By Lauren C. Ostberg

Artist Marcella Statsa brought Toby, a rescued dog looking for a home, to the exhibit opening. ~Photo by Lauren Ostberg

Pets inspire their owners to do any number of things: build a fence, buy a pint-sized tutu, even paint a portrait.  The “Little Critters” exhibit in Somerville’s Nave Gallery showcases the human expression of these co-species bonds.

Most pieces were more complex than the “I Haz Cute Cat!” that you might expect from pet-inspired art.  Curator V Van Sant hoped that this exhibit would display a reverence for animals, an attention to the creatures with which we spend our lives.  Devotion and death were recurring themes.

Melissa Glick, for instance, made a quilt dedicated to her dachshund, Gretel (1966-1978). The loss of her childhood pet was her first experience with death, and even the dog pictured on the quilt is not Gretel, but “the substitute of that era.” Marcella Stasa, of Upton, also has trouble letting go of pets.  She incorporates the whiskers, claws, and even the bones of her deceased pets into her sculptures.

By Mike Rubin

With the post-season rapidly approaching, the Somerville Alibrandis men’s summer baseball team continue to click at the right time. After recording a 5-3 win over the Brighton Braves on Sunday, the Alibrandis are in the midst of a five game winning streak while improving to 23-7-1 overall. Closing in on first place in the Bill Stewart Division, the Alibrandis just trail the Malden Bulldogs by a single point (48-47).

“We’re playing some great baseball at the right time,” said coach Rob McDonough. “The guys know that the playoffs are around the corner and everybody’s been really stepping it up. I’m very proud of the way everyone’s been focused and we’re just on a roll right now.”

By Ashley Troutman

Front row left: Melissa Gay, Erika Cochran, Jimmy Del Ponte, Jennifer Silva, Adriana Salami, Lilliana Beckmann, Sophia Carafotes Second and back rows: Georgia Beckmann, Cadi Nevin, Michael Buckley, Colleen Hennelly, Casey Bourque, Chris Tabb, Krystal Komnenus,Missing from the picture: Katelyn Vallery, Gregory Xavier, Guchie Bessa , Lucy Coombs, Anna Martinez, Brandyn Perry

Children from Project STAR (Summer Theatre Arts Recreation) will light up the stage with their musical, titled “S.O.S. Save Our Songs” in a free show Thursday.

The one act show will feature popular songs by Michael Jackson, The Who, Cyndi Lauper, Greenday, and more.

In “S.O.S. Save Our Songs”, the children portray what would happen if they lost funding for their high school music program. Longtime teacher, Sophia Carafotes, acted as the assistant director. “It’s a “glee”ful look at the problems that our economy is facing now. When funding is cut, the arts are the first to go.”

Project STAR is a free, six-week music and theater camp for children ranging from ages 11 to 18. By participating in the program, children gain a basic knowledge of music, learn about acting, and are able to build self-confidence by performing in front of an audience.

By George P. Hassett

A 30-year-old Medford man drinking alcohol at Statue Park in Davis Square struck a Somerville man with a wooden stick Aug. 3, bruising the victim from his right ear to his mouth, police said.

Angelo Shaw, 30, of 179 Park St., Medford, assaulted the victim’s sister first then attacked the victim when he asked about the dispute, police said.

DEA director Thomas Pasquarello, third from the left in this picture, will be the next top cop in Somerville. Photo by Andrew Firestone

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has selected Thomas Pasquarello, a regional director with the Drug Enforcement Agency, to be the city’s police chief.

Curtatone selected Pasquarello, a Cambridge native, over three other finalists, including acting Chief Michael Cabral.

Randy Ross, center

Randy Ross, an aspiring novelist who lives in the hinterlands of Somerville that borders on the Republic of Cambridge, is a “holy fool.” Ross, 49, who was laid off his job as an editor at PC WORLD, works day and night on his novel “The Loneliest Planet: A Handbook for the Chronically Single.” He lives on a tight budget and devotes himself to his craft, without knowing if it will make it to the fertile grounds of the publishing world.

Bagel Bard Marvin Goode is a retired physician. He sent me this poem recounting his days as a young doctor.

By George P. Hassett

A human trafficking task force busted an illegal massage parlor in Davis Square last week after a man who paid for sexual services at the parlor complained to authorities, police said.

Fu Shen Spa was raided Aug. 4 after undercover investigators reported prostitution at the second floor suite at 258 Elm St., police said.

(from the city of Somerville)

Mayor Joseph Curtatone  Invites you to attend the  Annual “Old Time” Senior Picnic.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010,  (Rain date Friday, August 13, 2010)  at Powderhouse Park from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Join us for the “30th Annual Mayor’s Senior Picnic.”

It’s a wonderful day of dancing, music, entertainment and prizes galore.

Photos by Dave Krugman