Denise Provost writes:

“I started writing – mainly, but not exclusively poetry – as a child. I  got a full scholarship to Bennington College during my sophomore year of high school, based in large part on a manuscript of poetry. In my  senior year, I decided to go to law school, after having decided that I  was not suited for a graduate degree in English literature.

In college we receive an education, as well as on the job. Professor Bill Harney of Endicott College remembers with his poem ” Learning on the Job.”

Somerville School Committee chair Mary Jo Rossetti to help lead national education advocacy campaign.
– Photo by Harry Kane

Somerville School Committee Chair Mary Jo Rossetti has been appointed to the national advocacy campaign for public education as part of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) leadership team following a series of briefings with state and national education leaders in Memphis last week.   More than 100 local officials from across the nation participated in the strategy and planning conference  under the direction of NSBA President David Pickler.

Arrests:
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Jose Salamanca-Flores, 21, of 204 Pearl St., August 12, 10:00 p.m., arrested at 202 Pearl St. on multiple charges of receiving stolen property and on warrant charges of defacing property and unarmed burglary.

Reinaldo Aviles, 46, of 31 Corona St., Dorchester, August 13, 5:49 p.m., arrested at 75 Mystic Ave. on a charge of shoplifting by concealing merchandise.

Expanded playground will have multi-sport course, play areas for different age groups, increased lighting and security

The long-awaited renovation of North Street Veterans Playground will begin this coming week with the park’s new landscape design transforming it into an inviting and inspiring green space that can be enjoyed by children—and adults—of all ages.

Of nine fires, three now ruled as intentional, three as accidental, three remain under investigation

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan, and Somerville public safety officials held a press conference today to provide the community with an update on the ongoing investigation into recent fires that have occurred in Somerville. Over the last three months, nine house fires have occurred, the most recent of which occurred on Sunday, August 18, on Belmont St. The State Fire Marshal’s office has ruled three of these fires to be accidental. Three others remain under investigation. However, three have now been ruled as intentionally set. Public Safety officials are seeking information and assistance from the community to assist the investigation of these fires, and also urge all residents to carefully review and follow the fire safety and arson prevention tips below.

– Photos by B0bbie Toner

The third installment of the 2013 SomerStreets series, “Going Green on Rt. 16” took place along Route 16 from Broadway to Dilboy Stadium, Sunday, August 18.

Some mid-summer reading suggestions from Ken Gloss and the Brattle Book Shop. Many more choices are available in their West Street shop in the Downtown Crossing section of Boston and also in their adjacent outdoor lot on dry days Monday through Saturday except on major holidays.

By Kenneth Gloss

If you’re an avid fiction reader, you may spend a lot of time scrutinizing the best-seller lists before you select reading material. However, best-seller lists can also serve as a guide for book collectors. People intent on collecting the stories that have been loved by generations or that have had the most influence on popular culture will find collecting direction in these lists. If you have a penchant for the popular, best-sellers may be the collecting niche for you.

Public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28 to gather community feedback

A report detailing an exhaustive six-month evaluation of the city’s accessibility is now available at www.somervillema.gov/departments/personnel/ADA and by clicking the link “Self-Evaluation Plan” on the right-hand side of the page.

August’s installment of Open Streets series to feature local “green” initiatives and businesses, live entertainment, activities, food and more

Rt. 16 goes green this weekend as Somerstreets takes over just for the fun of it.

For the third installment of the 2013 SomerStreets series, the City of Somerville presents “Going Green on Rt. 16” scheduled for Sunday, August 18 from noon – 4:00 p.m. along Route 16 (Alewife Brook Parkway), from Broadway to Dilboy Stadium. For this unique street fair, where “roads are closed to cars and open to you,” programming includes: Curious Creatures exhibit; live entertainment; craft fair; green initiative businesses; mini golf course; free swim at Dilboy Pool, and much more.