This coming Monday, Jan. 18 all City offices and public schools will be closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trash and recycling pick up will be on a one-day delay for the week.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Dear Editor,

Since Congress continues to fail us, President Obama recently answered our call to reduce gun violence by taking executive actions that will save lives in cities nationwide and right here in Massachusetts.

The Somerville High School Girls Varsity basketball team played a game against Malden on Friday, January 8, at the SHS Fieldhouse. The score was 47 to 47 in regulation, with Malden taking it in overtime, 50 to 47. The team plays at Everett  this Friday at Everett High at 7 p.m.

By Jim Clark

A police officer on routine duty near Assembly Row last week was informed that a loss prevention agent from Saks Off 5th on Canal St. had phoned in a report of a woman concealing a pair of shoes in her bag and leaving the store without paying, accompanied by two female companions.

By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

During the past few decades, Somerville has worked hard to make itself a city that can deliver quality of life to its residents. We rightfully take pride in good schools, low crime, tree-lined neighborhoods, our ever-increasing number of parks and playgrounds, a diverse community and bustling city squares. There’s a lot to like about Somerville and, not surprisingly, it puts our limited living space in high demand. People who live here want to stay. People who don’t live here want to join us. Add to that the external pressure of our region’s rapidly rising housing prices and it makes housing affordability a clear and present challenge.

~Photos by Susan Collings

Honoring The Art Connection’s donating artists in their 20th year. A juried show of work by 40 amazing donating artists. Runs through January 16 at Brickbottom Gallery, 1 Fitchburg St, Somerville, MA.

By Jim Clark

Police responded to the Target store on Somerville Ave. on Saturday after receiving reports of a suspected shoplifter being pursued by store loss prevention personnel.

Upon arrival, the store loss prevention staffers approached the police cruiser and indicated that the suspect they were pursuing was walking away from the store, allegedly carrying store merchandise with him concealed inside his backpack.

By Haley ED Houseman

The future of the Green Line Extension is far from certain at this point in time, as planners and MBTA officials work the budget with an eye for finalizing a plan by April 7.

The much-bedeviled Green Line Extension Project by MBTA will find the footing for its future in the spring. It may or may not go forward, but new proposals for project design, schedule and a revamped budget estimate will be presented on April 7, as reported by the MBTA Green Line Extension Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MBTA-Green-Line-Extension-53151441680/?fref=photo).

The Somerville Home has been serving the needs of area seniors for over one hundred years.

By Jessica Kenney

The Somerville Home is a Residential Care Facility for senior citizens. It was established in 1898, and has been serving the greater Boston community for 110 years. They offer seniors who cannot live on their own with a home and residential care. The Somerville Home provides supervision along with minimum basic care for residents who do not regularly require nursing or medical services. Each resident receives a private bedroom, three home-cooked meals a day, housekeeping, linen, and laundry service.

By Charles Lane

The plan for the upgraded Lincoln Park will be officially presented to the public on January 25 during a special open house event to be held at the Argenziano School. (click to enlarge)

This week, the City of Somerville announced that after three years of community discussions and public design process, the resulting final plans for the renovation of Lincoln Park will be presented to the community at an open house on Monday, January 25.