Playwright John Shea (seen here with Vivian, 9), will have his new play unveiled at the Boston Playwright's Theatre.

Opening at Boston Playwright’s Theatre

By Andrew Firestone

Somerville playwright John Shea is at it again. His new play, Junkie, is opening at the Boston Playwright’s Theatre on August 25. Directed by Brett Marks, the play is a one-man show starring Sean Cote as “Cal” a recovering heroin addict.

Slightly Broken - performed by Arian Winn. Choreography by Courtney Peix. - Photo by Harry Kane

The Somerville Arts Council presented  Contrapose Dance on the Union Square Plaza Saturday, Contrapose Dance, known for its bold, uniquely original repertory danced by highly skilled dancers, it presented eight distinct selections from its repertory. Works by choreographers Courtney Peix, Marcus Schulkind, Jennifer Hardy, and Nicole Pierce were enjoyed. The pieces ranged  from the balletic influence, to strait up modern, and a blend of both.

Have you ever been deep into a book? I mean deep– to the point you embody one of the characters? Susan Tepper writes about her immersion in “The Great Gatsby.” She has come up for air since I am glad to say! Tepper hails from NYC, but has read at The Somerville News Writers Festival, and has taught at GRUB STREET in Boston. Check her out at http://www.susantepper.com

Arrests:
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Raymond Valente, 54, of 450 Boston Post Rd., Marlboro, August 8, 6:18 a.m., arrested at Prospect St. on a charge of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Jose Travanca, 78, of 3 Church St., August 8, 12:33 p.m., arrested at 220 Washington St. on a charge of indecent assault and battery.

Kevin Ortega, 22, of 34 Imrie Rd. Allston, August 8, 4:51 p.m., arrested on charges of defacing property, assault and battery, and destruction of property over $250.

– Photos by Harry Kane

Brattle Book Shop owner Ken Gloss knows his books, and openly shares his expertise with avid collectors and casual speculators alike.

By Kenneth Gloss

If you’re an avid fiction reader, you may spend a lot of time scrutinizing the best-seller lists before you select reading material. However, best-seller lists can also serve as a guide for book collectors. People intent on collecting the stories that have been loved by generations or that have had the most influence on popular culture will find collecting direction in these lists. If you have a penchant for the popular, bestsellers may be the collecting niche for you.

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.)

This article first ran in the July 1, 2009 edition of The Somerville News.

As I look at the 5-day forecast for Somerville online, it says scattered thunderstorms and showers. Don’t the powers that be know that Somerville’s Fourth of July celebration featuring the debut of the Sunsetters along with a lot of other great entertainment is slated for Thursday night? Don’t they know about the shopping cart vendors with all those lighted swords and spin around toys and illuminated teeth grilles? And what about all that fried dough? What have we done to deserve such crappy weather? What do I tell my anxious Sunsetters who are eager to perform as many numbers as Frank Senesi will allow us? Obviously we won’t be able to have any electrical equipment outdoors if there is a threat of rain. I am asking every citizen of Somerville to pray for sun! Mayor Joe has confidence that things will brighten up and the show will go on. I hope he is right.

By Andrew Firestone

Somerville might have found a solution to their education demographics problem with a new charter school. With 18 percent of public school students needing intensive studying in the English language, the proposed school would take up the work brought on by an incredible demand for basic English language services in the city education system.

Connecting individuals through imagery, People You May Know, photography by Sean Allen Fisher examines a world of its own.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Photography, a relatively new art form in the grander scheme of things, is a type that piques the interest of many individuals.

The exhibit, People You May Know, photography by Sean Allen Fisher, will be displayed at the Washington Street Art Center (WSAC) at 321 Washington Street in Somerville. Fisher, the sole artist in the show, resides in Somerville.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police received reports that a man was repeatedly making obscene and hate-filled calls to 911 operators last Thursday.

By matching audio recordings of prior incidents to the current caller, it was determined that Richard Killeen, 66, was the perpetrator of the offensive calls, according to police.