The Somerville City Council, in collaboration with Mayor Curtatone, has established and funded a COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Relief Fund with the aim of rendering aid in this challenging time.

By Jim Clark

In response to a number of Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone’s requests, the Somerville City Council last week voted on and approved a number of agenda items aimed at repurposing funds to create and fund a COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Relief Fund and subsequently disburse those funds accordingly in order to support small businesses, artists and arts non-profits, and residents who have been financially distressed due to the restrictions imposed as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

By Emmanuel Vincent

Advesa MA, Inc. group held a community outreach meeting last week, introducing to Somerville residents the plan that is in the works to bring a cannabis retailer to the city.

Advesa is an Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant that is looking to provide the community with modern cannabis, as well as education surrounding the medical benefits of using it. This is an effort to help break to stigma centered on the drug that has been around for decades.

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 2021. We are happy to see 2020 go and welcome a healthier 2021!

Aoife Troxel took her frustration with a lack of live entertainment due to coronavirus restrictions to heart as she created her fabulous gingerbread model of the Somerville Theatre. — Photos by Aoife Troxel

The annual Boston Society for Architecture’s (BSA) Gingerbread Exhibition and Competition welcomed entries from local architecture firms as well as families and individuals. The theme of this year’s virtual exhibition and competition was Escape from 2020: Fantasyland.

Eagle Feathers #220 – The Yule Train

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

One day in the winter of 1842, a train rolled through this city. Among its passengers was a young English author who, shortly after his four-month visit to America, would change Christmas forever. The coach or omnibus, as they were often called, was the first American train he ever boarded. It was the Boston and Lowell, the first major railroad built in New England.

Somerville teacher Jessica Couture gets ready to self-swab for her COVID-19 test. —Photos by Alonso Nichols, Tufts University Photography

As part of ongoing efforts to support Tufts University’s local communities, Tufts and the City of Somerville have begun a COVID-19 testing program for Somerville PK-12 public school teachers and staff members. When PK-12 resumes, students will be tested as well.

The holidays can be a pain for a lot of people. It is especially difficult this year as we all contend with the challenges that we have dealt with lately.

But when it comes to this time of year, the headaches should really serve as a reminder of the importance of why the daily routine should come to a grinding halt sometimes for a greater spiritual good.

The Somerville Turkey – a beloved and hated bird – was put to sleep due to his aggressive behavior…

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Review by Off the Shelf correspondent Lee Varon

During the ongoing pandemic, many of us have rediscovered the joy of getting lost in a good book. Especially, for me, this means a mystery. The Girl in the Boston Box by Cambridge writer Chuck Latovich is a perfect present for yourself or someone you know.

This year, instead of gathering on Prospect Hill on New Year’s Day to reenact the raising of the Grand Union Flag (considered to be the first flag of the nation), you can tune in to a virtual celebration of this historical event. Beginning Friday, January 1, a pre-recorded ceremony will air on City Cable (RCN channel 13 and Comcast channel 22) and the City’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/SomervilleCityTV.