On Wednesday, November 29, Pearl Street Park, an 86 unit building for Elders and Persons with Disabilities, suffered a fire in a second-floor unit. The Somerville Fire, Police and Inspectional Service Department responded within minutes, accounting for all occupants and bringing them down from their apartments. They were kind, patient and understanding with everyone during this very stressful time while we waited to see if the building would be cleared for tenants to return to their apartments. Thankfully, tenants were able to return within a few hours.

More than 100 participants volunteered to contribute to the creation of the new murals installed at the Charles River Greenway.

The New England Mosaic Society (NEMS) collaborated with the staff of the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation to design and create three large panels (42” x 68”) installed adjacent to the museum entrance on the Greenway.

Big Sister Kristen Erekson with her “Little,” Wild.

Somerville resident Kristen Erekson was matched with her first mentee or “Little,” Wild, in 2007. Then 23-years-old and seven-years-old respectively, the mentoring duo grew up together in many ways as they navigated the successes and challenges of family, school, friendships, and career together.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Around September of 2020 I got a phone call from my son. He told me an elderly man had passed away in a nursing home and there was no one to take his senior cat. The 18-year-old tabby was suddenly homeless.

The 2023 edition of the Illuminations tour begin on December 9.

Celebrate the artistry and creativity of residents and businesses that transform their spaces and yards with lights, ornaments, and shrines of devotion and fantasy as the Illuminations 2023 tours kick off in December, hosted by the Somerville Arts Council (SAC).

The Somerville City Council was updated on the preliminary results of the Safety for All Survey at their most recent meeting

By Jim Clark

At the latest regular meeting of the Somerville City Council on Thursday, November 21, the Di-rector of the Department of Racial and Social Justice (DRSJ), Denise Molina Capers, reviewed the findings and gave a broad overview of the department’s Public Safety for All survey, touching on several areas.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne addressed the gathering at Somerville’s Transgender Day of Remembrance. — Photo courtesy of Somerville GovTV

By Olivia LeDuc

Last Monday, a small crowd gathered at the front of Somerville High School in a ceremony to mark the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, honoring the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming people lost to violence each year.

(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 Chris Dwan

The Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) will present the Police Department Staffing and Operations Analysis to the City Council this coming Thursday (November 30) at a “committee of the whole” of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters (CAPM) committee, chaired by Judy Pineda Neufeld.

Visit the Blue: The Celebration of a Color exhibit at the Somerville Museum this Saturday for the closing reception at One Westwood Rd. The exhibit showcases paintings, photography, installation, fashion, and video works of local artists who incorporate blue in their studio practice. For more information visit www.somervillemuseum.org. Closing reception, December 2, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.