The City of Somerville received 16,650 free at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits from the state that are being distributed via various channels to Somerville residents who have limited access to testing, limited means to purchase at-home tests, and are at high risk of exposure. 

Somerville’s outgoing and incoming mayors jointly announced the city’s first major allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars today, dedicating $9 million in funding to childcare, rental assistance, and a Universal Basic Income pilot project. This joint commitment by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Mayor-elect Katjana Ballantyne comes after the city’s initial round of community engagement seeking to identify priorities for ARPA funding.

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone took time on Monday night to deliver his personal observations and well wishes to those gathered in person and online.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone gave a farewell address to the Somerville community in the brand-new Somerville High School auditorium on Monday evening.

Curtatone is wrapping up his ninth term as mayor this month, handing over the reins to his successor, Mayor-elect Katjana Ballantyne after the first of the year.

By Eileen Qiu

A comprehensive bicycle network plan with a goal to have 75 percent of work commutes happen without the use of cars in mind was discussed at a community meeting hosted by Director of Mobility Brad Rawson last Wednesday.

Surveys aimed at community engagement and cyclists were tasked with gathering data for reliable ways to get around and understand where the most practical areas for mobility are.

(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)

On December 6, Livable Streets hosted Jamey Tesler, Secretary of Transportation and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to discuss MassDOT’s efforts to make streets safer for people. “Tell us where to put the cone; one cone can make a huge difference to safety,” Tesler said, referring to separating people from cars.

(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 Ken Brociner

May the coming year (or two) be the last ones in which this damn pandemic hangs over the entire world like a never-ending plague. I hope that in the next few years, enough effective vaccines and boosters will be available to everyone, in every nation, on this small planet of ours.

The publishers, staff and everyone associated with The Somerville Times wish everyone a very Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, as well as a prosperous and healthy New Year in 2022. We welcome a healthier 2022!

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

The annual Bill Rodgers Somerville Jingle Bell Run & Walk took place on Sunday, December 19, with festively dressed runners and walkers competing in the 5K race through the streets of Somerville. The top finisher in the male division was Louis Serafini, of Cambridge. The top finisher in the female division was Clare Franco, of Boston.

And now the shopping is mostly 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 the warmth of the occasion is unquestionably at or near the top of the list of things we enjoy most at this time of year.

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A singer, puppeteer, and actor who immerses herself in her work

I caught up with Somerville’s Charlotte Anne Dore to talk about her life and work as a puppeteer, actor, and singer. It seems whatever this multi-talented person does – from belting out a few numbers in a cabaret – expertly manipulating puppets – to playing Mary Jo Kopechne in the major motion picture Chappaquiddick, she intensely immerses herself in her work.