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Newstalk – December 18
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The publishers, staff and everyone associated with The Somerville Times wish one and all a very Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, as well as a prosperous and healthy New Year in 2025.
December 18
Our View of the Times – December 18
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The shopping is done, the presents are (hopefully) wrapped, and the plans for the big day have been made. Now is the time to slow down, relax and enjoy the holiday and all the finer things that come with it.
Being with family, friends and loved ones and sharing warmth of the occasion is unquestionably at or near the top of the list of things we like most at this time of year.
A Baby Boomer Christmas
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
This is my annual look back at those Christmas toys we got in the 60’s 70s and 80’s.
The best toy I ever got for Christmas was the year I got an Aurora race car set. Me and my brother had it all set up before anyone else woke up. I asked our friends to share their memories of their favorite Christmas toy.
Newstalk – December 11
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The community is invited to see the creativity and holiday spirit of their neighbors by embarking on either a self-guided or SAC-led Illuminations Tour, December 12, 2024 – January 2025. The Illuminations map is available to take a self guided tour: https://somervilleartscouncil.org/illuminationstour. Join the Somerville Arts Council and Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee for a bicycle tour of our city’s festive holiday lights. Meet at Somerville High School at 5:45 pm on Saturday, December 14, rolling out at 6 pm. (In case of rain, heavy snow, or icy conditions, they’ll postpone to Sunday, same time and location.) This will be a short, family-friendly ride, visiting some (not all) of the locations on the Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations map. Light yourself and your bicycle up as much as possible, both for safety and to contribute to the festive atmosphere. Dress warmly.
December 11
Our View of the Times – December 11
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The holiday season gives us that little nudge we sometimes need to take stock in what is most important for us and to share in the sense of appreciation that we feel amongst one another.
Of course, for those of us who may be blessed with material abundance, it is also important to help the less fortunate who may be in need as the winter holiday season unfolds. Consider giving a little of your time or money to make another’s life a little better, particularly during the winter months to come.
The Christmas Heist
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
The year was around 1980 and it was Christmas week. I was playing a solo gig with my guitar at The Original Restaurant in Cambridge. We had a pretty good crowd and I was finishing up with a couple of Christmas songs.
Our Civic Backlog
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By Chris Dwan
A casual observer of Somerville politics, dropping in on a meeting or two, might get the impression that the city is overcommitted. It’s actually much worse than it appears at a first glance. The city’s backlog of projects, commitments, and crises is long enough that it is difficult to even list them all — let along meaningfully address them.
Newstalk – December 4
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Kick off the holiday season on Thursday, December 5, at 5 p.m. at the Christmas Tree 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. On Thursday, December 26, the Menorah Lighting takes place on the City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.) at 6 p.m. Traditional songs and sing-alongs. Special gifts will be available for children. Light refreshments will be served.
December 4
Our View of the Times – December 4
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Here comes the holiday shopping season once again, and we are ready to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the only way we know how: with enthusiasm and optimistic attitudes.
Let the political and social pundits doom and gloom themselves into their usual perpetual state of the doldrums. We know how to lift ourselves, to rise to the occasion and make the most of what we have, in spite of whatever challenges may confront us.
Trash man
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving. I have a funny true story to share. Monday is trash day for our street so I brought all my stuff out and put it in the barrels. I went back inside and put the TV on waiting for Leave it to Beaver to come on.
Letter to the Editor – December 5
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Dear Somerville Community,
As the new Executive Director at the Somerville Museum, I would like to introduce myself and share what drew me to this incredible cultural institution nestled in a residential neighborhood on the corner of Central Street and Westwood Road right in the heart of Somerville.
The Somerville Museum’s mission is to be a “mirror” to one of the most unique, innovative, creative and diverse communities in the country with a rich history that deepens our understanding of who we are, where we came from and what we want our future to look like. Having facilitated and curated public art and as a former academic with a focus on cultural memory, I believe strongly in the significance of the arts to create space for shared understanding, transcend differences, and bring people together with a common purpose.
Newstalk – November 27
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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. City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, for Thanksgiving. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day. All Somerville Public Library locations will be closed after 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, all day Thursday, November 28, and all day Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular hours will resume on Saturday, November 30. The Council on Aging will be closed on November 28 and Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving.
November 27
Thankful in ‘24
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
If you’re a Somerville resident like me, we have a lot to be grateful for. I’m grateful that there aren’t more bad roads, construction and detours. Personally, I’m grateful for my reasonably good health. I ‘m glad my kids’ grandmother is still with us and more importantly with it. I’m glad I can pay my parking tickets over the phone. I just can’t get that street cleaning schedule down.
Our View of the Times – November 27
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Giving thanks for our blessings is normally an easy thing to do. We may often get caught up in the day-to-day trappings of scratching out a living, ducking misfortune, and seeking out an occasional highlight to add to our mental scrapbooks. Usually, though, we come around to feeling and expressing that special sense of appreciation and gratitude that comes in moments of qui-et reflection just in time to validate ourselves as worthy recipients of such blessings.
Newstalk – November 20
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Join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services in the auditorium at the Central Branch Library (79 Highland Ave) on Wednesday, November 20, at 5 p.m. for a Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony in honor of those who have lost their lives to violence. This event is open to the public and all community members are welcome.
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