The Somerville High School Highlanders battle the Cambridge Rindgeand Latin School Falcons in the annual Backyard Football Rivalry. Cambridge hosts the game this year at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 28 at Russell Field. Tickets are $7 on game day. Don’t miss the chance to support our team. The game location is subway accessible by taking the RedLine to Alewife Station. For directions to Russell Field visit their webpage: http://cpsdcrls.ss5.sharpschool.com/cms/One.aspx

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City offices will be closed Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be on a one-day delay if your normal pick up day is Thursday or Friday. Residential parking permits and meters will not be in effect Thursday or Friday, and there is no street sweeping Friday.

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Somerville artists: Gallery @ SPL, an art exhibition program designed to highlight local artists, is now accepting applications for 2020. The Somerville Public Library will be considering works in all media, including photography, but not sculptures. Applications will be accepted through January 10, 2020. Email questions and/or your application to Julie at jwalker@minlib.net. More info, including selection criteria, required application materials, and more: bit.ly/2QIkQWD

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Jason Fucile, who celebrates this week. We miss Jason and Nancy now that Victor’s is closed but we wish them the best! His better half, Nancy, celebrates next week. We wish Jason a great birthday. Happy birthday to Craig Resmini. We wish him a great birthday. Happy birthday to one of Somerville’s nicest guys, Peter Forcellese. We wish Peter a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to everyone here and from the city who is celebrating this week. We wish every one of them a very happy birthday.

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#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Consider a donation to Somerville Media Center this #GivingTuesday season. December 3 is #GivingTuesday and we encourage you to support SMC this giving season. SMC’s mission is to provide access to electronic media-making through low-cost media education workshops, equipment and facility access, and collaborative distribution on SCATV Cable Ch.3, BostonFreeRadio.com and SMC’s web and social media presences.

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With the winter season at our doorstep, it’s that time of the year again! Next Wave/Full Circle is holding its annual Holiday Wreath fundraiser. The purchase of a beautiful 14” balsam wreath with a red velvet bow for $18 apiece will not only brighten up your décor, but will also help fund student activities, field trips, and incentives for the school’s reward system. Wreaths will be delivered to schools the first week in December. To place an order, contact Agnes Gallant at agallant@k12.somerville.ma.us.

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Illuminations Tour 2019 takes place Saturday, December 14, 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets will be on sale at Nibble Kitchen, 1 Bow Market Way (entrance to Bow Market at 345 Somerville Ave.), Union Sq., Somerville. There will be two opportunities to buy tickets: Sunday, December 1, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Thursday, December 5, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children (12 and under) and seniors (60+). Cash or Check only. Proceeds go toward funding the public programs of the Somerville Arts Council. Tickets sell quickly; please plan accordingly. If there are left-over tickets, we sell them at City Hall the night of the event. For more information: go to: www.somervilleartscouncil.org/illuminationstour

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Graduates from St. Clement’s High School Class of 1969 will be holding their 50th reunion on Saturday, November 30, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Washington St. As they did last year, they want to invite their friends from the classes of 1968 and 1970 to celebrate with them. The plan is to have a very casual atmosphere to rekindle relationships, recall memories, and have a great time; informal, come when you can, and stay for as long as you’d like. A cash bar will be available and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Please feel free to bring along family members and/or guests. The more the merrier! The suggested contribution for the reunion is $15. For more info, go to their Faceboook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/451601158816359/ 

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Toys for Local Children (TLC) is a charity aimed at supporting families in the local area. Please join the many volunteers and contributors in supporting this endeavor. This charity was formed to assist families that are less fortunate, by providing them with a little bit of happiness during this holiday season. Visit http://www.toysforlocalchildren.org/ to see how you can help and find a drop off location near you.

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The Families Together Somerville (FTS) Volunteer Informational Meeting will be taking place on December 4, 6:00 p.m. Families Together Somerville is a family-to-family mentoring program, which pairs first generation college-going juniors’ families with another Somerville family that has direct experience with the college application process. Through a structured program of family-matching and support, the college-experienced parents/guardians will serve as guides and mentors to the selected juniors and their families as they work through the many phases of the college application process. The program is committed to the idea of empowering the students and families being mentored, and will match them with families who can work in that spirit.

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Throughout November and December, the Clothing Closet of the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) will be collecting donations of new and gently used winter clothing with its “Share the Warmth” Winter Coat Drive. With the colder weather, there is an urgent need for winter coats, snow pants, gloves, warm socks, and winter boots. Donations of children’s garments 5T-16 and boots sizes 5-13, and adult garments S-XXL and boots sizes 6-12 would be most appreciated. Drop-off locations are at all SPS schools during regular school hours and at the SFLC Center located at 42 Prescott Street. Please contact Francia Reyes at (617) 625-6600, x6994 or freyes@k12.somerville.ma.us with any questions.