Somerville Recreation

Although Somerville Schools are cancelled tomorrow 2/12/13, Somerville Recreation is offering a program at the Somerville High School Field House for children ages 5-13. Children will take part in activities such as: Arts and Crafts, Recreational Games, and Board Games. This program is FREE! Children ages 5-8 can be dropped off at the Field House at 9am and should be picked up at 12:00pm. Children ages 9-13 should be dropped off at 12:00pm and picked up at 4:00pm. Preregistration is not required for this program. We hope to see you there! Somerville Recreation

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Public Skating hours for Tuesday, February 12, 2013 are:

12:00~2:00pm at Veterans Memorial Rink 1, and 3:45~5:15 Rink 2.

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Congratulations to Rashidi Ellis for making the USA Olympic BoxingTeam.   Shidi trains down the SomervilleBoxing Club right here in Ward 1 and is a great kid.  I am soproud of him.

Photos

 DPW clearning snow away from the Edgerly School.  

(photo courtesy of DPW worker Frank Santangelo)

 DPW clearning snow away from the Edgerly School Boxing Club Entrance

(photo courtesy of DPW worker Frank Santangelo)

Bastardi Command Central..........LOL

We Are All In The Same Boat or is it Snow Bank?

(Picture courtesy of DPW worker Frank Santangelo)

The City’s snow emergency will remain in effect until further notice. 

 

Somerville Public Schools will remain closed until Wednesday, February 13^th.  

DPW continues to clear streets.

Their priority right now is as follows:  Clear streets – Removing snow from Schools – Removing the MOUNDS of snow that have accumulated.

With these MOUNDS of snow visibility is tough while driving and walking. I urge everyone to please use caution.

The Fire Chief is still very concerned about heating vents and car exhaust pipes not being cleared.  Unclear vents and pipes cause carbon monoxide poisoning and are a fire hazards.

The Fire Chief continues to urge people to help clear a path to the fire hydrants on your streets.  If you are unfamiliar as to where exactly the hydrants are located you can contact 311 and they should be able to give you the location.

If you own the property it is your responsibility to make sure the sidewalk is shoveled. 

 

Please continue to check on your elderly neighbors and offer your assistance if possible.

And just think the meteorologists are predicting more snow on Thursday and possibly again on Saturday.   I think I can hear a collective moan right now.    The way I am looking at it is we are all in the same boat or in this case snow bank.  

I have been receiving a lot of telephone calls and e-mails and I promise to get back to everyone as soon as possible – barring I do not lose electricity again.  The City is working around the clock – using all their resources to clear and remove snow.  

 

Thank you to everyone who has been helping shovel out their neighbors and the fire hydrants. 

Important Lesson

I just love this photo.  Unfortunately I do not know who took it so I have no idea who to give credit to.  

Caucus

The City-Wide Democratic Committee Caucus scheduled for tomorrow night has been canceled.  New date TBA. 

Updates

I have not received word yet if the City-Wide Democratic Caucus is still on for tomorrow night or not.  As soon as I find out I will make a post.

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I'd like to thank the McCollem girls for helping clear out the fire hydrant on Franklin Street yesterday.  

A friend of mine said yesterday, "Shoveling after snowstorms is always a great way to re-meet your neighbors." and my reply was, "I couldn't agree more."  It was great meeting some of my new neighbors and re-meeting others.  It was great seeing everyone help each other and boy did I get some exercise.  

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*The Somerville Public Schools will remain CLOSED tomorrow, Monday the 11^th.

*The Snow Emergency will remain in effect until tomorrow, Monday the 11^th at 6PM.

*Vehicles parked in municipal lots will have until 8pm to leave the lots so that City crews may begin cleanup of all school and metered parking lots.

*Please remember that residents and businesses MUST shovel the sidewalks in front of their property within 6 hours after the end of a storm or will be subject to fines. Shoveling snow into the street is not permitted

*Please please please remember to clear vents in your home and exhaust pipes on cars to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and fire hazards.

*Please assist the Somerville Fire Dept. by clearing paths to fire hydrants in your neighborhood.

*The DPW has been working very hard at clearing the streets and schools.

 *If your street has not been plowed please call 311 or feel free to give me a call.

 

*Though the State has lifted the driving ban as of 4PM yesterday afternoon they are encouraging people to stay off the roads so the State and Cities can continue with their clean up efforts.

*If you have an emergency please call 911.  If it is a non emergency issue please call 311.

*Please please please take the time to check on your Elderly neighbors and perhaps assist them with shoveling.

*The MBTA is hoping to resume LIMITED subway and bus routes around 2PM this afternoon.  They are  hoping to resume regularly scheduled service tomorrow.

*Again, if you are venturing out please please please be careful.

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On Monday, February25th from 6:30 - 7:30 at the Somerville Community Center located at 165 Broadway (corner of Broadway & Cross Street East) I will be hosting a 2nd Neighborhood Meeting regarding the new development scheduled for 625 McGrath Highway (Highland Auto Parts.)  Representatives from the Developers and their attorney will be present as well as a representative from the City's Planning Department.

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It has been brought to my attention that the contact information I shared for Benjamin Echevarria the person that the School Committee appointed to fill the vacant position is incorrect.   Unfortunately,  after my initial conversation with Ben he has not gotten back to me with the correct information.   It is also to my understanding that Ben has not been officially sworn in.  It disappoints me so that Ward 1 is going without a School Committee Representative for so long now.

 

A Little Friendly Competition

Nothing like a couple of good challenges to get my Somerville pride flowing.

The City of Somerville has accepted a “Library Card Sign-Up Challenge” from the Town of Arlington.  The Challenge, which will take place through the month of February and also includes the Towns of Belmont and Lexington, proposes to reward the library system that sees the greatest percentage increase in residents signing up for library cards.  Prizes will be issued for new cardholders, culminating in a Grand Prize of an e-book reader to one of the new registrants.

Throughout the Challenge, new library card registrants and current card holders referring a friend will receive incentives such as buttons, bracelets, pencils, bookmarks, and more when they sign up. New card holders will also be entered in the grand prize drawing of an e-book reader.   

“February’s competition is the start of Somerville’s endeavor to register new library card holders. The library plans to tie this into a yearlong outreach effort in different areas of the community to obtain new library users,” said Carpenter.  “As part of the Library and Schools’ dual strategy of providing seamless education services, the library and area schools are partnering on this effort. So be sure to look for our announcements and signs throughout the City about upcoming outreach events and patron incentives!”

Local businesses interested in participating in the campaign, please contact Eileen Fontenot, eileenfontenot@gmail.com or 617-842-2278. 

I’ve had my library card for more years than I care to mention, made sure my children got theirs when they were young and have always enjoyed all the special programs the library has to offer.  

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East Somerville Main Streets has entered into a friendly little competition with Union Square Main Streets.  The Facebook page that gets the most “likes” by Valentine’s Day will be treated to some delicious donuts from Union Square Donuts on opening day.  

This is the link to the East Somerville Main Street’sFacebook page.   Please stop on over andgive them a “like” – if you are looking for the competitions Facebook page – well – you will need to find it on your own ;)