(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 Joseph A. Curtatone

This week we celebrate a national holiday where people across the country will be coming together to share a meal. At the heart of this for many will be family, friends, hospitality and gratitude. There is a power in food. Food brings people together. It can also knock down barriers. We may not all speak the same language or share the same customs, but everybody eats. When people gather around a table to taste something new to them but deeply familiar for others, it draws us together.

The Holiday Bar Crawl is back again in East Somerville on Sunday December 15, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Come out in your most tacky sweater and enjoy the diverse range of bars and restaurants on Broadway in East Somerville. This event is free to attend with holiday drinks and food available for purchase at participating restaurants.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a Fitchburg St. location last week on reports of motor vehicle crash.

Dispatch advised the officers that the vehicle had crashed into a wall and had parked. A moment later dispatch notified them that the operator was now back at the car and that he was attempting to leave. While the officers were still on their way dispatch updated them that the vehicle was on fire.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

As another Thanksgiving is upon us, I asked my friends for help. I reached out to my fellow Thanksgiving lovers in The Ville to give me four starter words that could throw a damper on your holiday dinner.

Any of these utterances, or “conversation starters,” could prove to throw a monkey wrench into Turkey day especially with a houseful of friends and family. It started with this…

Area residents took part in an informational community meeting where issues concerning the ongoing Green Line Extension project were discussed.

By Adam Parise

Last Tuesday, November 19, residents gathered at the East Somerville Community School to discuss the current and upcoming status regarding the MBTA’s Green Line Extension (GLX) Project to extend the light rail system to the Union Square and Tufts University communities.

Lucas Turner-Owens of the Boston Ujima Project and Yamila Ruiz of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United spoke at Slow Food Boston’s panel. — Photos by Shira Laucharoen

By Shira Laucharoen  

Panelists and community members explored the topic of fairness in the restaurant industry at Slow Food Boston’s second Slow Food Conversation: Worker Justice = Food Justice on November 19. Hosted at Union Square’s Remnant Brewing, the talk featured speakers Yamila Ruiz, director of RAISE at Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United), and Lucas Turner-Owens, fund manager of the Boston Ujima Project. The event was moderated by Irene Li, chef and operating manager of Mei Mei Restaurant.

The recent community panel discussion provided residents and civic leaders with an opportunity to engage in a dialog concerning challenges faced by immigrants and the cities that take them in. — Photo courtesy of Nave Gallery

By Lizzie Heintz

On Sunday, November 17, citizens of Somerville gathered at the Nave Gallery, inside the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, for a community panel discussion on “The Importance of Sanctuary Cities.” Speakers at the panel were Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Prof. Susan Akram of Boston University, Executive Director of the Somerville Welcome Project Ben Echevarria, and Somerville Councilor At-Large Wilfred Mbah.

The Somerville High School Highlanders battle the Cambridge Rindgeand Latin School Falcons in the annual Backyard Football Rivalry. Cambridge hosts the game this year at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 28 at Russell Field. Tickets are $7 on game day. Don’t miss the chance to support our team. The game location is subway accessible by taking the RedLine to Alewife Station. For directions to Russell Field visit their webpage: http://cpsdcrls.ss5.sharpschool.com/cms/One.aspx

(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.)

On Friday, November 22, Somerville Bicycle Safety delivered a petition signed by almost 700 people to Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone. The petition asks that the mayor make a public commitment to build protected bike lanes on Powder House Boulevard and to build protected bike lanes when the city does significant road work on major thoroughfares throughout the city.

Former Somerville Mayor, and Congressional Rep. Mike Capuano is a 1969 graduate. (L) Jim Donovaro, (R) Michael Capuano.

Some 120 guests were in attendance at Anthony’s of Malden on Saturday, November 23 for the 50th Anniversary reunion of the Class of 1969. DJ Dave Glinner entertained and the Memorabilia Table was filled with treasures classmates brought to show and share.