By Jim Clark

Police officers became involved in breaking up a fight at Foss Park last Thursday morning, after receiving reports of the disturbance in progress.

The incident reportedly developed as three males who were walking through the park became the targets of threats and harassment by 3–4 other males who were following them.

Stone Soup To City Lights: Jack Powers on Lawrence Ferlinghetti with Doug Holder

****I wanted to publish this old interview I conducted with the founder of the famed Stone Soup Poets–the late Jack Powers. Many of the younger poets on the scene today may not be familiar with this granddaddy of the Spoken Word movement here in Boston. Here he discusses his relationship with iconic Beat Poet and Publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – some say. Poet David R. Surette brings the sandwich from the banal to the High Holy.

Arrests:
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Arildo Oliveira, 45, of 121 Vane St., Revere, October 14, 12:55 a.m., arrested at 608 Somerville Ave. on a charge of assault and battery.

John Wrobel, 51, of 64 Union Sq., October 15, 12:42 p.m., arrested at Fenwick St. on warrant charges of felony nighttime breaking and entering and municipal by-law or ordinance violation.

Tufts University will pay the City of Somerville more than $1.3 million over five years, waive application fee for Somerville High School students

The City of Somerville and Tufts University have reached a partnership agreement through which Tufts will contribute $1.375 million over five years to the City. As part of the agreement, Tufts will also waive the university’s application fee for Somerville High School students and provide college preparation assistance for Somerville students beginning in the sixth grade.

Financial and design assistance provided to businesses and commercial property owners who renovate or restore building facades

The City of Somerville’s storefront improvement program is expanding to provide even greater financial assistance through reimbursable grants to businesses and commercial property owners who renovate or restore building facades, revitalizing business districts and making storefronts more attractive, safer and accessible to all.

Committees would advise the city on strategic planning decisions and development in both squares over the next two years

The City of Somerville is seeking residents, property owners, members of the business community and other community representatives to serve on two advisory committees for Union Square and Gilman Square that will advise the city on strategic planning decisions and development in both squares over the next two years.

Friends taking care of friends at last year’s fair: Anna Raphael checking Flo Donoghue’s blood pressure. Didem Aytok and Abigail LaBonte helped out. The Somerville Council on Aging’s Annual Health & Wellness Fair will be held on Thursday, October 24 at the Holland Street Center, 167 Holland Street. Exhibitors will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and include flu shots, blood pressure readings, chair massage, health insurance information, healthy snacks and recipes, hearing and glucose screenings and so much more. Guest speaker at 11:30 a.m. is Roberta Robinson, who will be speaking on our theme: Live Better Each Day: Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies. Lunch is at 12 noon. Register by October 21st and be entered in a special raffle. RSVP 617-625-6600, ext. 2300.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and  do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff  or publishers)

With all the new restaurants and bars that have popped up in Davis Square over the past few years, there has been one local favorite that has been a constant in the area for 44 years.

Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club on Holland Street has been owned by the DeLellis family since 1969. It started out as a place to hear country western music bands such as John Lincoln Wright and the Sour Mash Boys, and The John Penny Band.  In later years, pantomime groups such as The Fabulous Pharaohs, Solid Gold and The Amazing Sensations packed the place. Today, they offer top rated national acts as well as local favorites. Owners Johnny and Tina were always in the club to welcome the patrons with a friendly word and a smile.