The Presidents Day holiday puts us in mind of those great leaders who governed us throughout our country’s tumultuous history: The American Revolution, the Civil War, two world wars, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights movement, Vietnam, and so on.

Greatness was thrust upon certain holders of that office by events that shaped their legacies, while others are relegated to general obscurity due to a lack of conflict and controversy during their times in office. Each one’s tenure in office should be regarded as equally important. In as much as big events could have elevated their place in history at a moment’s notice.

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Review by David P. Miller

The Japanese term renga indicates a series of linked poems. Each poem consists of five lines in two “stanzas” with specific syllabic counts, the first with three lines of 5-7-5 syllables, the second with two lines of 7-7 syllables. This, at least, is how the form manifests in standard English-language practice: the relevant concept in Japanese practice is mora or “sound units” rather than syllables. If 5-7-5 seems familiar, it is: the first renga stanza, called hokku, evolved into what we know as haiku. Typically, renga are written collaboratively, and can be quite lengthy. The linkages between poems may be based on different attributes, such as (free-)association, comparison, or contrast. (There are interesting comparisons with more recent forms such as the surrealist “exquisite corpse.” On a global, multimedia scale, have a look at the collaborative Telephone Project: https://phonebook.gallery/.)

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Poet Ann Macey writes: “I grew up in northern Ohio. I studied English and received my degree from Smith College. I read poetry at The Out of the Blue Gallery. There I was befriended by Deborah M. Priestly. I attended readings in her home. In February, I came back to this area. I had been tutoring writing to adults on Cape Ann.”

Arrests:
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Rene Peralta, February 15, 11:33 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on warrant charges of larceny from a person, assault and battery, armed robbery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Tune in to GovTV (RCN 13, Comcast 22) and Ed TV (Ch. 15) to celebrate Black History Month as they broadcast past programs highlighting Black history. Programs include Martin Luther King Jr. Day concerts and events, a Somerville Museum event honoring the first African-American US Army aviation unit, Haitian Creole (SomerViva) talk shows and events, and more. To find out when these programs will be airing, check out the  schedule at somervillema.gov/TV.

As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate racial disparities in our health care system, Attorney General Maura Healey announced that $1.5 million has been awarded to 16 organizations across the state as part of her office’s new grant program to promote equity in treatment programs and recovery services for opioid use disorder (OUD) in Massachusetts.

The City of Somerville seeks four residents to serve as Commissioners on the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. The Commission strives to coordinate and carry out programs designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Additionally, the Commission provides information, reviews policies, and provides recommendations on issues affecting people with disabilities. 

On Sunday, February 28, the Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets (SASS) will hold a virtual public summit focused on the safety issues faced by Somerville’s street users. In just the past two years, four pedestrians were killed by drivers and at least 160 pedestrians and cyclists were injured in crashes with motorists. This is far too many incidents for a Vision Zero city that is committed to eliminating deaths and serious injuries from vehicle crashes.

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

Dear Editor,

The upcoming reconstruction of Highland Ave. is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve safety on one of the busiest streets in Somerville. The City can honor commitments it has made in its ClimateForward, SomerVision, and VisionZero plans by making Highland safer for everyone.