The quaint old custom of looking to an oversized rodent every February 2 for a generalized weather forecast for the following immediate future is warmly amusing to some, irksome to others.

Groundhog Day is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada. Its origins are traced to the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on the given day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will go back into to its den and winter weather will continue for six more weeks. If it fails to see its shadow because of cloudiness, then spring will invariably arrive early.

*

My beard had become biblical, so I took my hoary self to my regular barbershop in Harvard Square. After having my mane tamed, I went to my favorite subterranean bagel shop, The Black Sheep Bagel Cafe, to enjoy my whole wheat bagel with hummus, tomatoes, and tuna fish. Just then, a Falstaffian man of substantial girth, disheveled beard (good I got my trim), and deep, bombastic voice yelled, “The comma has ruined the English Language.” He posed this to a gaggle of Harvard students, and the students politely smiled and humored the man. Now, I was wondering if the guy meant the comma splice, or the notorious Oxford Comma, which has been a subject of debate by rarified literary crowds. (In fact, I probably have had any number of splices in this little essay.) One could say the splice is my spice of life. In any case, the man went to the counter and continued his tirade. The counterman, a Russian gentleman, asked him to leave, and he said, “My aggrieved Russian friend has asked me to leave. Tell me, have I broken the law?” he snorted. Of course, I kept my head down because I sensed that he knew I was a comma culprit … Happy New Year!

*

Sarah C. Beckmann is a member of the Somerville Arts Council Board, where she promotes arts initiatives in the Somerville community through a local grant program and the SomerWrites event series. In 2021, she published a poetry chapbook, Naiad Blood, and her first full-length poetry collection, The Race for Daphne, is forthcoming in May 2026. She earned an MFA from Emerson College and works in research communications at the MIT Media Lab. Sarah continues crafting her poetry and draws inspiration from her experiences as an athlete and artist; her identity as a woman and an active member of her family and community; and her interests in genealogy and mythology. Nowadays, you’ll find her rowing out of Gentle Giant Rowing Club in Somerville, on the Mystic River.

High schools from across the Commonwealth go head to head in Season 17 of GBH’s academic tournament, High School Quiz Show starting this week! You can find the television broadcast premiere dates and schedule in the bracket above.

Severe blood shortage intensifies as snow, ice and extreme temperatures impact blood drives 

The American Red Cross urges people to take action now to help offset the severe impact of recent winter storms on efforts to rebuild the blood supply during an ongoing blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are asked to make a blood or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible.

Shannon Community Safety Initiative marks 20 years of community-led crime reduction and intervention

Marking the 20^th anniversary of the Sen. Charles E. Shannon Jr. Community Safety Initiative (Shannon CSI), the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced grant awards of $8.4 million to support evidence-based efforts that prevent and reduce youth and gang violence in communities across in Massachusetts. With this year’s awards, the state has invested nearly $176.2 million through Shannon CSI, which serves as a national model for violence prevention.

The MBTA  has announced service changes in February on the Orange, Needham, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, and Newburyport/Rockport lines.

Riders can find more information on service changes through in-station signage, in-station public announcements, and at mbta.com/PlannedWork. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information.

Somerville’s 2025 celebration, — Photo courtesy of Kevin Ko

Welcome the Year of the Horse at Somerville’s third annual Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, February 14, at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.) from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The festival will highlight our Chinese, Vietnamese, East Asian, and Southeast Asian communities and offer family-friendly storytelling, cultural performances, food, facepainting, and more.

Attend a virtual info session on 2/12; Application assistance available in-person and online

To ease the housing search for renters, the City is re-opening their Consolidated Rental Waitlist. Beginning Monday, February 2, through March 2, individuals and families can apply for multiple upcoming affordable rental opportunities through the City’s Inclusionary Housing Program with a single application.