Russell Anthony Joyner. We were saddened to learn of Russ Joyner’s sudden death on January 1st. He was Assembly Row’s energetic General Manager whose personal warmth and charm made him an outstanding ambassador for Federal Realty Investment Trust. Raised in the Bronx, Russ captained the first Boston College football team that played in a bowl game. After playing in the NFL for two years, he took up a career in development and retail management. The parties who now contemplate a Union Square Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with developer US2 could have learned something from Russ. He was part of the team that developed L.A.’s Hollywood and Highland Center and negotiated a CBA that has become a national model. He will be missed.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 8, from 2-9 p.m. at the McNulty Funeral Home, 3006 Middletown Road, Bronx, New York.

www.mcnultyfuneralhome.com.

From left, Jeff Green, Master Brad Rogers, Master Mark Grupposo and Justin von Bosau celebrate Green’s and von Bosau’s successful completion of a black belt ranking test at the Westborough Doubletree Hotel last month.

By Rich Tenorio

Two karate students from Villari’s Self-Defense Center of Somerville were promoted to black belt rankings at Marlborough on Dec. 14.

Jeff Green received a second-degree black belt, and Justin von Bosau earned a first-degree black belt. The students train under Master Brad Rogers, a fifth-degree black belt.

The Ibbetson Street Press Lifetime Achievement Award has been awarded to many prestigious, and community-minded poets, publishers and writers over the years. Here is a list:

Poet Jesse Mavro Diamond has a visit with Socrates and Gertrude Stein and tells us about it.

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development invite residents, business owners and community members to an information session about the proposed zoning ordinance overhaul on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Ave. The session will include a presentation on the new code followed by an opportunity to review the code and map and discuss them with city staff. Following this information session, the Land Use Committee of the Board of Aldermen and the Planning Board have scheduled a joint public hearing on the proposed ordinance for Thursday Jan. 29, 2015 at 6 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The city invites public feedback through these meetings and a new website that will go live later this month. This feedback will be considered as part of the review process before a final vote on the ordinance by the Planning Board and Board of Aldermen.

Arrests:
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Ada Bontoja, of 41-43 Columbia, Cambridge, January 1, 2:31 p.m., arrested at 775 McGrath Hwy. on a warrant charge of assault.

Jose Andrade, of 142 Broadway, January 1, 10:40 p.m., arrested at 7 Cross St. on charges of carrying a firearm without a license and carrying a firearm with ammunition.

New year – new immunity!

Smiles By Rosie Family Dentistry will be holding a Community Immunization Day on January 7,  from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for adult vaccinations and boosters. Most immunizations are free with health insurance.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presented its Patriot Award to Somerville resident, Anthony Benedetti, on December 17, 2014, in recognition of his support of employees who serve in the Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve.

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)

Unless you are a bank robber, embezzler, common thief, con-artist, or just a jerk, you may not have a list of resolutions this year. Jerks for the most part don’t think they are jerks so why would they want to change? Giving up smoking is always one worth trying, but normal workaday folks probably don’t have to worry about major changes. We can, however wish for other people to make some minor tweaks in their personalities. Say … your boss or a co-worker has an annoying habit that bugs you, now would be a good time for them to ease up on it. Ya, like that’s going to happen!

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Teen Empowerment hosted their yearly holiday event, December 20, for anyone who wanted to spend their holiday season celebrating with their fellow Somervillens. All were welcome to come by their site at 165 Broadway and join them downstairs for some holiday cheer. Delicious food, fun activities, and amazing performances were shared by attendees that included Alderman at Large Mary Jo Rossetti and Ward 1 Alderman Matthew McLaughlin.