Our apologies to visitors to our website last week. It was down for maintenance for a couple of days, following a series of spam-bot assaults on our database. Everything is in apple pie order now and we don’t anticipate any problems in the future. We had to delete part of the corrupted database, which included past article comments by our users, but in the spirit of the new year and new beginnings, let’s get busy refilling it with our ideas and suggestions concerning life in our great city. Be sure to visit us at www.thesomervilletimes.com and share your thoughts.

**********************

Happy birthdays this week to some of our friends here in the Ville and elsewhere who are fans of our paper: Big happy birthday to Bill Rogers, of the well known Rogers of Winter Hill. We hope he has a great day. Happy birthday to one good guy and a veteran who grew up here in Somerville, Phil Forsyth, who currently resides in Texas. We wish him the very best. A very happy birthday to another good friend, Ken Kotch, who is celebrating this week. Ken is a well-known photographer who has been hired nationwide for special assignments. He’s a newbie to Somerville, but he loves it here. Happy birthday to attorney and popular guy Bob Daut, who is celebrating this week as well. And our own Somerville Rotary is celebrating its birthday as well. The club now meets at the Holiday Inn at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesdays. If you are interested in joining this worldwide organization that contributes a lot here in the city, contact them on their own website for further information.

**********************

If you haven’t registered to vote yet you have until February 10 to do so to vote in the Presidential Primary coming up in March here in Massachusetts. You can go to the Election Department at City Hall and fill out the form, or better yet you can just go online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/. This year’s presidential race is crucial to everyone. There is no excuse as registering to vote can’t be any easier.

**********************

Our sincere condolences go out to the O’Donovan family here in Somerville for the recent loss of James O’Donovan, who was a long time resident and dad to, among others, Sean and Kevin O’Donovan. James was a local attorney here with a successful law practice, raising his family in the Ball Square area. His wake is at Doherty’s this Wednesday (today) 4:00-8:00 p.m. His full obituary is online at our website: www.thesomervilletimes.com.

**********************

Another long time resident also passed away this week, Anthony A. Laurentano. Our condolences are extended to his family and many friends. His arrangements are at Dello Russo in Medford, hours this Saturday 9:30–11:00 a.m. with interment to follow immediately. His full obituary is also online at our website: www.thesomervilletimes.com.

**********************

There’s a new website in town. Check it out at www.somervillema.com. The Somerville Times is on the site. Also check out www.medfordma.com.

**********************

Patricia Norton is home and resting after her surgery this past Friday at MGH. She and her husband want to thank the many people for their prayers and positive thoughts. She’s doing great and is grateful to be back home so soon.

**********************

Another person we need to say prayers for his Dan O’Meara, who is also at MGH and will hopefully be recovering quickly and will be home soon.

**********************

Those who might be interested in obtaining certification for firearms should look up the Lawrence Rod & Gun Club. They offer an extensive program at the end of which you receive certification for Massachusetts/NRA Certified Firearm Safety Classes. They run a class once a month, which is limited to 10 people and we hear that this is the place to go to learn safety when handling guns. Email gunclub@earthlink.net for more information and or go to their website at www.lawrencerodandgunclub.org and read up about the course.

**********************

We got a lot of requests for us to resume our “Word of the Week” feature. People liked it and we thank them for their encouragement. We might be able to work up something soon on that.

**********************

Is there a shake up in the state delegation we have representing us? We keep hearing that some people are seriously interested in running for both representative and senator. One figure from Medford is considering the run. As soon as we can give names we will … but can it just be us that is hearing this?

**********************

Our low-snow winter might be coming to end this weekend, but there is still time for seniors and youth to sign up for the City of Somerville’s shoveling program. Sign up with the Somerville Council on Aging (just call 311 and ask for the COA) to be matched with a local young person who can help you shovel for a reduced fee. Seniors need to complete a CORI check prior to joining the program, so sign up early. Please also have a backup plan ready in case shoveling is needed when school is in session. Teens 13 and up can also sign up to be part of the program to shovel seniors out and earn some extra money. For more information, or to apply, please contact the Office of Somerville Commissions at commissions@somervillema.gov. Teens 18 or older will need to complete a CORI check.

**********************

Your ideas are needed to shape the future of the neighborhood around the Healey School and the Mystic River. Come share your visions of the neighborhood’s future at a Healey-Mystic Master Plan meeting on Jan. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Mystic Learning Center, 530 Mystic Ave. Pizza will be served and children are welcome.

**********************

The youth from Somerville Positive Forces 100 (SPF100) who are part of Somerville Cares About Prevention will be presenting the results from the 2015 Middle School Student Health Survey. It will be held Thursday January 28th, 2016 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. The Presentation will be held at the Cafeteria at Winter Hill Community Innovation School, 115 Sycamore Street, Somerville. Be part of a fun and interactive experience learning about the results of the 2015 Student Health Survey taken by Somerville Middle School Students. Get to know the results first hand and be the first to give ideas on how to enhance the youth programming around prevention around the City of Somerville. Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Betsy Allen, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or ballen@somervillema.gov.