Newly released research results show that the City of Somerville’s Shape Up Somerville program’s community-based approach to combating child obesity yields positive outcomes.

Alan Feldman is the author of two prize-winning books:  The Happy Genius (SUN, 1978), which won the 1979 Elliston Book Award for the best collection of poems published by a small, independent press in the United States; and A Sail to Great Island (University of Wisconsin Press, 2004) which won the Pollak Prize for Poetry.  His work is represented in a number of anthologies, including Best American Poetry (2001; 2011), Best American Erotic Poems 1800-Present, and To Woo and To Wed:  Poets on Love and Marriage.  He was a professor of English and department chair at Framingham State University, and for 22 years taught the advanced creative writing class at the Radcliffe Seminars.  Feldman lives in Framingham and, in the summer, in Wellfleet, and currently offers free, drop-in poetry workshops at the public libraries in those towns.  “Benched” grew out of an in-class assignment he gave to his workshop: Write about a word, or words, that you personally wouldn’t use.  “Of course,” Feldman says, “the delight of this assignment is that you do get to use those words.”

I want to thank the Board of Aldermen for their prudent management of taxpayer money in this year’s budget process. The Board spent long nights reviewing the proposed fiscal 2014 budget, asking thoughtful questions with care and seriousness, as they do every year.

Arrests:
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William Flibotte, 50, of 94 Main St., Everett, June 25, 2:56 p.m., arrested at 180 Somerville Ave. on a warrant charge of shoplifting by concealing merchandise.

Tu Do, 32, of 10 Denmark Ave., Milton, June 25, 9:06 p.m., arrested on charges of receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

Update from the Somerville Police:

Please be advised that Ralph Hergert was found in Boston a short time ago.  He has been transported to a local hospital for evaluation but appears to be in good health.

The city of Somerville and Somerville Police Department thank everyone who helped in this search effort, and for your vigilance throughout today.

An open letter to the City of Somerville
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On behalf of Somerville Little League baseball players, coaches, and parents, the Board of Directors would like to offer a heartfelt thank you for all the support and assistance you provided us this season. With the wettest spring in anyone’s recent memory, the work by the Department of Public Works and the Recreation Department every day to get the fields playable was without precedent.  A special mention should go to DPW Commissioner Stan Koty and Superintendent Steve Quinn for their tireless efforts to keep the kids playing and the games going. In addition, Recreation Director James Halloran also needs to be commended for providing valuable help from his department; the kids and we will not forget your efforts, Jim. When our aging Concession Stand appliances expired, George Scarpelli and Mike Bowler provided same day replacement!

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 1 Alderman Maureen Bastardi, and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) invite all interested community members to a public meeting on Monday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss design ideas for the new “green” park to be built on the vacant parcel at Peal Street and Florence Street. The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Capuano School on Glen Street. All are welcome. If you have questions about the meeting, or the planned park, please contact OSPCD at 617-625-6600 ext 2500.

One doesn’t have to travel far to start collecting books on travel, according to Kenneth Gloss.

By Kenneth Gloss

Summer is primetime for journeys to far-away lands by way of one’s imagination and by actually making the decision to travel! A collection of travel books is a great way to sample life in other countries and learn about their culture and history whether or not one makes the necessary arrangements to turn their dream into a reality. From the very first travel guide put out by Baedekers in Germany, collectors and travelers alike have been fascinated with books that provide a colorful verbal and sometimes pictorial view of the world.

By Jim Clark

A report of a man threatening people at the Rite-Aid on Broadway last Sunday brought police to the scene to investigate.