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The artichoke is a great appetizer that can be made ahead the day before or the morning of your gathering. Of course, I don’t usually wait for a gathering as an excuse to make these. I was very lucky as a child as these were practically a staple in my house. If given the choice of sweets or an artichoke for a snack, I chose the artichoke.

By Louise Carpenter

East Somerville Community School students recently enjoyed a hike at the Fells, thanks to programming made possible by the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant.

As part of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant, Somerville will continue to expand its student programming with Waypoint Adventures this winter and moving into the spring, with the help of Kathleen Houghton, Special Education Recreation Specialist for the Somerville Public Schools.

To Whom It May Concern,

I am pleased to announce that this spring we are bringing ‘World Cup Bull Riders’ to New England at the Shriner’s Auditorium. Home of the Shriner’s Circus!

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Laurette Folk is a poet and novelist who founded The Compassion Project: An Anthology, an online collection of poetry and art that promotes compassionate thought and action through the arts. Through this project, her struggles with depression, the demands of being a wife, mother, teacher, and author, she has found portals for her creative work.

Susan LaFortune’s work indulges us with gritty moments of everyday life and often illuminates them with traces of love and beauty. Her first chapbook, Talking in my Sleep, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2013 and was nominated for a pushcart prize. Her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in various publications including Muddy River Poetry Review and Ibbetson Street Magazine. She is an annual supporter of the Newburyport Literary Festival, Poets & Writers Magazine, and is associated with several poetry organizations in New England. She is a member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards.

During its Wed., Feb. 10, meeting, the Somerville High School Building Committee (SBC) will vote to submit the educational plan created by the school department, and options being considered for renovation or replacement of the current school. The SBC, a 14-member appointed committee, has been working to identify the educational plan and associated facility that would meet the needs of the 21^st century learning environment. The Committee is currently evaluating five options, including: base repair, full renovation, addition/renovation (5 versions), new construction at the existing site, and new construction at another site.

On average, residents report high satisfaction with neighborhoods, city services.

The results are in, and Somerville residents are, on average, still happy! In fact, according to the city’s most recent Happiness Survey, Somerville residents are happier on average than the happiest country in the world, Switzerland.

All cars must be moved from municipal lots by 9 p.m. to avoid ticketing and towing. Property owners must shovel sidewalks within 6 daylight hours following end of snowfall.

The City of Somerville’s snow emergency will end, and normal parking rules will go back into effect, on Mon., Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. Here’s some important information to help you avoid being ticketed and to be a good neighbor.

The Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund (TNSF) committee recently awarded grants to 31 programs in Medford and Somerville. TNSF collects donations from university employees throughout the year and then awards grants to community-based, charitable organizations that serve Tufts’ host communities (Boston’s Chinatown, Grafton, Medford and Somerville) and actively engage Tufts volunteers in their work.

Arrests:
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Jorge Furtado, of 11 MacArthur St., February 1, 9:44 a.m., arrested at Horace St. on warrant charges of abuse prevention order violation, destruction of property under $250, larceny over $250, harassment prevention order violation, and receiving stolen property over $250.