By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to an Endicott Ave. residence Friday evening on reports of a possible break-in in progress.

The female resident had reportedly been woken by a cracking sound coming from a window at the rear of her home. As she phoned and spoke with police, she reportedly continued hearing the cracking sound.

If you’re a property owner in Somerville, make an hour to sit down and watch the video on YouTube of last week’s first of two info sessions on how property taxes assessments were reached during the city’s recent triennial revaluation (search “Somerville City TV”).

Wednesday, Jan 29

Somerville High Junior Varsity played against O’Bryant at Somerville on Saturday, Jan 25. Somerville won 46 to 43 in a very close game. – Photos by Claudia Ferro

Indoor Track: Boys Varsity Meet Malden @ Salemwood School, Malden MA – 3:30 p.m.

Indoor Track: Girls Varsity Meet Malden @ Salemwood School, Malden MA – 3:30 p.m.

Swim: Varsity Meet (Rescheduled from 01-22-14) vs. East Boston @ Kennedy – 3:30 p.m.

Matthew McCosco by his own description is a private person, and being interviewed is not his favorite pastime.  However he agreed to be my subject after I was introduced to his work by Gil Barbosa, owner of The Book Shop in Ball Square—right across from the office of The Somerville Times. In Barbosa’s fine, independent bookstore I noticed the usual eclectic collection of books, but also accomplished pencil sketches (That McCosco recently framed) of such noted authors as Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Allen Poe, and Mark Twain.

We all have memories of our parents both good and bad. I can remember  vividly my father having me on his knee and singing an old Vaudeville ditty:”Ladies and Gentleman/take my advice/pull down your pants/and  slide on the ice.” Here poet Lyn Lifshin remembers a lovely respite with her mother in between domestic turmoil.

Professor Anne Tate brings 20 years of experience

A final member of the Union Square Civic Advisory Committee with 20 years of experience in sustainable planning has been named at the request of the committee’s chairman Wig Zamore, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today.

Arrests:
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Roque Pena, 47, of 17 Court St., Boston, January 20, 4:00 p.m., arrested at 180 Somerville Ave. on charges of conspiracy, possession of a burglarious instrument, and larceny over $250.

Janice Sarno, 40, of 230 Main St., Reading, January 20, 4:00 p.m., arrested at 180 Somerville Ave. on charges of conspiracy and accessory after the fact.

Somerville firefighters fought their second  multiple alarm blaze within a week this past Sunday. A fire was reported at 68  Wheatland St. shortly before 10 a.m. Jan. 26. Arriving firefighters found heavy fire conditions on the  third floor of a three-story home. A second alarm was sounded several  minutes later. The fire fully engulfed a third-floor side porch, spreading into  the ceiling of the third floor. Firefighters had to pull down several ceilings  to extinguish fire spreading under the roof. Fire damage was confined to the  third floor, but water damage resulted on the floors below.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informed the public today that Justin Koser, 31, of Somerville, pleaded guilty to charges of enticement of a child under 16 (two counts) and attempted rape of a child.

Mayor Curtatone, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston and Ward 3 Alderman Robert McWatters invite all interested residents and stakeholders to the second in a series of meetings to discuss plans for future utility and roadway improvements for Union Square. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Argenziano School (290 Washington St). This meeting will provide an update on the design study, introduce the Community Advisory Committee, and focus on ideas for the pedestrian, bicycle and open space and streetscape improvements in Union Square. The meeting is free and open to the public, and Spanish and Portuguese interpretation will be provided upon request. For more information, contact Hayes Morrison, Director of Transportation and Infrastructure for the City of Somerville, at 617-625-6600 ext. 2522 or HMorrison@somervillema.gov.