Here comes the holiday shopping season, and we are ready to embrace the opportunity to celebrate with the spirit enthusiasm and optimism, in spite of the trials and tribulations we have all faced in the past several months.

We know how to lift ourselves, to rise to the occasion and make the most of what we have, in spite of whatever challenges may confront us.

Socially distanced volunteers lined up in the rain to help Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services with Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels deliveries on November 24. The 69 volunteers delivered roughly 550 meals.

By Nathan Lamb

Nearly 70 volunteers braved a rainy November morning to help Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) make Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels deliveries on November 24. 

SCES delivers a Thanksgiving meal – with turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables and pumpkin pie – to local older adults who want one each year. The program usually gets around 320 requests, but this year there were almost 550, said SCES Nutrition Director Meghan Ostrander.

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Pier Gustafson writes on his website, “My studio in the real world is rather like the studio here in the virtual world – a bit on the busy side with lots of things going on. I may be researching a map in this corner, painting a sign-in board in that. My drawing table may be covered with sketches for a monogram which must be moved to make way for a stack of envelopes which need to be addressed.”

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Our featured poet writes: “My name is Gina Ingrando and I am a freshman English major at Endicott College. My concentration is creative writing, and it is one of my favorite things to do. It is also my favorite elective at the moment. I am currently having another poem published in a poetry collection called Together. My biggest goal is to get my poems out there and have people read and enjoy what I love to do.”

(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 William C. Shelton

The poet Federico Garcia Lorca wrote that La Rambla was the only street in the world that he wished would never end. It is a linear plaza running three-quarters of a mile, from Barcelona’s center to the Mediterranean.

Following months of suspended enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Somerville will resume residential parking enforcement December 1, 2020. 

City data indicates most residents have already renewed their expired permits in 2020 (thank you!). Those who still need to renew an expired permit or obtain a new permit are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Sign up for city alerts to be reminded of snow emergencies and parking regulations

As snow season approaches, the City of Somerville reminds all residents that because this winter season begins in an even year, snow emergency parking is allowed on the even side. The city’s snow removal policy for public streets requires that residents park only on one designated side of the street during snow emergencies (unless otherwise posted). One-sided parking is needed to allow plows to push snow to the other side of the street to ensure safe passage for emergency vehicles and others. Any exceptions for designated streets will be posted with official roadside signage. For example, roads that have parking only on the odd-numbered side of the street year-round will also, usually, park on the odd side during snow emergencies.

Help plan for the future of the Assembly Square neighborhood by participating in one or more virtual sessions of the city’s Assembly Square Neighborhood Plan Update Public Design Charrette. Sessions are planned for Monday, November 30, through Friday, December 4, and will allow residents to share their ideas, talk with their neighbors, and learn more about Assembly Square planning.

Yet, in a safe, deconstructed way. Time to light things up Somerville —and take self-guided tours, while supporting local businesses.

Even though, they  will not be conducting traditional trolley tours this winter, the bright spirit of Somerville will shine on. So whether you’re a business or a resident, time to deck the halls and plug things in!  Somerville Arts Council is  hoping that each neighborhood and square gets involved. They’ll  then create a digital map so folks can take a “deconstructed tour” on their own time, supporting local businesses as they go. So, as a participant or tour goer, let’s celebrate the folk artistry and creativity of residents and businesses that transform their spaces and yards with lights, ornaments, and shrines of devotion and fantasy.