A lot of Somerville’s public parks and recreational areas have been or will be undergoing significant renovations and improvements over the course of time.

This is, of course, a good thing and something that is necessary on an ongoing basis as routine maintenance. There have been instances, however, when a certain amount of controversy has been generated, for example, over budgeting, best use of spaces, hours of operation, natural versus artificial turf, etc.

On Sunday, December 9, a ceremonial Menorah Lighting took place on the City Hall Concourse with Rabbi Eliana from Temple B’nai Brith. All members of the community were invited to join Mayor Curtatone, city officials and staff for a brief ceremony and photo on the City Hall Concourse. The Menorah will be lit each night of Hanukkah.

Eagle Feathers #168 – The Raiders

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Two hundred forty-five years ago this week, the spark that ignited American freedom took place at Griffin’s Wharf in Boston Harbor. It began in 1767 when England imposed upon the colonists the Townshend Acts that taxed glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea.

Somerville poet and artist Kirk Etherton has this poetry display up in the Market Basket, my supermarket of choice. You can pick up a free poem, along with your frozen vegetables.

— Doug Holder

Join The Welcome Project as they celebrate International Migrants Day. They will showcase art and highlight stories of immigration from the community. They will also be launching their immigration quilt and inviting everyone to participate in their project. Appetizers will be served. Tuesday, December 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 135 Broadway, Somerville. RSVP at  https://www.facebook.com/events/326949207892665/?active_tab=about.

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Review by Timothy Gager

There’s something wrong with you if these poems don’t speak to you. If they don’t speak to you it means you are not vulnerable. It means you are uncomfortable when someone is completely honest with you. It means someone sitting next to you on an airplane who is about to tell you the most incredible story you’ve heard in your life and is silenced because you are too busy to listen.

Lawrence Kessenich won the 2010 Strokestown International Poetry Prize. His poetry has been widely published, including in the Sewanee Review, and Poetry Ireland. His chapbook was published by Pudding House Publications in 2008. In 2012, his poem Underground Jesus was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Kessenich has also published essays, one of which was featured on NPR’s This I Believe in 2010 and appears in the anthology This I Believe: On Love. A number of his plays have been produced. He is the author of the novel Cinnamon Girl. He is a Somerville Bagel Bard.

Arrests:
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Shukry Juma, of 41 Corey St., Charlestown, December 3, 6:49 p.m., arrested at 1 Davis Sq. on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Thomas Perrotta, December 3, 8:22 p.m., arrested at Revolution Dr. on warrant charges of shoplifting by asportation, shoplifting by concealing merchandise, shoplifting over $250 by asportation, and larceny by check over $1200.

Please join Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis, members of the Brown School staff, and the City of Somerville Parks and Open Space Department to discuss renovation ideas for the Brown School schoolyard. We want to hear your thoughts before selecting a landscape architect for the project.