Although the title of this piece is “Boston as a Literary City” there are many references to Somerville folks who make the Boston area a vibrant hub of verse. In fact the author Kathleen Spivack is a member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards. So with the fall approaching and new college students in town I thought this would be an excellent article for this week’s “Off the Shelf.” – Doug Holder

By Mariam Sharia

The looming threat of rain didn’t keep Somerville’s music fans from tracking down fresh vinyl this weekend.

Hundreds of local music enthusiasts and bargain hunters flocked to Somerville’s Union Square for last Sunday’s Rock and Roll Yard Sale. The outside market was sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council and gave shoppers an opportunity to support a variety of local DIY small business owners.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville 911 operator received an emergency call last Thursday from someone reporting that a man unknown to him had just exited his home carrying a grocery style paper bag filled with copper pipes.

Police officers were dispatched to the home on Evergreen Avenue, currently unoccupied and undergoing renovations. Inspection of the residence revealed many broken and cut water pipes, with water spilling from several pipes all over the basement floor. A window near the front porch had the front screen cut and it appeared that the intruder gained access to the home from there.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

The campaign web site of Ms. Katjana Ballantyne  for Alderman in Ward 7 has some interesting comments we found Tuesday. She goes after Alderman Bob Trane for not going to participate in a debate. She actually had the nerve to say “voters will miss the chance to hear from their Alderman, also that Trane’s refusal seems to give the impression that government is closed.” It further goes on to say, “government should be open and voters deserve to hear from their Alderman.” WOW! This from a lady who we hear called Joe Lynch up Tuesday afternoon to say now SHE WON’T participate in a candidate forum either. Why doesn’t she mention that on her web site?  Isn’t transparency wonderful when it’s one sided? So her campaign committee has Marty Martinez, who serves on the same Somerville Community Corp. board of directors (Katjana is past president of the board). Marty, who is on her committee (wonder how many other SCC board members are on her committee and if that’s legal?), is president of the PDS group that recruited her and endorsed her before the endorsements went out, but she wants you to believe that she’s transparent and for open government? She probably has a bridge for you to buy at a bargain price! Wonder if names of the SCC board of director’s past/present are also working in Ms. Katjana’s campaign?

Mayor Curtatone is calling for a fresh start and a fair chance for redemption for Cindy Hickey as she resumes her duties with the Council on Aging.

By Andrew Firestone

Following the release of a forensic independent audit, Council on Aging executive director Cindy Hickey has been cleared of any financial misdoings, and has returned to work. Hickey was found to have circumvented the financial process of the city by setting up a non-profit, called “Future Friends,” but did not benefit from the situation financially.

Members of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 2222, along with some of their family members, were out in force, advocating for their common good. - Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Andrew Firestone

Amidst the vitriolic protests taking place nationwide for the last two weeks, a few members of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 2222 found themselves picketing a Somerville Verizon office. There, they fought for their rights as workers.

How sweet it is, and sticky, too. The prototype beehive at the Somerville Community Garden is adding a new dimension to the Growing Center’s diverse repertoire of activities. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

The Somerville Community Garden hosted an informal seminar on National Honey Bee Day to share factual information on the joys and challenges of beekeeping.  The Growing Center is a microcosm of an agricultural setting and the bees are a new and important part of the garden. Emma Oster is a beekeeper at the Growing Center and she expressed her fondness for the industrious insects.  “I love bees and I think that the most important thing for people to know is that they are not bad and that you shouldn’t be afraid of them.”  Of course, that is unless you are allergic to bees, in which case it is advisable that you should avoid them.

By Jim Clark

Two suspected heroin dealers were targeted for investigation by the Somerville Police Drug Control Unit last week.

Surveillance was established for the residence of Jessica Killeen, 26, at 173 Pearl Street. Killeen was reportedly observed making several short trips away from her home over the course of a single afternoon, at times taking brief rides in vehicles and being let out to walk back home, according to police.

The mythos of the Great American Dream is something that has inspired much greatness of achievement in the past, the present, and, hopefully, the future.

Millions of people the world over embrace the dream as they long for lives with greater opportunities for themselves and for their children.

Compassionate Americans are generous in their understanding that the greatness of this country was built upon the diversity of its immigrant population. That most of our ancestors came from somewhere afar and made good in “the land of opportunity.”