“I want to say a quick word to everyone who ran in this election—and really to all of us. In my years in Somerville government, I’ve seen many candidates win and lose hard-fought campaigns. According to politics, these opponents should now be enemies, but so often, I’ve seen instead how their love for this city made them compatriots. So to each of you—and everyone—I say, let us also show that same dedication. Let our commitment to working together while valuing our differences be our strength as we strive toward our community’s shared goals going forward.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan hosted more than 450 students from 30 middle and high schools across Middlesex County at this year’s Empowering Girls 2017 Conference: Women with Vision held at the Cary Memorial Building in Lexington. This year’s theme focused on leadership, self-discovery and goal-setting in the face of obstacles.

Seventeen Somerville students were selected for the 2018 All-State Treble Chorus. Students in grades 4 through 6 are accepted through an audition process and will represent the best singers of their age group in the state. The concert, which takes place on March 3 at Boston’s Seaport Hotel, will be directed by Dr. Janet Galván, Director of Choral Activities at Ithaca College. Congratulations to the following Somerville Public Schools students.

The Massachusetts Bankers Association Charitable Foundation recently presented a $5,000 check to support community programs at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES). The check was accepted by SCES Assistant Director Mary Ann Dalton. The agency was nominated for the award by Roma Mayur (right) of the Cambridge Trust Company.

The Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA) Charitable Foundation recently donated $5,000 to support programs and services at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES).

The MBA foundation is supported by 150 member banks and loan associations across New England, and distributes community grants at the end of each year. The foundation awarded 43 grants totaling $167,000 in 2017—the most in its 21-year history, said foundation chairman William Parent.

Sign up now for winter 2017-18.

The City of Somerville is looking for Somerville teens to pair with residents in need of shoveling assistance during upcoming snow storms. Additionally, Somerville senior citizens and residents with disabilities may contact us to be added to the list. Teens and residents in need of assistance will be paired by the City, which has also arranged a payment structure depending on the residents’ needs. However, payment is handled independently between the resident and the teen with whom they are paired.

Update: Due to current weather forecasts for extreme cold on Monday, January 1, the City of Somerville has POSTPONED the annual Flag Raising event at Prospect Hill until Sunday, March 4.

In its annual tradition, the City of Somerville will kick off the New Year on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, with a reenactment ceremony for the 242^nd 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 will leave from the City Hall Concourse at 11:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at Prospect Hill Park.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro