The City of Somerville seeks qualified candidates to work as a Crossing Guard for the current school year. Morning shift is 7:15 – 8:30 a.m.; afternoon shift is 2:30 – 3:15 pm.. Assignments to specific work sites will be determined. Access to motor vehicle preferred. Must pass a pre-employment CORI and drug screen.  Salary is $34.33 per day for working both morning and afternoon shifts.

Public presentations January 11 and 31, written comments accepted through March 16

The Community Preservation Committee is considering $2.9 million in requests for historic preservation and open space projects for funding through the Community Preservation Act. Somerville residents are encouraged to share their thoughts about this year’s projects by participating in a variety of ways. Residents may attend public meetings and comment there or later in writing, watch videos of the meetings and comment in writing, and/or read about the projects online and submit written comments. This year, $880,415 in CPA funding is also available for affordable housing projects. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund will manage the application process for these funds.

By The Times Staff

While decried by many as an annus horribilis, 2016 nonetheless was a remarkable year in terms of change and unexpected surprises.

The national election, and the wildly contentious campaign season preceding it, held the attention of the masses in check. Meantime, plenty of noteworthy events took place right here in our own environs.

By Jessica Kenney

Somerville is home to many popular restaurants and cafés, but it is the relatively new restaurant, Fat Hen, that is really starting to snag people’s attention.

Fat Hen is a cozy, Italian dining spot that serves a variety of Italy’s staple meals, from Tortellini Brodo to Sformato, complimented by a variety of different wines. But it isn’t just the menu that makes this restaurant intriguing; its unique location is also drawing in guests.

Join the Somerville Chamber of Commerce for their monthly “After Hours” this Thursday, January 5 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Foundry on Elm in Davis Square. Hosted by Chamber Business After Hours Chair Dana Iacopucci of Cubby Oil & Energy. Bring your business card, this is a great networking meeting for businesses here in the city. RSVP with name(s) and affiliation(s) for you and your guest(s) to smackey@somervillechamber.org.

Katie Wallace hard at work. ~ Photo by Maja de Silva

By Kristen Strezo, Somerville Commission for Women

I would love for readers to meet the dedicated members of the Somerville Commission for Women. Our longtime member, Katie Wallace, is an excellent place to start.

Wallace, who has lived in Somerville for 24 years, joined the commission in 1998. I took a moment to ask Wallace about her political and personal work here in Somerville and how it looks like moving forward.

Your 2016 Yawkey Baseball League Champions, Somerville Alibrandis.

By Tom Bannister

The City of Somerville once again proved itself to be a winning force in 2016 as far as sports is concerned.

Somerville Alibrandis:

The phenominal Somerville Alibrandis baseball team won its 7th consecutive title in the Yawkey League 2016 championship series, the teams 17th title in total.

On the series win, Mark Desroches reported:

The city we are blessed to live in is steeped in historical heritage, and specifically enjoys a special distinction in the saga of the American Revolution as we take part in the annual observance of the raising of the Grand Union Flag at Prospect Hill.

This year marks the 241st anniversary of the event that many came together to celebrate with a heady mixture of patriotism and pride in community. Politicos and the general public rubbed shoulders and marked the occasion by sharing their collective sense of awe and gratitude for the sacrifices made and the victories achieved so many generations ago.

By Charles Lane

The City of Somerville’s Council on Aging has provided a number of important tax tips for seniors, which we present here:

Taxpayers should be aware of a significant change to the Tax Deferral, Clause 41A program put forth by the Mayor and approved by the Board of Aldermen in FY 2016.  Clause 41A allows those 65 and older to defer up to 100% of their property taxes until such time that the property is sold or upon the death of the applicant.  Prior to FY 2016, deferred taxes were assessed an annual interest charge of 8% and an applicant’s income could not exceed $40,000.  With the change enacted by the City, the interest rate has been lowered to 4% per year and income limit has been increased to the maximum allowed at $56,000.

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Somerville poet Bert Stern has been selected to be the next recipient of the Ibbetson Street Press Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award has been presented to such literary figures as Robert Pinsky, Frank Bidart, Afaa Michael Weaver, Harris Gardner , Gloria Mindock, Robert K. Johnson, Louisa Solano, David Godine, Sam Cornish, Jack Powers, to name a few.