By Jim Clark

As the Somerville Public School system has been pursuing a plan for a phased in return to in-person classroom attendance by early December, delays in fitting classrooms with suitable ventilation and other resources have forced officials to push the reopening into January of next year.

Dear Friends of Next Wave and Full Circle,

Due to the ongoing pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our annual NWFC Tree and Wreath Sale this year. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is of the utmost importance. We do not want to put anyone at risk of contracting or spreading the virus.

The 2020 Illuminations Tour will have a new COVID twist this year. Even though the traditional trolley led Illuminations Tour this winter will not take place, the spirit of Somerville will shine through. The Somerville Arts Council believes that our neighborhoods and squares have much to share, so they are going to deconstruct their tour to allow you to develop your own self-guided tour. Come celebrate the folk artistry of residents who transform their houses and yards with lights, illuminated ornaments, and shrines of devotion and fantasy. Somerville Lights Up! They will be developing a Google Map so you can take a social distance personal tour. Their map will be available for viewing starting on December 12. The map will include different emojis and map layers to indicate the different kinds of locations you can visit. Are you illuminating and bedazzling your home or business? Tell them about it here: https://forms.gle/K1x53vimTadT1k1d6.

The Somerville City Council is currently examining the feasibility of establishing an ordinance prohibiting the use of tear gas by local law enforcement authorities.

While the proposed ordinance is only in the early exploratory stages by the City Solicitor’s Office, the idea is already generating a fair amount of discussion throughout the community.

Pino, Salvatore J. Sr. – 86, of Somerville November 10, 2020.

Beloved husband of Natalie (Oliveira) Pino and the late Marie (Caizzi) Pino.

McDaid, Anthony “Tony” Patrick – Passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2020 at the age of 81. Born on March 5, 1939, to Anthony and Anna (Monahan) McDaid. He was a lifelong resident of Somerville, growing up on Dane street with his siblings, the late John and Mary McDaid. He married the late Margaret (Kennedy) McDaid, his loving wife of 58 years. He was the best father to his children: Timothy, Katie, Matthew, his wife Stacy and the late Kellie McDaid.   Papa Tony’s greatest joy were his 6 grandchildren:  Emily, Kathryn, Dillon, and Grace McDaid, Max Costa and Haleigh Doane. Tony is also survived by his sister-in-law Mary Toomey and many beloved nieces and nephews.

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Thea Paneth is one of the many talented artists I have interviewed for The Somerville Times. And like many she works hard to make the daily nut and continue to produce evocative painting and photographs. I caught up with her recently.

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Sydney Leclerc writes: “I grew up in the small town of Gorham New Hampshire and am now a freshman at Endicott College studying Creative Writing. Unsure of what I want to pursue after graduation, I plan to use the next four years as an opportunity to explore the ways in which I can use my passion for writing to help others.”

Frank L. Di Fonzo – A lifelong resident of Somerville, passed away on November 5, 2020.

Beloved husband of Rafaella (DeBenedictis) Di Fonzo.

Frank was the longtime proprietor of Bill’s Food Shop on the corner of Conwell Ave and Hillsdale Road.

Winter, Howard T. “Howie” – Of Millbury, formerly of Somerville, passed away on November 12, 2020.

Loving husband of Ellen T. (Brogna) Winter.

Beloved son of the late William and Helen Winter.