Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the city’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Thursday, December 6 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.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

This article originally appeared in The Somerville News on November 26, 2008.

(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.)

What do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving? For me, it’s giving thanks, then eating a huge turkey dinner with the family. Before the actual day, it’s the preparation ritual, which includes going in stores and seeing overflowing displays of foil cooking pans, gravy master, stovetop stuffing, Bell’s Seasoning, frozen Butterballs, endless pies and endless lines. On Wednesday afternoon you won’t be able to get near McKinnon’s or Lyndells. The big grocery chain stores will be jammed as well. That’s when we become thankful just to find a parking space, so we can be part of the lines.

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone accepts an award from the National League of Cities and Let’s Move! Cities, Towns & Counties from Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Howard Koh, and NLC President, Mayor Ted Ellis of Bluffton, Indiana during the NLC Conference in Boston on Thursday, November 29.

City of Somerville awarded five medals recognizing achievements in addressing childhood obesity through Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties

The National League of Cities (NLC) has recognized Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the city’s Shape Up Somerville initiative for recent completion of key health and wellness goals for Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC).  LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s comprehensive Let’s Move! initiative, which is dedicated to solving the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation.

By Jim Clark

Police were called to a Sewall St. residence last week after complaints about a disturbance were made by neighbors.

Officers spoke to an individual at the apartment in question and, while in the process of questioning one resident, another man, identified as Howard John, 29, reportedly interrupted the conversation and began questioning why the police were there.

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.)

Two recent events have gotten me thinking a lot about Somerville’s recent past, and how it still shapes our present and future.

The first event was a November 18 retirement party at the Somerville Holiday Inn for former Mayor (and soon-to-be-former Middlesex Register of Deeds) Gene Brune.   Gene’s party not only drew his proud family and countless friends, but also attracted many notable figures from state and local government, past and present; They lined up to celebrate with Gene and his family, and to offer Gene some well-earned praise for his enduring contributions to Somerville and the Commonwealth. (More about that later.)

“Early Morning, Pt. Pleasant” by Jane Sherrill. 2′ X 6′, acrylic on wood panels. August 2012.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Does the ocean intrigue you? If it does, or if you simply enjoy viewing art, then an upcoming Somerville-based exhibit will prove of interest to you.

By Jim Clark

Patrolling officers spotted an erratically operating vehicle on the road in the early hours of last Sunday, and suspected that the operator might be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to reports.

Police said that the vehicle was swerving left and right and traveling at about 5 mph as it proceeded eastbound along Broadway.

Join the City of Somerville, WalkBoston, and author Jeff Speck for a book discussion of Speck’s latest work, “Walkable City:  How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time” on Thursday, November 29 at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square beginning at 6:30pm.  The event is free and open to the public.

Shoppers enjoyed a beautiful day in Davis Square on Black Friday.

Merchants launch Shift Your Shopping campaign
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By Elizabeth Sheeran

If malls and big box stores were the front lines on Black Friday, Somerville’s commercial districts were a welcome respite away from the battlefield.

Evora signed a Letter of Intent last week, pledging to play at St. Michael’s College.Indira Evora (center) and her parents, Ed and Isabel Bean.

GBL MVP to play basketball for St. Michael’s College
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Somerville High School senior Indira Evora took the next step in her illustrious basketball career at a signing ceremony on November 19 at Somerville High School, inking a National Letter of Intent during the early signing period to play for the St. Michael’s College Purple Knights next year.