Inauguration He There was passion in his serious tone when he There was a healthy dose of history grounded in Overall,
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Today, Realizing the Dream–Dr. King's Legacy of Community Service will be held at Somerville High School from 10 a.m. – noon.
There will be a keynote address, 2009 MLK awards and musical Performances. This event is free and open to the public. Free Refreshments will be served,generously provided by the Somerville Public School. Accessible at main entrance on Highland Avenue. Interpretation services (ASL, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish) provided. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States holiday marking the birthdate of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King's birthday, January 15. It is one of three United States federal holidays to commemorate an individual person. |
Unless conditions radically alter, the City of Somerville will NOT be declaring a snow emergency for Sunday, January 18, 2009. Residents should, however, be sure that their cars are not parked within 20 feet of an intersection, because this impedes access for snow plows and other emergency vehicles. Whether or not a snow emergency has been declared, cars in violation of the statewide ban on parking within twenty feet of an intersection may be subject to ticketing and towing.
Residents are also urged to take special care in parking as close to the curb as possible, despite the snow. Residents, landlords and business owners are also reminded that they are required by city regulations to shovel their sidewalks within two hours of the end of the snowfall, but that they may not shovel snow into the street. Late this morning, federal and state emergency management officials acknowledged an abrupt escalation of today's snow accumulation forecasts by issuing winter storm alerts for the Boston metro area. As late as 10 a.m. on Sunday, most forecasts predicted snow accumulations in Somerville of between 1-3 and 2-4 inches. The same forecasts predicted that the snow would fall steadily but slowly all day long. On the basis of these forecasts, city officials decided not to declare a snow emergency, but begin systematic plowing and salting operations early on Sunday morning. By the time the National Weather Service and other forecasters had revised their snow accumulation predictions sharply upwards to between 8 and 10 inches, officials concluded that declaring a snow emergency (which includes a four-hour window for residents to move their vehicles) would not allow the city to begin tagging and towing vehicles after the snowstorm had begun to wind down. With these factors in mind, city officials have concluded that, unless forecasts are abruptly revised again this afternoon, the declaration of a snow emergency will not significantly improve the city's ongoing snow management operations. (The above from the City of Somerville website) |
A city rich in arts enriches its people By Julia Fairclough We all (in the arts community) have heard that there are more artists per square foot in Somerville than any other city in New England. And although the cold hard stats to support that statement don't necessarily exist, it's safe to say that this city is pretty darned artistic. Somerville is well above the national census of 1.4 percent of the U.S. population, with 4.9 percent of residents claiming they work in a creative occupation. The city in 2005 and 2007-via the Somerville Arts Council-urged those who work in a creative profession to identify themselves by checking off their occupation in the Somerville census. In 2005, of the 53,298 residents who returned the census form, 1,759 (or approximately 3.3%) were involved in the creative sector. In 2007, of the 52,243 residents who filled the census form, 2,563 identified themselves as artists, or 4.9% of the population. "What is interesting to me is that the number is going up," said Greg Jenkins, executive director of the Somerville Arts Council. "It could be due to more people moving in, or more utilizing the census to self select. Of note, however, is that this also coincides with all of the cultural economic development work we are doing in Union Square." A study of census data released in June 2008 by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) found that nearly 2 million people earn a living as artists, compared with 1.7 million who listed artist as an occupation in 1990. Artists now represent 1.4 percent of the U.S. labor force, according to the NEA. In 2000 the census counted 1.93 million working artists. Follow-up studies from 2003 to 2005 raised that number to 1.99 million. In Somerville, the highest numbered categories that people selected were artists and "related workers" (263), writers and authors (246), editors (240), architects (excluding landscape and naval) (220), graphic designers (212) and musicians and singers (206). Visit the Somerville Arts Council Web site as www.somervilleartscouncil.org to read the report. The city of Somerville has for many years enjoyed the reputation of being a haven for artists. It's a livable city, comprised of neighborhoods that have been affordable for a long time. For example, twenty years ago, the Brickbottom Artists Building by the McGrath Highway was the largest live/work artists space in the country ever to be developed, noted Meri Jenkins, program director for the Adams Art Program for the Creative Economy at the Massachusetts Cultural Council. "For that to happen, you must have the climate where artists are recognized as an important part of urban life," Meri Jenkins said, adding that this indeed rings true for Somerville. "You can see that in an area like Davis Square, where you see sculptures in the square and each year there are festivals." Over the past couple years the cultural focus has shifted to Union Square, in an area of the city has long been overlooked. Programs are springing up across venues, that include street scape elements and public art (i.e, new benches, funky trash cans adorn the heart of the square). "When you do things like that, you are asking residents to rethink where they live," Meri Jenkins said. "You are engaging people in art. There are elements of whimsy to it (the public art), but if you improve the climate, you improve the perception." And does that change the way business can be done? Meri Jenkins believes so. It helps create a renewed interest in an area, and with that comes potential business development; new and creative sorts of business and retail. What comes to mind are the Fluff Festival, which celebrated more publicity and excitement in its second year this past summer. The dancing under the McGrath Highway night (sponsored by ArtsUnion) was also a big hit. Both events brought people from other parts of the state. "I remember Greg (Jenkins) talking to me about those events," Meri Jenkins said. "I had never thought of doing anything like that, where there are these unique events with an arts presence. It helps to improve the quality of life. It provides a bridge between different aspects of the city, which is an important role to play." Nationwide, the number of artists more than doubled between 1970 and 1990, two decades that saw growth in museums, theaters, small symphonies and dance companies in many regions of the country, according to the NEA.
