Mayor Katjana Ballantyne leads the lighting of the Menorah on the concourse or Somerville City Hall on December 12, 2023.

The City of Somerville’s Christmas Tree Lighting on the City Hall Concourse took place on Thursday, December 7, kicking off the holiday season in the city. Attendees enjoyed live entertainment, a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Cafeteria, and more. All children who attended received a special gift from Santa, who was escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police Departments, making his grand entrance atop a shiny red fire truck. ~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Riders’ Transportation Access Group (RTAG) is working with the MBTA to help find solutions to current platform gap problems. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Micah Levine

Back in October, the Riders’ Transportation Access Group (RTAG) came together with MBTA officials to assess the increasing concern of platform gaps throughout many orange line stations. A rider survey conducted in September by the MBTA demonstrated a rise in concern over the prevalence and severity of these gaps, prompting the federal institution to take official action in direct conjunction with RTAG. These hazardous conditions raised the attention of the community-based group, whose mission is to ensure that riders with disabilities have their civil right to utilize public transit equally and effectively.

Members of the Somernova team, Linda Kelley, Russell Preston, Collin Yip, Jhenny Saint-Suri, Kristin Phelan, Carlos Sainz Caccia, Priscilla Burnsed and Majic Alphonse, stand with Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne after receiving the Business Neighbor of the Year award. — Photo courtesy of Somernova

By Bridget Frawley

Somernova became the first developer to receive the Business Neighbor of the Year award at the annual Somerville Chamber of Commerce Powderhouse Business and Excellence Awards on November 30.

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By Chris Dwan

On November 30, the administration presented the long-awaited police staffing and operations study to the full City Council. The consulting team was led by Cassandra Deck-Brown, the former chief of the Raleigh Police, who was a powerful presence in the room. She engaged directly and thoughtfully through an hour-long presentation followed by nearly three additional hours of discussion and questions. Deck-Brown noted more than once that nobody is winning in the current situation — morale on the force is low and the police and the public share a feeling of disconnection and mutual distrust.

The SMEA Union will be hosting a clothing drive at their stand during the upcoming Jingle Bell Race on Sunday, December 17, in Statue Park to support the Somerville Homeless Coalition’s clients experiencing homelessness this holiday season. SMEA will be collecting new and lightly used winter clothing and apparel that are crucial to keep our most vulnerable neighbors warm.

Eagle Feathers #294– Sleds and Sleighs

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Boston Street on Prospect Hill is aptly named. From the top of the street on a winter day, it looks like you could coast down her elevation and not stop until you crossed the Charles and continued on into Boston.  From this spot, your line of sight to the Prudential Building is dead on.

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.

(L-R) Program Director Majic Alphonse, The Dojo Youth Extraordinaire Award Recipient Liovens Myrtil, and Rafi Properties Managing Director Collin Yip. At holidayNOVA, Liovens was presented with the first annual The Dojo Youth Extraordinaire

Somernova hosted their annual holidayNOVA party on Wednesday, December 6, featuring live music by the Green Freaks, local vendors, rolling skating, a performance by the Somerville High Step Team, and holiday cheer. At the event, Somernova announced it has officially filed a Zoning Text Amendment application and Zoning Map Amendment application for the first of its kind Climate and Equity Innovation Sub-Area Overlay District with the Clerk’s Office at the City of Somerville. The event was made possible by Also Does Events, EventThem, Green Freaks, Chez Vous Catering and Aeronaut Brewing Company.