We here at The Times wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday. As we approach holiday gift shopping don’t forget to shop local to support local businesses.

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City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24, for Thanksgiving. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day.

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Don’t miss the epic Thanksgiving Day Somerville/Cambridge football rivalry, known as the “Battle for the Picket Fence.” Somerville High School vs. Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. November 23 (Thanksgiving Day), 10:00 a.m. at Russell Field in Cambridge. Tickets can be purchased on-site before the game.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Tracey Leah Pratt, who is celebrating this week. We wish Tracey a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Craig Resmini. We wish him a great birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such Diane Johansen, Marie Coady, Todd Easton, Peggy Ryan Lookliss, Mary McGuire, Julie Adelsberger, Gamal Elfouly, Kim Volz and Brian Kirka 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 Gobble Gobble Gobble is a family-friendly 4-mile turkey trot that takes place every year on Thanksgiving. November 23, 9:00 a.m. in Davis Square. Race proceeds benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition, Somerville High School Track team, Dilboy VFW Veterans’ fund and Stride for Stride. Advance registration is recommended as this event typically sells out. More details at https://srr.org/gobble.

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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 at somervillema.gov/heatingassistances.

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The Somerville Fire Dept. is happy to announce that as of Monday afternoon, the structural repairs to the Teele Square Station were completed and both Ladder 3 and Engine 6 are back inside the building.

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Join Boston Women’s Market for a Holiday Market on Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville. Shop for handmade gifts, jewelry, beauty, and more. BWM is a catalyst for women to create, innovate, and claim their power as entrepreneurs. More info on their website: https://www.bostonwomensmarket.com/.

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Tickets on sale now for Urban Waggle on Thursday, November 30, 6:00 p.m., at Arts at the Armory. Urban Waggle is a live storytelling event in support of the mission and programs at the Urban Bee Lab, a registered non-profit organization. They choose to amplify voices from the Greater Boston area that may not otherwise be heard. Audience members will leave feeling inspired, entertained, and more connected to one another through the uniquely human art of storytelling. More info here: https://urbanbeelab.org/urbanwaggle.

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Is your teen looking to make some extra money? The city’s Snow Shoveling Program is hiring youth to assist shoveling seniors and homeowners with disabilities out after snowstorms this winter. Teens and homeowners are paired for the season. After each storm, the homeowner will contact their assigned youth to request shoveling services. Somerville teens ages 14 to 19 are welcome to apply. Learn more and apply at somervillema.gov/shoveling. Looking for snow shoveling services? Contact Debby Higgins at dhiggings@somervillema.gov.

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Last month the Somerville Council on Aging launched a community survey in partnership with UMASS Boston to better understand the needs of Somerville residents age 60+ to improve programs and services provided. The survey is now open until Friday, December 1. Take the survey online, over the phone, or print and submit a paper copy. Learn more at somervillema.gov/coa.

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A celebration of Union Square sparkle, discovery, and delight that is sure to jumpstart your holiday shopping and get you exploring all that the Square has to offer. Make your way to Union Square in Somerville on Saturday, December 2 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. (rain date December 3) for the 9th Annual Holiday Stroll. Revel in this festive neighborhood tradition and enter to win cash prizes by conquering the Elfie Selfie and Stroll the Square Challenges while enjoying unique eats and rad retail around the Square. Participating businesses are sure to make the Square shine with the return of the splendid Storefront Decoration Contest. And don’t forget about the incredible inflatables on the Festivus Trail. Dozens of locally-owned businesses await with all you need to stuff your stockings, deck your halls, make your tastebuds celebrate, and more. Bundle up and come on down to unwrap Union Square in all its wintry wonderment.

