Police were called to a George St. residence Sunday morning in response to a report of a knife wielding man barricaded in the house, along with members of his family.

Singing for their suppers, Adela & Jude are on that dusty road less travelled.

By Blake Maddux

AnaMaria Broding and Matthew Moran are a musical duo that performs under a moniker that is made up of their middle names: Adela & Jude.

Many years prior to meeting, Moran attended the New England Conservatory, while Broding earned a full scholarship to study piano at Berklee College of Music. She later pursued graphic design.

Replacing McCarthy overpass with ground-level boulevard to undergo environmental review

– Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

McGrath Highway is one step closer to coming down after the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) released a final report recommending that a six-lane boulevard design replacing the McCarthy overpass undergo an environmental review. Separately, MassDOT has also agreed review the possibility of a four-lane option.

By William C. Shelton

 (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)

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It’s coming on Christmas,
They’re cutting down trees,
Putting up reindeer,
Singing songs of joy and peace.
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on.
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– Joni Mitchell

A few days before my eighth Christmas, I confronted my mother with my growing suspicion that Santa Claus was a hoax. To her credit, she was truthful and forthright in her response.

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)

The Board of Aldermen took great steps this month toward keeping our community affordable and leveraging new development to enhance residents’ job and career opportunities. Three votes made this happen.

Popular City afghans have been redesigned, depict various historic sites in Somerville

Looking for the perfect holiday gift to show your Somerville pride? Look no further! The city is now offering a brand new, full color, and machine washable afghan, that highlights many local historic landmarks and events, including the Raid on the Powder House; the Round House; Somerville High School, West Branch Library; Somerville Museum; and other special assets. The afghan can be seen here on the Historic Preservation Commission’s website (www.somervillema.gov/historicpreservation) and on display at City Hall.

– Photos by Claudia Ferro

The East Somerville Community School Winter Concert was held Friday, Dec. 13. Students in kindergarten through grade 8 performed more than a dozen songs covering a wide range of styles and genres, such as Jingle Bell Rock, Oh, How Lovely and Cape Cod Girls.

Casino bid clears suitability review
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Casino owner Steve Wynn (2nd from right), who plans to build a resort casino on the Mystic River in Everett, appeared before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Monday in a public hearing that was streamed live on the internet, accompanied by (left to right) Wynn Resorts executives James Stern and Kim Sinatra, and former Gov. William Weld, who was acting as Wynn’s attorney.

By Elizabeth Sheeran

Steve Wynn wants you to know he runs a clean business. The Las Vegas-based casino owner moved another step forward in his bid to build a casino in Everett, when he appeared before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission this week to make the case for his company’s suitability to hold a gaming license in this state.

Alderman at Large Connolly presented outgoing Ward 7 Alderman Trane with his special citation, after which the honoree shared his admiration and affection for the members of the Board and the constituents he served.

By Jim Clark

Five outgoing members of the City of Somerville Board of Alderman were honored with special citations at last week’s regular meeting of the Board, in recognition of their service to the city.

By David R. Smith

Fourteen years is a long time to be away from someplace you love, and coming back after so long should have taxed my memory when it came to which exit to take and which streets went where.

But it didn’t. Bad memories you repress; good ones you cherish.