By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Not that it necessarily needs to be repeated, but our region is in the middle of extraordinary circumstances with more than seven feet of snow falling in less than four weeks. It’s already the second snowiest winter on record for the region, and the record 30-day snowfall that fell over the past month would be the third snowiest season all on its own. So we’re aware of the tremendous impact the weather is having on the region, and not just on MBTA service. That said, the problems on the MBTA are not the result of this winter’s storms. The choreography of these consequences began long ago. We have chronically underfunded this transportation system for two generations. The MBTA’s problems should be a wake-up call to all of us that our future prosperity, for the Commonwealth and every city and town, depends on the reliability of the T—and its expansion goals.

Learn how the snow is affecting the city’s businesses, get the latest on the school roofs, check out the Somerville High School Drama Club and the Somerville Boxing Club, attend the police-youth basketball game and catch up with the Union Square meetings.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Target store on Somerville Ave. Saturday evening on reports of a shoplifter being held by loss prevention personnel.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Somerville Development Watch has proposed two zoning amendments, both of which discourage infill development in residential neighborhoods. One amendment limits the gross floor area increase during condo conversions to 15% instead of 25%. The other amendment attaches conditions to the granting of a special permit, for example requiring that the proposed use be appropriate for the site, without adversely affecting the character or value of abutting properties, or causing undue traffic, nuisance or hazard. Demonstrably factual objections from abutting owners, and the availability of adequate and appropriate city services for the proposed use would also be taken into account. A public hearing on these amendments will be held on Thursday March 5, at 6pm, at City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, 2nd floor, Aldermanic Chamber.

The entry from Alexi Delcid of Somerville High School.

By Rebecca Danvers

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc., are pleased to announce that Tristan Khim at Nashoba Valley Technical High School has been named the winner of the third annual 2015 Poster Project and Honorable Mention Awards will be given to Nick Rioux at Keefe Technical High School in Framingham, Chormrern Chan at Greater Lowell Technical High School in Tyngsborough, and Alexi Delcid at Somerville High School.

By Philip Parsons

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Income and wealth inequalities have become so stark that even Republican presidential candidates now feel obligated to take notice. But many Somervillians limit these concerns to rising housing costs.

Not just art with good taste, but art that tastes good – at Nave Gallery’s latest exhibition, “Bite: Food as Art.”

By Haley Houseman

The warmth and whimsy at the Bite: Food as Art exhibit belied the blizzard that delayed its opening. With good cheer, the opening reception and food drive at the Nave Gallery in Teele Square was well attended this weekend, despite more snow. Curated by Tori Costa and Sandy MacDonald, the exhibit features more than thirty artists and media that varies from consumable to traditional. Running Feb 21 through March 21, the gallery will also host a series of events in conjunction with the exhibit. On Sunday March 1, there will be a Coffee Mandala Making Workshop from 1:00 to 3:00 pm as well as an Artist Talk from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Friday the 7th and 8th grade boys unfortunately ended their season with a loss to Immaculate Conception in the first round of the playoffs. The Anchors playoff games take place this week, the girls will play tonight, 7 p.m. at Malden Catholic vs. Rockport. The boys play Friday 7 p.m. at Malden Catholic vs. The winner of the Snowdon/Rockport game.

There will be a Public Hearing before the Board of Aldermen’s Committee on Legislative Matters on Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at 7 p.m., in the Aldermanic Chambers, 2^nd Floor, City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, on the Order of Alderman Mary Jo Rossetti, Chairman of the Committee, for public input related to the city’s snow removal ordinance (Ordinance 2014-12, found at Chapter 12 Section 8).

Infrastructure, brownfield and transportation were the main topics of discussion at last week’s Somerville By Design: Union Square workshop.

The third Somerville by Design workshop brought Union Square’s master developer, US2 to discuss three key factors that affect the redevelopment of the neighborhood with the public: infrastructure, brownfield and transportation. The public workshop was held last week at the Old Post Office Building in Union Square.