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By Joseph A. Curtatone

When we enter a new year, many of us set goals and resolutions for the year ahead. Experts recommend enlisting a partner to help keep you on track with your resolutions. Although the City of Somerville can’t join you at that gym or stop by for Sunday night meal prep, there are some ways we can be a part of your goals for 2019 whether it’s learning a new skill, exercising more, or getting involved.

Get More Involved

If you’ve decided that 2019 is the year you get more involved in the community, I’ve got great news – there is no shortage of ways to do that in Somerville. If you take a look at the City calendar at somervillema.gov/events, you’ll find meetings and events that touch on issues important to many of us – housing, transportation, open space, the arts, and more.

This year we’ll be launching SomerVision 2040, which will revisit the community-driven SomerVision comprehensive plan. If you’re not familiar with SomerVision, the plan deals with big issues like housing, job creation, and development that will shape what Somerville looks like for decades to come. As we take a look at the original SomerVision document and think about updating it, we will need everyone’s input to make sure SomerVision 2040 reflects community goals and priorities. We’re holding a SomerVision 2040 kickoff on Tuesday, January 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., but that will be just one of many ways to participate. Visit somervision2040.com to learn more about SomerVision and to get news about upcoming opportunities to participate.

There is a lot going on in Somerville and, especially for someone trying to be civically active for the first time, it can be difficult to know where to start. Many of the City’s departments and programs send out newsletters or maintain mailing lists for sending out updates. We’re rounding up information on how to subscribe to all City mailing lists at somervillema.gov/subscribe, which will be updated frequently so check back once in a while. Two lists I recommend getting your email address on are the general City newsletter and the construction updates newsletter.

Learn a New Skill

Whether you want to learn a new skill to advance your professional ambitions, find a new hobby, or just try something new, the City of Somerville has a variety of opportunities for residents of all ages.

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at fabrication, you’ll want to check out FabVille. This free to use fabrication space is located in Somerville High School and has open shop hours as well as classes. Former offerings have included laser cutting and 3D printing. FabVille is currently closed for winter break, but make sure to check back for upcoming opportunities.

Take a look at the Somerville Public Library’s events calendar and you’ll find multiple offerings nearly every day. There are story times and sing along programs for young children, game days and coding classes for teens, yoga instruction and lectures for adults, and English as a Second Language classes for newcomers. For anyone who needs help mastering the latest technology, there is also a one-on-one technology instruction program you can sign up for. All of this is on top of the books and other free resources you can borrow from the library to help you learn something new.

Business owners who want to make changes to their restaurant or store in 2019 can get help from the City’s Economic Development office. The Small Business Support program matches business owners with coaches who are experts in areas like financial planning, marketing, and storefront design. Business owners who want to implement what they learn from their coach can also apply for grant funding to help make it possible.

Finally, if you or someone you know is looking to improve their English skills, in partnership with The Welcome Project, the School’s Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) offers English language courses to adults throughout the year. Call 617-625-6600, ext. 6702 to register.

Practice Healthy Habits, or Create Some Time for Yourself

Getting active and eating healthier foods are two popular New Year’s resolutions and, yes, the City can help with them too.

The Parks and Recreation Department maintains public parks for your use (see a map here) and puts on programing for all ages throughout the year that serve a wide range of residents. There’s a toddler yoga program, sports leagues for older kids, and fitness and sports programs for adults. You can visit somervillerec.com to find out what’s coming up and register for a class or league. And if you’re a parent whose resolutions include creating a little more time for yourself, you can both benefit your kids and free up some needed time of your own, by enrolling your children in our afterschool programs and other activities.

The Blue Bikes system, run by Blue Cross and supported by the City, is an easy way to build a little exercise into your commute or your day whenever you feel like it. Just pick up a bike for $2.50 for one ride to try it out, and if you like it, sign up for a yearly membership with unlimited use (memberships are 10% off through 12/31). If you receive SNAP benefits, you can also get a discounted membership. (And please remember to bring a helmet!)

Shape Up Somerville is another great resource for anyone looking to practice healthier habits in the new year. Shape Up approaches health from a holistic standpoint and looks at how issues like food access, health resources, and infrastructure can encourage healthy habits. On the Shape Up website (somervillema.gov/shapeup) you can find healthy recipes, walking and biking routes, “Shape Up Approved” menu recommendations, and many other resources to help you build healthy habits.

Whatever your goals are for the new year, I hope you take advantage of City resources that can help you on your way. I know 2019 will be another busy year for our City and your involvement will help us reach our own goals as well.