By Louise Carpenter

Gabrielle Etienne with her 2nd place medal in the Shot Put along with Coach Carl Stauffer.

The Somerville High School Girls Track Team lost an exciting meet to Malden High School on Wednesday, January 6 at the SHS Fieldhouse, with a final close score of 44-42.

Winning events for SHS was Melissa Sanon, who won the 50-yard hurdles in a fast time of 7.7 seconds. Sanon also won the high jump with a leap of 4’10”.

(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)

To the Editor:

We thank you for publishing Josie Groves’ article on the complete renovation being undertaken at Prospect Hill Tower (“Restoring Prospect Hill Tower,” January 6, 2016).  The tower and the surrounding park space are vitally important historic monuments not only for Somerville, but also for Massachusetts.  Although the tower was originally built in 1903, the last substantive preservation of it was done decades ago.  Needless to say, it is long overdue.

In 1998, in a Brueger’s Bagel shop in Cambridge, Mass. the Ibbetson Street Press was founded by Doug Holder, Dianne Robitaille, and Richard Wilhelm. Since then the Press has put out 38 issues of the magazine Ibbetson Street, and has published close to 100 collections of poetry and some memoir. Ibbetson Street has been included in the Pushcart Anthology, featured in such noted websites as Poetry Daily and Verse Daily, and has published the work of hundreds of poets since its inception.

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:
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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.