The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration event will take place Monday, January 20, at the East Somerville Community School. Festivities for this free family event will begin at 10:00 a.m. The celebration will be emceed by Marcus Santos and will feature musical performances by El Sistema Somerville and the Somerville High School World Percussion Ensemble, as well as readings by student essayists. A keynote address will be given by Aba Taylor, a social justice educator, facilitator and organizer. Following the speaking program, the Beautiful Stuff Project will facilitate the creation of a community mosaic. This year the Somerville Human Rights Commission will hold a drive during the event, to benefit Project SOUP. Attendees are invited to bring toiletries such as shampoo, toilet paper and soap. The event is organized in cooperation with the City of Somerville’s Health and Human Services Department, Somerville Public Schools, and the Somerville Human Rights Commission.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Katie McDaid, a great person. When you see her out there working stop and say “Hi” and wish her a happy birthday. Happy birthday Katie. Happy birthday to a wonderful lady, retired high school teacher Marion Joyce. She was a great teacher. Happy birthday to Bill Rogers of Winter Hill, a nice guy and we wish him the very best of birthdays. Happy birthday to one of the hardest workers down at the City Club, Don Johnson. To our good friend, James Ribeiro, we wish him a great birthday. Big time happy birthday to Julie Tarpey DiPasquale, who has given many years of service to our community and did it with pride, just like anyone from Somerville would. Happy birthday Julie! Happy birthday to one who grew up here, joined the service and now lives in Texas, Phil Forsyth, a nice guy. He has high standards and his service is well received back here at home. Happy birthday to Donna Desrescente. We wish her her the very best. Big time birthday greetings to our good friend Ken Kotch, a great photographer! We wish him and his lovely wife – and now getting older daughter – the very best. Happy birthday Kenny! Happy birthday to everyone here and from the city who is celebrating this week. We wish every one of them a very happy birthday.

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The Somerville High School boys and girls basketball teams will go head-to-head against the Medford Mustangs on Sunday, January 19, at the 4th Annual Tufts Classic. The double-header takes place at the Cousens Gymnasium on the Tufts University campus. The girls’ game tips off at 12:00 p.m., followed by the boys’ game at 1:30 p.m. Game winners will receive a “Tufts Classic” trophy which will stay in their possession until the next Tufts Classic, and players from all four teams will receive Tufts Classic t-shirts to commemorate their participation in the double-header. Admission to the Tufts Classic is free. Donations for Project SOUP in Somerville and Community Cupboard in Medford will be accepted. Fans are asked to bring nonperishable food items and personal household and hygiene products to support those in need in both cities. A detailed list of preferred donation items can be found on the Tufts Classic’s Facebook event page.

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Are you interested in learning more about climate change while taking meaningful action with members of your community? Become a Somerville Climate Forward Ambassador. Learn more at bit.ly/climateforward and apply by January 17.

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Don’t forget, the Somerville Winter Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., presenting the very best variety of products from New England farms and specialty vendors including vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fish, baked goods, and lots more. Live music, delicious treats in two cafe areas and a chance to meet friends. SNAP/ EBT and HIP accepted!

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On Saturday, January 25, the Somerville High School Boys Basketball team will participate in the Andrew Lawon Foundation Basketball Invitational at TD Garden. Somerville will take on Algonquin in the Garden at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $18.00 per person and includes admission to seven other marquee high school games. Head Coach Mark Antonelli and the Highlanders invite all Somerville students, faculty, alumni, and community members to come out, wear their red and blue, and rock the Garden in support of the Highlanders. Tickets are available through the Friends of Somerville Basketball Booster organization and can be purchased with cash, checks (made out to Friends of Somerville Basketball) or via Venmo @FriendsofSomervilleBasketball. Contact Head Coach Mark Antonelli at mantonelli@k12.somerville.ma.us  or 617-584-7321 for ticket information.

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The Somerville Community Choice Electricity (CCE) program is doubling the amount of extra renewable energy provided to our residents and businesses. To learn more about this and other changes to Somerville CCE, visit cce.somervillema.gov.

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Congratulations the winners of our Best of Somerville 2019 survey, as voted for by you, our readers (find the list of winners on our website at http://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/62978). They do indeed represent the best that the city has to offer. Be sure to partake of their products or services, and let them know you heard about their being honored here in The Somerville Times.

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The City of Somerville’s Health and Human Services Department (HHS) and Somerville Media Center (SMC) are excited to announce the 2020 Screening Series of From My Heart to Yours. This short educational film provides an intimate look at how the availability and use of opioids have impacted the lives of many individuals, especially here locally and around the state. It also addresses various pathways to recovery and resources that exist to help the transition back into society. HHS and SMC partnered with local organizations to host free screenings of the short documentary (about 25 minutes) throughout the city with a Q&A with representatives from individuals who were part of production. Screening events are scheduled as follows: January 16, 6:30 p.m., at MOAR- Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery, 9 New Washington St.; February 6, 5:00 p.m., at Council on Aging, 167 Holland St.; March 6, 6:30 p.m., at Connexion, 149 Broadway; and April 15, 6:00 p.m., the Somerville Library, 79 Highland Ave.

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Music Meeting: Reigniting the Boston Music Conversation will be held on January 23 at The Jungle Community Music Club, 6 Sanborn Ct., Somerville, which is relaunching a series of meeting/meet-ups. In this first round, talk about the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) concept and working on a sustainable foundation; old favorites like promoting in the digital age, booking (uh-oh), and looking outside one’s own genres. Guests will be with guests Edrie Edrie of Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys, Jenny Bergman of The Secret Bureau of Art & Design, Bridget Duggan of ONCE Somerville, Carissa Johnson of Fuel Heart Productions and Steve Theo of Pirate Promotions. Music at 8:00 p.m. with The Shirts And Shoes, War On Alexandria, and Lay Low Moon. The meeting is free to all from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Live music is at 8:00 p.m. $6 in advance, $10 day of the show. For more info, visit www.thejunglemusicclub.com.

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Urban Gardening Talk with Lindsay Allen takes place February 5, at Remnant Brewing, 2 Bow Market Way, Somerville, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., hosted by the Somerville Public Library. This talk will focus on the history of urban agriculture and how that has shaped our cities’ current food systems. Attendees will learn about the history of urban gardening, food justice, rooftop farming and innovative ways to grow food at your home, including tips for your home garden.