The Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development is working to update the city’s Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP). This plan will guide the next seven years of city work on parks, sports fields, open space, conservation land, and recreational programming, and it needs your input. Attend an upcoming in-person or virtual community meeting to share your thoughts on open space. First up is on Wednesday, January 10, at Somerville Public Library West Branch (40 College Ave.) from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Give feedback now through the OSRP survey or visit the project page https://voice.somervillema.gov/open-space-and-recreation-plan-update to learn more.

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The Somerville Museum presents a Community Collaboration Project with Somerville’s Padres Latinos. Padres Latinos is a mutual aid group of more than 230 Spanish and Portuguese-speaking parents with children in the Somerville Public Schools (SPS). Museo Inmigrante opening reception: Thursday, January 11, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Admission to the reception is being generously sponsored by New England Biolabs on behalf of Padres Latinos.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Katie McDaid. We wish her a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to retired high school teacher Marion Joyce. We hope she enjoys her day. Happy birthday Ken Kotch, a great photographer, we hope he has a nice day. Happy birthday to Phil Forsyth, we wish him the best. Happy birthday to Donna Desrescente. We wish her the very best. We wish all our Facebook friends, such as Rose Amabile, Chris Walsh, Livia E. Sharpe, Alberta Healey, Janice Burpee, Rick Jackson, Suzanne Ryan Marks, Paul Nunziato and James Ribeiro a very happy birthday. We hope everyone has a great day. To all the others we may have missed, we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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On Monday, January 15, all city offices are closed to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day. The Council on Aging will also be closed Monday, January 15, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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The Somerville Council on Aging presents Essentials of Caregiving Presentation, Friday, January 12, at the Holland Street Center. There are many challenges to caregiving and care receiving. This session provides a practical guide focused on how to put together a team and establish a care plan. You will gain insight on how to navigate the challenges as you and your loved ones begin the journey of caregiving or care receiving. It also provides tips and resources available such as the AARP Caregiving Resource Center and Family Caregiving Guide. RSVP by contacting Molly Pagliuca at 617-625-6600, ext. 2318 or magliuca@somervillema.gov.

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Join the City of Somerville in commemorating the spirit of hope, unity, and resilience that has defined Haiti’s journey over the past decade. “Resilience Rising” is not just an event, it’s a testament to the indomitable spirit of a people determined to overcome adversity and build a better tomorrow. There will be a brief presentation on Haiti’s history, musical selection, guest speakers, dance and more. Friday, January 12, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., 15 Properzi Way, Somerville.

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Registration for Winter Swim Lessons will begin on January 8 at 10:00 a.m. for Somerville residents and on January 15 at 10:00 a.m. for non-Somerville residents. For more information contact the Assistant Pool Manager: agalanek@somervillema.gov.

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“What do you want to see in Somerville’s community live arts center?” The Somerville Armory currently has six tenants and several other spaces that could become arts spaces. Already the building is home to music building education, production, and live performances. Help develop the vision and guiding principles for the Somerville Armory as they transition it from private ownership to public stewardship. They are looking for the voices of diverse performing artists who have connections to Somerville, residents, and community partners to participate in this upcoming meeting series. Read more: https://voice.somervillema.gov/armory-master-plan. Meeting I: Our Arts Ecosystem, January 24, 6:00 p.m. at Warehouse XI,11 Sanborn Ct., Somerville.

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Give feedback on Somerville’s Climate Forward Plan Update. Launched in 2018, Climate Forward established 13 top strategies to reduce Somerville’s contribution to climate change and create a more climate-resilient community. It’s updated every five years to meet changing needs and seize new strategies to meet our goals. Now at the five-year mark, the city has released the latest draft goals, strategies, and actions for the Climate Forward plan update. Review the plan and submit comments on what’s proposed and prioritized: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m_EGwkHa7mGJ9xxj5crnZeLVbCV3W3yW/edit Comments will be accepted until Wednesday, January 31.

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Green & Open Somerville (G&OS) is hosting a presentation on rat poison, with Save Arlington Wildlife founder Laura Kiesel. The presentation is Tuesday, January 23, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Somerville Central Library (79 Highland Ave). They will be recording it and posting it online afterwards.

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Do you know how close you live to a FAB district? Do you care about artists’ studios, rehearsal spaces, artisanal production, or small manufacturing? Attend Arts Zoning: the FAB District and the Mayor’s Proposed Changes, a Ward 2 meeting to learn more about proposed changes for allowable uses in existing FAB district buildings and which buildings could be affected by them. Live and in person at 11 Sanborn Court, aka WAREHOUSE XI, Remote hybrid link: https://tinyurl.com/FABzoningNM1. Join to learn more and share your feedback. Everyone is welcome to attend.

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The Fuel Assistance Program, also known as the Home Energy Assistance Program, helps low-income households pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Renters and homeowners in Somerville are eligible to apply if they meet federal income guidelines. Learn more at somervillema.gov/heatingassistance.

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Join the Somerville Council on Aging’s Friendly Caller Program. They have many wonderful volunteers who are waiting to give you a call. Whether you are looking to make a new friend or would just like a friendly chat to look forward to every week, this program has you covered. Call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 to learn more about the program and to sign up.

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Is your teen looking to make some extra money? The city’s Snow Shoveling Program is hiring youth to assist shoveling seniors and homeowners with disabilities out after snowstorms this winter. Teens and homeowners are paired for the season. After each storm, the homeowner will contact their assigned youth to request shoveling services. Somerville teens ages 14 to 19 are welcome to apply. Learn more and apply at somervillema.gov/shoveling. Looking for snow shoveling services? Contact Debby Higgins at dhiggings@somervillema.gov.

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In preparation for the cold months ahead, the Somerville Homeless Coalition is in urgent need of winter clothing and apparel to keep their clients warm and safe. Donations of socks, hats, jackets, hand warmers, sweatpants, and more will go a long way towards keeping the most vulnerable clients protected against the unpredictable New England weather. All donations can be dropped off at their Engagement Center located at 1 Davis Square, Somerville between and Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed each day from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for lunch. Help keep our neighbors safe this winter.

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Help keep our waterways clean in your neighborhood by joining Somerville’s Adopt-a-Drain program. A storm drain clear of leaves, trash or other debris allows water to flow into the catch basin sump and can prevent flooding. When you adopt a drain (or drains), you commit to caring for a local storm drain of your choice by checking on it before and after heavy rain, wind, or snow. Bonus perk: you can also give it a name. Claim your drain at somerville.mysticdrains.org.

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The Center for the Arts at the Armory offers a weekly winter market with 71+ local food vendors with the best locally grown and regionally produced foods, including fresh produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, tamales, pastries, chocolate, skincare products, and more. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and HIP benefits. They also offer a $15 SNAP match to customers each week. Visit the Somerville Winter Farmers Market on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 191 Highland Ave. Through April 6. For a list of weekly events visit www.somwintermarket.org.

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