State Representative Christine P. Barber, from Somerville and Medford, attended on Tuesday her first meeting as an appointed member of the Massachusetts Autism Commission. Joining other Commission members from the Baker Administration, legislature, and advocacy community, Rep. Barber brings to the Commission an extensive background in health care policy and advocacy.

Join the City of Somerville for an Arbor Day celebration on Monday, December 19, from 11 a.m. to noon, in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall. The event will include a presentation and discussion about urban forestry and an official proclamation read by Mayor Curtatone. Light refreshments will be served.

 Just in time to complete your holiday shopping, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission has “Preserving Somerville” merchandise available for sale! The T-shirts (youth and adult sizes), long-sleeved shirts, and tote bags, designed by Somerville High School students, come in a variety of colors that can be viewed on the Commission’s website at www.somervillema.gov/historicpreservation. Full color woven and washable afghans are also available and include images of iconic historic sites in the City.

By State Representative Denise Provost

(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)

On December 10, 2016, I was invited to give a presentation as part of a program titled “Reviving Federal Investment in Public Transit: Build Subways, not Submarines.” The program, held at MIT’s Stata Center, was expected to draw 50 -75 people; 125 from around the region attended, and an overflow room with a video screen had to be set up to accommodate those present. It’s encouraging to me that so many people care enough about transit to give up half a Saturday in December, to be informed and energized about it.

On Saturday, December 17, residents and visitors are invited to the Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations Tour.

Guides will lead trolleys past some of the city’s most spectacular displays of holiday lights, sharing stories about the families that decorate and providing local historic trivia en route.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Green Cab of Somerville in the early hours of last Saturday on reports that one of their cabs had been stolen.

Earlier, the dispatcher from Green Cab dialed 911 and spoke with the dispatcher to report the stolen cab.

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)

I’ve long been outspoken – along with many of you – about the fact that the Green Line Extension is much more than just an amenity. It’s more than a promise and legal obligation from the Commonwealth. It’s a necessity to our economic and environmental vitality in Somerville and the region. And last week after many years of fighting for this project, we took a big step forward when the Somerville Board of Aldermen cast a momentous vote, voting unanimously in favor of allowing the City to bond for $50 million to contribute to the Green Line Extension project.

Join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the City of Somerville on Saturday, December 24, for the City’s annual ceremonial Menorah lighting, in honor of the first day of Hanukkah. Meet on the City Hall Concourse, at the Menorah, at 5:30 p.m. for a brief speaking program led by Mayor Curtatone, and Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz of Temple B’nai Brith, followed by the lighting of the Menorah. Light refreshments will be served.

Please note that that the event was previously scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m., but has been moved to 5:30 p.m.

Family members of a 34-year-old man called police when the man barricaded himself in a home on Derby Street Wednesday afternoon. The man is said to have threatened to harm himself.

A SWAT team was called to the scene and was able to remove the man from the home peacefully without any injuries. The man was taken to a local hospital.

~Photos by Donald Norton

Somerville Local First presented their second Holiday Marketplace sponsored by Float Boston, Work Shop Salon and e. scott originals last Sunday, December 11, at the Arts at the Armory.