By Ashley Taylor

Students and staff members at Somerville schools now have three ways to report bullying.  As an alternative to simply telling a trusted staff member, students can now anonymously report bullying by completing an online form or by leaving a message at a bullying hotline.

These bullying reporting systems, which went live on Thursday, February 10, were developed in accordance with a 2010 state anti-bullying law. Two months after Somerville submitted its bullying prevention plan, and three school days after anonymous reporting methods were made available, it is too early to tell how the anti-bullying efforts are working, and such analyses are easier demanded than done.

By George P. Hassett

Drug unit cops on routine surveillance in Winter Hill arrested two men as they completed a heroin deal in the Walgreen’s parking lot on Broadway Feb. 9, police said.

Police allegedly observed Derek Luzzo, 21, of 17 Birch Pond Drive, Saugus, enter the parking lot and pull up next to a car driven by Albert Saidah, 24, of 30 Clayton Ave., Medford.

CASPAR offers numerous programs for the homeless.

By Carrie Stanziola

For the third year in a row, Somerville and Arlington have been granted funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing and assistance programs. This year, the amount totals $2.2 million down from $2.3 million in 2009. This year, the Obama Administration has awarded nearly $1.41 billion in homeless grants.

According to Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, “This funding is essential in order for the City of Somerville, along with our partner community Arlington, to continue to provide the necessary services to deserving families in this area. Each year we continue to receive additional funds, and I particularly want to thank the Obama Administration for continuing to make this issue a priority. The City of Somerville is committed to making affordable and transitional housing available for families and individuals, and this grant recognizes that commitment, and provides us with the tools to get it done.”

"I Am Aimless and Hungry Always" - Pauline Lim

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

Brickbottom art gallery is hosting the “Strange World” art exhibit at their Fitchburg Street location this month.

Sherry Autor is one of the artists of the show as well as curator, and originator of its creation. “I was thinking about all that has been going on in the past few years; so that made me think that this is a really strange world we’re living in,” she said. Her show is her global kick in the pants and the art featured follows suit by existing as strikingly real abstractions.

Somerville resident Solomon Tsegai (right) recently received some running tips and encouragement from Ryan Hall (left), who last year set the U.S. Boston Marathon Course record, and John Hancock Senior Vice President Diana Scott. Tsegai is training to run the Boston Marathon as part of John Hancock’s employee team. He is running to raise funds for the Ron Burton Training Village.

There are a lot of talented poets at Endicott College in Beverly where I teach. I can name Dan Sklar, Margaret Young, Charlotte Gordon, and today’s feature Abigail Bottome. Well as you know, we’re here today and gone tomorrow, and Bottome illuminates this wonderfully with her poem Extinction. I also included a poem by Dan Sklar, who teaches English at Endicott and has often appeared in Somerville’s Ibbetson Street Press as well as the LYRICAL. To find out about Endicott’s creative writing program go to:  http://endicott.edu.

Feb 24 at the Halle Library on the Endicott Campus noted Poets/Publishers Gary Metras and Mark Pawlak will read from their poetry and discuss their work as editors and publishers.

Endicott College of Beverly, Mass. and the Ibbetson Street Press of Somerville, Mass. launched a Visiting Author Series in Oct. 2010. The series premiered with Boston Poet Laureate Sam Cornish, and followed with award-winning poets Bert Stern and Miriam Levine. The Spring 2011 featured writers for the Series have been announced by Doug Holder, founder of the Ibbetson Street Press and Dr. Mark Herlihy, the Chairman of Humanities at Endicott College.

By George P. Hassett

A 19-year-old woman was grabbed by the throat from behind as she was walking on College Avenue near the Davis Square train station, police said.

The suspect, described by police as a black male wearing a red jacket, whispered in the woman’s ear that he was going to kill her, police said.

Arrests
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Patricia Salvato, 37, of 25 Brook St., Feb. 7, 12:37 a.m., arrested at home and charged with assault and battery.

Frank Low, 59, of 27A Craigie St., Feb. 7, 11:09 a.m., arrested on Highland Avenue and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, failure to yield at a stop sign and warrant charges of possession of a class E drug and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Marie Coady, 61, of 4 Washington Ave., Feb. 7, 10:15 p.m., arrested at home and charged with assault and battery.