The Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours is this Thursday, the 4th. It is an excellent networking event featuring free appetizers and a free business card drawing with cash bar. Guests are welcome to bring unwrapped Toys for Local Children. Sponsored by Bonney Automotive and the Law Offices of Isaac M. Machado. Hosted by Somerville Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Chair Dana Iacopucci of Cubby Oil & Energy.

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Alderman Mark Niedergang of Ward 5 is having a fundraiser this week on Thursday, the 4th, at a favorite local spot, Daddy Jones in Magoun Square, 525 Medford St., beginning at 6 p.m. and running into 8 p.m. Alderman Niedergang is in his freshmen year as alderman in Ward 5 but he’s no stranger to the political scene here in Somerville, in particular in his ward. He’s done a great job so far in his first year, constantly reaching out and working closely with residents on their concerns.  Mark’s special guest is our own very popular Congressman Mike Capuano.  Cong. Mike was former mayor and some will remember he once served as Ward 5 Alderman in the seventies.

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The annual city Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place this week on Thursday, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the concourse at City Hall. We hear Santa will also be present.

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Don’t forget to support the Full Circle/Wave Christmas Tree sale at Foss Park.

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Happy Birthday this week to some of our readers this week: Charlene Harris celebrated this past Sunday, we wish her all the best. A Happy Birthday to our good friend and well-known guy at city hall, Peter Forcellese Sr. We hope he has a great time this week. A Happy Birthday out to Craig Resmini this week as well. Everyone knows Craig, especially in the Winter Hill area. Another guy here in the city who’s popular is our good friend Peter Blaikie, who is also in Winter Hill. Peter is a busy man, has a few jobs and represents one of the city unions here in Somerville. We hope Peter has a good day for himself.

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Our condolences to the family of James J. Carroll who recently passed away recently at the age of 95. James was a retired Somerville Police officer, a resident of Winter Hill for many years and life long resident. He also served in WWII in the army. Officer Carroll was well known to many here in the Ville, a nice guy and always was pleasant to everyone no matter who you were and knew just about everyone here as well. He will be missed by all those who knew him.

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Our condolences also go out to the family and friends of Dorothea A. Macero (Lombardi), a lifelong resident of Somerville died after a short illness on November 24, 2014 at the age of 87. Dorothea was the beloved wife of Daniel N. Macero and the loving mother of Rosemary Macero of Somerville, Patrice Ambrosia and her husband Patrick of Arlington, Paul Macero and his wife Suzanne of Wakefield. She was the sister of the late Philomena Lombardi, Louise Gordinier and Susanne Lombardi and the dear grandmother of Gillian Ambrosia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothea’s memory to Dana Faber Cancer Research, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115.

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We saw Marie Howe this past week. She looks awesome and has a great memory. What a wonderful lady. She served our city well back starting back in the 60’s. Did you know that Somerville pioneered women as state representatives? Mary Fantasia (also still here in the city) and Marie were both elected state representatives here in Somerville from the late 60’s right up to late 80’s. Both served the city with distinction. Marie and Mary were well known and they served in a one time three representative district here in the city. Three candidates all ran on the same ballot for the same district and Marie Howe would top the ticket every time with over 20K votes and more. It’s too bad the city doesn’t recognize them for their efforts and history here in Somerville. We think that the city administration as well as the Board of Alderman should do something to recognize them for their effort. We can name a school after a living Superintendent of Schools and another school after our congressman Mike Capuano, but they can find something to give credit to these fine women who you can say laid the groundwork for other women to follow? If you agree, let City Hall know that they should recognize these two ladies.

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Don’t forget we are having a contest here over the next few weeks. We are asking anyone here in the Ville who would like to write a poem on the Christmas holiday and what it means to them to send it in to us. Deadline is Friday, December 12. You can email it to news@thesomervilletimes.com, mail it or drop it off at 699 Broadway, Somerville 02144. Poems will be selected by the The Times staff and the three top winners will have their poem published in time for Christmas. The best one submitted will receive a $100 gift certificate for the Mt. Vernon Restaurant, a $50 Mt. Vernon certificate for second choice and a $25 Mt. Vernon gift certificate for third place. Submit your poem to be published by The Somerville Times in time for the holiday.

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Also, if you’d like to send a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays greeting to your special person or to anyone across the city, we’re going to have a section in the December 24 edition set aside for your holiday greetings. Mail your greeting or deliver to The Somerville Times, 699 Broadway, Somerville 02144. The cost is only $5 for 25 words. The deadline for entry for the Christmas edition is December 19. Cash or check is due when submitting your greeting. Here’s your chance to show your loved ones and family or friends how special they are to you!

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Congratulations and best of luck to David Libardoni of Beacon Street, who recently passed the Massachusetts Bar exam and is headed to work in a downtown Boston Law firm. David was sworn in recently in Boston. He is a graduate of BC Law and undergraduate at Tufts University. David is the nephew of proud aunt of Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston. We, along with many here in the Ville, wish him the very best in his career.

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A fundraiser for Ward 1 Alderman Matt McLaughlin is being held on Wednesday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Casey’s Bar, 173 Broadway, Somerville. Matt’s another alderman who has been fighting hard for the people of East Somerville. So much so that he hasn’t had a fundraiser yet. Please attend and donate so that he can continue to represent the people.

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Also, on the first Saturday of every month, Alderman McLaughlin hosts a Community Council meeting to give a voice to residents. The subjects vary every month.  The next Ward 1 Community Council meeting will be Saturday, December 6, 3pm at 165 Broadway.  This month’s topic will be opiate abuse, a subject that affects everyone in this community directly and indirectly.  McLaughlin will host a community dialog where neighbors will discuss what we as a city and community can do better to address this problem.  McLaughlin will bring these findings to the city and suggest changes or improvements to address the problem. Anyone is welcome to attend, but Ward 1 residents are strongly encouraged.

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The East Somerville Community School and the Somerville Public Schools Music Department proudly present The East Somerville Community School Winter Concert 2014 on Friday, December 12. Please join them for this inspiring program featuring student work from general, vocal, and instrumental music classes, grades K-8 at  ESCS Auditorium, 50 Cross St., 8:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m., free admission.

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Learn the best way to prune woody landscape plants at the Wednesday, December 10 meeting of the Somerville Garden Club. Chuck Sherzi, Jr., senior staff Arborist and Agronomist at Tree specialists, Inc. will present a talk focusing on pruning as what is now being called “Best Management Practices” by the green industry and how that applies to the health, structure, and appearance of our own gardens and urban landscapes. Sherzi will bring an array of pruning tools and will discuss the proper care and sharpening of your pruning equipment to keep it in good working order. He will also bring a handout for meeting attendees. You do not have to be a member of the Somerville Garden Club to attend a meeting; all meetings are free and the public is invited to attend. The club meets the second Wednesday of every month. 7-9 pm, at the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland Street, Somerville, second floor, wheelchair accessible. Parking is available on site and the building is a short walk from the Davis Square Redline T station. For additional information and to learn more about the Somerville Garden Club please visit www.somervillegardenclub.org.

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With the Green Line Extension and the eventual de-elevation of McGrath Highway, some exciting changes are coming to the Brickbottom neighborhood. Help shape the future of the neighborhood Thursday night at the Brickbottom and McGrath Neighborhood Plan Meeting, where you’ll work with MIT students studying Urban Studies and Planning to create a neighborhood plan. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Brickbottom Artists Building, 1 Fitchburg St.