Here comes the holiday shopping season once again, and we are ready to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the only way we know how: with enthusiasm and optimistic attitudes.

Let the political and social pundits doom and gloom themselves into their usual perpetual state of the doldrums. 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.

Eagle Feathers #192 – The Tufts Family

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

The oldest stone building in Massachusetts still stands proudly in the center of Somerville’s Quarry Hill. Referred to as, The Powder House, this structure has stood its ground for over 315 years. Originally built as a gristmill in 1704, it was sold in 1747 to the Massachusetts Bay Colony for use as a gunpowder magazine.

Somerville Heroes by Stephanie Hirsch

Cotton Candy House: In Winter Hill, Vici Kins’ “Cotton Candy House” celebrates the warm and welcoming, come-one-come-all spirit of Halloween. Twenty-one years ago, Vici bought a house and also adopted a community tradition which resonated with her.

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It is hard to label Alec Hutson, and that’s OK with him. He is an eclectic artist who is involved with many different projects. I met Hutson in the backroom of my usual haunt, the Bloc 11 Cafe in Union Square, Somerville. Hutson is a 30-ish looking man, with a shaved head, a well-trimmed beard and an intense intellectual look about him. Hutson told me that he has lived in Somerville for the past 4 years.

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Tom Miller is a voice over artist and poet. His work has been published in Ibbetson Street, Muddy River Poetry Review, Wilderness House Poetry Review and a number of other journals and anthologies. He frequently appears as the featured artist at various venues on Boston’s North Shore. He is a native of Ohio and currently lives in Ipswich, MA.

Arrests:
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Jaime Miranda, November 13, 4:59 p.m., arrested at Foley St. on a warrant charge of juror failure to appear.

Shaun Lyons, , November 13, 8:27 p.m., arrested at Broadway on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of property damage, and operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 Councilor J.T. Scott, and the city’s Planning staff invite you to a meeting to discuss initial steps toward achieving the neighborhood plan for Boynton Yards. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Public Safety Building, 220 Washington St.

The Center for Arts at the Armory has announced a new leadership team. Stephanie Scherpf joined the organization in September 2019 as Executive Director, and Joe Botsch has recently joined as Operations Manager. These appointments are a key part of the transition following the January announcement that Executive Director Lea Ruscio would be stepping down effective November 30, 2019.

Please join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services, and the Somerville High School Gender and Sexuality Awareness Alliance (GSAA) on Wednesday, November 20, at 2:45 p.m., for a ceremony in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. The ceremony will take place on the City Hall concourse, 93 Highland Ave. The ceremony’s speaking agenda will include Mayor Curtatone, HHS Deputy Director Nancy Bacci, and representatives from GSAA, followed by a raising of the Transgender Flag. The event is open to the public, and all community members are welcome.

Somerville Arts Council grant recipient Ian Coss, puppeteer Putu Rekeyasa, and arts scholar Panji Wilimantara, three of the four artists who perform together as The Brothers Campur, visited Somerville High School on Monday, November 4.