The Shirts and Shoes will perform at the “Music Meeting” event.

With media consumption at an all-time high thanks to the digital age, internet-based radiop series Boston Emissions host Angelle Wood hopes to bring back the human connection to Greater Boston’s music scene. Thursday January 23 kicks off the first of many planned events inviting bands and other industry workers to come together to discuss how to foster a more communal environment for Boston musicians.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the corner of Dimick St. and Waldo Ave. last Saturday morning on reports of a dispute.

Upon arrival, officers met with delivery workers for a furniture store who said that they had a furniture delivery on Dimick St., a two-way street which has cars parked on both sides of the street.

Please take notice: Ward 1 City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin invites interested parties to participate in a neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, January 22 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss a development proposal for 74 Middlesex Avenue/845 McGrath Highway in the Assembly Square Mixed-Use District of Somerville. The neighborhood meeting will be held at 165 Broadway in East Somerville.

— Photo courtesy of Mothers Out Front.

For the first time in the city’s history, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Department of Infrastructure and Asset Management (IAM) have allowed National Grid to replace a gas main during the city’s winter moratorium to expedite efforts to eradicate gas leaks in Somerville.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I was extremely fortunate to land a primo job at Kiss 108 FM in 1987. My friends were all very impressed and thrilled that I was actually on the number one morning radio show every day.

My dad, who was born in Somerville in 1920, was happy I landed the job because I was always bringing him free hats, jackets and food!

The play “Interview with a Gorgon” by Greg Lam, was performed at the “Giving@First” theater festival on January 11.

By Shira Laucharoen

Mack Carroll would be writing the play in one night. He said he would most likely be considering several different outlines and test out genres such as science fiction and fantasy. The play would probably use a prop, a silver hand mirror, as a focal point to build a story around. “I’m ready to stay up all night,” said Carroll. “I’m looking forward to it.”

On Thursday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m., the Somerville Museum presents an evening of history and music about Somerville composer Henry Hadley.

Hadley (1871-1937) was one of the most performed and published American composers of his day. Born in Somerville to a musical family, Hadley’s mother was active in local church music as a member of Somerville’s First Congregational Church, then located on Franklin Street.

Among those joining the hate crimes panel were (L to R) David Fallon Somerville Chief of Police, Mary Skipper, Superintendent of Somerville Schools and Irma Flores, Community Engagement Specialist with the Somerville Department of Immigrant Affairs.

Urges importance of response and reporting
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By Anna Schaeffer

Members of the Somerville community gathered last Thursday evening to discuss the rising occurrence of hate crimes in the city and state. Representatives from religious groups, city departments, legal nonprofits, the educational system, and law enforcement answered questions from the public and provided information about the city’s various methods for responding to and mitigating the impact of hate crimes.

Somerville Teachers Association (STA) and community members turned up, wearing red, at the latest Somerville School Committee Meeting at City Hall on Monday, January 13, speaking on behalf of paraprofessionals in advance of the next negotiation session. The STA and supporters met at the corner of Highland Ave. and School St. for a pre-meeting gathering. According to the participating activists, paraprofessionals currently make between $20,000 – $25,000 a year, which they feel is not enough to live on. Many of those who are advocate for better wages for the city’s many paraprofessionals addressed the Committee and expressed their concerns on the issue. The contract negotiations are ongoing.

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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.