A special presentation was made to the family of Sean Collier after the Board of Alderman voted unanimously to appoint the fallen officer a member of the SPD.

By Jim Clark

In an emotionally charged ceremony in the City of Somerville aldermanic chambers last Thursday, slain MIT police officer and aspiring Somerville Police Department officer Sean Collier was posthumously awarded his badge and officially welcomed into the ranks of Somerville’s finest.

Labor Day Weekend is soon upon us and it looks to be excellent weather-wise for everyone ending their summer vacation. We wish everyone a safe trip back here to the Ville. Roads will be heavy with traffic leaving the Cape and NH. Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone.

The top floor of the four-story residence at 34 Highland Ave. sustained significant damage from a fire that broke out on Tuesday afternoon. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Harry Kane

A top floor, two-alarm fire took residents by surprise at a four-story building at 34 Highland Ave. and shut down a main thoroughfare on Tuesday, adding to the rash of fires that have wreaked havoc on the city this summer.

– Photo by Richard Chase

Alderman at Large John Connolly is seen here running in the Memphis Blues and Barbeque 5K Run this past weekend in Davis Sq. It was a benefit fundraising race for Multiple Sclerosis research sponsored by Tommy McCarthy, owner of the Burren (pictured below with Connolly) and Paul Collyer and his B.A. Event Promotions. Over 850 people ran and finished the traditional 5k course. $5K was raised and a check presented to the regional Multiple Sclerosis Association at the post race event.

The enchanting music of Laura Marling will be presented at the Somerville Theatre on September 3.

By Jim Clark

The depth and haunting beauty of the songs of Laura Marling have taken the modern folk scene hostage, leaving it slack-jawed in wondrous amazement. A rare opportunity to enjoy her in performance will be made available as she takes the stage on September 3 at the Somerville Theatre.

Variously compared to such musical titans as Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake, the 23-year-old Brit has, in fact, molded a style all her own and her latest album, Once I Was An Eagle, is a testament to the sheer talent and originality that has propelled her to sudden and well deserved acclaim.

It is often with a bit of melancholy that we say farewell to the warm summer months and begin looking ahead to the change of season and climate.

Arrests:
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John Sherman, 56, of 26 Wesley St., August 19, 8:49 a.m., arrested at home on a warrant charge of shoplifting by concealing merchandise.

Peter Cannif, 28, of 45 Cedar Rd. Marshfield, August 19, 5:24 p.m., arrested at 77 Middlesex Ave. on charges of larceny over $250 and furnishing a false name or Social Security number, and on warrant charges of shoplifting by concealing merchandise, disorderly conduct, refusal to provide DNA database sample, and conspiracy.

A colleague of mine, (Deborah Finkelstein), at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass. has edited a collection of poetry to raise funds for the victims of the Boston Marathon Tragedy. She is also a proud member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards. She is our guest columnist this week.

Well there are days of Wine and Roses, and then there are days of Tattoos and Cigarettes. What appeals to your delicate sensibilities? Well– poet Mike Jewett is a man who knows what he wants.

The City of Somerville’s ADA Coordinator and Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities invite all community members to a public meeting to gather feedback and help the city develop its Self-Evaluation report into a living, multiyear Transition Plan to create equal access for all to the city’s streets, sidewalks, buildings, parks and programs. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. A second meeting will be scheduled for September. Residents can also send questions and comments on the report via e-mail or phone. Translators are available upon request for Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian-Creole speakers, and an ASL interpreter will also be available.