This past weekend we were hit with the coldest temperatures we have had this winter. All emergency responders, plumbers and other emergency services were working around the clock handling cold related problems. We thank the city’s services, Somerville Homeless Coalition, first responders and everyone who worked so hard helping those in need and especially the vulnerable unhoused members of Somerville stay safe this weekend. For future planning about cold-weather safety and local resources, go to somervillema.gov/coldweather.

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There will be a Comcast license renewal public hearing, Monday, February 13, at 6:00 p.m. All interested persons are invited to a public hearing on the draft proposal for the license renewal of Comcast Cable. The proposal sets guidelines for operations, service provision, licensing fees, and in-kind and capital contributions to the city via a federally regulated process for municipal issuance of local cable franchise licenses. The hearing will be virtual and can be accessed online via Zoom or by phone. Visit somervillema.gov/2023licenserenewal for the meeting links and information. The draft proposal is available online on that link and for public inspection at the Office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to Patricia Latham. We wish Patty the best on her birthday. Happy birthday to Cheryle Snow. We wish Cheryle the very best on her birthday. Happy birthday to Bernard Gibbons. We wish him the very best on his birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such Amy Ferreira, Jill Koerber, Joan Marshall, Laurie Herra-Bullerwell, JoAnn Bocca-Rivieccio, Rhiannon Riley, Anne Belcher, Valerie Fitzpatrick and Michael Stone 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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Craft Night at the East Branch will be held Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. 115 Broadway. Ages 9-99 are invited to participate in an evening of crafting wooden heart garlands. Please register as materials are limited: https://somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com

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This year’s Black History Month honors Black Resistance throughout history and today. Archivist, scholar, graphic novelist Dr. Rebecca Hall joins the Somerville Public Library virtually to discuss her groundbreaking graphic novel Wake. Saturday, February 11 at 2:30 p.m. Visit the SPL website to register. www.somervillepubliclibrary.org.

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The deadline for area nonprofits to apply for project funding has been extended from February 3 to Friday, February 17. The funding will provide $10M in project support for 501(c)3 nonprofits serving the Somerville community. Only applications supporting specific projects or programs, and requesting $50,000 or more, will be accepted for funding consideration. Applications will be reviewed after the portal closes on February 17, and recipients are expected to receive notice of funding in spring 2023.Interested nonprofits can review the ARPA website for more information, including an ARPA application package to plan their projects: www.somervillema.gov/arpa.

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Prospect St. will be closed to southbound traffic between Somerville Ave. and Webster Ave. Monday-Friday, February 6–10, to facilitate crane mobilization at the US2 development. Please note: Northbound traffic on Prospect Street will be allowed to proceed. Southbound access will be retained for emergency vehicles.

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Are you interested in starting your own seedlings this spring? Groundwork Somerville has greenhouse space to share. This season, they’ll provide up to six community members with space in their greenhouse. In exchange, they ask that each work-share volunteers to host their Spring Seedling Sale and grows a portion of seedlings for this sale. Apply through the volunteer page on their website groundworksomerville.org.

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Calling all artists! USQ is asking for your help in building on USQ’s desire to celebrate and expand the role of public art in the Union Square Neighborhood. They have planned a 450-square-foot public-facing mural opportunity and are looking for your expertise and vision to bring it to life. All the details are available here: https://bit.ly/usqmural

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The Somerville Public Library in partnership with St. Mark Community Education Program is offering a free, 10-week U.S. Citizenship Preparation class. The class will prepare students for the citizenship interview including the 100 civics questions, the reading and writing sections, and interview questions based on the N-400 application. The class will be held in-person at the Central Library (79 Highland Avenue) on 10 Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from March 4 to May 6. Requirements: Basic level of English and 5 years as a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder) or 3 years, if married to a U.S. citizen. Visit https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/ell-citizenship to register.

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The Somerville Public Library will be hosting Beat the Librarians Trivia, Monday, February 13 at Remnant Brewing, 2 Bow Market Way. Think you’re smarter than the average librarian? Celebrate National Library Lovers’ Day and test your knowledge against a team of SPL librarians. Teams (typically up to six people) will be answering questions curated by Remnant Brewing’s trivia host Meredith.

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The search is on for crossing guards to help keep students safe on their walks to and from school. Apply: somervillema.gov/apply. More info: careers@somervillema.gov. 617-625-6600 extension 3300.

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Throughout the month of February, the MBTA will be implementing service changes to the Orange, Green, and Red Lines as well as the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line. The service changes are necessary to accommodate the ongoing demolition of the Government Center Garage, as well as scheduled maintenance on each of the lines. For more information visit https://www.mbta.com.

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The City of Somerville Department of Public Works has distributed sand citywide for residential use. Sand increases traction on icy surfaces and, since it is less corrosive than salt-based ice melt, helps maintain the conditions of our sidewalks and other infrastructure. For our full Winter guide, visit somervillema.gov/snow.

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East Somerville Main Streets is hosting a meet and greet session for the community to get to know our small business owners and shop their specialties. Saturday, March 4, at 11:00 a.m. at Connexion, 149 Broadway.

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Somerville Homeless Coalition’s Spring Into Action Event will be returning to The Somerville Theatre’s Crystal Ballroom on Thursday, March 23. #FeelGoodFriday. For more information and to purchase tickets go to: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/01Y6qw?vid=wre5o

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Kids 10-18 years old are invited to the Half-Day Wednesday Video Game Hangout at Somerville Public Library (MA) Central Branch Teen Room every half day Wednesday. Starts at 12:15 p.m. Hang out with peers, play multiplayer Nintendo Switch games on the big screen, try Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, Rocket League or bring your own games.

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The Arts at the Armory’s Performance Hall is available to rent for weddings, parties, and private work functions. With a new stage, aesthetic improvements to the space, and a capacity of 395, the Performance Hall is a versatile, conveniently located venue in the heart of Somerville’s Spring Hill neighborhood. Did we mention there is ample off-street parking? Learn more at artsatthearmory.org, and fill out the Event Contact Form to book the Performance Hall.

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Because this winter begins in an even-numbered year, snow emergency parking will be on the even side of the street all winter, unless posted signage says differently. Check street signs in your neighborhood so you know where you can park ahead of winter weather. You can also learn more about the city’s snow policies at somervillema.gov/snow.

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