🌱 Patch AM: Want a say in fair housing? Here’s how to join.

Good morning Somerville! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Want a say in fair housing? Here’s how to join.
• How much have Somerville rents actually dropped this year?
• How Somerville pet owners are shaping a statewide rental fight

Also on today's calendar: KIRTAN MASALA! A Celebration with Shubalananda Larry Kopp & Friends and 12 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: A bit of afternoon rain, with a high of 48 and low of 38 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon rain, temps: high: 46, low: 37.
• Sunday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 41 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Join the Somerville Fair Housing Commission (thesomervilletimes.com) — Somerville’s Fair Housing Commission is recruiting a new member, and any resident 18 or older can apply by Friday, January 30, 2026. The volunteer commission meets monthly and works with City staff to combat housing discrimination, host educational events, and review complaints. Interested neighbors should email or mail a brief statement of interest to staff liaison Shannon Lawler.
   

• Rents in Boston see modest decline amid ‘cooling phase' in the region (sentinelandenterprise.com) — Somerville renters are seeing some relief, with one-bedroom rents down about 6% over the past year as new apartment construction across Greater Boston eases competition. A new Zumper report says Somerville, Boston, and Quincy are among the markets with the sharpest rent drops, though prices here still remain well above the national average.
   

• ‘Nightmare trying to find a place': New campaign seeks to end pet discrimination in Mass. rentals (bostonglobe.com) — Somerville renters and landlords are at the center of a new push to curb pet discrimination in Massachusetts rentals, as locals describe rejections, extra fees, and even homelessness to keep their animals. The campaign backs state legislation to limit pet rent and protect emotional support animals, while some Somerville property owners say welcoming pets actually brings more stable, long-term tenants.
   

📸 Around Somerville

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Somerville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 10

• KIRTAN MASALA! A Celebration with Shubalananda Larry Kopp & Friends
  The Arlington Center, 369 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington
  1:00 pm
• Archery Night Out!
  115 Kinnaird St, Cambridge
  6:00 pm
• Sarasa Ensemble Presents 'Patron Lobkowitz'
  Friends Meeting At Cambridge, 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge
  7:00 pm
• TRANCE DANCE Led By Comma Williams
  The Arlington Center, 369 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington
  7:30 pm
• Patty Larkin, John Gorka, Cliff Eberhardt and Lucy Kaplansky
  7 Medford St, Arlington
  7:30 pm

Sunday January 11

• PLAYSHOP FOR THE NEW YEAR: Creatively Visioning Into 2026 with Chandra Cantor & Robin Shaw
  The Arlington Center, 369 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington
  12:30 pm
• RESTORATIVE YOGA + MASSAGE with Chandra Cantor, Robin Shaw + Nelson Té
  The Arlington Center, 369 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington
  3:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday January 8

• Foamflower, Big Rav
  The Burren , 247 Elm St , Somerville
  7:00 pm

Friday January 9

• The Stipers
  The Burren , 247 Elm St , Somerville
  7:00 pm

Saturday January 10

• The Young Americans - David Bowie 10 Years of Immortality
  The Burren , 247 Elm St , Somerville
  7:00 pm

Sunday January 11

• All She Wrote Books Presents: January Queer Romance Book Club
  All She Wrote Books , 75 Washington St , Somerville
  10:30 am
• Pups + Pints at CanalSide Food + Drink
  CambridgeSide , 100 Cambridgeside Pl , Cambridge
  2:00 pm
• JGB Tribute, The Diamond Blues does JGB + TAB
  The Burren , 247 Elm St , Somerville
  8:00 pm

Monday January 12

• All She Wrote Presents: Divine Ruin Book Launch
  Connexion , 149 Broadway , Somerville
  8:30 pm

Wednesday January 14

• Tim Gearan
  The Burren , 247 Elm St , Somerville
  7:00 pm

📣 Somerville Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Somerville PatchAM possible:

• Garbage to Garden Inc. — (207) 332-0277
  Curbside Composting Made Easy!
• Brick Marketing - Digital Agency — (781) 999-1222
  Brick Marketing, a Boston digital marketing agency.
• Union Comedy
  August is BOGO Month at Union! Every Saturday at 9p!
• FIXER — (781) 218-9426
  Trusted all-in-one solutions for every need.
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• The Brow Lab Somerville — (617) 764-2736
  Student discounts plus cash savings at The Brow Lab
• Buyers Brokers Only — (978) 835-5906
  We Protect Home Buyers – Exclusive Buyer Agents

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• More Than a Concert: Why You Need to Be at the Burren on Jan 20! —Mark Allen Wood Read on Patch

• Massachusetts General Hospital posted a job opening for Security Operations Center, Senior Manager in Somerville. Apply here.
• USA Jobs posted a job opening for Security Officer Pharma Reception in Cambridge. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Somerville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Cambridge

• New sushi spot opening in Cambridge (nbcboston.com)

Everett

• Van Campen inaugurated as Mayor of Everett (everettindependent.com)

Arlington

Ok Somerville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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