Happy New Year everyone, all our friends both here in the ‘Ville and outside the ‘Ville. Hopefully, 2013 will be a great year for all of us. A prosperous and healthy New Year to all.    

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The 237th annual “Grand Union” flag-raising ceremonies at Prospect Hill Park was held yesterday on the first and, as in the recent past, there were many dignitaries and residents that packed the ceremony on a  cold day here in Somerville.

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Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., is “Open Mic” night at The Armory Café. It’s the first Wednesday of every month. This month’s featured performer at 8:00 p.m. is Linnea Herzog.

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It’s with much sadness that we report the news that the former Publisher of the Somerville News and great guy who has done a lot here in Somerville, Mr. Robert James Lamb Publicover, passed away early morning December 31. Pub, as he is known by many here in the ‘Ville, will be waked on Friday January 4 from 4 p.m.. to 8 p.m. with Masonic service (to be performed by members of King Solomon’s Lodge) 7 PM, at Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway, Somerville. Internment; Saturday January 5, Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. We here at the paper will miss Bob’s wit and humorous ways he had about him. He leaves his partner David as well as his sister Marilyn and many other family members who, along with his many friends here in Somerville, mourn his passing.

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Please join the Somerville Chamber of Commerce to kick off the New Year at the Chamber’s Business After Hours at Foundry on Elm, 255 Elm Street, Davis Square. Sponsorship available. 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2013. Free appetizers and excellent networking. Bring your business cards for the drawing. RSVP with name(s) and affiliation(s) of you and your guests to smackey@somervillechamber.org

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Last week we forgot to say Happy Birthday to Jeaneen Barletta, who celebrated her birthday in the ‘Ville this past Friday.

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Happy Birthday to many good ‘Villens and fans out there: Paul Peddle is celebrating this week, as well as Christopher Kenny and our good friend Pam Gee. Also this week is well-known Arts at the Armory Café guy Danny Kallis. Stop in to the Café and say “Hi” and HB to him, as well as former ‘Villen Lisa Ludwick, Christine Angiulo McCollem and Eddie Coyle. Also, Happy Birthday to Leo DeSimone, who works for the school department. One guy we should point out who developed that favorite, Fluff, Archibald Query, celebrated his birthday this week.

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City planners and their consultants will show proposals for the future of neighborhood squares, based upon the forthcoming Green Line stations. This meeting will summarize the work and community participation activities from the October vision session and November 2-day workshop event. Please join them at the Somerville Armory on Tuesday, January 8 at 6:30 pm for the presentation of the neighborhood plans for Ball Square, Magoun Square / Lowell Street, and Gilman Square. Based upon this presentation and feedback at this meeting, the staff at the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development will work to complete neighborhood plans for each station that can help the city make future decisions about street and sidewalk design, land use regulations and development proposals. For a complete background on this program, visit www.somervillebydesign.com.

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Glide, jump, spin and have fun in the New Year. The season for ice-skating is here. Learn to skate or improve your Recreational, Figure or Hockey Skating Skills. Classes are held at the Cambridge Simoni Rink on Gore St., with lessons starting on Saturday January 5 at 2:00 p.m. for a 7-week series. Also, at the Somerville Veterans Memorial Rink located on Somerville Ave., with lessons starting on January 13 for a 6-week series. The Learn-to-Skate Classes, as featured on Chronicle, are for children ages 4  and up and adults wearing either figure or hockey skates. Professional Instructors teach beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Join the fun and advance your skills at the Cambridge and Somerville Rinks, or at any of 10 other rink locations. To register for classes or to get additional information, please call the Bay State Skating School at 781-890-8480, or visit us online at http://www.baystateskatingschool.org/. Gift Certificates available. Ice skate and feel great!

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Don’t forget The Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market is returned to the Armory for the 2012-13 season. Local vendors provide great fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry, seafood, and more. There’s a fantastic range of local products and produce. The season runs through April 13. Mark your calendars: every Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hope to see you there.