The staff of The Somerville Times would like to wish everyone a very happy New Year. May the year to come bring one and all good health and prosperity, and continue through to the following years to come.

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Congratulations to all our local public servants who were sworn in for new or additional terms this week. We congratulate Ben Ewen-Campen, who was sworn in as City Council President and Judy P. Neufeld as Vice-President. Let’s wish all of them the best and hope that they serve our interests as fairly and effectively as possible.

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The City of Somerville and Pathways for Immigrant Workers will host a free immigration legal information session for small employers and lower-wage workers on Thursday, January 5, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School Cafeteria, 50 Cross St. To register, email info@myimmigrantpathway.org. Walk-ins are also welcome. Interpretation in Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole will be available and additional languages may be requested by emailing somerviva@somervillema.gov or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a great guy, Matt Hoey. We wish him the very best on this his birthday week. Happy birthday to Dominick Silvestri Jr. We wish him the very best. Happy birthday to Theresa Rodriques, who is also celebrating this week. Happy birthday to Bonnie Raboin Carriger, who also celebrates this week. We hope she enjoyed her day. Happy Birthday to Kevin O’Donovan. We wish him a great birthday. Happy birthday to everyone here and from the city who is celebrating this week. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Marie Miele, Matthew Martino, Gale Mahan, Steven Anthony, Sophia Carafotes, George Allen, Linda M. Alves, and Simon Shapiro 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 is hosting a virtual information session and Q&A on Thursday, January 5, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for those interested in applying for ARPA funds allocated earlier this month. The first round of funding will provide $10M in project support for 501(c)3 nonprofits serving the Somerville community. Only applications supporting specific projects or programs, and requesting $50,000 or more, will be accepted for funding consideration. Applications will be reviewed after the portal closes on February 3, and recipients are expected to receive notice of funding in spring 2023. Learn more and join the meeting at www.somervillema.gov/arpa

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne announces that the City of Somerville is now seeking proposals that aim to address the gender wage gap, particularly for women of color who face the greatest pay disparity. Programs that create and maintain employment opportunities for low- and moderate-income women residing in the city are sought. The grants are made possible by the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Job Creation and Retention Trust, City funds, and funds generated from development impact fees. Proposals will be accepted until January 31. Interested organizations can download the Request for Proposal package here: www.somervillema.gov/wfd. Print copies are available by emailing WFD@somervillema.gov. For further information, please contact WFD@somervillema.gov.

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Beginning on or around January 3, city contractors will begin working on subsurface utility improvements in the intersection of Highland Ave. and Central St. While work in the intersection is underway, access to Highland Ave. from Central St. will be restricted. Eastbound traffic will continue to be able to proceed through the intersection and along Highland Ave. Westbound traffic will continue to be detoured. While construction in the south side of the intersection is underway, there will be no access to Highland Ave. via Central St. northbound during work hours (weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 7:000 p.m.). Central St. will remain accessible for residents only. All other traffic will be detoured via Summer St. and Lowell St. Highland Ave./Central St. intersection (north side partial closure). While construction in the north side of the intersection is underway, there will be no access to Highland Ave. via Central St. south bound during work hours (weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 7:000 p.m.). For more information visit voice.somervillema.gov.

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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 Council on Aging offers Qigong (Chi Kung), Fridays at 10:00 a.m., January 6 and 13 at the Holland Street Center, 167 Holland Street. Led by Denise “Tarsha” Bethel-Stacke, Qigong (Chi Kung) is a traditional practice focused on coordinated movements, breathing and meditation. Stemming from Chinese medicine, philosophy and martial arts, Chi Kung is correlated to improved balance, strength and mental wellbeing. All levels are welcome. For more information call Phelan Howell at 617-625-6600 ext. 2315 or email at phowell@somervillema.gov.

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The Best of Somerville 2022 will be announced in the January 11 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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Looking for a way to practice social distancing but remain connected to other people? Look no further than the Somerville Council on Aging’s Friendly Phone Caller program. They have many wonderful volunteers who are waiting to give you a call. Whether you are looking to make a new friend or would just like a friendly chat to look forward to every week, this program has you covered. Call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 to learn more about the program and to sign up.

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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 winter. 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. 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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