The publishers, staff and everyone associated with The Somerville Times wish one and all a very Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, as well as a prosperous and healthy New Year in 2023.

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The Somerville Times staff is taking a small holiday vacation from the print edition next week, the next issue coming out will be on January 4, 2023. Anything that comes in and is Somerville related through that period will be posted online to our website. We want to thank all our readers and fans for your support this past year. Thank you for sticking with us! Don’t forget, you can go online to our website and register online for a free subscription of the entire paper.

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The Illuminations Tour is back. As in recent years, the Somerville Arts Council will provide an online map featuring the best and brightest holiday displays. To access the map or sign up to be featured on the tour or to carol, visit somervilleartscouncil.org.

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Happy birthday for the next two weeks while we are on break: Happy birthday to Zachary Atwell, who is celebrating this week. We wish him a great year. Happy birthday to Christopher Kenney. We hope he has a great day. Happy birthday to great friend, Monica Calvo. We wish her a very happy birthday. Happy birthday also to Jim Henry, a well-known man in Somerville and a great guy as well. Happy birthday to Kristen Marie Butler as well. We hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to Maria Curtatone, who is the Register of Deeds for Middlesex County. We hope she has a great day on her birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Debbie Hurley, Lori Courtney, Erica Voolich, Natalia Caliman, Caddy Villen, Chris McCarthy, Liz-Mary Jelinek, Caroline C. Carafotes,Brian M. Conley, Richard Murphy, Bob Cammarata, Bobby Martini, Thomas Ross, John Brady, Martha Rheaume, Jimmy Deoliveira and Jon Curtis 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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The City of Somerville’s 247th annual flag-raising ceremony will take place on New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1, 2023. This celebration will begin at City Hall at 11:30 a.m. with a procession to the Prospect Hill Monument.  Tri-Corner hats, colonial garb and masks are encouraged. For more information, including ideas for colonial period clothing, or for a free, commemorative program, contact Brandon Wilson, Coordinator of Historic Events and Education at bwilson@somervillema.gov or (617)776-3938.

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Contractors have begun underground utility improvements along Highland Ave. Here’s what you need to know ahead of your commute: Westbound traffic will be detoured south on School St. and west on Summer St. before turning right on Lowell St. to return to Highland Ave. Eastbound traffic remains as usual. Temporary sidewalks will be installed to maintain safe crossings. MBTA buses 88 and 90 will be allowed to proceed along Highland in both directions during the detour. All businesses will remain open and accessible during construction. For questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at 617-625-6600 ext. 5400.

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When finishing your holiday shopping, 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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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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Apply to become a @somervillecity Climate Ambassador. The goal of this program is to educate residents about climate change and increase community capacity to engage in climate action. Ambassadors receive a $400 stipend. To apply, visit www.Somerville.gov/cfa

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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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Arts, culture and community, and spaces like the Center for Arts at the Armory play a critical role in recovering from the pandemic by providing opportunities for healing and restoring the social fabric and ties that bind us. The Board of Directors have a year-end campaign goal of $25,000. If you would like to consider making a gift to their 2022 year-end campaign visit https://give.artsatthearmory.org/campaign/arts-culture-and-community-are-life/c449975.

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The Best of Somerville 2022 will be announced in the January 4, 2023, edition of the paper. There’s still time to cast your vote for the best. Email us at news@thesomervilletimes.com for who and what you think is the best. We’re looking for the Best Idea of 2022 here in the city. If you have one, you’d like to suggest, let us know.

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The Somerville Arts Council seeks three board members. The term is three years with a possibility of renewing for up to one more three-year term. Must be Somerville resident. Arts (broadly defined), community development, program development expertise or experience are preferred, but all Somerville residents are invited to apply. The deadline to apply is December 27. After application and interview, candidates are appointed by the mayor. For more information visit: somervilleartscouncil.org/board.

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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 City of Somerville Department of Public Works snow plow fleet received their names for the winter season. Each was created by Somerville Public Schools and partner center preschool and kindergarten students, who are already brainstorming names for the 2023-2024 season. Look out for Overdrive, Khione – The Goddess of Snow, Snowsleeper, Snow Leopard, and Caterpillar in your neighborhood.

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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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Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website over to the right side and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper.