Compromise is often a hard thing to achieve. Especially when those with opposing points of view assume an intractable stance on an issue. Still, sometimes there is simply no other way to function and move forward unless some common ground is established.

One thing that all of us should be able to agree on is that everyone who travels on our city streets should feel that they can do so in safety and without undue restriction or impediment in their movements from place to place.

Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill was delighted to welcome Cobble Hill residents and Somerville first responders and their families over the weekend to enjoy a breakfast with Santa. The morning was full of holiday cheer as guests dined, laughed, and took photos with Santa Claus. The Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill is located at 30 Washington St., Somerville, MA 02143. For more information, call (617) 628-1000.

Arrests:
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Jeremy Cardarelli, December 4, 9:45 p.m., arrested at Highland Ave. on charges of disorderly conduct, trespassing, and resisting arrest.

Curt Raposa, December 6, 7:28 p.m., arrested at Highland Ave. on charges of operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, alcohol from open container, and resisting arrest.

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Review by Off The Shelf correspondent Timothy Gager

Softly Glowing Exit Signs is a book of poetry with three longer pieces included: one of non-fiction, one of fiction, and an excerpt taken from Georgia Park’s writing catalog. The takeaway from reading Softly Glowing Exit Signs is that the writing is real life, and that overall poetry is real life, and that real life can be measured and unmasked within writing itself. When reading Softly Glowing Exit Signs I felt I was left in a room with Georgia Park, and she is telling me everything with a vulnerability she has not shown many people. It left me needing to read more, or sit and listen because anything else would be unjust.

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Shay Murphy writes: ” I am a freshman at Endicott College majoring in Digital Media with a concentration in Journalism. I am originally from Thomaston, Connecticut and spend most of my time with friends or my golden retriever, Chase.”

The Somerville Parks and Recreation Department is launching a new program: family-friendly field trips to fun locations in and around the Boston area. Beginning in December, Parks and Recreation will sponsor trips to places like the Stone Zoo, the Blue Man Group, Museum of Fine Arts, and more. Activities are appropriate for all ages, but children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A full list of dates, activities and pricing is below and is also available at www.somervillerec.com. Participants must register at least two weeks prior to the field trip. Prices for each activity are per person, and include transportation.

Darlene M. (Varney) Pefine of Medford formerly of Somerville December 1, 2019.

Beloved wife of Ronald F. Pefine,Sr.

Dear daughter of the late Janet (Mead) and Harold “Chubby” White.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is sending out thanks to the 66 volunteers who delivered Meals on Wheels Thanksgiving morning.

By Meghan Ostrander, Lindsey Smilack, and Nathan Lamb

For many of us, Thanksgiving is a wonderful day to relax and spend time with our families. On behalf of Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES), we are thanking all the volunteers who turned out Thanksgiving morning, so that our regular Meals on Wheels drivers could have the day off.