Somerville Media Center (AKA SCATV, SCAT, whatever your heart desires) is celebrating creativity by throwing a Media Mixer event. SMC kicks off the first event in the free 2018 event series on Sunday, February 25, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing Company. Get to know other media makers, filmmakers, editors, actors, aspiring creatives and more at this event. Aeronaut Brewery is a safe space to bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. There will be two picnic tables off to the left-hand side in the beer garden.

Committee will make recommendations to the Mayor to fill vacant positions on boards and commissions

Applications are now being accepted for positions on Mayor Joseph Curtatone’s recently established Appointments Advisory Committee (AAC). The committee will be tasked with reviewing applications and making recommendations for vacant Mayor-appointed posts on boards and commissions with regulatory or decision-making authority.

On Monday, February 19, City offices will be closed for Presidents’ Day.

Trash and recycling collection will be on a one-day delay all week.

Meters and resident permit parking won’t be enforced on Presidents’ Day.

By Rep. Christine Barber
34th Middlesex District

(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)

As we settle into 2018, most of us are looking for a new start and more hopeful news, instead of the challenges and division we faced in 2017. Make no mistake, we have good reason to be angry or fearful at many of the federal policies leveled at us. But despite terrible news, we in Massachusetts have good reason to be optimistic.

Former Somerville police officer, Joe.

By JT Thompson

Joe, mid 50s, a former lieutenant on the Somerville police force, retired in 2015 after 26 years of service as a cop, and now works with disadvantaged teenagers.

Joe is a big guy, round-shouldered and burly, with friendly, intelligent eyes, a frizzy, grey goatee, a bald head, a dark leather jacket, and slender reading glasses with pink frames. He is deeply comfortable in his own skin and moves easily in his storytelling between sturdy strength and emotional vulnerability.

By Jake Wilson
Somerville Youth Soccer League

Everyone wants to win. That’s the first goal in sports. But in youth and high school sports there is a second, more important goal: teaching life lessons through sports.

THE SECOND-GOAL PARENT®: Developing Winners in Life Through Sports teaches sports parents why and how to focus on that second goal. This workshop conveys the essence of the philosophy and several tips and tools parents can use to help their children get the most from youth and high school sports. The workshop guides parents in:

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to an Assembly Row location last Saturday evening on reports of an unwanted person.

Upon arrival, the officers were flagged down by an Assembly Row Security Officer, who pointed to a man, later identified as Bryan Kelleher, of Saugus.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers.

59 percent census return rate: Did you know that census responses do more than simply provide us with useful data? Because some federal funding is population based, census responses help determine how much money Somerville receives in some cases. These funds help pay for City programs and services and you can help ensure your city receives its fair share simply by returning your census form. Returning your completed census form is also important because it keeps you on the voter rolls. When inactive voters do not return their census form, the State may invalidate your voter registration. Last year, 59 percent of Somerville residents returned theirs, which is better than most area towns. But surely we can do better.

~Photos by Karen Toner

Somerville High School Girls Basketball played Everett Tuesday night in Somerville. The Freshman won 28–24. Junior Varsity lost 30–52, and Varsity lost to Everett 54–40.

Doug Holder was recently cited at the annual Wrestle Media awards ceremony for the Somerville Media Center with an award for best Arts and Cultural show, Poet to Poet/Writer to Writer. http://poettopoetwritertowriter.blogspot.com