All cars must be moved by 2 a.m. to avoid ticketing and towing

In accordance with the city’s Snow Emergency Procedures, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has declared a snow emergency for the City of Somerville to go into effect at 10 p.m. on Sun., Feb. 1.  During snow emergencies, parking is allowed on the odd-numbered side of the street only (unless otherwise posted).  Cars not moved by 2 a.m. Mon. morning will be subject to ticketing and towing. Residents unable to find a parking space on the odd-numbered side of the street may park in any municipal or school parking lot for the duration of the emergency, and may park in lots immediately on Sunday as regular parking enforcement is not in place on Sundays. Full snow emergency and snow removal policies may be found on the city’s website at www.somervillema.gov/snow.

A sampling from “What is your relationship with water?” by Naoe Suzuki.

Climate change exhibit opens at Brickbottom Gallery

By Haley Houseman

At the Brickbottom Gallery on Sunday, Jan 25, the exhibit Weathering Art: Creative Expression in the Era of Climate Change opened with a small but lively reception.

The Mount Vernon Restaurant is holding a special Super Bowl Sunday Brunch today from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Come dressed in Patriots gear and pay only $8.99 for brunch, normally $18.95./pp. Only that  persons at the table that has something on that represents the New England Patriots (maybe a Tom Brady shirt, or a Gronk shirt),  that person   pays $8.99/pp. Come see why the Mount Vernon Restaurant located at 14 Broadway, Somerville is one of the best here in the Ville, if not in the entire Boston area.

By William C. Shelton

(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)

Almost since it was converted from an MBTA car barn, Union Square’s public safety building has continually threatened the health of the first responders who work in it. When I first reported on this, eight police personnel had received cancer diagnoses, and two dozen out of 127 sworn officers carried respiratory inhalers—incidences far to high to be random.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Somerville High School Highlanders Basketball Team prevailed over visiting opponent Everett by a score of 52 to 47 in last Friday’s game. The Highlanders play away in Malden Friday, January 30 at 5:30 p.m.

By Jim Clark

A uniformed police officer on foot patrol in the Assembly Row shopping area reportedly spotted a man through the shop window at J. Crew placing something under his coat last Friday afternoon. 

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

(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)

Locally owned, independent business have long been ingrained into the economic fabric of the City of Somerville. With significant changes on the horizon, having a strong commercial-tax generating base is something that should be on the forefront of every conversation about Somerville’s future.

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)

As I mentioned in my State of the city address earlier this month, like most cities, we must address water, sewer and building infrastructure that was built for the 20th century—and is aging rapidly. We have a 143-year-old high school that has not been updated in almost three decades and a public safety building that began as an MBTA car barn almost a century ago. We have a sewer system that’s mostly just as old and an estimated sidewalk and pavement backlog that could cost upwards of $83 million. We have planned streetscape projects in Davis Square and Winter Hill that are needed for both public safety and for our economic health. In short: We have immediate and long-term capital projects that must be planned for. But if we are going to pay for these critical infrastructure investments in the least burdensome way, we must adhere to our principles of strategic planning and prudent fiscal management.

By Gabriela C. Martinez

A resolution submitted by Alderman at Large Mary Jo Rossetti at last weeks regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen, proposed employing a Substance Abuse Coordinator to assist Somerville’s families.