By Louise Carpenter

The Grand Opening of Workbar Union took place last Thursday with Mayor Curtatone and representatives of US2 in attendance.

Elected officials, local business owners, and members of the public gathered at the former Elegant Furniture building on Thursday, November 12 for the grand opening of Workbar Union, the new co-working location founded by Union Square master developer US2 and Boston-based co-working network Workbar.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Sports Authority store at Assembly Square Marketplace last Thursday on reports that a suspected shoplifter was being watched by store Loss Prevention personnel.

Upon arrival, the officers were informed that a group of three women were behaving in a manner consistent with shoplifting activity. Two of the women reportedly left the store in a hurry as the officers arrived, while the third, identified as Erin Eckert, of Medford, remained inside.

This week I wanted to follow up with a recipe that was inspired from my recent visit to Cuba. Black beans and rice is a staple served with lunch and dinner at restaurants and paladars in Havana and beyond. I must say, they were all great. I hope you enjoy my take on this popular dish.

(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)

Last week the Mass. House of Representatives voted 150-2 in favor of a bill that would severely restrict the solar industry that is greening up our energy grid and creating jobs for thousands of Massachusetts residents. The bill would reduce access to the benefits of solar, making it harder for renters, low-income communities, and families whose roofs aren’t suitable for solar panels to power their homes with clean energy. I am proud that our State Rep. Denise Provost is one of the 2 that voted against this terrible bill and disappointed that others did not join our State Rep. in helping everyone achieve greener energy.

Our poet this week writes: “My name is Eric Goudreau, a Sophomore at Endicott College majoring in Liberal Studies. I find great joy in writing creatively and decided to write a poem about my confusion of a Fall day.”

Materials & Methods design, which  includes a winter village and lighting of Assembly Row’s iconic trusses, to be revealed 5:15 p.m. as part of free “Light up the Row” event that features visit by, pictures with Santa

Assembly Row this weekend will unveil a unique holiday art installation that represents the area’s history while turning the banks of the Mystic River into a winter village, replete with a unique lighting of its iconic metal trusses. 

All City offices and public schools and school offices will be closed on November 26 and November 27. Trash pickup will be on a Holiday schedule starting November 26.

For more information please contact 311 or 617-666-3311.

Arrests:
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Paul Capotosto, of 52 Neponset St., Revere, November 16, 3:59 p.m., arrested at Foley St. on a charge of shoplifting by asportation.

Carlos Gerton, of 301 Medford St., November 18, 7:23 p.m., arrested at home on a warrant charge of assault and battery.

Statement of Legislators Following Meeting with MBTA & MassDOT Representatives

“As elected representatives of communities north and west of Boston that are negatively impacted by recently announced cuts to commuter rail service, we and our staffs met with representatives of the Massachusetts Bay Transportations Authority (MBTA) and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) earlier today.  We explained to the MBTA what we have heard from our constituents – that the service cuts represented in the schedule create substantial hardships, and we also explained that the lack of public process surrounding the development of the new schedules was deeply concerning.  We requested that the MBTA suspend implementation of the proposed new schedules that would create substantial hardships on the day-to-day lives of our constituents, and implement a public process prior to any future service cuts.