What do Star Wars, Minecraft, Moana, MatLab, Kodable and Vidcode have in common? They’re all part of an expanded list of more than 200 tutorials and lesson plans that Somerville Public Schools (SPS) students will be able to explore during the 2016 week-long Hour of Code event next week. On Monday morning, December 5, Somerville students, teachers and more than 100 volunteers will join millions around the world for a global movement that spans more than 180 countries. The 2016 Somerville Hour of Code event will offer every student in the district the opportunity to log at least one hour of computer coding during the school day, joining tens of millions of students world-wide on this annual coding adventure.

By Jim Clark

Police were summoned to the Kmart store on Middlesex Ave. last Saturday on reports of a couple leaving the store with a shopping cart full of merchandise without paying for it.

While the report was being phoned in, officers were told by store security personnel that they had witnessed a male and a female push a bag of stolen merchandise out of the store in the shopping cart.

By Mayor 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)

It’s that time of year again! Tis the season for gathering with your friends and family, for enjoying whatever holiday(s) your family celebrates, and for giving. With that in mind, I’m pulling one of my “oldie but goodie” op-eds from my archives to remind us all of the importance of shopping local, and supporting local non-profit organizations this holiday season.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

More than 3000 runners, joggers and stroller families of all ages and abilities gathered on Thanksgiving Day for the 20th Annual Gobble Gobble Gobble Thanksgiving Race. All proceeds benefit Project Soup as well as Somerville Track PAC.

Go to http://www.coolrunning.com/results/16/ma/Nov24_20thgo_set1.shtml for race results.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

More than 100 crafters from around New England gathered to sell their wares at the Somerville High School Track PAC’s 25th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair last Saturday.

The City Assessor’s property classification and residential exemption recommendation was approved last week by the Board of Aldermen.

By Joe Ruvido

The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved the property classification and residential exemption recommended by the City Assessor at their meeting on Tuesday November 22.

The Board heard a presentation by Marc Levya, Chief Assessor or Somerville. Per Massachusetts Law, commercial and residential property values and the processes that determine those values need to be reassessed every three years. The city uses these assessments to calculate the projected amount of property taxes they will collect to finance the city budget. The city cannot run a fiscal deficit so the valuations are an important step in financing city operations.

“The Souls Journey as A Series of Weird Old Cars” street mural by Liz LaManche.

By Manna Parker

The intersection of Pearl and Medford Streets is adorned by colorful stairs. Rainbow tread marks lead to the steps where three old cars are painted in bright colors by local artist Liz LaManche.

The name of the mural written below the steps, The Soul’s Journey As A Series of Weird Old Cars memorializes the late Al Riskalla.

Don’t forget to park on the EVEN side of the street this winter during snow emergencies. The Board of Aldermen voted to alternate every year, and this year it is the EVEN side. So scramble to get your spot as soon as they declare. Hopefully, the city won’t be calling any false alarms. Commissioner Stan Koty will give the signal when it’s about to snow.

Join Mayor Curtatone and city staff for Somerville’s annual holiday celebrations, kicking off on Thursday, December 1, with the Christmas Tree Lighting and visit from Santa Claus, on the City Hall Concourse. Also part of the 2016 events are the Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations Tour on December 17, and a ceremonial lighting of a Menorah on the City Hall Concourse on December 24.

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Here’s a side dish that is easy to prepare and is packed full of flavor. The addition of the lemon zest and juice brightens up the dish. This is a perfect throwback side that will have your guests craving more.