Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

The Enchanted Village at Jordan Marsh, which was there since the 1940’s, closed in 1972. It reopened again at Jordan’s furniture in Avon in 1990. Here were some memories of the wonderful Christmas tradition. The animatronic vintage Christmas themed scenes are part of my childhood holiday memories. The following recollections are from those who remember those magical visits to The Enchanted Village.

On December 2, the Kiwanis Club of Somerville inducted two new members. Jill Bowdring, an Account Executive for Superior Promotions and Paula Vancini, the Principal at Vancini Accounting joined the ranks of local business leaders and active retired members to become Somerville Kiwanis members. Jill’s sponsor was her father, James Bowdring, who has been a member for 27 years. Paula’s sponsor was former Mayor Eugene C. Brune. The Somerville club was founded in 1925 and is part of Kiwanis International.

The City of Somerville City Council Legislative Matters Committee is considering ways to make donations of impounded bicycles to worthy nonprofit organizations.

By Eileen Qiu

Last week’s Legislative Matters Committee meeting revolved around jumping through legal hoops to find a practical way of donating unclaimed bicycles, as well as potential laws surrounding biotechnical jargon.

The 2021 edition of the Somerville Winter Farmers Market kicked off last Saturday at the Arts at the Armory. — Photos by Fernando Cervantes Jr.

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

On Saturday, the Somerville Winter Farmers Market opened for the first time in the 2021 season. Located at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, the farmers market is looking to have a successful season following the struggles of the 2020 season.

Join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Superintendent Mary Skipper, and local elected officials for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the renovated and reconstructed Somerville High School campus on Wednesday, December 8, at 6:00 p.m. This ribbon cutting will be the first opportunity for the Somerville community to come together in the new building to mark this historic milestone, celebrate this incredible state-of-the-art campus and public amenity, and recognize the work of so many who brought this transformational project to life. The ceremony will begin in the Somerville High School auditorium, 81 Highland Avenue. The auditorium entrance is between City Hall and the high school’s main entrance, facing Highland Avenue. Following speaking remarks, guests will be invited to enjoy music by student performers and take a guided tour of the school. RSVP is not required. All attendees must wear a mask indoors. For more information about the new building, visit shsproject.org.

Undersecretary Edward A. Palleschi of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) recently visited Razors Barbershop & Shave Co. at their original location in Somerville, MA to present owners Anthony and Joe Berriola with OCABR’s Licensee Recognition Certificate of Excellence. Undersecretary Palleschi enjoyed touring the recently renovated shop meeting the talented staff of barbers. Other special guests at the presentation were Somerville city councilors Beatriz Gómez-Mouakad and Kristen Strezo, as well as Somerville Chamber of Commerce President Stephen Mackey.

On Saturday, December 11, The City of Somerville will host a ceremony to remember those that have been lost to COVID-19 and to recognize the many other losses our community has faced throughout the pandemic.

The public is invited to gather for a simple ceremony, a participatory remembrance project, with musical accompaniment. The event will take place from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., at Symphony Park, 46 Pearl Street.

We are gathering expressions of thanks, gratitude and well wishes for outgoing Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, who is winding down his 18-year run as mayor of Somerville at the end of the year.

Send your well wishes via email at: news@thesomervilletimes.com. Selected contributions will be published in The Somerville Times, both in print and online.

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Chestnut season is finally upon us. The large baskets containing these gluten free nuts are low in fat, rich in vitamins and minerals, and a rich source of mono-unsaturated fatty acids. See more nutritional values and health benefits information here: https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/chestnuts.html.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and special guests hosted two of Somerville’s annual holiday celebrations. The festivities began with the annual Christmas tree lighting on Thursday, December 2, on the City Hall concourse. After the tree lighting, Santa Claus joined in for a meet and greet next door at Somerville High School. Santa was escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police departments, with a gift and cookies for each child in tow. Live entertainment featured the Somerville High School Chorus, Somerville High School Orchestra, El Sistema Somerville, and the Somerville High School Jazz Band. Later in the week, the ceremonial menorah lighting took place on Sunday, December 5, on the City Hall concourse with Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz from Temple B’nai Brith.