Somerville High School students recently participated in the Youth Risk Based survey, administered by Somerville Cares About Prevention.

By Jackson Ellison

The organization Somerville Cares about Prevention (SCAP) revealed the 2018 Health Survey Results from Somerville High School in a world café- style discussion at the Somerville High School Culinary Arts Bistro on January 31.

SCAP gave Somerville High School students the Youth Risk Based survey, a national survey that focuses on six areas of health behavior: behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence, sexual behaviors, alcohol and other drug use, tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and inadequate physical activity.

By Marshall Collins

As the city continues to deliver toward its comprehensive plan- SomerVision, the question of green space remains an open one. Somerville remains the city with the lowest proportion of both green and open space of any municipality in the Commonwealth, and the city has set an ambitious goal of adding 125 acres of publicly accessible open space by 2030.

Nearly 100 seniors from across the state descended on Beacon Hill last week to press lawmakers to adopt Gov. Charlie Baker’s budget proposal to expand eligibility for the federal Medicare Savings Program, which would benefit 40,000 low-income seniors.

Seniors arrived by cars, vans, and the MBTA from Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and many other cities to use their voices and political clout to advance this proposal. The standing-room only crowd included Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, in addition to state representatives, state senators, and representatives from the Governor’s office.

The Somerville School Committee is hosting a second public hearing on the proposed Powderhouse Studios Innovation School on Wednesday, February 6, at 6:00 p.m. at the West Somerville Neighborhood School. There will be a presentation about the plan and then public comment. Visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us/powderhouse-proposal for more information. The School Committee also invites you to share your thoughts about adding this potential new school and the district budget for the upcoming school year during public comment at the start of every full School Committee meeting, by contacting School Committee members directly, and during office hours being held throughout the city through February 10. Below is a list of remaining winter office hours: Friday, February 8, 10:00-11:30 a.m. – School Committee Vice Chair Emily Ackman with City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin and State Representative Mike Connolly at the Cross St. Senior Center, 165 Broadway; and Sunday, February 10, 10:30 a.m.-noon – School Committee Member Laura Pitone with City Councilor Mark Niedergang at Armory Café, 191 Highland Ave.

In 2019, Lyndell’s Bakery located at 720 Broadway Somerville, MA celebrates its 132nd Anniversary opening for business in December of 1887. Lyndell’s, which is the oldest scratch bakery in New England, has been selling fresh bakery goods to the public ever since and sees no reason not to continue the great tradition for years to come.

Lyndell’s has helped celebrate special occasions over 13 decades and thanks to our bakers, decorators and counter staff expect to celebrate many more.

Even though some have complained that Super Bowl LIII was somewhat tedious and even downright boring, our beloved New England Patriots prevailed nonetheless. Our heartfelt appreciation goes out for their stunning achievements this past season. They played great, and we love them for it.

We congratulate the Los Angeles Rams for an outstanding season and the tremendous effort that they put into the championship final. Their players and fans have much to be proud of, and their post-season accomplishments are duly noted.

Arrests:
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Rosaleen Lopes, of 3 Virginia St., Dorchester, January 28, 2:53 p.m., arrested at Somerville Ave. on warrant charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Esteban Hayes, January 28, 2:53 p.m., arrested at Somerville Ave. on charges of shoplifting by concealing merchandise and resisting arrest, and on warrant charges of assault, larceny from a person, resisting arrest, destruction of property over $1200, and assault and battery on a police officer.

— Photo courtesy of Somerville Fire Department

Probationary firefighters Troy Martini and Seamus Lynch successfully completed ten weeks of training at the MA Firefighting Academy in Stow. They graduated on Friday, February 1. Pictured L to R: Troy Martini, Chief Charles Breen and Seamus Lynch following graduation exercises.

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The renowned poet W. H. Auden said (and I paraphrase), “A good poem makes me cut myself while shaving.” And I guess the same principle applies to good editing. It cuts the fat off the bone of the manuscript, leaving it clean and making the readers hungry for more, more, more.

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Robin Stratton has been a writing coach in the Boston area for over 25 years. She is the author of four novels, including one which was a National Indie Excellence Book Award finalist, two collections of poetry and short fiction, and a writing guide. A four-time Pushcart Prize nominee, she’s been published in Word Riot, 63 Channels, Antithesis Common, Poor Richard’s Almanac(k), Blink-Ink, Pig in a Poke, Chick Flicks, Up the Staircase, Shoots and Vines, and many others. She is Acquisitions Editor for Big Table Publishing Company, Senior Editor of Boston Literary Magazine, and Director of the Newton Writing and Publishing Center.