Five Things You Need to Know Today

Today is Wednesday Jan. 12.

• Haitian Earthquake anniversary today, Event postponed: One year ago today a 7.0 magnitude earthquake cost an estimated 300,000 people in Haiti their lives, and today more than one million displaced persons remain homeless. In Somerville, the invites all to remember those lost, honor all who offered support and celebrate Haiti’s future. The event, originally scheduled for today will now be held Friday Jan. 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Details .

• Join the Point-Your-Camera-Out-the-Window Blizzard Art Project: Schools are closed. The Tufts campus is closed. Even the City is mostly closed (only emergency staff are in today). But all over the city many eyes will be wide open watching the white stuff fall. So point your camera out the window and send us your photos of the Blizzard of 2011 as seen from your place. We’ll keep a running online gallery of your shots. Upload them to our or e-mail your photos to deniset@patch.com.

• Clear your sidewalk, Help the neighbors shovel, Win a Prize: If you suspect a neighbor has difficulty shoveling, be a mensch and offer to help. If you do a good job, and other neighbors do too, your ‘hood could win the Best-Shoveled Sidewalk Contest, which will be judged by the people who know our wintry streets best: postal carriers. Contest details .

• Ooh, a Storm Center—and you can contribute: Check out our for weather and emergency updates, closings and cancellations, transit info and perhaps breaking news on which cafés are serving hot chocolate. Then feel free to add to the comments section or add photos, such as:
  
  • add reports about conditions on your street or commute
  • upload your storm photos (click the add button under the existing photos)
  • let readers know whether your business is open or if your event is happening
  • add portraits of your snowmen
  • tell us if you have a power outage (by phone 617-216-7810 or e-mail deniset@patch.com)
• Be safe when you shovel: The American Heart Association warns that “the risk of a heart attack during snow shoveling may increase for some.” For some simple tips from the Association on how to shovel safely—such as take frequent breaks, dress warmly and don’t eat a heavy meal directly before shoveling—click here.

Looking for more things to do in Somerville (when we are not snowed in)? Be sure to check our Events calendar here.