By The Times Staff

As another year passes, we look back now and highlight some of the stories of particular interest that we covered in 2018.

The year began in Somerville with newly elected members sworn in on the Board of Aldermen. The new members included Alderman At-Large Stephanie Hirsch; Alderman At-Large Wilfred N. Mbah; Ward 2 Alderman Jefferson Thomas (“J.T.”) Scott; Ward 3 Alderman Ben Ewen-Campen; and Ward 4 Alderman Jesse Clingan.

‘FELINE’ magazine is the purr-fect fashion accessory
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L to R: Molly Bales, Renessa Ciampa, and Jonathan Lansey proudly display the cover for the inaugural issue of “FELINE”, featuring celebrity feline Venus “the two-face cat” who has 1.6M followers on Instagram.

By Jim Clark

For Molly Bales, Human Editor-in-Chief of FELINE magazine, based in Porter Square, living up to the standards set by her employer, Clawdia Beauchat, provides both a stimulating challenge and a deep sense of satisfaction for a job well done.

On behalf of the publishers, editors, writers and – most importantly – the staff here at The Somerville Times, we want to wish you all the very best in 2019, for the city, its residents and those who love Somerville like we do. We might have some surprises this year you never know here at the paper. Happy New Year 2019 to all!

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

West Somerville Neighborhood School afternoon program students did some celebrating on their last day of school on December 21, prior to the holiday break. The carnival featured games, face painting, and various other fun activities.

Eagle Feathers #169 – Holiday Connections

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

We all love the time we can devote to rest and relaxation and take an intermission from our everyday pattern of work. Students call it a break, the military refers to it as a Leave of Absence or furlough, and it is publicly known as a holiday.

— Photos by Ana Bahnke

Residents of the Lowell St. Visiting Nurses Association facility were treated to some seasonal cheer on December 21 as the Moonlighters, led by Brian Bishop, entertained by singing holiday songs.

Arrests:
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Kevin O’Brien, of 93 Electric Ave., December 27, 11:50 a.m., arrested at Fellsway on warrant charges of alcohol from open container, marked lanes violation, operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor third offense, and operation of a motor vehicle with registration revoked as HTO.

Cameron Bourque, of 3 Mt. Vernon St., Melrose, December 27, 5:56 p.m., arrested at Temple St. on charges of drug possession to distribute and carrying a dangerous weapon, and on warrant charges of threat to commit a crime, criminal harassment, and witness intimidation.

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By Karen Friedland

Union Square resident Gloria Mindock has long had a mission of bringing poetry to the people.

This month, she’s wrapping up a successful two-year stint as Somerville’s second Poet Laureate, having brought poetry and music to elders at the Little Sisters of the Poor, puppet shows to children at two Somerville libraries, and a bi-monthly poetry round table, poetry readings and how-to workshops at the Arts at the Armory on Highland Avenue, as well as outdoor poetry readings at Union and Davis Squares. Her last event, on December 14, was a tribute to Claribel Alegria and other Salvadoran Poets, reflecting the sizable Salvadoran community in Somerville. To top it all off, she gave away 500 books of poetry all over town.

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Poet Sergio Inestrosa writes, “From my book Unstop Moon (Luna que no cesa) translated by Margaret Young three senryus.” Inestrosa is a professor at Endicott College, and the author of several poetry collections.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

In its annual tradition, the City of Somerville will kicked off the New Year today with a reenactment ceremony for the anniversary of the “Grand Union” flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park. A processional led by a re-enactor portraying General George Washington on horseback left the City Hall Concourse at 11:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at Prospect Hill Park.