East Somerville Main Streets will be hosting their first annual Ugly Sweater bar crawl on Sunday December 16 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Come out in your most tacky sweater and enjoy the diverse range of bars and restaurants on Broadway in East Somerville. This event is free to attend and local drink specials will be available for purchase.

Case Manager Tessa Brisson (center) hugs Marian Petrillo, who was recognized as an Outstanding Care Provider by Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services at Serving Seniors 2018.

By Nathan Lamb

Seven organizations, care providers, and volunteers were recognized for outstanding efforts on behalf of older adults at Serving Seniors 2018.

The awards ceremony was hosted by Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) on Nov. 15. Speaking to more than 200 guests, SCES Executive Director Paul Hollings said the theme was honoring those who work together to benefit older adults in Cambridge and Somerville.

Borges, Manuel F., of Somerville, November 20, 2018 at age 97.

Devoted husband of Nair (Raposa) Borges for 72 Years. Loving father of Maria Lurdes Borges, Margaret Borges and her husband Joe Davalos, Carlos Manuel Borges, Shelia Borges Foley and her husband Robert Foley and the late Mario Borges. Cherished grandfather of Mario Borges, Celeste McNerney, Krista Burke and Robert Mario Foley. Adored great-grandfather of Arianna and Nicholas Borges, Liam and Hunter McNerney, Kaylie and Aiden Burke. Also survived by his sister Ana Maria Tavares, his brother Antonio Borges, many nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends.

Somerville Media Center has opened registration for Memes, GIFs, and Graphic Design. The class will run on Wednesdays, January 2, 9, 23, and 30 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and will be offered to youth age 8–14.

Love internet graphics? Wanna go viral? Create your own memes, animated GIFs, logos, fonts, images and more! Learn how to use graphic design tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva to create an original graphic design campaign about a cause you care about.

By Olivia Daprile

On Friday, November 16, over 130 foster children were legally adopted by families across the state. Five courthouses opened their doors throughout Massachusetts on National Adoption Day, an annual event which aims to celebrate adoption and spread awareness about the thousands of foster children in need of adoptive families.

One of these families was Emily Ackman and Jonah Larkins-Ford, of Somerville Mass, who officially adopted their son, Tristan.

This is the 27th year of Somerville High School Craft Fair, with free admission, over 100 crafters and a snack bar.

There are crafters from ceramics to jewelry and carved wood and everything in between. Get gifts for everyone in one spot. Each crafter has purchased a space where 100% of their table reservation goes to support the runners of the Somerville High School Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track Teams. Ever wonder who buys sneakers for kids in need or helps to cover expenses for travel to other states and regional events? The SHS TRACK PAC is a register 501c3 non profit.

A public information session regarding contamination at Conway Park will be held on Wednesday, December 5, at the Public Safety Building (Police Headquarters) at 220 Washington Street, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Weston & Sampson, the licensed site professionals in charge of soil testing, and City staff will be on hand to discuss the testing results and next steps as well as to answer questions. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) who have oversight over the testing and mitigation process will also be present to answer questions.

(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 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

It’s that time of year again. It’s the season for gathering with your friends and family, for enjoying whichever holiday(s) your family celebrates, and for giving. Here in Somerville, it’s also a season for construction and road work. With that in mind, I’m updating one of my op-eds from my archives to remind us all of the importance of shopping local this holiday season. And this year, let’s take it one step further—for the holidays and year-round—join in our #Loyal2Local campaign to especially support businesses impacted by construction.