Mayor Ballantyne, Somerville’s Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ), and Somerville Public Schools’ Department of Equity and Excellence invite community members to a panel discussion to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 20, at East Somerville Community School (50 Cross St.) from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During the event, RSJ will collect donated items to help support our unhoused neighbors which will be delivered to community partners supporting unhoused and displaced residents. Find a full list of personal products, stable foods, and baby supplies needed at somervillema.gov/rsj. City buildings are closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.For questions about the MLK Day event or donation drive, please contact rsj@somervillema.gov.

SMART boxes have become an integral part of the city’s efforts to control rodent infestation. — Photos courtesy of Anticimex

By Lillian Peck

In a virtual informational session hosted on Thursday, January 9, at 5 p.m., Somerville Inspectional Services Department Staff and the SomervilleViva Office of Immigrant Affairs introduced an important matter to public discussion – rodent control. The goals of the meeting were to help attendees learn how to identify rat activity, use control methods, develop prevention strategies, and utilize city resources.

Eagle Feathers #320 –The Thanksgiving Miracle

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

If you look at the official city symbol of Worcester, Massachusetts, you will see that it is heart shaped.   This image is symbolic because the city is located in the very center of Massachusetts, or the heart of the state.

— Photos by Jeffrey Shwom

Even though a few inches of snow had fallen Saturday morning, it certainly did not stop loyal and new patrons from visiting The Somerville Winter Farmers Market at The Armory (191 Highland Ave). Operating in its 15th season, the market is open Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Fresh produce, baked goods, cheese and meat products, specialty items and more. Cash, credit / debit, and SNAP/EBT and HIP benefits accepted. $15 SNAP match to customers each week.  For weekly events visit https://www.somwintermarket.org/
— Jeffrey  Shwom

The annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day reminds us of the importance of tolerance and embracing diversity in this modern age, just as it was in the days when Dr. King lived among us.

The civil rights movement of the 60s may seem like a distant and detached part of American history for some, perhaps as remote as the civil war itself in the minds of the young who did not live in that time. And yet, there was never a time in our history when the principles involved in that struggle were more relevant and meaningful than today, and even more so as we step forward into the future.

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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent/ Jean Flanagan

Lee Varon’s fourth poetry book, The Last Bed, published by Finishing Line Press is a stunning and intimate portrayal of a mother who never gives up on her child with substance use disorder.

Varon shares heart-wrenching images of every step in her courageous battle to save her child. She is thrown into an unknown world we would never choose for our children.

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Diana Rose Lynch is a language teacher who teaches writing at Boston University. The Ekphrastic Review published her first poem in 2020. Her poetry was recently featured at Dogtown On My Mind: Reading and Discussion Celebrating Dogtown in the Writer’s Imagination Today. Discover Gloucester published two of her Dogtown poems in celebration of Gloucester 400. In addition, 400 Stories Project published her poetry in 2023 celebrating the unique history of the city of Gloucester. When she is not teaching, she writes poetry, gardens, and hikes. She lives in Ipswich, MA and is currently working on a collection of poetry.

Women playing bhusya.

After months of construction, the Somerville Museum is thrilled to open its doors once again where visitors will be greeted at the entrances with murals by the Somerville Nepali artist, Imagine, and a new exhibition highlighting Nepal, “The Art of the Festival’ (January 16 – March 29). A Re-opening Reception and celebration takes place Thursday, January 16, 6 – 8 p.m.