*

I wrote this article in 2004. At the time I was involved with the Wilderness House Literary Retreat in Littleton, MA, founded by Steve Glines. Lois Ames, who was a confidant of Slyvia Plath and Anne Sexton was our guest at the venue. Ames wrote the biographical note to Plath’s The Bell Jar.

The first event of The Wilderness House Literary Retreat, located in Littleton, MA, was a lunch with the late poet Robert Creeley. That event in December of 2004 provided participants with a rich trove of anecdotes and insight concerning the creative life of Creeley, as well as the Avant-Garde movement in poetry in post-World War II America. The second event on April 9, 2005 was with Lois Ames; held at the headquarters of the New England Forestry Foundation in Littleton, MA, the temporary home of the retreat.

Join Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Ward 1 City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin on Friday, August 9, at 9:00 a.m. for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Capuano Field, 150 Glen St. The ribbon cutting will celebrate the refurbishment of the existing synthetic turf field.

Arrests:
*

Richard Powers, of 251 Newbury St. Peabody, July 29, 10:48 a.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on charges of license revoked as HTO and reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and on warrant charges of larceny under $1200 by false pretenses, failure to wear a seatbelt, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and receiving stolen property over $1200.

“America’s Night Out Against Crime” to feature Fire and Police demonstrations, children’s activities and games, performances, and more.

Please join us for Somerville’s 16^th annual National Night Out Against Crime and Drugs on Tuesday, August 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Foss Park. Hosted by Somerville Prevention Services and Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) in partnership with the Somerville Police Department & Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, National Night Out will include Fire, Police, & EMS vehicles, a presentation from the Massachusetts State Police K-9 unit, performances, youth activities/games, and resource tables from over thirty city departments and community partners.

To celebrate Union Square’s sizzling food landscape, the Somerville Arts Council brings you: Ignite, an evening of international eats, fire throwers, roving entertainment, and a raucous celebration of global culture. Saturday, August 10 (rain date: August 11), in Union Square. $2.00 donation.

The CIT/ LIT Job Readiness Program held its graduation on July 17, 2019 from 12:30-2:00 at The Arthur D. Healey School on 5 Meacham Street.  Our graduating class consisted of students between the ages of 13-15, who dedicated four-weeks out of their summer to participate in a program that taught them about job readiness and leadership skills. Throughout the four weeks these students learned how to lead children, the significance of leadership and communication, the meaning of diversity, how to solve conflicts, and employment training. This program not only taught the student’s skills that they need to work with children but also gave them the opportunity to work with kids at camp settings such as The Somerville YMCA’s Summer Day Camp.

This is what we don’t want the Mystic River to look like. — Photo by Jack Bitney

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

Here is a picture of a cyanobacteria and algae “bloom”– or population explosion – turning the Mystic pea-soup green in the summer of 2017.Multiple factors contributed to the bloom event – temperature, rainfall rates. But the fundamental underlying cause was nutrient pollution, especially excess phosphorus.

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

I write in support of resident Alan Bingham’s letter published on July 14th. While everyone acknowledges that affordable housing is fast disappearing and that condo conversion is one cause of the shrinking supply, as Bingham aptly points out, a couple approaching retirement generating income through Air BNB rental, is not necessarily curtailing an affordable unit.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone invites you to attend  the “Old Time” Senior Picnic on  Wednesday, August 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Powder House Park.  It is a wonderful day of dancing, music, entertainment and prizes galore.  Must have ticket to attend.  Tickets are available at all senior centers, Holland Street, Cross Street and Ralph & Jenny as well as the Mayor’s office.  If you live in a senior building you must get your ticket at that address. For more information or questions please call 617-625-6600, ext. 2300.

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

By Joseph A. Curtatone

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers. 

It’s moving season in Somerville, and even for that we have data.

3,890 temporary no parking requests: For most, moving trucks and discarded furniture on the curbs are signs of moving season. For us, temporary no parking sign requests are another. From May to July this year, the City issued nearly 4,000 temporary no parking permits. These permits get issued throughout the year for a variety of things, including construction, deliveries, and moving. But from May through September, most of them are issued are for moving vehicles or containers. By this time last year, the Parking Department had issued 3,151 no parking permits and then ultimately handled a total of 6,334 during moving season. If you’re moving this summer and need to reserve parking, visit www.parksomerville.com for information on getting temporary no parking permits and don’t forget that signs have to go up 48 hours in advance and you need to call 311 to let them know the signs are posted. If you park on the street, don’t forget to regularly look for temporary no parking signs on your street so you can plan to move your car, if needed.