Beginning this week, a new “opinion editorial” contributor, Chris Haskell, will be writing about events and happenings going on here in the city. His column will be entitled ‘Villens United. Chris lives in Winter Hill with his wife and since he has moved here loves what Somerville is and all the wonderful things it has to offer to both new and old residents alike. He is going to be joined soon by another new “op-ed” writer, Charles Chisholm, a lifelong resident and math professor who will be writing about various current events here in the city, both politically and in the community. We welcome both to The Somerville Times. We hope you the readers will enjoy them and offer your comments on what they will be writing. We welcome anyone who wishes to write a column, either as a writer of articles or opinion pieces. Over the years we have invited many to do so and many have accepted our invitation. The only requirement is that it be about Somerville. We leave the other cities and towns up to the other papers. We’re just about Somerville here, and all the way. If you would like to write too, contact The Somerville Times office at 617 666-4010.

***********************

Happy Birthday to a lot of our friends and fellow Villens here this week: First of all, to our own Denise Cosby, a real estate agent with the Norton Group. We wish her the very best of birthdays. She recently visited in Georgia and South Carolina with many of her family members she hasn’t seen in a long time and had a blast. Another local favorite of ours, and with many here in the city, our own Dorothy DiMarzo is celebrating. We know everyone loves her column on cooking some of the most interesting dishes. We wish her the very best of birthdays. Another local guy who grew up here in Winter Hill and now lives in Stoneham (we call that Somerville with trees), Jeff Cappello, who is celebrating this week. Some might remember that his wife, Maryann Cappello, was Ward 4 Alderman for many years. A lady we’ve known for over 50 years is celebrating this week. Louise Lounsberry (formerly Bannister) is celebrating this week. We wish her the very best. A well-known East Somerville guy, Philip Ercolini, is celebrating this week as well. We wish him the very best of birthdays. A Villen who moved to FLA, but who also grew up in East Somerville, James Robertson is celebrating this week. And yet another Villen who grew up here, Nancy Huber Coutoumas, is celebrating as well this week. We wish her the very best. Another happy birthday to Sheila Howe, a lifelong resident. She’s a nice lady and the lovely wife of John, who loves that yellow car.

***********************

If you haven’t registered to vote yet you have until February 10 to do so to vote in the Presidential Primary coming up in March here in Massachusetts. You can go to the Election Department at City Hall and fill out the form, or better yet you can just go online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/. This year’s presidential race is crucial to everyone. There is no excuse as registering to vote can’t be any easier.

***********************

There’s a new website in town. Check it out at www.somervillema.com. The Somerville Times is on the site. Also check out www.medfordma.com.

***********************

Those who might be interested in obtaining certification for firearms should look up the Lawrence Rod & Gun Club. They offer an extensive program at the end of which you receive certification for Massachusetts/NRA Certified Firearm Safety Classes. They run a class once a month, which is limited to 10 people and we hear that this is the place to go to learn safety when handling guns. Email gunclub@earthlink.net for more information and or go to their website at www.lawrencerodandgunclub.org and read up about the course.

***********************

The East Somerville Reunion is being planned for this coming June 25 at the Somerville City Club, across from Holiday Inn. They have a Facebook page set up to take reservations: East Somerville Reunion 2016. The first reunion was very successful, with well over a 100 people attending, and lots of old friendships were restarted. If you grew up in East Somerville in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s you should set aside the date and make your plans to attend. You won’t be disappointed.

***********************

The Community Preservation Committee invites all interested community members to hear about the Community Preservation Act (CPA) project proposals before the Committee and offer feedback on which deserve to receive funding at two community meetings in January. The first was held on Tues, Jan. 12, and the second will be held tonight, Wed., Jan. 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Lowell St. VNA (259 Lowell St.), in the Community Room. Parking is extremely limited at the VNA, so please make arrangements to walk, bike, carpool, or use street parking.

***********************

Somerville Office of Prevention Director Cory Mashburn announced that the results of their annual Student Health Survey will be presented in a public forum on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Winter Hill Community School, 115 Sycamore St. The results will be presented in the form of a game show, with attendees being divided into teams to discuss topics from the Student Health Survey. The youth from Somerville Positive Forces 100 (SPF100) will be presenting the info.

***********************

Join the Nave Gallery Annex in kicking off The 2016 Sketchbook Show with a poetry reading featuring Afaa M. Weaver and Gary Hawkins, an artist whose poems in progress appear in his sketchbooks in the show. January 30, 7 p.m., NAVE ANNEX,Davis Square, 53 Chester Street,Somerville, MA.

***********************

Second Annual Chili Cook-off.Local chefs bring you their best chili. Who will win “Crowd Favorite”? Join RESPOND and Guest Judges for this fiery & flavorful Pre-Super Bowl Bash to benefit RESPOND’s work to end domestic violence. Raffles, cash bar, hot sauce taste off! Thursday, January 28, 7-9 p.m., Holiday Inn, 30 Washington St.

***********************

In preparation for the 2016 Boil Down Festival, Groundwork Somerville will head over to Tufts on January 30 to tap the trees that we will be collecting sap from in the coming weeks. Come with friends, partners, or kids and learn about maple trees, sap, and the history of the Maple Syrup Project. You will be helping tap trees, and you might even get to taste a bit of sap! Meet at the top of the Memorial Steps at 10 a.m. Remember, sap is temperamental. So check Groundwork Somerville  facebook for updates on the details of this year’s tapping.

***********************

Don’t forget, every Saturday through March.  The Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market is back at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave from  9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. with an amazing selection of produce, meats, cheeses, fish, pastries, and lots more – all from local farms and businesses.