“What do you want to see in Somerville’s community live arts center?” The Somerville Armory currently has six tenants and several other spaces that could become arts spaces. Already the building is home to music building education, production, and live performances. Help develop the vision and guiding principles for the Somerville Armory as they transition it from private ownership to public stewardship. They are looking for the voices of diverse performing artists who have connections to Somerville, residents, and community partners to participate in this upcoming meeting series. Read more: https://voice.somervillema.gov/armory-master-plan. Meeting I: Our Arts Ecosystem, January 24, 6:00 p.m. at Warehouse XI,11 Sanborn Ct., Somerville.

Diane M. Dyko, 87, of Peabody, formerly of Somerville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Beverly Hospital surrounded by her loving family.  She was the beloved wife of the late James Dyko.

Eagle Feathers #296 – The Rose

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

On November 20, 1986, at the White House Rose Garden, President Ronald Reagan designated the rose as the National Floral Emblem of the United States of America.

All of us want to put an end to the rampant rodent infestation taking place in and around the city, as do our neighboring communities. Caution, though, ought to be taken in terms of what measures should be taken and how best to implement them.

Concerns have arisen recently about the use of so-called rodenticides (rat poison) and the dangers they pose to our pets and wildlife. The effectiveness of these agents has also been called into question.

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Interview with Doug Holder/co-president of the New England Poetry Club

I think I first met the poet January O’Neil quite a few years ago at a meeting of the Somerville Bagel Bards in Davis Square. Since then, she has become a respected English professor at Salem State University, and an acclaimed poet. She generously accepted my offer to interview her about her new collection of verse, Glitter Road (CavanKerry). On her publisher’s website it states:

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Henry Stimpson’s poems have appeared in Poet Lore, Rolling Stone, Delmarva Review, Mad River Review, Aethlon, The MacGuffin, The Aurorean, Lighten Up Online, Common Ground Review, California Quarterly, Asses of Parnassus, Bluepepper, The Boston Phoenix, Muddy River Poetry Review, Snakeskinpoetry, Atlanta Review, On the Seawall and others. A Massachusetts resident, he also writes creative nonfiction and hopes to see a Boston Celtics championship soon.

The Keeping Small Strong Neighborhood Open House takes place next Tuesday.

Union Square Main Streets (USMS) invites neighbors, business leaders, community partners, property owners, and lovers of Union Square to a Keeping Small Strong Neighborhood Open House on Tuesday, January 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

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Arts at the Armory’s Spotlight Series is thrilled to bring Peter Mulvey to their historic Performance Hall stage with Lyle Brewer as the tour opener on February 3, 2024.