Visit the Blue: The Celebration of a Color exhibit at the Somerville Museum this Saturday for the closing reception at One Westwood Rd. The exhibit showcases paintings, photography, installation, fashion, and video works of local artists who incorporate blue in their studio practice. For more information visit www.somervillemuseum.org. Closing reception, December 2, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.

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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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On Friday, December 1, at 6:00 p.m., visit the opening of Mudflat’s annual holiday exhibition and sale of functional and sculptural clay by 96 Mudflat artists, faculty and students. Purchase unique handmade pottery for holiday gifts or for your own home. Come get first looks at the sale and enjoy light refreshments while you shop. Support Mudflat by making a $15 donation at our Friday evening reception and choose a handmade cup to drink your refreshments. Take a chance on the pottery raffle of over 50 beautiful pieces to benefit Mudflat’s scholarship funds. If you can’t make the opening, other sale hours are Saturday, December 2, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Sunday, December 3, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday, December 4 – 7, 12:00 – 9:00 p.m., Friday, December 8, 12:00 – 8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 9, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 10, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Jason Fucile. We wish Jason the very best birthday. Happy Birthday to Peter Forcellese. We wish him a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Lisa Hastings, celebrating her birthday this week. Happy birthday to Peter Blaikie, who is also celebrating this week. We hope he enjoys his birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Joseph Di Pietro, Nancy Robinson Faulkner, Linda Chaille Nixon, Dorothy Dervishian O’Malley, Lee Owen Grassia, Deb Feeley and Karen Fay 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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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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Do you have 1-2 hours to help out with the Somerville Community Growing Center’s Wreath Project this week? This Thursday, they need volunteers between 12:00 and 8:00 p.m. for Wreath Assembly and Pickup at Connexion. For more information visit: https://www.thegrowingcenter.org/get-involved

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Join The Somerville Flea this Sunday for their annual Holiday Market. Find two floors and over 30 vendors of vintage and artisan wonders. Shop local and keep it in the community. Find that perfect gift that you never even knew existed. Sunday, December 3 and 17, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave.

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Kick off the holiday season with the City of Somerville on Thursday, December 7, at 5:00 p.m. at the Holiday Lighting on the City Hall Concourse. Enjoy live entertainment, a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Cafeteria, and light refreshments. All children who attend will receive a special gift from Santa. Santa Claus will be escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police Departments making his grand entrance atop a shiny red fire truck.

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Join the City of Somerville on Sunday, December 10, for a ceremonial Menorah Lighting event on the City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.) beginning at 5:00 p.m. A program of traditional songs and sing-alongs will be performed, special gifts will be available for children, and light refreshments will be served. The Menorah will be lit each night of Hanukkah.

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The Somerville Public Library will host Asian Art Series: When the Tiger Smoked a Pipe: The Art of Korea on Sunday, December 10, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. on Zoom. Spend your Sunday afternoon learning about the arts of Asia from experts at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Each session will focus on a unique topic from this vast, diverse, and ever evolving continent. Korean stories of long ago begin “When the tiger smoked a pipe…” Explore the varied and fascinating art that Koreans have produced for thousands of years. Renowned throughout Asia for their ceramics and textiles, Korea also has created, adapted, and refined a broad spectrum of art forms. Today Korea is one of the leaders in contemporary art production. To register visit www.somervillepubliclibrary.org.

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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/heatingassistance.

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The Somerville Museum is hiring. Are you interested in history? Do you like planning community events and working with volunteers? This might be the role for you. They have recently received funding for a new position, Historic Events Manager. Check out their website for more information: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/historic-events-manager.

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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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On December 5, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., the Central Library will host a DIY Holiday Gifts crafting session for kids, tweens, and teens. Bring your family to decorate mason jars and make your own handcrafted gift for a loved one.

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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 somerville-ma.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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Open Enrollment began on October 15 and runs to December 7. Medicare recipients can change their health insurance plans for January 1, 2024. While having the freedom to change your health insurance plan can save you money, there are many health insurance plans and companies to choose from. You don’t have to make the decision alone, the Somerville Council on Aging has SHINE Counseling available in person, over the phone, or on Zoom to assist you with comparing what health insurance options are available for you. You can call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 or Molly Pagliuca at ext. 2318 to book an appointment.

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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 and 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. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and HIP benefits. They also offer a $15 SNAP match to customers each week. Visit the Somerville Winter Farmers Market on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 191 Highland Ave. Through April 6, except 12/30. For a list of weekly events visit www.somwintermarket.org

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