Big news this week is the mayor’s pick for the Police Chief’s job, quite a few people were taken back when they heard the mayor picked DEA agent Tom Pasquarello over native son and acting chief Mike Cabral – one of the most popular officers on the force. A three-year contract is being offered and a  $20,000 relocation bonus for the new guy. One good thing is that he is a local, he’s from Cambridge, who might know the streets here very well, we wish him the best.

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This past Monday was an eye opener as to what can or might happen if you are in car accident. Seems that one young man from Somerville was involved in a minor fender bender, the other driver a much older person reportedly got out of his car and went over and dragged the young teen out of the car and proceeded according to witnesses to severely beat the younger teen. When he was dragged out his car while it was still in gear, the car started rolling backwards into a bridge and wiped out the rear of his car. All this happened in front of several witnesses who stood there and saw what the older man was doing. When the police arrived, the witnesses reportedly tried telling the officers what happened when they were told by the police to mind their own business, the police after a few minutes, allowed the guy to leave the scene while the young teen had severe bruises all over his face.  When the teen’s father arrived he immediately took him to the hospital. We’re wondering why the three Somerville Police Officers didn’t question the older guy and never even did an interview, just let the older guy go on his way!  You’d think if you had witnesses present and they all tried to tell what happened someone would listen? Well maybe the courts will, we heard that the motorist that they let get away has outstanding warrants against him on other matters.

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The Mayor’s annual cruise last week well attended with about 175 persons on board, and was a great night for a cruise in the Harbor with the city lights in the background, appears that every one enjoyed themselves for the few hours out on the water.

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Happy Birthday goes out to Lisa Marie Tauro who is turning 21, we wish her the very best, Lisa is the daughter of our roving photographer and reporter Billy. Also happy birthday this week (last Saturday) to Kaitlin Norton who turned 16 and on Monday got her drivers permit in Delaware, we wish her the best.  Another big happy birthday goes out to popular attorney and friend Rich Digirolamo and Police Officer Lance Covert , we wish them all a great and Happy Birthday and a great year for the all.

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One other is Brendan Cunningham, who celebrated his birthday this week, Brendan lives in Buffalo, NY but is a huge fan of the News; he’s very familiar with Somerville.

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Mayor Joe’s picnic this week on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at Powder House Park should be a lot of fun, food, entertainment as well as celebrating 30 years of the Mayor’s Picnic.

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The Ocean State Job Lot hearing is now scheduled for August 18 at City Hall and the owners of the Job Lot want to have another public meeting Monday Aug. 16 at the Elizabeth Peabody House Grant & Broadway. The Job Lot wants to open a new close out store at the site of the old Star Market on Broadway in Winter Hill.

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On Thursday, Aug. 12 at 3:00 p.m., local artist Laura Marshall will be at the West Branch Library (40 College Avenue) to teach kids how to make butterfly books and fairy houses. There will be lots of stamping, and all materials will be provided for everyone to enjoy an afternoon of crafting. This program is free and is recommended for school-aged children.

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Thursday’s free outdoor movie screening will be held at Powder House park instead of its usual spot in Seven Hills Park in Davis Square.

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Gogreen, the Summer Reading Club, wraps up at the Central Library (79 Highland Avenue) on Thursday, August 12 at 6:00 p.m. with a cooking demonstration by mother and son team Ellen and Walter Jacobs. Ellen and Walt will offer different suggestions for foods families can make together. The emphasis will be on eating locally and the ingredients will include veggies harvested from Ellen and Walt’s community garden plot and/or purchased at a Somerville Farmers’ Market. Recipes will be provided, and there will be photos of the garden. After the show, our great summer readers will get their award certificates. This program is funded by the Friends of the Library. “Gogreen at your library” has been sponsored by your local library, the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

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Babygarten is wrapping up for the summer, but will be back in September. The last summer class will be at the West Branch Library (40 College Avenue) on Wednesday, August 18th at 11:00 a.m. Babygarten is an educational program for caregivers and their babies from birth to 18 months. The classes involve songs and rhymes that help babies with language acquisition and pre-literacy skills, and provide an environment that nurtures and stimulates children with a wide variety of experiences. Babygarten is free, and is brought to you by the Friends of the Library. For more information, please call the West Branch.

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The Library’s ESL classes will be on break in August and early September. Classes start at the East Branch (115 Broadway) on Monday, September 13th. Classes start at the Central Library (79 Highland Avenue) on Tuesday, September 14th. Classes start at the West Branch (40 College Avenue) on Thursday, September 16th. Classes are free, and registration is not required. There is no waiting list – just come!