By David R. Smith

Filling in a few circles could go a long way towards helping the city in its search for a new police chief well suited to Somerville.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Center for Career and Technical Education at Somerville High School hosted its annual Vocational Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 22. The event offered students and parents a chance to learn about the many programs offered and a chance to tour the facilities.

Tonight (Wednesday) is the public hearing on the Powder House School. Now that Tufts is out of the picture, let’s hope the city now does the right thing in finding a real developer that will build something that the city can benefit from both in looks and taxes. The meeting is in the Tufts Administration Building on Holland Street (Old Western Junior High for those Villens out there) at 6:30 p.m.  Make your voices heard on the proposals – or lack of them. Don’t let hired outside planning department employees dictate what they want.

There will be news stories on Somerville’s celebration of Pi Day, an interview with Congressman Mike Capuano who shares his views on the Union Square post office, updates on the hunt for a Union Square Master Developer, and an investigative piece looking into homeless youth, with dozens right here in Somerville. SNN reports on these stories and more. Watch SNN on SCATV SCATV Ch. 3 or online at www.scatvsomerville.org/snn. SNN shows air every Tuesday at 7 p.m., with a new episode every other week.

By David R. Smith

Standard & Poor’s has raised Somerville’s bond rating from the city’s previous high of “AA-” to its new high of “AA+,” which represents a two-ratings jump. The new rating is just one step away from S&P’s highest designation of “AAA.” Higher bond ratings typically result in lower interest rates for municipalities when it comes to borrowing and financing for projects.

Negotiations broke down last week between the city and Tufts over the university’s plans – or apparent lack thereof – for the Powder House School and the land surrounding it. The main reason given was that Tufts could not commit to a timeline of when it would break ground.

The Middlesex County Chiefs of Police Association announced the signing last week of the Massachusetts Interagency Mutual Aid Agreement, authorized by state law, which will empowers on-duty police officers in one jurisdiction to respond to public safety emergencies in other participating jurisdictions in certain circumstances.

The Chiu siblings of Somerville, Owen, 11, and Nora, 8, were among the 12 children chosen from more than 600 entries to serve as the new Legoland Discovery Center Boston’s Junior Construction Panel. The photo here is a still from the video they submitted for the contest.

Legoland Discovery Center Boston has selected 12 young Lego fans to serve on the inaugural Junior Construction Panel. Three Somerville residents, Owen Chiu, 11, Nora Chiu, 8, and Henry Wallis, 8, were among the dozen kids who were selected out of more than 600 applicants to help resident Master Model Builder Ian Coffey with tasks and events at the new attraction, which opens May 23 at Assembly Row.

The Chiu siblings and Wallis submitted an application with a video and photo and written response respectively that answered the questions: “What makes you the biggest LEGO fan?” And “Why should you be on the Junior Construction Panel?”

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Somerville Poet Michael Todd Steffen will be reading from his new book at the Arts Armory in Somerville at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 26. Here is a review by guest columnist Denis Daly.