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Sarah C. Beckmann is a member of the Somerville Arts Council Board, where she promotes arts initiatives in the Somerville community through a local grant program and the SomerWrites event series. In 2021, she published a poetry chapbook, Naiad Blood, and her first full-length poetry collection, The Race for Daphne, is forthcoming in May 2026. She earned an MFA from Emerson College and works in research communications at the MIT Media Lab. Sarah continues crafting her poetry and draws inspiration from her experiences as an athlete and artist; her identity as a woman and an active member of her family and community; and her interests in genealogy and mythology. Nowadays, you’ll find her rowing out of Gentle Giant Rowing Club in Somerville, on the Mystic River.

High schools from across the Commonwealth go head to head in Season 17 of GBH’s academic tournament, High School Quiz Show starting this week! You can find the television broadcast premiere dates and schedule in the bracket above.

Severe blood shortage intensifies as snow, ice and extreme temperatures impact blood drives 

The American Red Cross urges people to take action now to help offset the severe impact of recent winter storms on efforts to rebuild the blood supply during an ongoing blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are asked to make a blood or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible.

Shannon Community Safety Initiative marks 20 years of community-led crime reduction and intervention

Marking the 20^th anniversary of the Sen. Charles E. Shannon Jr. Community Safety Initiative (Shannon CSI), the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced grant awards of $8.4 million to support evidence-based efforts that prevent and reduce youth and gang violence in communities across in Massachusetts. With this year’s awards, the state has invested nearly $176.2 million through Shannon CSI, which serves as a national model for violence prevention.

The MBTA  has announced service changes in February on the Orange, Needham, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, and Newburyport/Rockport lines.

Riders can find more information on service changes through in-station signage, in-station public announcements, and at mbta.com/PlannedWork. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information.

Somerville’s 2025 celebration, — Photo courtesy of Kevin Ko

Welcome the Year of the Horse at Somerville’s third annual Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, February 14, at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.) from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The festival will highlight our Chinese, Vietnamese, East Asian, and Southeast Asian communities and offer family-friendly storytelling, cultural performances, food, facepainting, and more.

Attend a virtual info session on 2/12; Application assistance available in-person and online

To ease the housing search for renters, the City is re-opening their Consolidated Rental Waitlist. Beginning Monday, February 2, through March 2, individuals and families can apply for multiple upcoming affordable rental opportunities through the City’s Inclusionary Housing Program with a single application.  

At this time, the National Weather Service has issued a Cold Advisory beginning Thursday evening, January 29, overnight into Friday morning, January 30. Very cold wind chills as low as -15 are possible. The expected wind chills can cause cold-related illness such as frostbite and hypothermia if precautions are not taken. While the Cold Advisory is not currently in place past Friday morning, it will remain bitterly cold over the coming days, especially during the nighttime and early morning hours.