Artists and related workers – 263 Writers and authors – 246 Editors – 240 Architects (excluding landscape and naval) – 220 Graphic Designers – 212 Musicians and singers – 206 Designers, all others – 167 Painting, coating and decorating workers – 103 Media and Communications – 89 Photographers – 60 Producers and directors – 58 Public Relations Managers – 43 Advertising – 30 Interior designers – 29 Technical writers – 26 Dancers – 23 Actors – 21 Landscape architects – 18 Art directors – 18 Source: Somerville's Design Industry: Fostering the Creative Economy, Department of Sociology, Northeastern Univer |
(City of Somerville has issued the following Cold Weather Alert)
City to provide cold weather centers Current forecasts call for dangerously cold temperatures and hazardous wind chill conditions through Saturday, January 16th. Residents should try to minimize outside activities, and be especially alert to the safety of the elderly and the very young. Hypothermia is a genuine hazard in these conditions. For those with heating emergencies or no access to shelter, the city will be operating warming centers at the following locations: the Holland Street Center at 167 Holland Street; the Ralph & Jenny Center at 9 New Washington Street and the Cross Street Center at 165 Broadway. All warming centers will be open on Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the city will extend the hours if needed. Please be alert to anyone who may be suffering distress as a result of the cold weather – and be especially conscious of the needs of elderly neighbors. Please also be conscious of the fire risks associated with electric space heaters. If you see anyone in your neighborhood, or on the streets, who may need assistance, don't hesitate to call the Somerville Police at 617-625-1212. For additional information, please call 311. Thank you. Here are additional precautions from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Continue to be aware of the weather conditions by monitoring media reports. Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young. Also, consider your pets. Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs. Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately. Slowly rewarm the affected areas as you await medical assistance. Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases. The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If the person's temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care. If medical assistance is not available, slowly warm up the person, body core first, wrapping them in a blanket or using your own body heat. Do not warm the extremities first, for this drives the cold blood towards the heart and can lead to heart failure. Do not give the person alcohol, coffee, tea or any hot food or beverage. Warm liquids are best. Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity. When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as your fireplace, wood stove or space heater, take the necessary safety precautions. Keep a fire extinguisher handy; ensuring everyone knows how to use it properly. Test smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors. If you lose your heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or disabled relatives and friends to ensure their safety. To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of warm water to run from a faucet that is farthest from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past. This will keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze. Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe bursts. |
By Cathleen Twardzik Somerville "We were invited to generate a questionnaire. I However, the school received a letter, citing A separate competition for elementary and middle schools is not held through U.S. News and World Report. Kinder At Somerville High, Yet, what if a student seems to be struggling in "We have a rigorous program The high school's Although MCAS "The "Every student who has not Currently, in Somerville, seventh and On the other hand, almost half of the |
Michael Sullivan stopped into The Somerville News office just after the first of the year to show us his newly issued inauguration plates. |
by Robert J.L. Publicover (The If you're a real long-time Somervillian, they should! Paul The memories are many if you're an old timer. Most of them are good ones. Al C'mon now, how many do you know? Rent ob Hilliard, Paul Foster, Maureen Amaral, Maris Martha Perry Lowe, Sam Walter Foss, Rose Grillone, And just a few more to finish you off; Belcastro, That's your Somerville 101 for today. PS – this is my 350th column.
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