Flu shots are suddenly the “in thing” here in Somerville and just about everywhere else these days.

City fights to contain spread of flu

By Elizabeth Sheeran

It’s been a great year for sales of ibuprofen, tissues and chicken soup.

The national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that flu season got off to an earlier-than-usual start this year, and is now widespread across the country. By New Years, the proportion of Massachusetts emergency room patients with flu-like symptoms was three times what it was at the same time the year before. Nearly 9,000 cases of influenza have already been confirmed in the state, and many more may be unreported.

The Board of Aldermen resolved to seek sanctions against Holiday Inn after reviewing complaints by area residents and law enforcement officials regarding disturbing incidents taking place there. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

There was no lack of outrage expressed by the Somerville Board of Aldermen during their regular meeting last Thursday evening. The object of their ire was the extent to which the ruckus that took place at the Night Games lounge, located at the Holiday Inn on Washington St., last December disturbed local residents and gave the entire city a proverbial black eye.

Tonight, Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Arts for the Armory, the Somerville Climate Action and Rep. Denise Provost present a movie night with several short videos hosted by scientist and SCA member Jim Laurie on the power of natural systems and scientists, ranchers, and farmers that are restoring biodiversity and reversing current climate changing trends.

The currently proposed sale of two substantially valuable properties by the city seems be a good step forward in stimulating the local economy and improving how these parcels are being used.

Current Executive Director of Communications and Cable for the City of Somerville, Tom Champion, will be stepping down from his post, effective February 28, 2013.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Tom Champion, Executive Director of Communications and Cable for the City of Somerville, will be resigning. That will become effective on February 28, 2013.

Champion has been in the role of Executive Director of Communications and Cable from December 2005 to January of 2010, and upon Mayor Curtatone’s request, he assumed that role again in November 2011.

By Mike Stoller

So far it’s been a graceful two steps forward and none back for the Somerville High hockey team. The Highlanders improved their Greater Boston League record to 2-0, defeating archrival host Cambridge Rindge and Latin, 5-2, last week. Somerville also upped its overall record to 4-2-2.

Well– for 15 years now the Ibbetson Street Press has been putting out a quality literary magazine Ibbetson Street as well as a number of poetry collections, memoirs, and anthologies. Our latest release is from Bagel Bard Philip Burnham, Jr.  I included this review by Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene ( http://dougholder.blogspot.com) writer Dennis Daly.

Arrests:
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Jose Fuentes, 27, of 20 Otis St., January 7, 10:33 a.m., arrested at 85 Glen St. on charges of drug possession to distribute, drug violation near a school or park, failure to stop or yield, and revoked license.

Alexis Gonzalez, 20, of 33 Carney Ct., Charlestown, January 7, 9:08 p.m., arrested at 74 Gilman St. on charges of discharging a firearm within 500 yards of a building, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without a FID card.

A colleague of mine on the English faculty at Bunker Hill Community College, Gila Rachel has written a very “contained” poem. Hopefully it will help you break out of your winter doldrums.

Candidates submit resumes for vacant Ward One seat

By Donald Norton

The School Committee met Tuesday night to start the interview process for the successor to Ward One School Committeewomen, now Ward One Alderman, Maureen Bastardi.