Poet Dan Sklar is a professor of Creative Writing at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass. and a colleague of mine. Here is a slice of life he wrote about in Gloucester, Mass.

Here’s a way to show your Somerville pride and help support historic enrichment projects in the community. The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, working with artwork done by the Somerville High School CAD students, has designed “Preserving Somerville: Home to Diverse Architecture, Streets, and People” merchandise which is available for sale. Stop by to see all of the T-shirts (youth and adult sizes), long-sleeved shirts, and tote bags which come in a variety of colors and will be on display this Sat., Jan. 16, at the Winter Farmer’s Market at the Somerville Armory at 181 Highland Ave. from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Full color woven and washable afghans will also be available with images of iconic historic sites in the city.

Arrests:
*

Amy Ubiera, of 466 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, January 4, 6:42 p.m., arrested at Canal St. on charges of conspiracy and larceny over $250 and on warrant charges of motor vehicle lights violation and operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Daqnya Johnson, of 3146 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, January 4, 6:42 p.m., arrested at Canal St. on charges of conspiracy and larceny over $250.

(Update: This event was originally scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, but has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 26.)

An exhaustive self-evaluation and compliance review of the city’s accessibility, which was followed by an extensive and multipronged public comment process, will now evolve, once more with the help of the community, into a living, multiyear Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan (“The Plan”).

Somerville’s Mass Whole Notes will compete in Season 2 of WGBH’s Sing That Thing!, a local series showcasing New England’s best amateur singing groups in a friendly competition that celebrates the diversity and joy of song. Their performance will be taped next Tuesday, January 12 in the 7:30 – 10:30pm time slot. People can sign up to be in the studio audience for free at this link: http://www.wgbh.org/artsdrama/Sing_That_Thing_Jan12.cfm

The Mayor’s annual State of the City Address, and mid-term addresses by the President of the Board of Aldermen and the Chairperson of the Somerville School Committee will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9 in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Members of the public are invited to come for this look back at the past year’s efforts as well as a look forward to City and School initiatives in the coming year. Additionally, as the City will celebrate its 175^th Birthday in 2017, attendees will be welcomed to learn more about the City’s history through photos, exhibits, and interactive activities at a reception following the State of the City Address. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Nancy Aylward at NAylward@somervillema.gov, or 617-625-6600 ext. 2100.

Somerville Lawyer Ben Snitkoff talks about copyright law as it applies to poets and artists, and his work as a comedian.

To listen to the interview click here.

By William C. Shelton

(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)

And nothing I cared, at my sky blue trades, that time allows
In all his tuneful turning so few and such morning songs
Before the children green and golden
Follow him out of grace.

—Dylan Thomas

In the 1950s, Somerville was the most densely populated city in the U.S. It may surprise those who grew up later and elsewhere that it was also one of America’s best places to live.

Release for MassBike:

Bicyclists Pack Hearing Room to Compel Lawmakers to Make Roadways Safer

Emotional testimony filled the State House hearing room as the Joint Committee on Transportation yesterday heard legislators, advocates, law enforcement officers, doctors, lawyers and those who have been impacted by injury or loss of a loved one testify in favor of critical bills to protect cyclists and pedestrians. The standing-room only crowd spoke in favor of several bills, with a focus on four that consist of the vulnerable users bill, bike lane protection bill, truck-side guard bill, and a bike path crosswalk bill.