– Photos by Bobbie Toner

By George P. Hassett

Two people died in a fire at 65 Fairfax St. today in Somerville, according to a city spokesperson.

Fairfax fire. - Photo by Bobbie Toner

One person was removed from a fire on Fairfax Street today in Somerville, according to Alert New England.

Ifeanyi Menkiti is a featured poet at the First and Last Poetry World Series to be held at Somerville's Center for the Arts at the Armory on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

By Peta Jinnath Andersen

Even over the phone, it’s clear that Ifeanyi Menkiti is a poet. Later this month, the Nigerian-born philosophy professor and book shop owner will be joining two other local poets, Doug Holder and Lloyd Schwartz, to read as part of a new poetry series.

Hosted by Harris Gardner and Gloria Mindock, also poets, the First and Last Poetry Series will be held at Somerville’s Center for the Arts at the Armory on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Senior captain Kelsey Garrity knocked down a game high 20 points in the Highlanders' 56-50 defeat to Medford on Friday night. The Highlanders now stand at 3-5 overall.

By Mike Rubin

Following a promising first half, the Somerville High girls basketball team, slowly allowed a potential win to slip away.

Kelsey Garrity notched a game high 20 points and Indira Evora added 14, but the Highlanders suffered a tough 56-50 defeat to archrivals Medford in Friday’s Greater Boston League match-up at the Brune Field House. Coupled with last Tuesday’s win over Malden, the Highlanders currently stand at 3-5 overall.

The 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will include new programming, such as the reading of essays submitted by Somerville youth, and increased musical performances

Student essays and musical performances will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the city’s annual event on Monday.
The 2011 celebration will include new programming, including the reading of essays submitted by Somerville youth, and increased musical performances. The event will also include a keynote address by Robert Lewis Jr., Vice President for Program at The Boston Foundation.

Local business advocates to connect residents

By Cathleen Twardzik

A local group is working to connect advocates, organizers and residents for an “economy that is local, green and fair.”

Somerville Local First (SLF) recently launched Somerville Local Luminaries.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

The only logical reason I can give for liking snow in the least is that my kids may get a day off. And the day off is not only a break for them , it’s a relief for me.

A snow day is a day that I don’t have to fight with them to get up, get dressed, eat, brush and rush out the door. I don’t have to pack snacks, and I save money on lunches. If school is cancelled the night before, it’s even better. They can sleep in.

By Joe DiOrio
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Two days after the storm, many cars throughout the Somerville area are still trapped in the snow.

Forest Brierre at the Starbucks on Somerville Avenue, where her art is on display.

By Julia Fairclough

Nearly a dozen metallic ink drawings serve as a pleasant backdrop to the alluring smell of coffee and quiet conversation that emanates throughout the Starbucks Café on Somerville Avenue.
Somerville artist Forest Brierre is enjoying her first solo show and a cup of Starbucks coffee on a recent Friday, as she talks about how she kind of fell into using metallic ink on black paper. Brierre’s art will be on display through this month.

Governor Deval L. Patrick today appointed former assistant district attorney State Representative Peter J. Koutoujian to the position of Middlesex County Sheriff. Koutoujian will assume responsibility for the supervision of the 1,400 individuals in the Billerica House of Correction and Cambridge Middlesex Jail, oversight of all Sheriff’s office operations and strengthening public safety in the 54 cities and towns that make up Middlesex County.