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By J. L. Bell: Correspondent for Off the Shelf

The raising of the “Grand Union Flag” on Prospect Hill in January 1776 is a proud historic moment for Somerville. But a lot of mysteries still surround that event.

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Most recently, Sandra Kolankiewicz’s poems have appeared in New World Writing, Prole Literary Review, Southword Editions, and New Welsh Review.  Her most recent chapbook, Even the Cracks, is available from Finishing Line Press.

— Photo courtesy of dabel@bu.edu

The Somerville Theatre will be screening the award-winning new film, IN THE WHALE. This cinematic masterpiece, directed and shot by Pulitzer prize-winning Boston Globe reporter David Abel, tells the story of the last-remaining commercial lobster diver on Cape Cod, who two years ago was swallowed by a humpback whale and lived to tell the tale.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne speaks about Haiti and the Haitian community of Somerville on the occasion of Independence Day.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Back in the day I spent a lot of New Year’s Eves playing in bands for private parties. But my friends and I would rent a couple of hotel rooms, buy a ton of booze and spend New Year’s Eve like that. There are also a lot of local clubs around the area that had New Year’s Eve parties. That’s why I asked my friends to share their New Year’s Eve antics from yesteryear.

Community meetings planned for January 10, 11 and 25
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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.

As the holiday season winds down, a reminder that Christmas tree pick up begins 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.

Holiday schedules are available, all subway lines will operate until approximately 3:00 a.m.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is reminding riders that free service on all modes will be available after 8:00 p.m. on December 31 through the end of the service day to help support safe celebrations on New Year’s Eve. All subway lines will operate until approximately 3:00 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. Full holiday service schedule information is available at mbta.com/holidays.

This service change is in place while crews perform work as part of the Track Improvement Program, which will alleviate speed restrictions along the line.

Following up on the previous announcement from December 21, the MBTA is  reminding riders that Green Line service on the B branch between North Station and Babcock Street, on the E branch between North Station and Heath Street, and on the C and D branches between North Station and Kenmore station will be suspended all day from start to end of service for 10 days from January 3-12 and for 13 days from January 16- 28.