By Jim Clark

Police responded to a reported case of shoplifting at the Home Depot last week.

Investigating officers were told by store loss prevention personnel that a man, Nelson Teixiera, 30, of Dorchester, had been spotted leaving the store without paying for merchandise, a router.

It’s that time of year again. The Mayor’s Annual Senior Picnic is happening today, and it is always a fun and heartwarming event in the city.

Local seniors gather and rub shoulders with city officials, staffers, and the general public in what has become a much-anticipated highlight of the summer season.

Eagle Feathers #58 – The Last Highwayman

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

The northern border of Somerville is unique in the fact that, at one time, four rivers were related to it. The section today is called Mystic Avenue, but originally was called the Medford Turnpike. It was built in 1803 as a trade route shortcut from Medford Square to Boston. The Mystic River was and still is on its north side. The former Middlesex Canal, connecting the Merrimack River with the Charles River and using the Concord River water as its source, flowed on Mystic Avenue’s south. It was a remote area, part of the Elias Haskett Derby Ten Hills Estate. Canal Lane and River Road, which are near the former Saint Polycarp’s Church, suggest its former location.

Jennifer Matthews doesn’t walk into a room; it is more like she drifts in like some stray, haunting riff from a distant, deep, deep blue guitar. Matthews, formerly a Somerville resident is an accomplished musician who defies categorization. She told me at the Sherman Cafe as we consumed some tea and scones that she considers herself “A singer, songwriter and roots/ rock&roll musician.” By “roots” Matthews means she use an acoustic mandolin, foot stomps, hand claps, and her signature acoustic blue guitar. She and her guitar are in a committed and monogamous relationship for the past 12 years. She was shown the guitar at a music store and was not impressed with it at first. She told the clerk, “But it is a Blue guitar!” He told her: “Play it.” And like many affairs of the heart, she reluctantly, but hopelessly fell in love. And this guitar is a perfect conduit for her brand of music.

We all answer to some higher power. Poet Elizabeth McCormack wrote a poem to him, her, or it.

Arrests:
*

Nelson Teixiera, 30, of 7 Hamlet St., Dorchester, July 28, 4:46 p.m., arrested at 75 Mystic Ave. on charges of larceny over $250 and larceny under $250.

A juvenile, July 29, 10:51 a.m., arrested on a warrant charge of assault and battery.

Somerville’s Annual “Old Time” Senior Picnic will take place Wednesday, August 6, 2014 (Rain Date: Friday, August 8) at Powderhouse Park. It’s a great day filled with lunch, dancing, music, entertainment and prizes galore.

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

The community is invited to Somerville’s 11th Annual National Night Out Against Crime and Drugs, hosted by Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) in partnership with the Somerville Police Department, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Office of Prevention (SOP) Director Cory Mashburn.

The City of Somerville is pleased that in spring 2013, Boston Logan International Airport implemented a new departure procedure for one of its runways that should decrease aircraft noise pollution over parts of the city, but urges residents to continue reporting aircraft noise to compel the Federal Aviation Administration and Massport’s adoption of further alternative operations at Logan Airport that would provide relief to all of Somerville.

Green Line Extension construction is underway and will involve repairs to the Gilman Street Bridge on McGrath Highway for approximately 18 months beginning in August. Please join the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the City of Somerville for a meeting to present the construction schedule and any lane closures and associated traffic diversions. MassDOT will present information followed by a Q&A.

When/Where: Thursday, Aug. 7, at 6:30 p.m., at the East Somerville Community School cafeteria, 50 Cross Street. For more information, please contact the GLX team at info@glxinfo.com or 855-GLX-INFO (855-459-4636).