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Some years ago, 23 to be exact, I remember Richard Wilhelm (my trusted arts/consultant at Ibbetson Street), his wife Elisa, my wife Dianne and I, picking up the late Diana Der-Hovanessian (president of the New England Poetry Club) at her house in order to go to a COMPOST reading both Der-Hovanessian and I were participating in. We were contributors to the new issue of COMPOST, (that was based in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston) titled The Hub of the Universe: Celebrating Boston. Some of the cream of the crop of the Boston poetry scene were in this issue, such as Robert Pinsky, Sam Cornish, Rosanna Warren, Joe De Roche, Fred Marchant, Jack Powers, Kevin Bowen, and Richard Moore, to name a few.

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Toni Bee is a poet, educator, and advocate. Raised in Dorchester and educated in Roxbury, where she grew her daughter up on the other side of the bridge and became the elected 2011 Poet Populist of Cambridge, the first woman to grace that position. Bee was also the 2016 Inaugural Cambridge Poetry Ambassador. Toni has worked with youth for years and extensively with the City Spotlight teens of The Wang Theatre.

Openings available on five essential Boards & Commissions

The City of Somerville is seeking to fill vacancies on eight essential boards and commissions appointed by the Mayor and coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development. Boards and commissions offer an opportunity for community members with a range of experience, skills, expertise, and perspectives to share their talents and insights with their community. The Mayor’s office will be accepting applications for the open positions through Monday, August 5, 2019.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has confirmed that the investigation into the June 23, 2016 fatal bicycle crash that occurred on Cambridge Street at the intersection of Antrim Street in Cambridge has been completed. 

The Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) Nutrition program is distributing free farmers’ market coupons for eligible older adults the week of July 22. Available through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the $25 coupons can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at area farmers’ markets.

Josephine M. (Brune) Ciavattone of Norwood passed away surrounded by her family on July 4, 2019 at the age of 85. Beloved wife of the late Francis D. Ciavattone Sr. Devoted mother of Francis D. Ciavattone Jr. and his companion Colleen Lane Richards of E. Walpole, MariaLana Boyden and her husband David of Norwood, Christine A. Scowcroft and her husband Todd of Norwood, Joseph J. Ciavattone and his wife Deborah of Norwood, Cara T. Collins and her husband James of Norwood and the late Cheryl A. Lopez and her husband Ramon of Norwood. Sister of Eugene C. Brune of Somerville and the late Maria, James, Joseph and Jerome. Daughter of the late James and Theresa (Menkello) Brune. Cherished grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Also survived by her special caretaker JennaMarie Boyden of Norwood and many nieces and nephews.

Registration is now open for Savvy Caregiver, a free training program that provides family caregivers with skills and knowledge about dementia.

— Tufts University Photo

At about 10:58 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, TUPD received a report of an assault with a dangerous weapon (gun). The incident occurred on Winthrop Street in the area of Chester Street. The incident involved one male suspect who brandished a firearm and pointed it at the victim.

(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

On July 1, morning commuters were among the first MBTA riders to pay newly increased fares. Adding insult to injury, riders on the Red, Blue, and Green lines that morning were also subjected to significant delays. It shouldn’t be this way. We shouldn’t have to fight for safe, reliable public transit.

The City of Somerville’s annual SomerMovie Fest is returning for July and August 2019. Every Thursday night, beginning on July 11, join in for a free, family-friendly movie in a local park (In case of inclement weather, the movie showing will be cancelled, and information will be posted at www.somervillema.gov). All movies will be shown at Seven Hills Park in Davis Square, beginning at sunset. The full 2019 schedule is as follows: