(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By State Representative Christine Barber

Auri is a single mother living in Salem, Massachusetts who pays over $800 per month for a health insurance premium through her employer to cover herself and her two children. On top of that premium, Auri also pays hundreds of dollars a month in co-pays and other costs for medications and specialist visits related to chronic health issues, including asthma. For her asthma, Auri needs four different inhalers which cost about $40 for each prescription. These health costs—which compete with other family expenses like food, utility bills, and her mortgage—leave Auri worried she won’t be able to afford her life-saving medications each month.

The publishers, staff and everyone associated with The Somerville Times wish one and all a very Happy Holiday and Merry Christmas, as well as a prosperous and healthy New Year in 2024.

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In 1912, a boy named Giuseppe Montalto emigrated to the United States from Mineo in the Catania region of Italy at the age of 13. He eventually married his bride Josephine and started a family where they had four children.

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.

L-R Gunnery Sergeant Curtis Dunham, Kiwanis President Dawn Austin, Program Chairman Distinguished Past President Jay Lynch, and Lance Corporal Matthew Rankey, hold a few of the toys that were donated.

On Thursday, December 14, the Kiwanis Club of Somerville, along with their friends from the Somerville Lions Club and Somerville Rotary Club hosted their annual Toys fFor Tots luncheon at the Mount Vernon Restaurant.

Interview with Doug Holder/Co-president of the New England Poetry Club.

I caught up with poet Thomas DeFreitas recently, a well-regarded poet in the area and a former resident of Somerville. We discussed his life and work, and the release of his new book Swift River Ballad.

Albino Neto is a student in Doug Holder’s Creative Writing Course at Endicott College.

The Clothesline Project is a visual display of violence statistics, made by survivors of domestic violence, and community members who have committed themselves to ending Domestic violence.
~Photo by Bobbie Toner

Please join the City of Somerville’s Department of Racial and Social Justice, RESPOND, the Somerville Commission for Women, and friends for a light reception and the unveiling of the Somerville Community Clothesline Project. The Clothesline Project is a visual display of violence statistics that often go ignored.