and artisan wonders. Shop local and find that perfect gift that you never even knew existed.

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Get your flu shot and updated COVID-19 booster at a City of Somerville clinic this fall. Visit www.somervillema.gov/vaccineclinics. The flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 booster dose are provided at no cost, regardless of health insurance or immigration status. Advance registration is required.

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The Fuel Assistance Program, also known as the Home Energy Assistance Program, helps low-income households pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Renters and homeowners in Somerville are eligible to apply if they meet federal income guidelines. Learn more and apply online at somervillema.gov/fuelassistance.

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The 13th Annual Somerville Winter Farmers Market (SWFM) is held every Saturday through April 8, 2023. The Center for Arts at the Armory is located at 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143. To learn more and for a complete listing of vendors, weekly specials, and live entertainment, please visit www.somwintermarket.org. You can find the market on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SomervilleWinterFarmersMarket, and on Instagram @SomWinterMarket.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Housing Division are pleased to announce two affordable rental opportunities: one 4-bedroom unit at 126 Cross St. and one 2-bedroom unit at 29 Alpine St. Income-eligible households with a combined gross income at or below 50% of the Median Family Income (Cross St.) or between 81% and 110% of the Median Family Income (Alpine St.) will be eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, December 22, at 2:00 p.m. Multilingual applications and full eligibility requirements are available at somervillema.gov/inclusionaryhousing. Printed copies are available at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.), the City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Ave.), and the Somerville Public Library East and Central branches.

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