By Joseph A. Curtatone

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

By now, it’s no secret that I have made a firm commitment to ensuring that Somerville is truly a multimodal community, encouraging walking, biking, and use of public transportation, as well as providing safe ways to do so. But moving our infrastructure into the 21st century and creating safer streets will not happen by chance. That’s why we have the SafeSTART program.

School Canceled for Friday; Residents Urged to Prepare for Possible High Winds, Whiteout Conditions and Power Outages

Based on current weather projections, including a National Weather Service Blizzard Watch issued for the metro Boston area, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has declared a snow emergency for the City of Somerville, effective at 10 p.m. on Thursday, February 7.   In accordance with the city’s Snow Emergency Policies, a Snow Emergency may be declared at least four hours prior to the predicted start of a forecast for four inches or more of snow.

By Jim Clark

Police officers responded to a reported robbery at Alisson Market last week.

Upon arrival at Broadway and Lincoln, officers spotted a man waving them down the street. As police proceeded down Lincoln St. they soon found a group of individuals in the street arguing, stopping traffic.

All Somerville Public Schools and offices will be closed Friday, February 8, 2013, due to anticipated severe weather conditions. All school-related activities scheduled for Friday or Saturday, February 8 or 9 are also cancelled.

(l to r) Gregg Hammer, Janice Landry, Jon Dykstra, Meredith Beck, Andrew Crowe and Irene Molloy. – Photo by Joanne Barrett

By Terence Clarey

There is a line in the song Body of an American by the Irish punk-folk group The Pogues describing attendees at the wake of an Irish-American that goes, “There were uncles giving lectures on ancient Irish history.”

The Somerville Community Growing Center is to teaming up with High Mowing Seeds for an Organic Seed Sale.

Senior Forward Kevin Foley hit the 1000 points mark.

The Saint Clement Anchormen clinched a return trip to the State Tournament beating the Marian Mustangs last week 68-38. The Anchormen now lead the Catholic Central League 8-1.

Mayors’ coalition promotes new gun laws
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Mayor Joseph Curtatone spoke last week at a gathering of the Massachusetts delegation of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. – Photo by Isabel Leon, City of Boston

By Elizabeth Sheeran

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone has added his voice to the many public figures calling for a strong national gun control policy in the wake of a recent spate of tragedies involving firearms. And he’s teaming up with other mayors to do it.

This Thursday is the monthly Somerville Chamber after hours get together. Join the Chamber’s Business after Hours at Dali Restaurant & Tapas Bar, 415 Washington Street (corner of Beacon Street), Thursday, February 7, 5-7 p.m. Free appetizers, excellent networking, free business card drawing, and cash bar. Sponsored by Somerville Rotary Club. Hosted by Dana Iacopucci of Cubby Oil. RSVP with name(s) and affiliation(s) of guests to smackey@somervillechamber.org.