The City Somerville Biosafety Committee seeks two new members, and all Somerville residents are invited to apply. One vacancy is for an academic expert, and one is open to any qualified community member. 

Thanks to the work and advocacy of several Somerville Public Schools educators, the district recently received grants totaling almost $30,000 from Mass Cultural Council (MCC) through its STARS Residency Program. In this round of the STARS program, classes at the Capuano Early Childhood Center, the Arthur D. Healey School, the East Somerville Community School, and the John F. Kennedy School will receive funding to support arts-related workshops and programs over the next several months. Somerville High School musicians will also benefit from the STARS program.

Center to open due to forecasted unusually cold overnight wind chills Friday and Saturday

 Weather forecasts are predicting unusually cold wind chills of approximately zero to 7 degrees below zero overnight on Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25, respectively. To help provide shelter for unhoused community members, the City of Somerville and the Somerville Homeless Coalition will open a joint temporary Overnight Warming Center for unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness on Friday and Saturday nights.

Location: Upper floor of The Armory building at 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville

— Photo courtesy of Somerville Arts Council

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has confirmed, that after a request from her Office on January 11, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 38, §8, the inquest process into the death of Sayed Faisal has begun. Per order of the Court, no further details will be provided until the completion of the process.

The children of Gigi Foundation in the schoolyard.

The Gigi Foundation was originally founded in 2009 as one woman’s desire to feed, educate and nurse every child in need-one at a time. Before she immigrated to the United States, Gisselene Romulus worked as a preschool teacher, educating and supporting young children in her home country of Haiti. After immigrating to the U.S. she continued to aid those in need as a licensed practical nurse for over 15 Years . Never forgetting her roots and with a heart for children, Gisselene materialized her dream and the Gigi Foundation was born.

Friday night February 17, three SHS seniors were honored for their dedication to the boys basketball program before the game, (2) Robert Allen, (4) Franco DiFusco, and (12) Jared Antonelli.  SHS ended up losing to Lynn Vocational Technical Institute 57 – 69. ~Photos by Alex Fredette.   For additional photos from this game visit alexfredette.smugmug.com

The works of Michael Talbot, Phoebe Warner and Sean Webster will be featured at Arts at the Armory beginning this weekend.

The Somerville Arts Council and Michael Talbot present Expansion of the Garden, A Journey Into Mindfulness exhibit in the Armory, a space operated by the City of Somerville/Somerville Arts Council, beginning on Saturday, February 25, with an opening reception on Friday, February 24.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

It’s easy to complain about all the changes Somerville is going through but we have to keep one thing in mind and that is our pride for our city shines through. I’ve always been proud to be from Somerville as most of my friends are also. Folks my age go to grow up in the best city anywhere. We experienced the “old” Somerville and got to see all the exciting changes.

The city’s Legislative Matters Committee is considering changes to the Code of Ordinances to ensure the rights of alternative family structures.

By Jim Clark

On February 14, the Somerville City Council’s Legislative Matters Committee convened for their regularly scheduled meeting. Committee Chairperson Ward 6 Councilor Lance L. Davis, Vice Chair Councilor At-Large Charlotte Kelly, Ward 2 Councilor J.T. Scott, Ward 1 Councilor Matthew McLaughlin and At-Large Councilor Willie Burnley Jr. were all present virtually for the meeting.

By Ryan DiLello

The Somerville Land Use Committee voted unanimously to enable Councilors At-Large, or abutting councilors, to fill in at neighborhood meetings in the event that the ward’s official councilor is unable to attend.