*

By William Falcetano

It is with regret that we learned of the death of Joseph A. Cohen, a beloved member of the Bagel Bards weekly meet-up. We last heard about Joe when he turned 100 in July; Ibbetson Street Press had just published his second book of poetry by the title A New Path. Let the irony sink in. Yet, despite his advanced age, Joe Cohen managed, somehow, to live up to the title of his book – seeking out new paths – up to the day he was stricken by a fatal stroke on Sunday morning December 10.

*

“I wrote this poem after visiting Joe Cohen, a poet and photographer who suffered a stroke and died at the age of 100 in December. Joe had just attended a performance of Handel’s Messiah and was explaining to a young friend the inner workings of a Beethoven piece the night the stroke hit him. He lingered for quite a long time, clinging to the life he so loved and enjoyed. I knew Joe through the Bagel Bards and worked with Joe briefly in my capacity as poetry writing coach. He attended a one-man performance of my play Every Broom and Bridget—Emily Dickinson and Her Irish Servants and took some fabulous photographs. I will miss him.”

Ending Salvadoran TPS with plans to deport nearly 200,000 upstanding immigrants who work hard, pay taxes, and contribute to the fiber of our communities is more than unjustified, unnecessary, and inhumane; it’s also reckless and irresponsible. On the heels of the decisions to also end TPS for Nicaraguans and Haitians, this is part of the administration’s continuum of cruelty.

Somerville City Hall Annex will be temporarily closed for the rest of this week (through Friday, January 12) for emergency repairs related to a pipe burst. Some departments have been moved to temporary locations, which are listed below, while others will work remotely.

Arrests:
*

Brian Barry, of 12 Wedgemere Rd., Medford, January 3, 8:41 p.m., arrested at Willow Ave. on a charge of armed assault to rob.

Ivan Ramirez, of 51 Flint St., January 5, 10:08 p.m., arrested at Cedar St. on a warrant charge of assault to murder.

Severe weather forces blood drive cancellations causing thousands of donations to go uncollected

This January, National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors of all blood types to make an appointment to give now and help address a winter blood donation shortage.

Join Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis, the Somerville Capital Projects and Planning Department, the Somerville Public Library, and the Design Team to discuss the updated plans for the West Branch Library. The meeting will take place on Monday, January 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Community Baptist Church, 31 College Avenue.

The City of Somerville’s Mid-Term Ceremonies and Mid-Term Addresses by Mayor Curtatone, the incoming President of the Board of Aldermen, and incoming Chairperson of the Somerville School Committee will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 7, in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.

The forecast this weekend  includes temperatures well below freezing. Given the expected extreme cold, we ask residents to review these extreme cold safety tips and check on neighbors or family members who may need assistance preparing for the cold.

The city has begun digging out from Thursday’s storm. Today snow removal took place in Ball Sq.

Photos by Mike Moccia of Ball Square Café, which is open for business.