Starting this week, birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates may be purchased online with a major credit or an electronic funds transfer, as the Somerville City Clerk’s Office continues to streamline and enhance services.

City, Partners Healthcare, Federal Realty Investment Trust to host groundbreaking at Assembly Row on December 1, 2014.

Somerville Artist David Palmquist is one of many Vernon street artists preparing for December’s Open Studios event. —Photo by Heather Balchunas

By Cathleen Twardzik

This year is the 40th anniversary of Vernon Street Open Studios, which is one of the oldest open studios in the Greater Boston area. A special presentation, Vernon Street Artists’ Anniversary Exhibit, is currently running through December 31 at the Somerville Museum, located at 1 Westwood Road in Somerville. A handful of the original artists and current artists will be present.

This week in Somerville Neighborhood News, we bring you a story on Speeding on Lowell Street. Residents and city officials who gathered on Nov. 12 to discuss possible traffic calming and other improvements to safety on Lowell Street did not see eye to eye on the issue of cars speeding down the major cross street. Neighbors are especially worried because of the imminent opening of the Community Path and the eventual new Green Line station. Both would bring more bikers and pedestrians to the street.

By  Rebecca Danvers

With the holidays just around the corner it’s time to start thinking about holiday gifts! And there’s no better place to find the perfect gift than at Somerville Local First’s Local is for Lovers Holiday Markets on November 30 and December 14. The Local is for Lovers Holiday Market will feature 30 local vendors selling everything from jewelry and handmade soap to sweets and clothing. Their first market takes place on Sunday, November 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue. Knucklebones will be setting up their mobile playspace on Nov. 30 so the kids will have a place to let out some holiday energy while their parents shop.

By 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)

When we sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, we’re celebrating a bountiful harvest and reminding ourselves to be thankful for all we have. While we are mindful of why we should be thankful for the blessings in our own lives, during the holidays our thoughts also turn to those who may be struggling to put food on the table, find a home or care for their families. My time as mayor has taught me that I am never alone when it comes to speaking up for the people of our city. That’s part of Somerville’s soul—the desire to speak out for our neighbors and stand up for one another. We can count on each other. There are organizations across Somerville that help out those who need help, or who provide a unified voice for groups in our community. This holiday season, 15 nonprofits are coming together to make it even easier for all of us to stand up for those in our community who need our help.

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 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.

(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)

Somerville High School, 1954. We weren’t thinking about the future, only about the upcoming Class Day and then graduation. Later, a train would take us on a trip to a more serious place, a place where we’d begin the process of evolving into adults. It was waiting there at the station. Our teachers were aware of the train, they’d seen it come and go many times. So they continued to feed us huge spoonfuls of knowledge, hoping we’d digest enough of it to be prepared for our journey from carefree kids to responsible citizens.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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)

I would like to present another story by my friend and fellow Somerville native, Anthony Accardi Jr.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. We always celebrated Thanksgiving with my grandparents on my mother’s side of the family. The travel was easy; just walk down one flight of stairs to an afternoon of turkey, lasagna, various side dishes and lots of sweets. After dinner the tryptophan from the turkey would kick in and then it was one flight back upstairs for a nice nap on the couch. However it wasn’t just the turkey, lasagna and desserts that made me crave a nap. It was the night before Thanksgiving. Otherwise known as “Thanksgiving Eve.” It was a night out for a few drinks; maybe reunite with friends that you hadn’t seen in years and then afterward a visit to Kay and Chip’s for breakfast.

The Somerville High School Varsity Highlander Football team takes on Cambridge Rindge and Latin in this annual Thanksgiving game. Kickoff is 10:00 a.m. at Dilboy Stadium (110 Alewife Brook Parkway). Game tickets are on sale for $5 in advance in the athletic office, SHS Room 180; $7 at the gate. Bundle up and start your Thanksgiving weekend by cheering the Highlanders on to a victory.