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

By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

From a gift certificate for floatation therapy to a lunch pit stop for handmade-that-day Bengali chickpea fritters drizzled with mango-mustard sauce, holiday shopping in Somerville is worlds away from a day at the mall. And all the while, when you shop local here, you can pat yourself on the back for doing good. That’s because your support for our small, locally owned businesses is vital, especially for businesses in neighborhoods experiencing construction.

By Jim Clark

Police officers inside of the Somerville Police Sub Station on Broadway heard a loud screeching sound and a loud bang that is consistent with the sound of a motor vehicle crash last Wednesday evening. This was followed by a screeching sound getting closer to their location.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Today bicycles are everywhere. They’re beside us, behind us, in front of us, and amongst us everywhere we go, even on the sidewalks. Bicycles have become a very serious, popular and scary mode of transportation. But when I was a kid in the 60’s and 70’s, bicycles were just plain fun. If anyone over 25 rode a bike back then they were probably called hippies.

The City of Somerville Traffic Commission recently held a public meeting to updated and conduct a dialog with residents about parking fine increases and changes to various city streets.

By Adam Parise

Last Thursday, November 14, Somerville residents gathered at the Tufts Administration Building for a public meeting of the Traffic Commission to be updated on and discuss proposed parking fine increases and alterations to certain city streets.

Various options violations regarding different parking situations in the city of Somerville were proposed at the meeting. Overtime parking, which currently incurs a $25 fine is proposed to be increased to $50.

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

The Somerville Property Owners Coalition (SPOC) is replying to the City’s response in The Somerville Times to our community flyer which outlined how the new Condominium Conversion Ordinance overreaches and severely restricts property owners’ rights compared to the 1985 Condominium Conversion Ordinance.

Graduates from St. Clement’s High School Class of 1969 will be holding their 50th reunion on Saturday, November 30, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Washington St. As they did last year, they want to invite their friends from the classes of 1968 and 1970 to celebrate with them. The plan is to have a very casual atmosphere to rekindle relationships, recall memories, and have a great time; informal, come when you can, and stay for as long as you’d like. A cash bar will be available and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Please feel free to bring along family members and/or guests. The more the merrier! The suggested contribution for the reunion is $15. For more info, go to their Faceboook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/451601158816359/

Mothers Out Front (MOF), Somerville, was pleased to join the city in announcing a new program for renewable energy electricity, part of one of MOF’s goals for a just transition to a future of a healthy and livable climate, at City Hall on Monday, November 18.

The expanded program is called Community Choice Electricity (CCE), and allows ratepayers to automatically enjoy 25% clean electricity from local clean renewable sources.

Hamlet (Hatem Adell), the prince of Denmark, peruses the skull of Yorick, while the gravedigger (Sue Downing) looks on. — Photos by Johanna Bobrow

By Shira Laucharoen

As soon as lights rise on the opening scene, we are introduced to a set of guards, trembling before the appearance of a ghostly apparition. This is how we step into the world of Hamlet, in a new production by community theater organization Theatre@First, which runs from November 15-23.

Here comes the holiday shopping season once again, and we are ready to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the only way we know how: with enthusiasm and optimistic attitudes.

Let the political and social pundits doom and gloom themselves into their usual perpetual state of the doldrums. We know how to lift ourselves, to rise to the occasion and make the most of what we have, in spite of whatever challenges may confront us.

Eagle Feathers #192 – The Tufts Family

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

The oldest stone building in Massachusetts still stands proudly in the center of Somerville’s Quarry Hill. Referred to as, The Powder House, this structure has stood its ground for over 315 years. Originally built as a gristmill in 1704, it was sold in 1747 to the Massachusetts Bay Colony for use as a gunpowder magazine.