The Somerville Arts Council and the Inside-Out Gallery present Kinetic Explorations of Color, works by Michael Robbins. Find out more about his work by visiting: https://somervilleartscouncil.org/insideout/robbins. Michael Robbins is an artist, psychotherapist, poet, and Qi Gong/Taoist meditation teacher who lives and works out of the Vernon Street Studios in Somerville. As a native of NYC, he was fueled by vast accessibility of art and culture and by growing-up in a creative household. His father, a sculptor, was one of the founders of the Expressive Therapy movement and his mother directs one of the oldest children’s theatres in NYC. The richness and excitement of this environment made a profound impression, influencing Michael’s career and various artistic pursuits.

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Visit Aeronaut (or Zoom in) for Wednesday’s Streetwise Talk. February 15, 6:00 p.m. This month the speaker is Katharine Lange, Policy Specialist for the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance talking about the impact of Climate Change on Safe Streets. Katharine will share her strategies about how to activate elected officials to help your cause. Visit http://bit.ly/3ORnXHn for Zoom info.

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to Donna Alibrandi, who is celebrating this week. We hope she has a great day. Also celebrating this week is Denise Racicot-Kallis. We wish her the very best of birthdays. Happy birthday to Celia Taylor, we hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to local realtor Sammy Alves, who is celebrating this week. We wish her a nice day. A big happy birthday to a real good guy, Elio LoRusso, who is celebrating this week as well. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Dave Ortega, Albert Piacentini, Jeannie Malone DeMase, Joelle Hochman, Dee Manuel-raposo, Barbara L Amaral, AnneMarie Gates and Sheila Borges-Foley 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 Saturday, February 18, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., join us for Stephanie Vecellio’s exhibit opening reception in the Armory Café, 191 Highland Ave. Stephanie Vecellio is a local illustrator who has lived in Somerville since 2014. Taking inspiration from the neighborhoods of Somerville and New England, Stephanie’s work is drawn directly from life using marker and pen. She captures shadow and light in playful saturation, bringing unexpected color to everyday scenes. You can see her work online at www.stephanievecellio.com or on Instagram @stepinhoney.

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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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The Somerville Department of Racial and Social Justice and its Accessibility Services division have launched a community survey to better understand the Somerville community’s needs and priorities as well as the public’s experiences with accessibility in Somerville. Take the survey online at: https://form.jotform.com/230194761561153

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East Somerville Main Streets is looking for artists for the 2023 Carnaval poster. They would love to hire an artist for Carnaval 2023. More details and application process in this Google form. https://forms.gle/Gsz5RuAoN2BRgSC9A

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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 the 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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Get your flu shot and updated COVID-19 booster at a City of Somerville clinic this winter. Visit www.somervillema.gov/vaccineclinics. The flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 booster dose are provided at no cost, regardless of health insurance or immigration status. Advance registration is required.

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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 and apply online at somervillema.gov/fuelassistance.

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The 13th Annual Somerville Winter Farmers Market (SWFM) is held every Saturday through April 8. The Center for Arts at the Armory is located at 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143. To learn more and for a complete listing of vendors, weekly specials, and live entertainment, please visit www.somwintermarket.org. You can find the market on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SomervilleWinterFarmersMarket, and on Instagram @SomWinterMarket.

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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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The 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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