It seems that most people we know have little or no opinion concerning an issue that burns quite intensely for some of us. That is the question of how best to accommodate the growing use of cycling for pleasure and commuting in our densely packed city.

Many of our narrow streets are unsuitable for dedicated biking lanes to be installed. This leaves cyclists and motorists in situations where each must make way – or at least get along with – the other.

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:
*

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