The City’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place tonight, December 6 at 5:30 p.m. on the City Hall Concourse, followed by a meet and greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Highlander Café (atrium entrance). For the first time, this event will also include a ceremonial lighting of a Hanukkah Menorah, which will remain on the concourse throughout the season.

It’s time for DARBI’s annual December Midnight Madness shopping event. A collection of Davis Square retail shops and restaurants will be offering exclusive sales and deals – don’t miss out! The event takes place Thursday,  Dec. 6, 6pm-midnight.

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a reported robbery occurring at 532 Medford St. last Sunday evening.

The alleged victim, a driver for Green Cab in Somerville, reportedly told police that he had picked up a fare at Franklin and pearl Streets and proceeded to the passenger’s requested destination in Medford.

A recent engineering study found the high school building in need of extensive repairs. – Photo courtesy of the Maguire Group

Task Force to review options for aging high school
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By Elizabeth Sheeran

Those who envision a new high school building in Somerville’s future could be one step closer to getting their wish. The mayor last week formed a task force to look at long-term possibilities for Somerville High School facilities, and all options are on the table.

Thursday night, December 6 is the monthly After Business Hours for the Somerville Chamber of Commerce. This month it’s at the Center for the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, 5-7 p.m. Free appetizers, excellent networking, free business card drawing, and cash bar. Guests are welcome to bring unwrapped Toys of Local Children. RSVP to smackey@somervillechamber.org

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

With the cheery arrival of the holidays each year, we all must face one dreaded, simple, unfortunate truth: the fall sports season has reached its end. But rather than sulking, let’s instead celebrate a team of young, local young athletes who proved their mettle on the field this season. Somerville really did have itself a soccer team this year. And boy, did they go deep.

By William Tauro

Last Thursday evening at Sally O’Brien’s Pub in Union Square there was a “City of Somerville Reunion of the Early 2000’s.”

By Jim Clark

Shortly before 9:15 p.m. on Saturday evening, Somerville Police received multiple reports of gunshots in the area of Evergreen Avenue and Marshall Street.

Two men were arraigned Tuesday in connection with their involvement in an extortion scheme, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public.

Howard Winter, aka “Howie”, 83, of Millbury and James Melvin, 70, of Braintree, were arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on charges of extortion (two counts) and conspiracy to commit extortion. Winter and Melvin are accused of engaging in a months-long conspiracy to extort cash from two businessmen.

By Margaret Ryan

THREADS BARED: Art Inspired by Fiber, currently featured at the NAVE Gallery, exposes the creativity and edginess of contemporary fiber art. There is little in the way of traditional handcrafts in this exhibit.  Instead, Somerville curator Tori Costa puts together a show that challenges the viewer to redefine fiber as a medium for making art.