The West Branch Library was among several City of Somerville institutions spared the axe as negotiators came up with a plan to accommodate the new accord with the firefighters union. – Photo by Harry Kane

No immediate layoffs from city

By Harry Kane

Last minute closed-door negotiations have saved the day this week. The West Branch Library, two police substations and the Lowell street fire station will remain open.

Mayor Curtatone is seeking more cooperation and collaboration between schools, city agencies, and non-profit organizations.

By Cathleen Twardzik

As part of an ongoing focus on the continued improvement of schools in Somerville, Mayor Curtatone recently announced that the city of Somerville will be pursuing greater collaboration between schools and city agencies, as well as nonprofits.

An endless locavore feast amongst the Aesir Gods and Valkyries in Odin’s mighty hall

By Harry Kane

The once a year Viking culinary feast brought locals to the Armory this past Saturday for a ten-course meal. Upon entering Valhalla, dinner guests (the newly deceased) were greeted by gnomes for this inaugural banquet.

We feel a great sense of relief as severe cuts in city services were fortunately averted this past week. The city’s negotiators managed to hammer out an equitable deal with the firefighters union Local 76, while assuring at the same time that many essential services and institutions would remain intact. For the time being at least.

By Harry Kane

The Highlanders were defeated in game ten of a thrilling basketball match with their arch nemesis, the East Boston Jets. Coming off a two game winning streak the Highlanders were flying high with self-confidence as they took the court on a cold evening in January.

By Jim Clark 

A reported case of assault was investigated last week as Somerville police officers responded to a call claiming that a man had committed an assault and was on Washington Street, sitting in a pickup truck.

Arrests:
*

Richard Mahoney, 38, of 4 Linden, Magnolia, January 16, 6:50 p.m., arrested at 60 Washington St. on charges of assault and battery and attempted murder.

Bernard Costello, 51, of 66 Simpson Ave., January 16, 10:14 p.m., arrested at home on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

Lawrence Kessenich is one of the managing editors of the literary magazine Ibbetson Street. He is also a former editor at Houghton Mifflin and worked with Diana Hume George and Diane Wood Middlebrook on the Selected Poems of Anne Sexton as well as a subsequent biography. He was generous enough to send this essay about his experiences to the Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene.

Girls Basketball

The St Clement Lady Anchors secured a huge win against the Cathedral Panthers  50 -45 to bring their Catholic Central League record to 2-5. At their first meeting in December, the Lady Anchors lost by 25 points, but this time they would not accept defeat. Trailing by 11 with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, St Clement fought back to go up by 6 with just a minute left in the fourth quarter. After some key free throws to put the game out of reach by 8th grader Katie Monestime (Somerville) and Freshman Jessica Popken (Medford), the Lady Anchors pulled out the win. Jessica Popken  dominated offensively scoring 32 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, while Elva Martinez (Somerville) continued her team leading rebounding  with 11 boards. Allison Caloggero (Medford) had a great night defensively, holding Cathedral’s star to just 6 points in the second half.  St Clement now takes on Mount St Josephs Academy in Brighton on Tuesday January 24 at 5:15 and Trinity Catholic on Friday January 27th at 5:30.

Well-Lindsay Slattery, one of my Creative Writing Students at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass.,  sent me a poem dedicated to Allen Ginsberg–the author of the groundbreaking poem Howl. Lindsay works at MASS LEAP, a Somerville-based literary outreach program founded by Jade Sylvan.