Elizabeth Graver’s new novel is The End of the Point. She is the author of three other novels and her work has been anthologized in Best American Short Stories (1991, 2001); Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards (1994, 1996, 2001), The Pushcart Prize Anthology (2001), and Best American Essays (1998). She teaches English and Creative Writing at Boston College. I had the privilege of interviewing her on my Somerville Community Access TV show: Poet to Poet: Writer to Writer.

Well–we have a lot of talented creative writing students at Endicott College where I teach. One of my former students Max Mirabile sent me a poem about shoes. And I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you to watch your “step” with this young poet.

Our endorsements for the Nov. 5 city election are as follows:

This year in Ward 5 there are big shoes to be filled with the retirement of Sean O’Donovan, who served his Ward since 1995.

The choices are long-time activist and current Alderman Courtney O’Keefe or eight year School Committeeman Mark Neidergang. Although they both are more progressive than O’Donovan and on many issues have similar viewpoints, we believe the choice is clear.  We endorse Courtney O’Keefe as the Ward 5 Alderman.

Tom Bent – Photo by Kulbako Photography.

The 2013 recipient of the John W. Fitzgerald Lifetime Achievement Award – named for the founder of Ames Safety Envelope Company, now Ames Business Park, and the first Chair of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce – will be Thomas Bent of Bent Electrical Contractors. The award will be presented at the Chamber’s 67^th Annual Dinner on Wednesday, November 6, at the Holiday Inn.

Thomas Pasquarello’s tenure marked by decrease in crime, and increasingly open, transparent and accessible Somerville Police Department

Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello is resigning to care for a family member in need of round-the-clock care, he stated in a letter submitted to and accepted by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone on Monday, Nov. 4. His last day as chief will be Dec. 1, 2013, but he has agreed to make himself available to assist with the transition to a new Chief.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m., City Hall
*

The Legislative Matters Committee of the Board of Alderman will hold a public hearing on the proposal that the Board of Alderman approve a Home Rule Petition to amend Section 7 of Title 2 of Division 1 of the City Charter regarding filling vacancies on the Board.  Potential methods for filling vacancies to the Board will be discussed including the options for possible methods posted online at: http://goo.gl/FQFzfT.

The board will be taking testimony from the public and all are welcome to speak.

– Photo by Jim Buckley

Tempered Steel’s Wounded Warriors came to Holland Street to speak to the Somerville Council on Aging Veteran’s Group on Monday, October 28. Luana Schneider and Guest speaker, Staff Sergeant George “Chris” Campbell, a disabled/wounded veteran, presented a touching multi-media presentation and discussion. Many older veterans were able to relate to the stories shared that day as well as share their own thoughts, stories and reflections about their service. It was a great time had by all and a special opportunity for healing the wounds, united together.

The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Preservation Awards. During its annual celebration in honor of Historic Preservation Month in May 2014, the SHPC will honor Somerville residents who performed significant restoration or maintenance efforts on designated historic buildings, or on non-designated buildings erected before 1963. The nomination period is open through Friday, Nov. 15.