“The desperately needed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appears to finally be close, but we cannot lose sight of the full goal of ending this horrific war, releasing all the hostages, addressing the devastation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and working toward a lasting and just peace for all in the region.”

― Mayor  Katjana Ballantyne

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I had some leftover ricotta from another recipe I made this week. I also had some brioche that needed to be used up. Immediately I knew what I would make. I remember this snack from my childhood. My Sicilian uncle made this often and it soon became one of my favorite snacks growing up. Don’t skip the black pepper, it really melds the flavors together. Give it a try, you won’t be sorry.

Lately, we have had to contend with ridiculously cold temperatures.

Remember, when cold snaps like this happen, the temperatures outside can actually be much colder than you think. Always play it safe and follow some simple guidelines, such as those that have been offered by the city. Here are some important highlights:

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Recently I caught up with Somerville photographer Marc Occil. I was struck by his photographs of the “Occupy Boston” protests in Boston. He generously answered some questions that I sent his way.

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A poem written by yours truly – just before the city started to transform itself – for better and worse.

All Somerville Library Locations and the Council on Aging Center (167 Holland St.) will serve as warming centers during business hours on Tues. & Wed. COA building is for seniors only. More info for cold weather safety at somervillema.gov/coldweather. Learn about carbon monoxide safety and preventing frozen water pipes.

The Union Square Neighborhood Council (USNC) and Rafi Properties announce details for a Community Benefits Agreement update meeting for Somernova set to take place on Wednesday, January 22, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Argenziano School Cafeteria, 290 Washington St., or via Zoom. RSVP via linktr.ee/usnc2017. Interpretation will be available in Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish both in-person and online. 

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)  announced its planned construction schedule for the first half of 2025. Thanks to the great success of the 2024 Track Improvement Program, the MBTA now has more track meeting the state of good repair standards than in previous years, ensuring compliance with all applicable safety and performance requirements. Building on this progress, the MBTA will continue proactive track maintenance to prevent slow zones recurring. In 2025, the focus will shift to upgrading other critical infrastructure, including signal systems, improving accessibility across the network, and more.