All Schools and district offices will be open February 6.

The City of Somerville will lift its snow emergency as of 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5. Residents parked in municipal or school lots during the snow emergency will have a two-hour window starting at that time in which to move their vehicles. Cars still parked in City lots at 8:30 p.m. may be subject to ticketing and towing.

BeardFest 2014 held at The Center for Arts at the Armory
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Some of Somerville’s fuzziest fun seekers got to let their hair down at SAC’s 2014 Beard & Moustache Contest on Sunday at The Center for the Arts at the Armory. – Photo by Claudia Ferro

By Erica Scharn

The 2014 Beard & Moustache Contest celebrated facial hair of all shapes and sizes this past Sunday. The facial hair artistry on display included a button beard, a glowing beard, braided beards and curly moustaches.

Mixed-use proposal for site moves forward
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An architectural rendering of the five-story, 55-foot building proposed at the site of Patsy’s Pastries in East Somerville. – Photo by Khalsa Designs.

By David R. Smith

Patsy’s Pastry Shop could close as early as the end of this month as plans to demolish the East Somerville landmark with a new five-story commercial and residential building move forward.

The monthly Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” gathering is Thursday evening at 6 over at the Foundry in Davis Square. Members are invited to join in and network.

The general opinion regarding the proposed development was thumbs down by area residents. – Photo by Claudia Ferro.

By David R. Smith

Residents near a proposed apartment complex development in East Somerville voiced their opposition to the project during a community meeting Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Cross Street Senior Center at 165 Broadway.

Eagle Feathers #45 – Colonel Jaques

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

His name was Samuel Jaques, or “Colonel” Jaques to his friends and neighbors. During the mid 1800’s, he owned the biggest farm in Somerville, the Ten Hills Farm, which encompassed an impressive location with 600 acres overlooking the Mystic River. The Farm had a two hundred year history of notable owners, beginning with the first Governor of Massachusetts, John Winthrop, the first Governor of Connecticut, John Winthrop, Jr., two successful sea captains, and America’s first millionaire, Elias Hasket Derby.

The Devil is in the details, but so, too, is the truth.

Knowing the details is knowing the facts, and knowing the facts is key to understanding issues and situations.

D’uh, right?

Vincent Lalli rented an apartment in this Sycamore Street home. –Photo by David R. Smith.

By David R. Smith

Police identified the body discovered behind a Norwood school last week as that of a 66-year-old Somerville resident.

Vincnet Lalli was identified using fingerprint analysis. His identity was confirmed last Thursday, a day after a woman walking her dog in the woods behind the Coakley Middle School discovered his body, which Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said had “suffered massive trauma.”

I am reprinting this article I wrote for Rattle  magazine (2006)  about the late poet Ed Galing. Galing’s poetry appeared on the pages of The Somerville News many times.  He died in Dec. 2013, at the age of 96. I spoke to him a few weeks before his death and he was still writing.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis informed the public today that a former postal worker has been charged with stealing more than 7,000 pieces of mail – including mail containing gift cards, cell phones, and Christmas cards and presents – from residents of Malden, Somerville, Medford and Melrose.