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Review by Dennis Daly
(Off the Shelf Correspondent)

Without an intermediary, a thickly (or at least thinly) constructed persona to absorb sentiments backwash, confessional poetry often erodes and collapses of its own weight. Some of it can be downright dangerous. In his new book, Filched, James Tolan avoids that pathetic destructiveness using tonal restraint, irony, and damn good storytelling. Each poem Tolan breathes onto his pages burns with a purloined joy, freed from time’s untoward tyranny.

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Our poet this week writes: “My name is Delaney Stone and I’m a junior at Endicott College. I designed my own major in Communication Sciences and Disorders because I aspire to be a Speech Pathologist. I’m from New London, NH and adore my family, especially my two-year-old nephew, named Nolan. I’m the vice president of the Autism Awareness Organization at Endicott College and I’m a Resident Assistant. I nanny three boys in Marblehead, MA and mentor a student with autism three days a week. I’ve always enjoyed reading, writing and poetry.”

The City of Somerville’s HeatSmart CoolSmart program ends soon, and residents and can sign up through February 15, 2018 for the program which could reduce utility bills and increase a building’s efficiency. This limited time program aims to increase awareness and educate residents about air source heat pumps, while encouraging adoption among Somerville property owners. Thursday, February 15 is the deadline to sign a contract to install the system at a later date.

Arrests:
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Leodan Salmeron-Molina, of 45 Marshall, January 29, 10:34 a.m., arrested at Middlesex Ave. on a warrant charge of indecent exposure.

Mark Verderber, of 2 Mt. Vernon St., January 30, 5:24 p.m., arrested at Mt. Vernon St. on a charge of possession of a class B drug.

These indictments were handed down between November 21, 2017 and January 16, 2018. Defendants  listed here have alleged offenses that occured in Somerville.  These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 Somerville

Joshua Bohrer, 37, of Somerville, was charged with rape (2 counts). The Assistant District Attorney is Kate Kleimola.

Raulison Desouza, 40, of Everett, was charged with assault to murder and burning personal property. The Assistant District Attorney is Kate Hartigan.

Since 1996, the Duhamel Education Initiative (DEI) has been committed to making a positive impact on Somerville Public Schools students. Their work honors the late Mr. Paul Duhamel by carrying on his work of dropout prevention and helping the disenfranchised. After the passing of their friend and colleague, Mr. Duhamel, who was a clergyman, community activist and member of the Somerville School Committee, a champion of the disenfranchised, and a kind and gentle man, seven friends founded the DEI in his honor.

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will hold a public meeting Monday, February 5, 2018, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,East Somerville Community School Auditorium, 50 Cross Street, Somerville, MA 02145.

At this public meeting, DCR will present and obtain input on schematic design options for Draw Seven Park.

Flu season is in full swing and Somerville is no exception with new cases of flu diagnosed daily. The Somerville Health and Human Services Department still has vaccines available for children ages 4 and up, and their family members. The CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health are still encouraging the vaccination through the rest of the flu season. If you haven’t received a flu vaccine yet this flu season, please call 617-625-6600 x4320 to make an appointment.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services will host Elder Fair 2018 on Wednesday April 11. The free health and wellness expo offers showcases agencies and vendors that help older adults maintain safety, independence, and well-being.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) invites exhibitors, sponsors, and the general public to save the date for Elder Fair 2018.

Now in its 19^th year, the free health and wellness expo will showcase useful information, services, and government programs for older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities on Wednesday, April 11.

Cusine en Locale and ONCE Ballroom creator, JJ.

By JT Thompson

JJ has created a thriving cultural center in an originally off-the-beaten-path area just outside Union Square, with Cusine en Locale, a locally sourced catering company, and ONCE Ballroom, a space for bands and events. We meet in the lounge above ONCE, which is a lovely, cheerfully cluttered area with a pool table, beaded curtains, and colorful 50s chairs salvaged from Lanes and Games.