Beginning this week, a new “opinion editorial” contributor, Chris Haskell, will be writing about events and happenings going on here in the city. His column will be entitled ‘Villens United. Chris lives in Winter Hill with his wife and since he has moved here loves what Somerville is and all the wonderful things it has to offer to both new and old residents alike. He is going to be joined soon by another new “op-ed” writer, Charles Chisholm, a lifelong resident and math professor who will be writing about various current events here in the city, both politically and in the community. We welcome both to The Somerville Times. We hope you the readers will enjoy them and offer your comments on what they will be writing. We welcome anyone who wishes to write a column, either as a writer of articles or opinion pieces. Over the years we have invited many to do so and many have accepted our invitation. The only requirement is that it be about Somerville. We leave the other cities and towns up to the other papers. We’re just about Somerville here, and all the way. If you would like to write too, contact The Somerville Times office at 617 666-4010.

‘Villens United by Chris Haskell

In a dimly lit basement in the ‘Ville, Ryan Donahue and his crew of mad men are preparing to cure the locals of their wintertime blues. A line of people form outside the doors of the intimate Davis Square Theatre eagerly waiting to hand the doorman $10 to witness some Strange Behavior. If laughter truly is the best medicine then these folks will gladly pay the small price to get their prescriptions filled.

(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:

As a young professional, I’ve been speaking lately with many of my friends about all the exciting things going on in Somerville, especially Union Square. The possibilities seem endless, but that has also opened up a debate about what’s best for Somerville and what’s right for the Square specifically.

It seems that we dodged a bullet this time. Mercifully so. And it’s a good thing, too. Are any of us really prepared for a repeat of the natural disaster that took place last winter when we were nearly buried alive in all that snow?

Well. A little exaggeration never killed anyone. But a little too much shoveling and fighting for parking spaces and the general wear and tear on the nerves just might. It wasn’t a pretty thing to behold – and we wouldn’t wish it upon ourselves or our worst enemies – or would we?

By Jim Clark

Police were called to the Sports Authority store at Assembly Row Marketplace last week on reports of an alleged shoplifter observed in the store.

Upon arrival, officers spotted the man in question, later identified as Eric Neal, as he was exiting the store, followed by a security staffer.

So I am in Union Square, and the cold winter winds are whipping me like a frenzied sadist, when I entered P.A.’s Lounge. I needed a story and P.A.’s seemed to fit the bill. In one corner of the bar Jon Dorsett nursed a beer, and stared at a flat screen. He had the look of a guy who has seen and done that, and has no time for happy horseshit. The bartender and co-owner Tony Amaral, Jr. looked at me with world-weary eyes, as if to say, “So, what are you selling?” I told him I am Doug Holder from The Somerville Times – he was not impressed. But I sat down, and as the bar was basically empty this afternoon he agreed to chew the fat.

Julie Ann Otis is Somerville’s Artistic Fellow of Interdisciplinary Arts. She composes and performs poetry on the fly and occasionally in mid-air. Julie Ann recently performed at the ICA Boston and at Aeronaut Brewery (Somerville), where she composed and projected poetry in real-time alongside an animation artist and an electronic music artist. She created an environmental poetry installation, “Answering Mara,” at The Art Farm (Nebraska) and “Incubus,” performance poetry choreographed with aerial dance in rope and harness. Her interactive poetry installation, “Free Verse,” combined vintage typewriters, public exchange of free writing, and live-time composition. Her performance installation of “The Complaint (& Catharsis) Department,” a re-imagining of the R.M.V., offered affirmation/consolation for attendees of Somerville’s Pity Party. Accolades include Opus Affair Artist of the Year in 2014 and exhibitions at Boston City Hall. Her most recent chapbook, Elastic Communion, is available at www.julieannotis.com.

Arrests:
*

 George Hanson, of 86 Chandler St., Arlington, January 18, 4:16 p.m., arrested at Elm St. on charges of distribution of a class D drug and drug possession to distribute.

Eric Neal, January 19, 5:57 p.m., arrested at Elm St. on charges of conspiracy, larceny over $250, and receiving stolen property under $250, and on warrant charges of resisting arrest, possession of a class B drug, shoplifting by asportation, use of a motor vehicle without authority, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, motor vehicle operator refusal to identify self, not meeting motor vehicle safety standards, miscellaneous equipment violation, assault and battery on a family or household member, destruction of property over $250, assault and battery, larceny over $250, trespassing, violation of municipal bylaw or ordinance.

Surveys had been Distributed to Somerville Middle School Students in April 2015

Somerville Office of Prevention Director Cory Mashburn announced that the results of their annual Student Health Survey will be presented in a public forum on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Winter Hill Community School, 115 Sycamore St. The results will be presented in the form of a game show, with attendees being divided into teams to discuss topics from the Student Health Survey. The youth from Somerville Positive Forces 100 (SPF100) will be presenting the information.

Mayor Joe Curtatone and Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente invite all Somerville residents, business owners, and all other stakeholders are invited to evaluate, debrief, and discuss next steps related to the Winter Hill Better Block festival on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Winter Hill Community School cafeteria (115 Sycamore St.). The Festival, held on Dec. 12 and 13, 2015, tested short-term ideas for activating and celebrating Winter Hill, and sought opportunities for similar events in the future.  At the upcoming meeting, event organizers will present a brief summary as well as survey results from the event and invite community members to provide feedback, opinions, and strategies for potential similar activities in the future.