Musician and landscape designer, Jennifer.

By JT Thompson

Jennifer is a musician, landscape designer, and devoted parent who began her life in a homogenous WASP neighborhood in New York City, and now thrives in the multicultural richness of living in Union Square.

In the early ‘90s she had national success in a band called The Story, singing harmony with her college friend Jonatha Brooke. After the band broke up in ’94, Jennifer went on to find happiness in the local music scene, in parenting, and in the mix of indoor and outdoor work in her landscape design career.

By Braden Moriarty

Hopes are high for the students and staff at Somerville’s own Next Wave and Full Circle Alter-native schools as they put together the 22nd Annual Tree Lot Fundraiser at their brand new location: The Edgerly Building on the corner of Cross Street and Bonair Street.

 ~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Somerville High School Craft Fair is celebrated its 25th Year this past weekend. More than 100 registered crafters provided everything from wreaths to homemade soaps and concrete jewelry.

By Joseph A. Curtatone 

(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)

If you’ve seen me lately, then you know that I’ve been walking around with my arm in a cast due to an injury. You too may have been to the doctor recently for a flu shot or due to a cold. Individual injuries and illnesses like these and the doctor’s visits they require are usually what we think of when we talk of health and healthcare. But the communities we live in are also greatly connected to how healthy we are. External factors such as education, economy, transportation, housing, food security, and safety all impact health and healthcare access. That’s why the City has worked with the Cambridge Health Alliance for more than 25 years to study and act upon the many factors that affect individual health right here in Somerville. Most recently, our latest joint health study provides valuable insights for the work we are about to launch going forward – work that I hope you will take part in.

Not enough choices for your home viewing pleasure? The City of Somerville may soon be expanding its coverage of all committee meetings through video or audio media.

By Jim Clark

Can’t get enough of the Board of Aldermen Finance Committee’s discussions about the Tree Preservation Ordinance with criteria for removal and notification to add safeguards for street reconstruction projects? How about the Land Use Committee’s views on an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to create a new “CCD-55 Commercial” sub-district? Perhaps you are an involved parent wishing to keep up with the latest activities of the School Committee.

The Dream Syndicate is back and kicking off a national with a show at ONCE on Friday, December 1. — Photo by Chris Sikich

By Blake Maddux

In a 1982 interview, Michael Quercio of the band The Three O’Clock stated that his and several like-minded Los Angeles groups comprised what he called “the Paisley Underground.”

Among the other bands that Quercio was describing were Green on Red, The Long Ryders, Rain Parade, The Bangles, and The Dream Syndicate.

The Next Wave and Full Circle Alternative schools’ 22nd Annual Tree Lot Fundraiser is being held at a new location this year, at the Edgerly Building on the corner of Cross Street and Bonair Street. All proceeds will go to supporting student scholarships, trips and behavioral management programs. The lot is operated entirely by teachers and students, who volunteer their time on evenings and weekends during the busy holiday season. The trees and decorative wreaths are being sold from December 2 to December 18 between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. during the week and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the weekends.

Each year, Somerville Local First kicks off the shopping season with a holiday fair held at the Armory filled with local vendors and their wares.

By Kris Atienza

With the holiday season fast approaching, many people are thinking about buying gifts for others. While finding the perfect gift may be a challenge, one local organization has an idea of where people can start looking – right in their own neighborhood.

Eagle Feathers #142 – Miracle on the Mystic

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

It was 1630 when John Winthrop led an odyssey of 700 people on eleven ships from England to the shores of Massachusetts. They were in search of religious and civil freedom. John was appointed their first leader.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to Assembly Row last Thursday on a report of a suspicious person. The reporting party was an Assembly Row security staffer who was watching a male party that was believed to be involved in a shoplifting incident two days earlier at Brooks Brothers.