— Photos by The Times Staff

On Sunday, November 17, the Somerville Fire Department hosted a drill with the MBTA Commuter Rail on New Washington Street. Fire apparatus and ambulances from numerous surrounding departments took part in the drill of a commuter train on fire with injuries. Civilians volunteered as the injured to help prepare all emergency personnel in case they are ever presented with a similar situation. 

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I never purchase store bought cranberry sauce anymore because homemade is easy to make, and tastes so much better. The rosemary and orange essence compliments the tartness of the cranberries perfectly. Feel free to substitute a cinnamon stick for the star anise.

Nov. 12, 2024 was my last night of hosting the Newton Free Library Poetry Series. I have directed it for 23 years, and I have booked 100s of poets in that time span, with a fair amount from Somerville.

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Keith Tornheim, a biochemistry professor at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, has six recent books, The Sacrifice of Isaac; I Am Lilith, Dancer on the Wind, Spirit Boat: Poems of Crossing Over, Can You Say Kaddish for the Living?, Fireflies, Spoiled Fruit: Adam, and Eve in Eden and Beyond. His poems have appeared in Ibbetson Street, The Somerville Times, Boston Literary Magazine, Muddy River Poetry Review and Poetica.

(Pictured here is Liz Doncaster, bottom left, leading district staff through a Restorative Circle.

With a strong emphasis on student well-being and teacher resilience, outstanding educators and leaders like Somerville Public Schools’ Director of Student Services, Elizabeth (Liz) Doncaster, are being recognized for their influential contributions to the social-emotional development and well-being of students.

As the MBTA  announced on October 7, the Bus Network Redesign’s first phase will launch on December 15. Preparations and outreach for the rollout of these changes to establish more frequent service and better routes are underway.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are inviting residents to attend a community meeting to learn more about plans to open a warming center at the Cummings School to support the city’s unhoused population during the winter months.