Food For Free is benefiting from a grant by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).

With a new year comes an increased capacity to connect individuals and families facing food insecurity with nutrition for Food For Free, the largest food rescue and redistribution organization in Eastern Massachusetts.

Instructor Sylvain Lebrun teaching sophomore students welding techniques in the Welding Metal Fabrication program. — Photo courtesy of SHS CTE Department

By Bridget Frawley

Somerville High School offers 14 career pathways for students enrolled in their Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The CTE program is considered a Chapter 74 program, so it abides by course guidelines outlined by the state of Massachusetts and are overseen by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Somerville Public Schools received $897,000 through the CPPI in support of high-quality preschool programming.

On the heels of Governor Healey’s first State of the Commonwealth in which she emphasized her commitment to expanding access to early education and laid out her “Gateway to Pre-K” agenda, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that they have delivered $13.1 million to 21 school districts through the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) to support their efforts to expand access to high-quality preschool. Among the recipients of the funds was Somerville Public Schools, which received $897,000.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By State Senator Pat Jehlen

There’s a strong consensus that we need hundreds of thousands of new housing units in Massachusetts. Governor Healey said in her State of the Commonwealth address that housing is our greatest challenge.

“What do you want to see in Somerville’s community live arts center?” The Somerville Armory currently has six tenants and several other spaces that could become arts spaces. Already the building is home to music building education, production, and live performances. Help develop the vision and guiding principles for the Somerville Armory as they transition it from private ownership to public stewardship. They are looking for the voices of diverse performing artists who have connections to Somerville, residents, and community partners to participate in this upcoming meeting series. Read more: https://voice.somervillema.gov/armory-master-plan. Meeting I: Our Arts Ecosystem, January 24, 6:00 p.m. at Warehouse XI,11 Sanborn Ct., Somerville.

Diane M. Dyko, 87, of Peabody, formerly of Somerville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Beverly Hospital surrounded by her loving family.  She was the beloved wife of the late James Dyko.

Eagle Feathers #296 – The Rose

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

On November 20, 1986, at the White House Rose Garden, President Ronald Reagan designated the rose as the National Floral Emblem of the United States of America.

All of us want to put an end to the rampant rodent infestation taking place in and around the city, as do our neighboring communities. Caution, though, ought to be taken in terms of what measures should be taken and how best to implement them.

Concerns have arisen recently about the use of so-called rodenticides (rat poison) and the dangers they pose to our pets and wildlife. The effectiveness of these agents has also been called into question.

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Interview with Doug Holder/co-president of the New England Poetry Club

I think I first met the poet January O’Neil quite a few years ago at a meeting of the Somerville Bagel Bards in Davis Square. Since then, she has become a respected English professor at Salem State University, and an acclaimed poet. She generously accepted my offer to interview her about her new collection of verse, Glitter Road (CavanKerry). On her publisher’s website it states: