Can you spare your green thumb this Saturday? Before you stop by the‪#‎SquareFlair‬ party at 2, join your neighbors around the city planting bulbs that will sprout in the spring.

By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to the TJ Maxx store at the Assembly Square Marketplace last week on reports that an uncooperative alleged shoplifter was being held by store security.

Upon arrival, the officers proceeded to the security office where they were met by store personnel who were apparently engaged in something of a standoff with the detained suspect.

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)

Somerville’s Inspectional Services Department provides critical services to our community as an extension of our public safety departments. Whether ensuring that construction meets code and buildings are safe for people, maintaining our quality of life by enforcing important regulations for everything from trash disposal to snow removal, or holding restaurants to high standards of cleanliness and food preparation, ISD is on the frontline when it comes to our community’s safety and health. Because these functions are so critical, five years ago I sought an independent examination of ISD by consultant Zucker Systems that detailed where the department needed reform. Since then and especially since the arrival of ISD Director Goran Smiljic, the department has made significant progress in addressing the areas detailed in that independent report. Upsetting the status quo naturally always leads to some criticism, and we welcome constructive criticism that helps us identify where we need to do more. That said, I want to set the record straight on some of the anonymous criticism that has appeared in the Times, and lay out the facts about ISD’s performance today.

— Photo by Ross Blouin

The lovely ladies at the Middlesex Federal Savings Bank in Teele Square were celebrating Halloween in high style last week.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

8th Grade Students at the East Somerville Community School came dressed as their favorite element last Friday.Students chose elements and designed costumes based on the physical and chemical properties of the elements. From Miss Hydrogen to Uranium Man, many elements of the Periodic Table were represented in heroic fashion.

— Photo courtesy of City of Somerville.

Chief David Fallon reports that a Somerville Police Officer was so moved by her experience with a woman she had originally pulled over for speeding that the officer sent the woman flowers afterward.

By Ross Blouin

The Somerville High School Class of 1965 celebrated its 50th reunion on October 24. More than 160 people attended the reunion which was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Woburn. Class members had a wonderful time dining, dancing and recounting the memories.

By Josie Grove

The Legislative Matters Committee of the Somerville Board of Aldermen is considering a change to Section 2-369 of Somerville’s city charter, making it simpler for the city to make purchases under $10,000. As the law stands, any purchase over $5,000 has to use a contract, rather than the simpler purchase order process. “We want to get things done more quickly,” said Edward Bean, Somerville’s director of finance auditor.

Greentown Labs announced plans for an ambitious 11 million dollar expansion at its recent DEMO Day event.

Announces large expansion project
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By Matt Carli

The largest clean technology start-up incubator in the nation, Greentown Labs, announced plans for an ambitious 11 million dollar expansion of its facilities at 28 Dane Street, an area popularly dubbed “Innovation Row.”

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

East Somerville Main Streets held its frighteningly fun Halloween Block Party from at Chuckie Harris Park on Saturday.