The Boston Science Fiction Film Festival and Marathon (“Boston SciFi”) is an 11-day cinematic event held at the historic Somerville Theatre from February 5th to the 15th. The 2016 edition marks their 41st anniversary as the oldest genre fest in America.

The first nine days consist of a film festival that emphasizes emerging directors with distinct visions from around the globe. The Festival concludes with The Marathon (a.k.a., “The ‘Thon”), a 24-hour orgiastic motion picture endurance test featuring classic, new and schlock films. Think of it as binge viewing with 750 close friends. It starts at noon on the 14th and ends at noon on President’s Day.

By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to a Line St. location last Friday evening on reports that a man had thrown something through a residence window.

Upon arrival, the responding officers observed a group of males surrounding a man outside of the residence in question.

(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)

To the Editor:

Over the last few months, I’ve been serving as a strategy leader for the LOCUS process that is advising the city of Somerville on a public benefits strategy related to Union Square’s redevelopment. It has given me much insight into the goals of this diverse and civically minded community; specifically, the goal of ensuring that a range of housing options are made available at multiple levels of affordability.

By Mayor 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)

I do, and I hear constantly from people who feel the same way. Somerville is not some cookie cutter community with subdivisions and chain stores sprawling across it, where you only see your neighbors when you drive past each other. We’re not like everywhere else. We live closer together. We live above and below each other. So we get to know the people in our neighborhood, and in a lot of cases they’re people we’d have never met anywhere else. Stories abound of strangers living in two- and three-families who connected and now take care of each other like family. Others share yards, street parties and play groups. We may not think about it too often, but the shape and form of Somerville’s neighborhoods are a big part of what builds such walkable, interesting and tight-knit communities here.

Capen Court volunteers, Peggy Kneeland and Pauline Ghiozzi, present sheets and blankets to veterans and staff at the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center.

By Louise Carpenter

In December, residents at the Somerville Housing Authority’s Capen Court held a successful holiday bazaar in the spirit of giving back during the winter season. Residents chose to donate all proceeds to formerly homeless veterans living at the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center in Somerville.

David Campbell, Cynthia Maurice and Marjorie Kaye, Director of Galatea Fine Arts Gallery, Boston, a cooperative gallery where Cynthia is a member.

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

Two of Brickbottom Gallery’s founding members, with heart, and theme have traced the story of Somerville’s landscape from scratch; Cynthia Maurice and David Campbell present a different kind of exhibit, lasting till February 27 – Out the Window and Around the Town; their work tracks the development of Somerville from a Village of creativity to a Hub of industrial growth, such as the Green Line Extension, among other planned constructions.

By Ben Echevarria and David Gibbs, on behalf of the Union United Coalition

(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)

Last week, in the midst of discussions about open space, jobs, and place management, one thing was clear: a real community benefits agreement requires an independent community body. The “strategy leaders” chosen by the mayor to participate in the LOCUS process raised serious concerns about the ability of the SRA to act in accordance with the wishes of the Union Square community.

Procedures for condominium conversion approval have been tightened up by the city’s Condominium Review Board at the behest of concerned Board of Aldermen members.

By Josie Grove

The January 25 meeting of the Condominium Review Board saw some limited reforms after Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang brought up problems of the board’s function at a recent Board of Aldermen meeting. The review board is charged with reviewing applications for the conversion of rental properties to condominiums, and with upholding Somerville’s condominium conversion ordinance.

By Haley ED Houseman

Last week, Somerville presented plans for a redesigned Lincoln Park to the community in an open house-style meeting that shared the plans on which the Board of Aldermen will soon be voting.

The site is over six acres, the largest park in the city, and is opportunity to create a renewable green space near Union Square. The plans address a multitude of issues including flooding, deteriorating infrastructure and utilities, a lack of tree canopy, and out-of-date playgrounds. It also addressed a need for playing fields and a renovated schoolyard for the Argenziano School.

Tonight, Wednesday, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Mystic Avenue Activity Center, the Somerville Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading Registrations take place at the Cupcake and Cocoa Night. Come register, decorate a cupcake, have a hot cocoa and see your friends and teammates again. Everybody is welcome, old and new. Ages 5–15 by July 31. The registration fee is $25. Scholarships are available, equipment and uniforms are supplied. For more info please call Roger at 617-838-2145 or Marsha at 617-968-9680.