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

Last week the Mass. House of Representatives voted 150-2 in favor of a bill that would severely restrict the solar industry that is greening up our energy grid and creating jobs for thousands of Massachusetts residents. The bill would reduce access to the benefits of solar, making it harder for renters, low-income communities, and families whose roofs aren’t suitable for solar panels to power their homes with clean energy. I am proud that our State Rep. Denise Provost is one of the 2 that voted against this terrible bill and disappointed that others did not join our State Rep. in helping everyone achieve greener energy.

Our poet this week writes: “My name is Eric Goudreau, a Sophomore at Endicott College majoring in Liberal Studies. I find great joy in writing creatively and decided to write a poem about my confusion of a Fall day.”

Materials & Methods design, which  includes a winter village and lighting of Assembly Row’s iconic trusses, to be revealed 5:15 p.m. as part of free “Light up the Row” event that features visit by, pictures with Santa

Assembly Row this weekend will unveil a unique holiday art installation that represents the area’s history while turning the banks of the Mystic River into a winter village, replete with a unique lighting of its iconic metal trusses. 

All City offices and public schools and school offices will be closed on November 26 and November 27. Trash pickup will be on a Holiday schedule starting November 26.

For more information please contact 311 or 617-666-3311.

Arrests:
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Paul Capotosto, of 52 Neponset St., Revere, November 16, 3:59 p.m., arrested at Foley St. on a charge of shoplifting by asportation.

Carlos Gerton, of 301 Medford St., November 18, 7:23 p.m., arrested at home on a warrant charge of assault and battery.

Statement of Legislators Following Meeting with MBTA & MassDOT Representatives

“As elected representatives of communities north and west of Boston that are negatively impacted by recently announced cuts to commuter rail service, we and our staffs met with representatives of the Massachusetts Bay Transportations Authority (MBTA) and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) earlier today.  We explained to the MBTA what we have heard from our constituents – that the service cuts represented in the schedule create substantial hardships, and we also explained that the lack of public process surrounding the development of the new schedules was deeply concerning.  We requested that the MBTA suspend implementation of the proposed new schedules that would create substantial hardships on the day-to-day lives of our constituents, and implement a public process prior to any future service cuts.

Sixteen teams from across the Commonwealth advanced from a pool of 131 schools to compete in the seventh season of High School Quiz Show, WGBH’s televised academic tournament hosted by Billy Costa. This year’s field was the largest yet, and those going forward to compete on the broadcast include four schools new to the tournament, along with two past champions. The teams moving onto the next phase of High School Quiz Show received the highest scores on an oral quiz at the Super Sunday qualifying event at WGBH’s studios in Brighton on November 15, 2015.

On Tuesday, November 17, Somerville Public Schools students and teachers participated in a Massachusetts State House event with the Legislative Tech Caucus to promote Computer Science Education Week. During the 4-hour event, students had an opportunity to hear from and interact with state legislators, and work with legislators and aides including Somerville State Senator Pat Jehlen, on hands-on Hour of Code activities.

In the spirit of the season, VNA of Middlesex-East social workers (l to r) Tammy Pacyna, Jennifer Quinn and Cheryl Wall delivered Thanksgiving dinner makings to patients in need. VNA of Middlesex-East donated gift certificates for turkeys and staff donated all the trimmings to help 10 families have a Happy Thanksgiving. The special deliveries were made to patients located in Woburn, Arlington,Somerville, Peabody, Wilmington and Billerica.