This is an excerpt from Time Being, a book length prose poem, forthcoming from Quale Press, by Somerville writer Joseph Torra. Torra explained to me that he is influenced by the poet William Carlos Williams’  poetic philosophy of  close observation and the use of  The American Idiom. Here is a day in the life of the poet as he leaves his home on Oxford St. in Somerville and goes to UMass Boston to his teaching gig.

(Please note the following correction from the City of Somerville:

 On our March 20 press release “TRAFFIC & PARKING DEPT TO PILOT BACK-IN ANGLED PARKING IN UNION SQUARE,” we incorrectly stated that the total parking on Bow Street would be increased by 22 additional spaces.

While the claimed increase of 90 percent in total number of spaces was and is correct, the current number of spaces on Bow Street is 12.. After restriping for angled, back-in parking, the proposed increase in spaces will be at least 10, and perhaps 11.  When finished, the conversion will therefore result in a total of 22 to 23 spaces, not a net increase in 22 spaces as originally claimed.

 We apologize for the error.)

New configuration creates more spaces, greater safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists; pilot program to go into effect on Bow Street in May
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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Acting Transportation and Parking Director Matthew Dias announced today that the City will be seeking to install back-in, angled parking along Bow Street in Union Square. The Bow Street installation, which would begin in May, will add 22 new spaces and increase the street’s metered parking by 90 percent. At the same time, the change will greatly improve safety and visibility for drivers as well as for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Residents Invited to Submit Applications of 100 Words or Less to Join Competition, Receive Fitness and Nutrition Coaching from Mayor; Up to 3 Spots Available

With the March 31st kick-off of the City’s third annual Fitness Challenge less than two weeks away, Mayor Joseph Curtatone has announced that the City’s ResiStat program is offering Somerville residents up to three positions on his personal fitness challenge team. One of the staples of the Fitness Challenge, which encourages community members to embody the Shape Up Somerville motto, “Eat Smart, Move More,” is a friendly seven-week contest among teams that compete to achieve positive changes in weight loss and Body Mass Index (BMI). Residents interested in joining the Mayor’s team should submit a short note, no longer than 100 words, explaining why they should be on the team. Entrants (and all Fitness Challenge Team members) must be aged 18 or older. Entries may either be emailed to ResiStat Coordinator Denise Taylor at ResiStat@gmail.com or posted to www.facebook.com/SomervilleCity; the deadline for submission is Monday, March 26, at 3 p.m.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

The annual “Guns N’ Hoses” hockey game, between the Somerville Police Department and the Somerville Fire Department, will be held this year on Friday,  March 30 at 7 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Rink on Somerville Avenue.  In its 10^th year, the theme is “The Youth of Somerville,” and, fittingly, proceeds from the game will benefit the Somerville Youth Hockey Association.  Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone will ceremonially drop the puck at the start of the game, and there will be a gathering for all interested attendees immediately following the game at the Dante Club on Craigie Street.  Refreshments will be served, and music and raffle prizes will be ongoing.

– Photos by Harry Kane

On Sunday, March 18 beginning at 9 a.m., police and traffic and parking personnel will be detouring vehicles in and around the Davis, Teele, and Ball Square areas to accommodate the running of the annual Race of Ireland road race. Secondary roads in these areas may also be closed to through traffic for a brief time in order to allow runners to pass. Major roadways including Holland Street to Alewife Brook Parkway, Powerhouse Boulevard, Broadway (in the Ball Square corridor), Cedar Street and Highland Ave. between Cedar Street and Davis Square will be closed from 11 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. The Davis Square area will be closed to all traffic until approximately 1 p.m. Buses to and from the Davis Square area will be rerouted down Elm Street, and buses along the race route may be delayed for a short period of time. Police and MBTA officials will be stationed throughout these areas to direct traffic and provide detour information. If you have any questions, please call 311.

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.)

If I had the one day to live over again, and I could do anything I wanted, I’d blend together all the best parts of my life in Somerville into 24 hours.

Arrests:
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Brian Diabo, 53, of 59 Gilman St., March 5, 6:49 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on a current and a warrant charge of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Kathleen Castaneda, 50, of 39 Henry St., Medford, March 6, 9:06 a.m., arrested at Broadway on warrant charges of uninsured motor vehicle or trailer, unregistered motor vehicle, and number plate violation.

– Photos By William Tauro

By William Tauro

An ocean of green flowed into the Mystic Lakes as over a 110 Somerville Seniors celebrated at the Annual Somerville Council on Aging St. Patrick’s Party held at and sponsored by the Winter Hill Yacht Club in Somerville.