Say goodbye to Once at 156 Highland Ave., take home a memento, and help them  get ready for their next steps. Sign up for a time slot to come by the venue and rummage through a ton of items that they have to part with.

They are offering staggered 15-minute entry time slots Saturday and Sunday from 12:00  to 6:00 p.m. More information on facebook event

Here is the COVID-19 update for Friday, December 11. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, Somerville community members, friends, and supporters,

I am writing to let you know that I will not be a candidate for re-election for Ward 5 City Councilor in the November 2, 2021 City election.  The past 15 years serving on the School Committee and City Council have been the highlight of my work life.  I am grateful to have had this opportunity and grateful to have met and worked with so many caring, committed, smart and wonderful people.

(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)

What a wonderful article highlighting easy actions to protect our environment. This is a great resource given that the tips are very specific and achievable.

I am a firm believer that adapting our personal behaviors can have a ripple effect that spreads throughout society and lead to significant benefits for our environment. After more than 15 years of scrutinizing my habits to achieve minimal environment impact, I realized that many of my frustrations with our societal imbalance with nature could be broadly addressed with appropriate legislative action.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

With the uncertainty of another pandemic relief package, I hope all my friends don’t have any trouble paying their rents or mortgages.

— Photos courtesy of Somerville by Design

By Emmanuel Vincent

The Assembly Square Neighborhood Plan Update Meeting took place this past Friday. Presented by Dover, Kohl & Partners, this virtual gathering focused on concepts in regards to mobility and street design ideas, as well as well as the infancy stage of a drafted economic development strategy.

— Photos by Hongyu Liu

By Hongyu Liu

Everyone is invited to check out six beautifully decorated Christmas trees while visiting Assembly Row this holiday season. Several local non-profit organizations have participated in the “Deck the Cause” event by decorating six twelve-foot Christmas trees.

The rumor mill has it that Ward 5 City Councilor Mark Neidergang may not be running for reelection next term, and already someone has announced that they will be running for his seat. Nothing has been officially announced yet, but whatever the facts are we wish him the best for the future and thank him for his service to the city.

Every year we put out a call for Somerville residents to shop local during the holiday season. It’s a good practice that keeps your money circulating inside your community. Directing our spending money to local businesses is something each of us can do to make the world around us a better place. The local economy plays a big role in our quality of life.