Flu season is in full swing and Somerville is no exception with new cases of flu diagnosed daily. The Somerville Health and Human Services Department still has vaccines available for children ages 4 and up, and their family members. The CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health are still encouraging the vaccination through the rest of the flu season. If you haven’t received a flu vaccine yet this flu season, please call 617-625-6600 x4320 to make an appointment.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services will host Elder Fair 2018 on Wednesday April 11. The free health and wellness expo offers showcases agencies and vendors that help older adults maintain safety, independence, and well-being.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) invites exhibitors, sponsors, and the general public to save the date for Elder Fair 2018.

Now in its 19^th year, the free health and wellness expo will showcase useful information, services, and government programs for older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities on Wednesday, April 11.

Cusine en Locale and ONCE Ballroom creator, JJ.

By JT Thompson

JJ has created a thriving cultural center in an originally off-the-beaten-path area just outside Union Square, with Cusine en Locale, a locally sourced catering company, and ONCE Ballroom, a space for bands and events. We meet in the lounge above ONCE, which is a lovely, cheerfully cluttered area with a pool table, beaded curtains, and colorful 50s chairs salvaged from Lanes and Games.

Please join the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Ward 2 Alderman JT Scott, and Alderman at Large Stephanie Hirsch for a community meeting on Monday, February 12, to discuss upcoming renovations to the Allen Street Playground. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Community Room at the Public Safety Building at 220 Washington St. For more information or with any questions about the project, please contact Arn Franzen at AFranzen@somervillema.gov.

Comments and recommendations by Philip Parsons

(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 someone who played a major role in determining the organization and voting methods used for the election of the founding board of the Union Square Neighborhood Council, and who worked with others to determine the winners of the election, I submit the following comments:

Over 40 students are participating in the Highland Theatre Company’s production of “Pippin.”

By Emily Blackwood

Highland Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Pippin will be unlike any production of Pippin anyone has ever seen – at least, theatre arts teacher Charles Jabour hopes so.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police received a call on Sunday from the Loss Prevention Officer at Saks OFF 5TH at Assembly Row, reporting that a male party had just stolen multiple pairs of sunglasses, and that the suspect was heading East on Grand Union Blvd., in the direction of Home Depot.

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)

A monthly look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville!

Draw 7 Park Public Meeting, 2/5 (DCR Meeting)

The MA Department of Conservation of Recreation (DCR) is holding a public meeting on Mon., Feb. 5, to receive feedback for proposed renovations to Draw Seven Park in Assembly Square. Can’t attend? The meeting presentation will be available after Feb. 5 at www.mass.gov/service-details/materials-from-past-meetings, and written comments may be submitted by close of business on Mon., Feb. 26, by visiting www.mass.gov/forms/dcr-public-comments or by writing to the DCR’s Office of Public Outreach, 251 Causeway Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02114. Sign up for the project email list at Mass.Parks@state.ma.us or call 617-626-4973. When/Where: Monday, February 5, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St.

The SHS Girls Basketball teams played against Beverly High in Somerville Tuesday night, with the Varsity winning their 6th win in a row with a final score of 48–44. Junior Varsity won with a score of 39–36. The Girls Freshman team lost one to Beverly, scoring only 10-28. Check out all SHS sports team’s schedules by going online at www.greaterbostonleague.org.

GLX Constructors, the design-build entity for the MBTA Green Line Extension Project, will initiate its first field presence tomorrow, February 1, with the advancement of pre-construction activities in preparation of full-scale construction beginning later this year.