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Wreath sales have begun. Buy a wreath from the Next Wave / Full Circle Annual Wreath Fundraiser (donations welcome). Wreath pickup for the community at NW/FC on November 28 and 29 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (There will be no tree lot this year.) Wreaths sold to staff members will be delivered to schools. The cost is $25. To order, click here

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Take steps to protect yourself and loved ones against COVID-19. Somerville’s Health and Human Services department is hosting a series of COVID-19 booster (Moderna) vaccine clinics in November and throughout December at locations across the city. Vaccines are available for community members age 6 months and older. Register for a vaccine clinic at somervillema.gov/vaccines.

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Experience the bursts of colorful hues in the Somerville Arts Council’s latest exhibit, Art in Bloom: Works by Alison Drasner, at the Inside-Out Gallery in the CVS window in Davis Square. As a designer and painter to stalwart community member, Alison Drasner is an active participant in the local cultural art scene in Somerville. To learn more about Alison go to somervilleartscouncil.org/insideout/drasner.

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Share your thoughts about school food. Fill out the Somerville Food and Nutrition Services Department Survey. Help them develop menus, education curriculum, and communication plans for the next three to five years. Find the survey in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole on the FNSD website: somerville.k12.ma.us/fnsd.

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The Somerville Community Growing Center is turning 30. Record a memory from the comfort of your own home or from anywhere on your mobile device. bit.ly/gc-30.

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East Somerville Main Streets’ Cozy Holiday Market invites you to savor a warm drink while exploring a variety of artisans, materials, and charming supplies to prepare for the winter ahead. Gather with friends, family, and even bring your pets to relish in the cozy atmosphere. Unearth that festive, ugly sweater from the back of your closet and capture memorable moments with Santa. Embrace the joy of the season and have fun at our cozy market. Friday, December 8, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., 15 Garfield Ave., Somerville.

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In preparation for the cold months ahead, the Somerville Homeless Coalition is in urgent need of winter clothing and apparel to keep their clients warm and safe. Donations of socks, hats, jackets, hand warmers, sweatpants, and more will go a long way towards keeping the most vulnerable clients protected against the unpredictable New England weather. All donations can be dropped off at their Engagement Center located at 1 Davis Square, Somerville between Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed each day from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for lunch. Help keep our neighbors safe this winter.

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Call for new Nibble culinary entrepreneurs for Winter 2024 workshop series. Application deadline: December 18. For more information and to fill out an application, go to: https://nibblesomerville.com/culinary-entrepreneurship.

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Help keep our waterways clean in your neighborhood by joining Somerville’s Adopt-a-Drain program. A storm drain clear of leaves, trash or other debris allows water to flow into the catch basin sump and can prevent flooding. When you adopt a drain (or drains), you commit to caring for a local storm drain of your choice by checking on it before and after heavy rain, wind, or snow. Bonus perk: you can also give it a name. Claim your drain at somerville.mysticdrains.org.

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Somerville Public Schools Winter Sports registration is now open for both middle grades and high school athletes. Learn more and register for middle grades sports: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/mgathletics. Learn more and register for high school sports: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/teams.

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The Center for the Arts at the Armory offers a weekly winter market with 71+ local food vendors with the best locally grown and regionally produced foods, including fresh produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, tamales, pastries, chocolate, skincare products, and more. Visit the Somerville Winter Farmers Market on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 191 Highland Ave. November 4 – April 6, except 11/25 & 12/30.

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Visit the Blue: The Celebration of a Color exhibit at the Somerville Museum, through December 2, One Westwood Rd. The exhibit showcases paintings, photography, installation, fashion, and video works of local artists who incorporate blue in their studio practice. For hours visit www.somervillemuseum.org.

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Registration is open for Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Somerville Youth Hockey. All sessions take place at either Veterans or Founders rinks in Somerville. Beginner classes are geared towards kids 3-9 who have never skated nor played hockey before. There’s also a new Advanced option for kids aged 9 and older who are ready for a more fast-paced introduction to the fundamentals of hockey and skating. Financial aid (and some equipment) is available. To learn more and register, visit https://www.somervilleyouthhockey.org/ltsltp.

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