By Jim Clark

Somerville police officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Green Cab of Somerville in the early hours of last Saturday on reports that one of their cabs had been stolen.

Earlier, the dispatcher from Green Cab dialed 911 and spoke with the dispatcher to report the stolen cab.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

I’ve long been outspoken – along with many of you – about the fact that the Green Line Extension is much more than just an amenity. It’s more than a promise and legal obligation from the Commonwealth. It’s a necessity to our economic and environmental vitality in Somerville and the region. And last week after many years of fighting for this project, we took a big step forward when the Somerville Board of Aldermen cast a momentous vote, voting unanimously in favor of allowing the City to bond for $50 million to contribute to the Green Line Extension project.

Join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the City of Somerville on Saturday, December 24, for the City’s annual ceremonial Menorah lighting, in honor of the first day of Hanukkah. Meet on the City Hall Concourse, at the Menorah, at 5:30 p.m. for a brief speaking program led by Mayor Curtatone, and Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz of Temple B’nai Brith, followed by the lighting of the Menorah. Light refreshments will be served.

Please note that that the event was previously scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m., but has been moved to 5:30 p.m.

Family members of a 34-year-old man called police when the man barricaded himself in a home on Derby Street Wednesday afternoon. The man is said to have threatened to harm himself.

A SWAT team was called to the scene and was able to remove the man from the home peacefully without any injuries. The man was taken to a local hospital.

~Photos by Donald Norton

Somerville Local First presented their second Holiday Marketplace sponsored by Float Boston, Work Shop Salon and e. scott originals last Sunday, December 11, at the Arts at the Armory.

The highly gifted Sawyer Fredericks will be entertaining at The Rockwell next week, along with Gabriel Wolfchild and The Northern Light. — Photo by Holly Tutor Photography

By Jim Clark

It’s been a white-hot meteoric ride to the top of the charts for 17-year-old singing prodigy Sawyer Fredericks, and he is soon to make a stop at The Rockwell on December 19 for a much-anticipated show, with Gabriel Wolfchild and The Northern Light opening.

In 2015 Fredericks became the youngest ever winner of TV’s The Voice singing competition show, coached by Pharrell Williams.

Coming on Thursday, December 15, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., the Somerville Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly Business After Hours at the Armory on Highland Avenue. This is an excellent networking event featuring appetizers and a free business card drawing, along with a cash bar. Guests are welcome to bring unwrapped Toys for Local Children. Sponsored by the Bonney Family and the Law Offices of Isaac M. Machado. Hosted by Somerville Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Chair Dana Iacopucci of Cubby Oil & Energy.

A possible loss of open green space is being threatened by MassDOT at 422 Mystic Ave.

By The Times Staff

Frustrated Somerville residents hang signs in protest of Massachusetts Department of Transportation work. The work would take away the only open space below their windows. Signs read: “Leave Our Open Space,” “They Use It, We Lose It,” and even “Somerville Lives Matter.”

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Mayor Curtatone, Alderman MaryJo Rossetti, city officials and the Moonlighters led by Jimmy Del Ponte visited Somerville’s VNA’s, Somerville Home and Little Sister’s of the Poor last week to sing Christmas Carols to the residents.