Friday, Feb. 7

Basketball: Girls Freshman Game, Everett at Everett High School – 3:45 p.m.

Basketball: Boys Freshman Game vs. Everett at Somerville High School – Field House -3:45 p.m.

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)

After the latest property tax bills went out, some property owners found themselves with larger increases than most of us have seen in Somerville for some time. I sympathize with every resident and small business owner facing those increases. This community has a legitimate concern, shared by myself and everyone at City Hall, about residents being priced out of their homes and small businesses priced out of our neighborhoods. It’s a concern shared across the metro region, well beyond our city’s borders, as property values across the metro area rise. It’s why we’ve been working to address affordability via a range of efforts for some time, and it’s why this week we began the first of three public meetings to build on existing strategies and develop new tools to tackle affordability and create a strong, effective housing agenda.

By Tom Bannister

The field at Hodgkins Park was damaged over the weekend by rough use by a person or people possibly wearing cleats. City officials said they will have to wait to see the full extent of the damage once the winter passes, but it does appear reseeding and regrading will likely be necessary at a cost yet to be determined.

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?