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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent/ Jean Flanagan

Lee Varon’s fourth poetry book, The Last Bed, published by Finishing Line Press is a stunning and intimate portrayal of a mother who never gives up on her child with substance use disorder.

Varon shares heart-wrenching images of every step in her courageous battle to save her child. She is thrown into an unknown world we would never choose for our children.

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Diana Rose Lynch is a language teacher who teaches writing at Boston University. The Ekphrastic Review published her first poem in 2020. Her poetry was recently featured at Dogtown On My Mind: Reading and Discussion Celebrating Dogtown in the Writer’s Imagination Today. Discover Gloucester published two of her Dogtown poems in celebration of Gloucester 400. In addition, 400 Stories Project published her poetry in 2023 celebrating the unique history of the city of Gloucester. When she is not teaching, she writes poetry, gardens, and hikes. She lives in Ipswich, MA and is currently working on a collection of poetry.

Women playing bhusya.

After months of construction, the Somerville Museum is thrilled to open its doors once again where visitors will be greeted at the entrances with murals by the Somerville Nepali artist, Imagine, and a new exhibition highlighting Nepal, “The Art of the Festival’ (January 16 – March 29). A Re-opening Reception and celebration takes place Thursday, January 16, 6 – 8 p.m.

H Mart, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, opened  its doors  at 240 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, on January 9. This highly anticipated store will provide the community with a unique shopping experience, featuring a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, seafood, and household items, all under one roof. H Mart’s ‘one-stop-shopping’ experience highlights unique food selection and entertainment for the entire family and local foodies. Operation hours are 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily.  
For more information about events, special promotions, sales and H Mart Smart Rewards Card, visit H Mart’s website at www.hmart.com

— Photos courtesy of Somerville Police Department

The Somerville Police are asking for the public’s assistance identifying the operator of the pictured Nissan Altima. The Criminal Investigation Division is interested in speaking with the operator regarding an interaction he had with a juvenile. The vehicle is a gray or silver Nissan Altima with Massachusetts plates (possibly 2005 or 2006) with gold Nissan emblems and black sideview mirrors. The operator is described as a white male approximately 50 years of age and has gray facial hair.

The winners of The Somerville Times Reader’s Choice results for

THE BEST OF SOMERVILLE 2024

Congratulations to the winners!
Please support their businesses and let them know you saw them in The Somerville Times

Readers choices for 2024

Best Idea in 2024:

Free Food Market for Somerville Public School families

Worst Idea in 2024:

Making Central St. (Summer St. to Highland Ave a one way and expanding the sidewalk 

MAMAS 2024 Free Store event last November at East Somerville Community School.

By Jeffrey Shwom

From the “Newsletter: MAMAS 2024 Year End Review” email The Somerville Times obtained, Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville (MAMAS) impact continued to help those in need in 2024 and plans to do so in 2025.

Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville is a mutual aid organization that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. The largest program that MAMAS coordinates by far is Grocery Pairs, where volunteers deliver groceries and grocery gift cards, and may help with other small errands like prescription pickup. In 2024, MAMAS reimbursed its deliverers $89,993 and supported 60 families, according to its website. Supermarket Sweep, a recurring program where direct grocery aid (i.e., dollars) is delivered with no means-testing or judgment, saw $30,900 distributed into the community.