Kindergarten registration at the Somerville Public Schools for the upcoming school year kicks off this month on Saturday, January 24, 2015. Information sessions are under way, and Kindergarten packets have been mailed or sent home via backpack. Packets have been sent home with all Pre-K students currently enrolled in the District as well as Somerville Head Start students. Families with age-eligible children who were born in Somerville have been mailed a packet. If you are considering registering your child in the Somerville Public Schools and do not fall into either of these categories, please contact the Parent Information Center at (617) 629-5671 to request a Kindergarten packet.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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)

After graduating from Somerville High School in the early 70’s, with all the demonstrations, walkouts, and drama, I thought college would be a breeze.

Scott Harshbarger and Proskauer volunteers serve dinner to Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center residents. — Photo by Sarah Starr, Proskauer

Several months ago the Boston office of the global law firm Proskauer reached out to Volunteers of America Massachusetts (VOAMA) to see how they could make an impact to veterans and their families struggling to get through the holidays. Proskauer was committed to helping veterans living at VOAMA’s Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center (MBVC) and helping to ease the stress on veteran parents in VOAMA’s Supportive Services for Veterans Families program.

By Jim Clark

Police, fire and EMT units responded to a report of a sick person at the Lechmere Car Wash on McGrath Hwy. last Saturday evening.

Once there, respondents learned that a man who reportedly appeared to be intoxicated was complaining of chest pains. It was decided that he would be taken to the hospital by ambulance.

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)

On Monday, we signed an agreement accepting nearly $1 billion in funding from the Federal Transit Administration, guaranteeing that the most important public transit project in the country is brought to fruition. This is a historic milestone for Somerville, the metro region and the Commonwealth. We are building more than a light rail line. We’re building the backbone of a resilient, sustainable economy. And it’s a strong economy for everyone.

Steve Carter, Cambridge Health Alliance’s new senior vice president of information technology and chief information officer.

By Tom Bannister

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA has named Steve Carter as its senior vice president of information technology and chief information officer. Carter, who has served in various IT leadership roles at CHA since 2002, has more than 30 years of management experience in the healthcare delivery and IT environments.

We decided to bring back this SNN story published in November as it still holds relevance to Somerville months later. Somerville Neighborhood News show, a community news production brought to you by the dedicated staff, volunteers and interns at Somerville Community Access TV. Thank you reading, watching and sharing our news segments.

Are you a Somerville renter or homeowner looking to make your home more energy efficient with renewable energy? The City of Somerville invites you to take a brief online survey to help inform potential programs and policies that would offer residents options for solar energy and other ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, whether or not you own the home. The survey will be available at http://www.somervillema.gov/solarsurvey through Feb. 21.

The Somerville Homeless Coalition has been aiding the area’s homeless population since the mid-80s.

By Douglas Yu

In the heart of Davis Square, the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) has been serving homeless community around the city since 1985.

For almost 30 years, SHC’s goal has been more than just providing supportive services to those who are in temporary need, but also obtaining and maintaining affordable housing.

By Bob Katzen, Beacon Hill Roll Call

Gov. Deval Patrick, on his last full day in office Wednesday, announced that the salary of the 200 members of the Legislature will be frozen for the 2015-2016 legislative session that began Wednesday. The freeze will leave in place the current $60,032 base salary of each senator and representative. Patrick, in a letter to outgoing Treasurer Steven Grossman said he regrets this outcome. “As you know, I believe that an adjustment in base compensation for legislators and constitutional officers is warranted,” he wrote.