The short film “We Are Here Too,” which explores the experiences of four women during the Covid pandemic, was recently screened at the Somerville Museum.

By Emilia Wisniewski

The Somerville Museum hosted an online showing of the city-based short film We Are Here Too on November 22, capturing the stories of four creative and talented women and their experiences through the global pandemic.

Vernon Street Studios Fall/Winter Open Studios takes place this weekend.

On December 3 and 4, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m., after a long four-year hiatus, Vernon Street Studios will open their doors to host their Fall/Winter open studios. While art creation can be a solo practice, art is best appreciated when celebrated with others and the artists of 6 and 20 Vernon Street are thrilled to welcome the public into their work spaces once again.

This Thursday, Prince William and Kate will be visiting Somerville during their trip to Boston for the 2022 Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony. They will be here to visit and learn about climate innovations being utilized at Greentown Labs, 444 Somerville Ave.

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With the holiday season upon us, I wanted to share this recipe that is a staple in our home on Christmas Eve. Auntie Dot’s baked stuffed shrimp. We serve multiple courses including an antipasto platter along with a baked Brie en croute with cranberries, cheese and crackers, and pâté just before the baked stuffed shrimp are served. The main courses consisting of shrimp, broccoli and pasta soup, cioppino, ham, tzimmes, roasted potatoes and green bean Almondine are served a short time later. To top it all off, an assortment of fruits and desserts including tiramisu, Italian cookies and brownies.

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.

Somerville, Everett, Arlington, and Lexington (S.E.A.L.) Massachusetts Collaborative for Action, Leadership, and Learning (MassCALL3) cluster will host a Youth Substance Misuse Prevention Data Share and Discussion event on Thursday, December 1, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. To register, please go to bit.ly/masscall3.

On Friday, November 18, members of the Somerville Police Superior’s Union, Patrolman’s Union, Fire Union, and DPW Unions, were able to team up with the Mystic Learning Center to provide over 40 families with Thanksgiving dinners for the holiday. After picking up the food and supplies, all four unions came together to put dinner baskets together. They then delivered them to the families in need.

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I recently caught up with the artist Julie C. Baer, an artist who revels in nature, as she paints and plants.

Doug Holder: You have exhibited in Somerville. What is your impression as an artist of the vibe of the city?

JCB: It feels like Somerville’s cultural life is burgeoning these days by thoughtful young people using a really transdisciplinary approach to social entrepreneurship. You don’t see a random restaurant or store opening, but each new space seems to intentionally respond to the local context of the community culture and contribute an interesting, and needed, new dimension, with a focus on sustainability, inclusion, and interdependence. Super exciting and uplifting.

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Lloyd Schwartz is a board member of the NEPC and the Poet Laureate of Somerville. He is Elizabeth Bishop’s editor, and a critic for NPR’s Fresh Air and WBUR. His awards include fellowships in poetry from the NEA, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Academy of American Poets, and a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. His latest book is Who’s on First? New and Selected Poems.

Arrests:
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Kerry Dervishi, of Weymouth, November 22, 10:50 a.m., arrested at Myrtle St. on a warrant charge of refusal to provide DNA database sample.

Marsha Filmore-Lima, November 22, 11:20 a.m., arrested at Broadway on warrant charges of shoplifting by concealing merchandise, felony nighttime breaking and entering, and assault and battery.