Better than black Friday: The Somerville High Holiday Craft Fair on Sat., Nov. 30. Stop by the high school field house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to check out unique items. Admission is free and proceeds from the day will benefit the Somerville High School track team. http://bit.ly/18WALAJ

State Representative Denise Provost talks about Tufts University’s “PILOT” or “Payment In Lieu Of Taxes” to the City of Somerville on the next episode of Somerville Neighborhood News on 11/26 @7pm! Watch on Ch.3 or online at http://www.scatvsomerville.org/snn

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It all kicks off Thurs., Dec. 5 with the annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the City Hall concourse. Along with musical e…ntertainment, special guest Santa Clause will be stopping by to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Later in the month you can join a trolley tour of spectacularly decorated houses in East or West Somerville during the Illuminations Tours. Tickets for the popular tours go on sale Mon., Dec. 2.

New this year is the Holiday Arts and Eats Festival on Dec. 6, 7, and 8. The festival will feature food trucks, a large holiday market including 60 artists, a 21+ event on Friday night and family-friendly activities and live music all weekend long.

For more information on any of these events: http://bit.ly/1e3OYiQ

SOMERVILLE – Help the Somerville Arts Council better understand the economic assets of the creative community in Somerville by participating in a quick community survey, launched with the UMass Center for Policy Analysis. .

The survey can be found at http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/creativesurvey, is open to all residents and will be available through December 6. It takes only 12 questions and five minutes to complete.

“Much of our success at the Somerville Arts Council relies on us listening to the creative community in Somerville,” said Mayor Joe Curtatone. “This survey, the data we will gain and the completed report will help the Council and the City understand how much the creative community contributes to Somerville’s economic vitality. We’ve always known we have a wealth of creative people in our City and now we will be able to quantify that information.”

“Our programming seeks to reflect the rich cultural diversity of the City and the artists, designers, and performers who have made it home. Similarly the policies we push at the City level attempt to be responsive to the needs of local artists,” said Gregory Jenkins, Director of the Somerville Arts Council.

As Somerville approaches a crossroads regarding the type of change and development it expects, surveys and reports will help City officials and directors understand the needs of the creative community and identify points of leverage for policy intervention. Toward that goal, the City is launching this asset survey and analysis with the UMass Center for Policy Analysis.

Although there is no rigid definition of the creative economy, it essentially encompasses those businesses, organizations and individuals who produce and distribute cultural goods, services and intellectual property—from art, film, photography and music to architecture, advertising and jewelry design.

“Somerville is well-known for attracting and supporting artists, but we are always looking for new and innovative ways to expand our programs and policies,” Jenkins said. “While economic impacts are an inherently crude measure of artistic expression, they are an important part of the larger narrative of how creative activity increases cultural and economic well-being. This report will provide more clarity about the depth and breadth of the cultural communities economic assets, which can be leveraged to support not only their community but also the City at-large.”

The survey is available at http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org

Be sure to pick up this coming Tuesday, November 26th print edition of The Somerville News Weekly because you won’t want to miss “Newstalk Shout OutLoud” at all!

Many questions to be asked, even many more questions need to be answered!

We will also be bringing you very shortly in an upcoming issue a very disturbing, sensitive and some long-awaited “tell all stories of what happened, how and why as it unfolds!” One can only imagine!

Happy 75th Birthday to my wonderful Dad. Your a wonderful father, friend, grandfather,and so much more to so many, Thomas Lydon. Enjoy the day

Debi Lydon Mitrano

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