Dear readers,

As I near my retirement date of April 3, 2016, I want to say goodbye to all of my former working colleagues, and a special “Thank You” to Mayor Joe Curtatone. I have been honored to work for this Mayor since the beginning of his tenure. The changes he has helped implemented in Somerville is staggering. I sincerely thank him for his trust he placed in me these many years, and I have never been so proud to be a “Villen.”

By Jim Clark

Police responded to the Saks Fifth Avenue at Assembly Row last Friday evening on reports of a shoplifter in the store.

Upon arrival, a store employee reportedly told officers that a man, later identified as Volodymyr Gurin, of Newton, selected four pairs of sunglasses, removed their security tags and concealed them in his coat pocket. He then selected a pair of shoes, went to the register and paid for them.

Health & Human Services Director, Douglas Kress and Animal Control Officer April Terrio announced that the city will hold its 15th annual rabies clinic for cats and dogs on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the yard at the Department of Public Works, 1 Franey Rd. Enter gate to the right of the main building and follow signs for the Rabies Clinic. Rabies vaccinations and on-site licenses for dogs will be available at the clinic.

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Laurin Macios is a poet who feels her poems. She is not so much about the reader understanding the poem, but she is all about evoking emotion, and vivid sensory experiences in his or her reading of her work.

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Our poet this week is David P. Miller. Miller is a member of the Somerville Bagel Bards, a literary group that has been meeting every Saturday since 2004.

By Charles Lane

LEGOLAND^® Discovery Center Boston has announced the search for their 2016-2017 Creative Crew. The Creative Crew are twelve children aged 5-12 who will assist LEGOLAND^® Discovery Center Boston Master Model Builder Megan Quigley in various tasks including building and testing new models, attending special events and being the first to test new rides and games.

Arrests:
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 Stephen Remick, March 21, 1:51 p.m., arrested at College Ave. on charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct, and threat to commit a crime.

Jeffrey Mayne, of 12 Kendall Ct., Bedford, March 21, 3:37 p.m., arrested at Medford St. on warrant charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, larceny from a person, assault and battery, and nighttime breaking and entering of a vehicle or boat.

One of six alternative possibilities for a new high school rebuild or renovation project.

Make your voice heard as the City of Somerville considers options for the future of Somerville High School! The Somerville High School Building Committee (SBS) invites all interested residents to upcoming meetings to learn more about options for future plans for Somerville High School, and share their comments. Meetings will include opportunities for question and answer, general discussion, and feedback. Additionally, residents are encouraged to visit the SBC website, www.somervillema.gov/highschool, and share feedback on each of the remaining proposed options for the future high school. Remaining public meetings are as follows:

Are you a local entrepreneur interested in starting a business, but not sure where to start? Come to the City of Somerville’s second “How to Open a Business” Workshop on Thurs., March 31, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Canopy (212 Elm St., 3rd floor), to speak with City staff and business liaisons to learn more! Offered by the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) and SomerViva, the City’s language liaison program, the workshop will provide information on how the City can help you find a suitable location for your business, navigate regulations, and receive financial and technical assistance, among other assistance programs. Representatives from Inspectional Services, Planning/Zoning, the City Clerk’s Office, and others will be on hand to help you answer any questions.

I had the pleasure to interview Somerville poet Harris Gardner who founded the Boston National Poetry Festival with Lainie Senechal. Harris talked to me at the Au Bon Pain cafe in Davis Square about the upcoming festival April 7 to 10.