We all carry baggage–especially poets. Kim Triedman, a member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards writes of the rites of many bards.

Arrests:
*

Donna Owens, 49, of 49 Marshall St., March 7, 12:24 a.m., arrested at home and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Daniel Ryan, 45, homeless, March 7, 3:18 p.m., arrested at 14 McGrath Highway and charged with disorderly conduct and trespass.

Benjamin Thal, 27, of 385 Somerville Ave., March 7, 5:31 p.m., arrested at home and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery.

“On the River”: The Cambridge Community Poem.” By the People of Cambridge. Edited by Peter Payack.

Well, I guess since Somerville doesn’t have a Poet Laureate, Somerville poets have to go elsewhere, and indeed a number of them have been included in the innovative new poetry anthology “On the River” edited by the first Poet Populist of Cambridge Peter Payack. Since Somerville and Cambridge adjoin each other,there are exchanges of vital poetry fluids between the two promiscuous citizen bodies. In his introduction to the collection Payack writes:

Saint Clement School announced today that the students,  faculty and staff are pinching in to help the soldiers in Afghanistan. On Thursday, March 17, at 9:30 a.m., Taylor Laffey and her sister, Christine, will be at Saint Clement School to talk to Saint  Clement Students, faculty and staff and to leave sock drop-off boxes to collect socks for soldiers in Afghanistan.

- Photos by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Dozens of Somerville seniors enjoyed a fun filled day of dancing, singing and fine Irish dining at this years Council of Aging St. Patrick’s Day Party.

The well attended event was held Monday at the Somerville Holiday Inn where the ballroom overflowed in green.

Presentation will focus on the economic impact of public transit

An analyst with the city’s SomerStat department has been selected to present at the annual Urban Affairs Association Conference in New Orleans this month.

 The UAA is an international scholarly organization that publishes the Journal of Urban Affairs, an academic journal dedicated to urban research and policy analysis.  A recent graduate of UMass Boston’s Master of Science in Public Affairs program, Harding submitted a proposal based on his recently completed Capstone project, titled “Public Transit in Boston: A Catalyst for Economic Development?” and was selected by the UAA to present at a panel discussion focusing on the topic.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone would like to invite all interested community members to participate in the second annual Mayor’s Fitness Challenge.  The program will kick off with an event at the Somerville High School gymnasium on Saturday, April 2  from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.  The Fitness Challenge will incorporate both a Team Fitness Challenge and a non-competitive “Lifestyle Pledge.” Individuals who enroll in the team challenge will earn points for weight loss and changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), while those signing onto the Lifestyle Pledge only will not be issued points based on those indicators, but will receive incentives for attending fitness and health-related programming throughout the Challenge, as well as other prizes and bonuses for being health conscious.

By George P. Hassett

A man who approached a woman near Porter Square asking for directions allegedly exposed himself to her March 1.

At 9:44 p.m., the woman said a male motorist stopped alongside her on White Street and asked for directions to Davis Square. As the woman provided directions, police said the suspect moved his right hand and began to manipulate himself.

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 walk and drive through the streets of Somerville during my busy day, I pass by many places that had former lives. When you have lived in the same house in the same city for almost 60 years, you see a lot of changes. There is a sign in the window of one store that says, “All you can eat Sushi.” It’s in the block of a few stores that used to sell submarine sandwiches, and hamburgers and white chocolate and barley pops. To this day, the smell of an Italian sub takes me back to that sub shop near Powder House Park. It was called Bella Meos and the candy shop next door was Louds.

By George P. Hassett

A Tufts student was robbed on Wallace Street March 1 by a man who told him he had a gun, police said. The victim was approached by a man who said “Let’s get that bag, I’m strapped” and punched him in the face. The victim refused to give up his bag, police said. The suspect was described as a black or Hispanic male in his mid-20s with stubble facial hair under his chin.