This year’s Thanksgiving Day observance will be like no other in our lifetimes. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat to our health and safety, and therefore guidance dictates that we should avoid the traditional larger gatherings and instead only celebrate among those in our immediate circle.

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Julia Kanno writes: I am the mother of two amazing young men ages 27 and 17. I am from Appalachia and Botswana. I am an artist and also work in healthcare. I have self-published with my co-pilot levin pfeuffer two books of prose a storm is cuming and The hardest helmut. My first reading was done at Northeastern University and since then I have read at the Somerville Armory two times. I consider myself an introverted artist/writer. I give birth to my works including those that have been displayed at the Decordova Museum as well as Howard University and local gems such as The Middle East and Out of the Blue gallery. I will be published in Tell magazine featuring my textiles and art in the spring. Currently, I am studying behavioral science and psychology because there is a need for more people of color to be there for people of color to help end the stigma of seeking mental health.

And remind you to ship early this holiday season

Post Offices across the commonwealth will be closed on Thursday, November 26, in celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Street delivery on Thursday will be limited to guaranteed overnight parcels and there will be no collection of mail.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis, and Ward 7 Councilor Katjana Ballantyne invite you to attend the third virtual community meeting about the Holland Street and College Avenue Mobility Improvements project on Wednesday, December 9, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will take place on the GoToMeeting webinar platform. Register to attend at bit.ly/HollandCollegeMeeting3. 

Residents behind on rent or certain mortgage payments urged to apply quickly; funds must be allotted by December 30, 2020

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that $500,000 in federal Covid-19 Cares Act Relief funds are being dedicated to the Flex-CV Fund to support residents behind in housing payments due to impacts of the pandemic. The FLEX-CV program is an emergency temporary rental and mortgage assistance program for Somerville residents who have had an income loss, or an increase in expenses, caused by or exacerbated by Covid-19.

Serving Seniors 2020 award winners (L to R): Dr. Daphne Schneider, Nakaike Okpara, Caitlyn Dickinson, Rosa Deleon and Betty Mitchell.

By Nathan Lamb

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) recently recognized five essential workers for their compassion and excellence at Serving Seniors 2020.

The annual event was held virtually, with most of the award presentations filmed beforehand. Speaking to staff at the live portion of the program on Nov. 12, SCES Executive Director Paul Hollings said the changes were necessary to recognize those who are doing essential work.

The Somerville City Council will hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 tax rates on Tuesday, November 24, starting at 7 p.m.

At this annual hearing the Chief Assessor, on behalf of the Board of Assessors, presents two requests to the Council that are taken up for a vote:

City to launch inclusive selection process for new Chief; outgoing Chief David Fallon lauded in advance of previously announced retirement

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that former Acting Chief of Police Charles Femino has agreed to serve as the Acting Chief of Police effective December 12, 2020, until a permanent replacement is found for departing Chief David Fallon, who announced his pending retirement in March.