A poem for one’s gallbladder – what gall! And poet Robin Stratton certainly has it.

Robin Stratton has been a writing coach in the Boston area for almost 20 years. She is the author of The Revision Process, A Guide for Those Months or Years Between Your First Draft and Your Last, and two chapbooks, Dealing with Men and Interference from an Unwitting Species. A two-time Pushcart Prize nominee, she’s been published in Word Riot, 63 Channels, Antithesis Common, Poor Richards Almanac(k), Blink-Ink, Pig in a Poke, Chick Flicks, Up the Staircase, Shoots and Vines and many others. Her novel, On Air, (2011, Blue Mustang Press) was a finalist in the Indie Press Excellence Award. A second novel, Of Zen and Men, is now available from Big Table Publishing Company. She’d love to have you visit her at robinstratton.com.

Arrests:
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Vivianne Barreto, 30, of 98 George St., Roxbury, July 16, 5:12 p.m., arrested at Broadway on warrant charges of improper turn, failure to wear seatbelt, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Paulo Neto, 47, of 418 Medford St., July 16, 10:35 p.m., arrested at 543 Broadway on a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Promotes efficiency and performance management in state agencies
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The Senate last Thursday unanimously passed a conference committee report on bipartisan legislation that makes fundamental changes in the operations of state government, updating antiquated finance laws and implementing performance measurement requirements for all government agencies and programs to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

On July 20 and 21, the city of Somerville presented one of the area’s largest and most innovative arts festivals, complete with two stages of music with over a dozen bands, dance troupes, 75 craft vendors, food and migration-themed activities.

Members of the Harris family, with Mayor Curatone and Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche, at the site of the future Chuckie Harris Park. – Photo by Jackie Rossetti

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche joined members of the Harris family – the park is named for son/brother Chuckie Harris – staff from the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Ground View Landscape Architects, and more than 50 East Somerville residents and community members for the groundbreaking on Cross Street on Friday, July 13. The park, named for a young Somerville resident who lost his life in an accident in 1970, currently consists of a concrete lot, but will incorporate design elements for residents of all ages when complete.  From months of community input, final design plans include a water feature which doubles as a movie screen, innovative play structures for all ages, cafe seating areas, community gardens, integrated lighting and 80 new trees.  It is slated to open in spring 2013.

– Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Somerville’s Mayor Joseph Curtatone and his four sons Cosmo, Joseph, Patrick and James enjoyed this weekend’s fantastic weather with a Sunday morning canoe ride on the Mystic River.

Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi (pictured here with Shalimar Quiles) volunteered, along with Bill McDonald, at Cradles to Crayons last month. The Superintendent and Mr. McDonald participated on Friday, June 22, as part of the School Leadership Celebration of Service at Cradle to Crayons’ Brighton warehouse. Pierantozzi, also a guest speaker at the event, worked alongside Quiles, of Lawrence Public Schools, to fill packages with everyday essentials for local children in need. Somerville and Cradles to Crayons have been working together for many years to ensure all children have backpacks and other back-to-school essentials for the first day of school. For more information about Cradles to Crayons, visit http://cradlestocrayons.org/.

By Allison Caloggero

The City of Somerville’s Recreation Department and parent volunteers will host their third annual urban campout on Saturday, July 28, through Sunday, July 29, at the Lincoln Park soccer field in Somerville. The event will feature campfire songs, s’mores, stories, and lots of other activities.

St. Helena rocked the house at Café 939 this past Saturday.

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

St. Helena, a Somerville band, ventured into Café 939 by Berklee and played to an enthusiastic crowd this past Saturday. Now is the time to catch up with the band (http://home.sthelenamusic.com/) that has planned this show as the second-to-last live event before an extended hiatus. Friday, August 10, will be their last show, at Cambridge’s Middle East, before a much-needed rest and retreat.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

As I face another birthday I go into reminiscing mode. I look back over my many years in Somerville and think about all the changes I have seen. Forget the obvious ones like the Red Line because that topic has been all talked out.