The Somerville Times has finally received the city permits, and we have many new boxes out on the streets as of this morning. Wherever you go throughout Somerville you will now see our boxes, with more to come over the next few months. We recently went through the new permit process here in Somerville and finally, after four weeks, we were approved. With the great help of City Clerk John Long we have our permits. You can’t miss us. Just look for the tall red boxes with the white and black lettering “The Somerville Times” all across the city and, again, more are to come over the next several months. We are also enlarging our distribution across the city, adding new places you can find The Times, thereby making it the largest locally owned and operated newspaper right here in Somerville.

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Also, next week we have joining The Somerville Times another editor who comes to us with many years of experience as being editor to several of Gatehouse’s papers on the south shore. Experienced and well qualified, you will agree, with full degrees in journalism. We will let him introduce himself in the paper, giving his experience and qualifications. We here at The Times are excited and we know the city will be as well. We will only tell you his family is originally from Somerville, and he used to work in Somerville. We will continue to offer original homegrown stories about issues of importance here in Somerville, and our fulltime editor and reporter will be making significant contributions to our efforts in bringing you the best in local news. Nothing else but Somerville is in The Somerville Times.

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West Somerville Neighborhood School Night at The Somerville Public School Tree Lot at Foss Park on Broadway, Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 4-8 p.m. Wreaths are $15 The school gets $5 for every wreath sold. For trees under $49 they get $5 dollars per tree sold. For trees over $49 they get $10 dollars per tree sold. Buy your Christmas Tree on Wednesday December 11 and SUPPORT WSNS PTA!

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We congratulate all the winners in the recent “Best of Somerville” awards. This year more so than in the past we had many phone calls, emails and actual letters from residents around the city voting for their favorites. We were very pleased. To the winners we have a beautiful certificate to hand out. If you’re not contacted in the next couple of weeks call Bobbie here at The Times – 617 666-4010 – to make an appointment to come in and get your certificate. Who knows? Maybe we’ll take a picture of you as well, and do a nice little story about you, letting all the residents know a little more about you.

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Some people are confused, and we find ourselves trying to explain why another paper has started partially using the old name of The News, asking, “Why is there another paper?” We can’t answer that, but what we can say is that The Somerville Times is the only paper owned and staffed by Somerville residents. We are the same staff members and writers that used to constitute The Somerville News. We suggest that you read us and then the other paper and then decide which is which. We know for a fact you’ll be able to tell the difference. By the way, some time in January we will announce another local person who will be an owner of our paper. Look for it come mid-January.

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Happy Birthday this week to several of our Villens here and about Somerville. We wish a big Happy Birthday to a good friend, David Bell, whose family goes back a long time here in Somerville. A wonderful and close friend who’s well known as well, Bill Murphy, formerly of Winter Hill, Ten Hills. Ray Zonghetti’s birthday is this week and he’s known by many here in the Ville. In particular, he’s very active in the Chamber of Commerce. We wish him a Happy Birthday. A very nice lady, Stacy Hersey-Buckley, is celebrating this week as well. A great lady from a great family here in the Ville, Happy Birthday.     Another Villen, Cheryl Callahan, is celebrating this week and we wish her all the best. Also, Happy Birthday to James Casserly, another Villen here. Luis Rosa from the Ville is also celebrating this week. He’s a self employed contractor. Vanessa Leigh Oppedisano is celebrating this week too. We wonder if she’s related to Patty?

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If you would like for us to announce your birthday or you have someone who is having a birthday and you want Newstalk to mention it, or if you have another Newstalk item, you can send it by email to thesomervilletimes@yahoo.com to be considered for publication.

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We wish everyone a great Holiday season. Merry Christmas to our many readers. We have a special poem that was written by a local Somerville person. It will be in our Christmas edition. We’re sure you’re going to like it. It’s very nice and positive. Please remember to shop locally here in Somerville and support the many independent business owners who have invested in our city and need our support to maintain a vital and important part of our community.

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The Somerville Public Library was one of only 10 libraries selected from more than 200 applicants nationwide to participate in the “StoryCorps @ Your Library” pilot program with the American Library Association, supported by funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Somerville’s “Every Teen Has a Story to Tell” project will capture oral histories shared by teenagers and their loved ones, to be preserved at the National Library of Congress. The Somerville Public Schools is one of several community partners supporting the Somerville Public Library on this exciting project. All school librarians have been trained in the StoryCorps project and are able to conduct StoryCorps oral histories at their schools. Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to participate. Contact Charlie LaFauci (x6672 or clafauci@k12.somerville.ma.us). Teens can also sign up by calling the Library Teen Space at (617) 623-5000 x2936.

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Spring registration for Somerville Youth Soccer is now open, and closes Sunday, January 5, 2014 for all 8 age categories, ranging from UToddler to U18/U19.  To register, or for more information, visit the Somerville Youth Soccer League website at http://blog.somervillesoccer.us.  Click on the Registration tab on the top menu for age group descriptions and additional details about the program. Financial Aid is available.

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New winter Learn-To-Skate classes for Children, ages 4 ½ and up, and Adults in Somerville, on Sundays at 2:30 PM, at the Veterans Memorial Rink, 570 Somerville Ave. in Somerville, start Sunday, December 8 at 2:30 p.m. Classes also available in Cambridge Simoni Rink and Medford LoConte Rink. Use hockey, recreational or figure skates. Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes are available.  For information and to register, call Bay State Skating School at 781-890-8480 or visit online at www.BayStateSkatingSchool.org. Celebrating 45 years! Gift Certificates available.