Phillip Weiss, now Temple B’nai Brith’s religious leader emeritus, spoke Saturday evening, December 14, at a tribute that recognized his 40 years of service to the city’s historic Jewish congregation.

By Penny Schwartz

Some 200 people filled the sanctuary at Temple B’nai Brith, coming together on Saturday evening, December 14, to pay tribute to Phillip Weiss, the Jewish congregation’s revered and beloved spiritual leader who first wandered up the stairs of the synagogue forty years ago looking for a place to worship for Yom Kippur.

(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 Joseph A. Curtatone

Taking a closer look at notable city data – and interesting numbers.

Almost 30 years: Last week the City Council voted to adopt a new zoning ordinance, which is the first major overhaul of the zoning rules since 1990 and it replaced some regulations that had been in place since 1924 when the City first adopted zoning. A lot has changed over the past 30 years, and the zoning code was amended over the years to reflect that. Over the years those one-off changes made for a zoning code that was overly complicated and often made it difficult to do even simple home upgrades. Although the new code comes in at 552 pages, it’s simplified the rules and will make it easier to understand what can and cannot be built in Somerville. It also updates the rules for Somerville’s future. For example, the new code created a Fabrication District for arts and creative enterprises, which will make it easier for artists and makers to open studios and shops.

By Bob Katzen

The Baker administration announced that sufficient economic growth in 2019 under the terms of a 2002 law will result in tax cuts for millions of Bay State taxpayers in 2020. The cuts would come from a reduction in the Part B individual income tax rate and long-term capital gains tax rate from the current 5.05 percent to 5 percent effective January 1, 2020. The administration said the cuts are estimated to result in an $88 million tax reduction in partial fiscal year 2020 and $185 million in full fiscal year 2021. Estimates are that the average taxpayer would save from $20 to $50 per year. High income earners would save hundreds of dollars.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Before all the electronics and video games that the kids today enjoy, toys were pretty simple.

Today a child’s Christmas list looks very different than back in the day. My sister loved her Chatty Cathy doll and her Easy Bake Oven. One year I got a Mr. Potato Head that you actually used real potatoes or other vegetables with.

New restrictions aimed at reducing parking problems posed by new residents occupying new developments have been proposed by the Somerville Traffic Commission.

By Jim Clark

The City of Somerville Traffic Commission approved a proposal to restrict the issuance of parking permits to future residents of new development located within walking distance to a rapid transit station of the MBTA’s Red, Orange, or Green Line services at its latest meeting on Thursday, December 12.

Peter Lancaster’s “The Old and the New” illustrated Somerville’s older culture and how it has been changing, due to gentrification. — Photo by Peter Lancaster

By Shira Laucharoen

Through the image of a chain link fence, we see a scene of congested traffic, lanes of cars crowded on McGrath highway, in the city of Somerville. The photograph captures “only a glimpse of Somerville’s chaotic rat race,” the statement for the picture reads. Taken by student Cassian Ortiz, the representation of a neighborhood scene is part of a photo essay called Legoland, a critique of what the city has become, as a result of gentrification. Another image offers a look at the giant Lego giraffe at Assembly Row.

A meeting was held at the West Somerville Neighborhood School to discuss improvement plans for its schoolyard.

By Adam Parise

Last Wednesday, December 11, residents and city planners gathered in the cafeteria of the West Somerville Neighborhood School to discuss the layout and design options for the new schoolyard.

(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 State Representative Christine P. Barber

As I look back on 2019, I would like to take a moment to say thank you. Thanks to the partnership and action of people in Somerville and Medford, we have accomplished so much together for our community. We succeeded in moving forward several local projects and made important investments to benefit all residents. In the face of cruelty and division coming out of Washington, I am proud to represent a community of people who work collaboratively and inclusively to make changes in their neighborhood and to advocate for important policies to benefit our entire state.

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 2020.

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The Somerville Times staff is taking a small holiday vacation beginning this week, with the next issue coming out on January 1, 2020. Anything that comes in and is Somerville related through that period will be posted online to our website. We want to thank all our readers and fans for your support this past year. We are very proud of our paper. We try to keep it a real local paper, local stories that are about Somerville. Thank you for sticking with us! Don’t forget, you can go online to our website and register online for a free subscription of the entire paper.

By Stephanie Hirsch

Election season is a stressful time in the city, most especially for the people at the center of the storm. This month, I want to give a huge shout-out to the brave and committed people who ran for office the first time. That group included 10 people, and nine of them were women. They shared some reflections on their experiences with me.