The staff of The Somerville Times would like to wish everyone a very happy New Year. May the year to come bring one and all good health and prosperity and continue through to the following years to come.

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Congratulations to all our local public servants who were sworn in for new or additional terms this week. Let’s wish all of them the best and hope that they serve our interests as fairly and effectively as possible.

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Tonight, January 3, show off your talents and meet members of your community. Open Mic night at the West Branch Library, 40 College Ave.  Registration is required for both viewers and performers. To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/janmic.

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As the holiday season winds down, a reminder that Christmas tree pick up began Tuesday, January 2. Trees can be placed curbside on your regular trash day after removing all decorations. Do not put trees in a plastic bag. Constituents should contact 311 (617-666-3311) if their tree has been out for over two weeks.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a great guy Harry Agritha. We wish him the very best on this his birthday week. Happy birthday to Sophia Carafotes. We wish her the very best. We hope she enjoys her day. Happy Birthday to Kevin O’Donovan. We wish him a great birthday. Happy birthday to everyone here and from the city who is celebrating this week. We wish all our Facebook friends, such as Jon Curtis, Jimmy Deoliveira, Marie Miele, Matthew Martino, Gale Mahan, Steven Anthony, George Allen and Linda M. Alves 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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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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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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On Tuesday, January 9, at 6:30 p.m., at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, company members from Music From the Sole will lead a community music (body percussion) and movement workshop. Music From The Sole is a tap dance and live music company celebrating tap’s connections to Afro Brazilian music and dance, and other influences across the African Diaspora, with connections to house, samba, Brazilian funk and jazz. No dance experience required. Open to all ages, and Admission is free (no tap shoes, sneakers fine). Pre-registration required, register here: https://donate2.app/9B67Xn

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Did you get a new device that you’re not sure how to use? Book a free one-on-one tech appointment with a skilled librarian who can help. To book an appointment or ask any questions, email spltech@somervillema.gov or call the Central reference desk at (617) 623-5000 x2955.

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Because this winter begins in an odd-numbered year, snow emergency parking will be on the odd 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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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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Enrolling a prekindergarten or kindergarten student? The next PK-8 School Open House events are January 9, and the online enrollment portal opens on January 3. Watch a video about enrolling your student in prekindergarten or kindergarten. https://youtu.be/HgdlsI8IapM  The video is also available in Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole on the Enrollment Office website, where you can find many more resources: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/enrollment.

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Is your child interested in coding? Sign them up for the library’s Girls Who Code club. The club is open to grades 3-5 and is run by Girls Who Code, an international nonprofit organization with the goal of increasing the number of women in computer science. Students of any gender can participate, though we highly encourage girls, those who identify as girls, and nonbinary kids to join. This event will take place on Monday, January 8, at Somerville Public Library Central Branch (79 Highland Ave.) from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Learn more and register. www.somervillepubliclibrary.org

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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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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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Take steps to protect yourself and loved ones against COVID-19. Somerville’s Health and Human Services Department is hosting a series of COVID-19 booster (Moderna) vaccine clinics in November and throughout December at locations across the city. Vaccines are available for community members age 6 months and older. Register for a vaccine clinic at somerville-ma.gov/vaccines.

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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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