Well, the big news around the city this week is the announced delays in construction and reopening of the bridges that have been closed due to the Green Line Extension Project’s activities. We are certainly disappointed by the delays. We have been contending with the traffic snarls and rerouting for quite some time already, and now we’re being asked to put up with it a bit longer. It is important for all of us to get out and support the local businesses that are have been feeling the effect of the bridge closures already. We sure hope that it will all ultimately be considered worth the trouble and expense.

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Be sure to check out the new features debuting this week in The Times. A weather forecast for the week to come, based on the latest data provided by the National Weather Service, can be found on page 2. While on page 14 you will find our new “Fun & Games” features, including crossword an sudoku puzzles, our Useless Facts of the Week feature, and the ever popular Ms. Cam’s Olio. We are constantly engaged in adding informative and entertaining content, and you can be sure there is much more to come. Let us know if you have something in mind that we should add to the paper.

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Happy birthday to the following this week: Happy birthday to our own Denise Cosby, a local real estate agent here in the city. Denise published her book Murder at Harvard’s Kirkland House-A Mother’s Worst Nightmare, which tells the real story of the murder of her son Justin. Listen to her interview on February 5 at a10:00 a.m. on Wake Up & Stay Woke with Dr. E. Faye Williams, WPFW Pacifica Radio 89.3 FM www.wpfwfm.org WPFW. Another great person celebrating this week is Pat Moran Quinlin. We wish her the very best of birthdays. Another local Winter Hill lady who is celebrating this week is Maria Nella Nunes. We wish her the very best. Happy birthday to Sheila Howe. We wish her the very best on this her birthday. And finally, we wish Naomi Landers a big time happy birthday this week. 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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Progressive organizer Erika Uyterhoeven has declared her candidacy for State Representative for the 27th Middlesex District. Uyterhoeven is a cofounder of Act on Mass, a nonprofit dedicated to activating grassroots organizers and voters to hold the Massachusetts state legislature accountable on progressive issues. To learn more about the campaign, visit www.electerika.com, Facebook: fb.me/electerika, Twitter: @erika4rep. You can also see the full press release on our website under our press release section.

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The next time you visit the City of Somerville website to pay your tax or water bills, the online system will look a little different. In December 2019, the city’s Treasury Department changed to “City Hall Systems,” a new bill payment vendor that will make paying and viewing bills online more convenient and user-friendly. The new system allows customers to manage all of their bills from one account, offers a shopping cart checkout process, provides historical payment and bill information, and assists with taxpayer questions through its call center (including taking payments over the phone), email, and online multilingual chat features. To continue receiving the benefits of an online account, you will need to re-enroll with City Hall Systems. Update your information on the new vendor site by visiting the city’s website (www.somervillema.gov) and selecting the “Pay Bills & More” Quick Link option on the menu. The City Hall Systems page includes tutorials on the payment process and setting up an online account.

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Hopeful Hearts & Local Arts hosted by Connexion takes place Saturday, February 8, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m., at Connexion, 149 Broadway. A market featuring a curated collection of makers, artists, designers, and small business owners. All are welcome to attend. There will also be food, music and a raffle. Raffle tickets funds and any donations will be to help Connexion continue to be a staple in the Somerville community through its many works. Support our community and shop local. For more info, visit https://connexionumc.org/

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The Somerville Arts Council is looking for musicians to perform at their annual jazz and blues festival. Get involved so you don’t miss out. The application deadline March 9. Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival is back this year with an all-day free concert at Powderhouse Park on June 20 (rain date June 21) and is looking for talent to perform. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your unique jazz and blues sounds. Past performances have included everything from swampy Cajun to Ethiopian Jazz. Preference will be given to bands with a Somerville connection. Please note, they are only considering applicants who haven’t played at this event in the last two years. Bring a friend, blanket, and a picnic for a great afternoon under the trees in one of the nicest parks in Somerville. If you are interested in performing, please fill out our call to musicians here: https://forms.gle/oXwjsvfKp7YU4P7m7.

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The SomerVision 2040 Comprehensive Plan is currently available online and open to public comments. To learn more please visit somervision2040.com, and submit your comments to planning@somervillema.gov before January 31 at 12:00 p.m.

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The Somerville Police Department is looking for Crossing Guards to keep Somerville students safe at intersections during the walk to and from school. If you know anyone who is interested, please send them to this link for more information: https://www.somervillepd.com/general-info/8-news/104-crossing-guard-2017

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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: 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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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.

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Registration for February Vacation Camp is now open at Parts and Crafts, Somerville. February 17 – 21. $350 for the week or $75 per day. Early and late care available. Register at https://www.amilia.com/store/en/parts-and-crafts/shop/programs/46761?subCategoryIds=2515714.

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Are you or someone you know operating a business in the Somerville area? If so, you need to check out the wide range of marketing advantages that advertising in print – particularly in The Somerville Times – offers to budding or well established business owners. Contrary to popular belief, print advertising has been proven to be considerably more effective than most online platforms. Get in touch with our Advertising Director, Bobbie Toner, at bobbie@thesomervilletimes.com to learn more. You’ll be very glad you did!