“Self Portrait – Larry Bell Exhibit” David Palmquist, 2022

By Matthias Gat

The Boston-based painter discusses his style and inspirations, and reflects on the Greater Boston Area’s art community.

The arts have always played a significant role in David Palmquist’s life. Even while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance, his passion for art never faltered. His passion was nurtured further after moving to Boston, when he joined Vernon Street Studios in 2005. Since Palmquist took residency at Vernon Street Studios, he has had multiple exhibitions with the Copley Society, Somerville Open Studios, and others.

Somerville’s 3rd Lunar New Year Cultural Celebration takes place on Saturday, February 14, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., at the Somerville High School Cafeteria, 81 Highland Avenue. The City of Somerville invites you and your loved ones to celebrate the Year of the Horse with the local Chinese, Vietnamese, East Asian, and Southeast Asian communities. This year’s theme is “Sharing Love Together for the Year of the Horse: Art, Culture, and Community.” Enjoy music, family-friendly storytelling, interactive activities, delicious food, face painting, and beautiful handicrafts. Experience the unique traditions and festive spirit of these diverse cultures.

Ever wondered what to include in an emergency kit, how to help your children understand what to do in an emergency, or how you can prepare for extended power outages? These topics and more are subjects of a new training series offered by Somerville’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The Preparedness and Resiliency Through Neighborhood Engagement and Readiness (PARTNER) Program is open to all community members and is free to attend.

As it has so often been said, you can’t win them all. In what could only be termed a frustrating match-up, our beloved New England Patriots lost out on the big win last Sunday. But our heartfelt appreciation for their tremendous achievements this past season is indisputable. They played well, and we love them for it.

We congratulate the Seattle Seahawks for an outstanding season and the tremendous effort that paid off in the championship final. Their players and fans have much to be proud of, and their bragging rights are firmly secured. For now, that is. At any rate, our hats – and helmets – are off to them in honor of their tremendous achievement.

*

Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Dennis Daly

Retying a shoelace in poetic terms can make all the difference. Tim Suermondt, in his new book entitled A Day In The Republic celebrates the ordinary progression of life’s footsteps through geography and time. Suermondt, a veritable Everyman, conveys the wonder of inexhaustible routine in poem after poem. His commonplace images surprise with their hidden possibilities and seem to magically flower with each touch or sympathetic attention by the reader.

*

Michael Todd Steffen is the author of two books of poetry, most recently On Earth As It Is (Cervena Barva Press, 2022). He is the recipient of a Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowship and an Ibbetson Street Press Poetry Award. His poems have appeared in journals including The Boston Globe, Constellations, Synchronized Chaos, The Lyric, The Dark Horse, and The Poetry Porch.

Virtual meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10; interpretation available in Spanish and Portuguese

Somerville residents have an opportunity to help shape the City’s next annual budget. The City Council Finance Committee is inviting the community to share input on priorities for the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget at a virtual community budget meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held on Zoom and is open to all residents. Registration is encouraged but not required.