Arrests:
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Leslie Wheeler, of 363 Albany St., Boston, October 29, 8:53 a.m., arrested at Somerville Ave. on a charge of shoplifting by asportation.

Anthony Moore, October 29, 8:53 a.m., arrested at Somerville Ave. on a charge of shoplifting by asportation.

“Euleroids” won first place in Somerville Math Fund’s Scrapheap Showdown.

By Erica Dakin Voolich

On October 27, 18 high school students on six teams gathered in “The Cage” in Cousens Gym at Tufts University to compete in the Somerville Mathematics Fund’s 15th annual Scrapheap Showdown.  Along with the usual interesting “junk” in the center of the room when the students walked in, there were also piles of foam core and paper.  The students were given their challenge: to design and build a crane on a base of MDF board. The teams worked intensely, designing, building, testing, reinforcing, and adjusting their cranes.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) Housing Specialist Kristin Bell.

By Kristin Bell

The cost of housing in Cambridge and Somerville keeps going up, and Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) is increasingly hearing requests to help older adults meet housing challenges.

Cost is a major factor. But demand for accessible housing is also on the rise: nationwide, there are 10,000 people turning 65 every day. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take toward staying in the community of your choice as you age:

What do folks think of the “pot shops” coming to your neighborhood?

By Stephanie Wittenbach, Somerville Neighborhood News

As the city’s Licensing Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals prepare to consider and possibly approve three recreational marijuana outlets for Somerville, neighbors and passersby across the city chimed in with their views.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Puppet Palooza 2019 series kicked off at the East Somerville Main Street Halloween Block Party at Chuckie Harris Park on Saturday, October 26.

All the world is a stage, and the men and women merely players. The practice of using masks is as old civilization itself. From ceremony to ritual to performance, this culturally dynamic art-form infuses rich storytelling with fascinating characters. Throughout the world, masks are still used for their expressive power.

(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

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers. 

450,000: Across the U.S. about 450,000 residents have an immigration status known as temporary protected status (TPS)—and it’s under threat. In simple terms, TPS is one way our nation offers refuge to people fleeing extraordinary hardship such as natural disasters, war, or extreme violence. TPS holders can legally work in the U.S. and have to renew their status every 18 months. The status was originally intended as temporary relief for recipients from about ten countries, but in practice the federal government has continued to extend TPS for years and, in some cases, decades due to the continued dangerous conditions in these countries. TPS does not include a path to citizenship or permanent residency, and since taking office, the Trump administration has been working to dismantle it. Some may lose their status early in 2020.

A Collaboration between Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church and the Nave Gallery

Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, in collaboration with the Nave Gallery, announces their 5th annual Learn to Talk Social Justice Series. The theme of this series focuses their attention on the experiences of immigrants and refugees seeking sanctuary in a new place and coping with untold losses.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer visited Kay Jewelers at Artisan Way last Saturday for a routine business contact.

The business had been experiencing a rash of individuals using fake IDs and stolen credit card information to obtain merchandise, specifically Rolex watches.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I remember trick or treating back in the day. There was no such thing as “fun size” candy. We got full size bars or “dentist’s delights.” At the height of our childhood Halloween fun, we’d have to go home to empty out our pillow cases and go to more houses for more candy. Remember looking at the lousy treat the neighbor would drop in your sack? The biggest rip-off would be the houses that plopped an apple into your bag. No one wanted a stupid apple for Halloween plus it would crush the good stuff! The only thing worse than fruit was the nut who would put a handful of loose popcorn in there.