Sometimes the most bizarre overheard conversation can make the most bizarre poem. Just ask Somerville poet and publisher Gloria Mindock. Check out Gloria’s Cervena Barva Press at http://www.cervenabarvapress.com

SHE’S NOT A GOOD MOTHER, JOE

[AN OVERHEARD CONVERSATION IN A BOOKSTORE IN ARLINGTON]

When a baby bites you, forget it!
It’s dangerous cuz once a baby bites your
hand, you‚Äôre in trouble.  They can‚Äôt tell if your hurt.
If she lets that baby bite Joe—
forget it!  She‚Äôs not a good mother.
That’s dangerous cuz once that baby bites his
hand, infection will set in the skin.  That‚Äôs
dangerous cuz once that baby bites your hand,
you’re in trouble.
They can’t tell if your are hurt.

Once they get a hold of you, they bite you good.
It’s dangerous to have kids because they change.
They grow up ugly and mean.
They grow up with tempers and get mean.
The baby could turn around and hate your guts.
They get uglier all the time.
Them and their ways!

If she lets that baby bite Joe, forget it!
She’s not a good mother.
Babies are at the biting stage.
That’s dangerous cuz when a
baby bites you, forget it!

— Gloria Mindock

by David Taber

Alderman-at-large William A. White today told The Somerville News he plans to submit a proposal to the Board of Aldermen that will systemitize the proccess of calling special elections when elected city officials vacate their posts.  While the language has not been set, White said the proposal would require that the Board set dates for special elections within a month of an officeholder’s resignation.

Developing…

by Nuria Chantre

A local writer, storyteller, teacher and on-air personality spoke at The Somerville News contributors meeting held Jan. 18 at the Mr. Crepe shop.

“Everyone has their own way of writing. For me, what draws me in is
authenticity. It gives a sense of reality,”said Judah Leblang.

Born Bruce C. Leblang in Cleveland, Ohio, Leblang, said he writes
about personal struggles such as letting go of youth, adopting a new
name and dealing with skin cancer. “People seem to relate. They may
have different personalities, but they can relate,”said Leblang of the
creative process.

Before he made Somerville his home, Leblang, who holds a bachelor’s
degree in deaf education and a master’s degree in administration, lived
in Columbus, Ohio, he said.

by David Taber

Mapping out priorities was at the top of the agenda for the city’s official bicycle advocacy committee Jan. 16, when they held their first meeting of the year in the basement of City Hall.

“There are always more things to do than we have time for,” said Somerville Bicycle Committee chairman, Alan T. Moore.

The committee plans to map out a cross-city, on-street bike route to
run parallel to the future route of the proposed Community Bike Path
extension, and to explore strategies to promote bicycle riding as a
safe and healthy means for students to commute to and from school, he
said.

by George P. Hassett

Police broke up a drug deal between three women Jan. 16 in which 168 percocets were confiscated and a mother-daughter tandem arrested when they tried to buy the pills from a Dorchester woman.

Drug control unit cops were conducting a routine surveillance of the
Assembly Square mall parking lot when they spotted Kimberly Savini, 28,
of 11 Greenville St., and her mother, Carol Busa, 43, of 25 Juniper
Place, Lowell, parked in a remote section of the lot.

The Plymouth-based heavy metal band Scarecrow Hill Wednesday played at the Skybar at 518 Somerville Ave. The band is the biggest unsigned band on the South Shore, said Jaxx Monroe, the band’s manager. The band is developing a strong following in Somerville and has fan clubs in 26 states, he said.  They are left to right: Andrew Mortell, guitar; Derek Jesse, bass; and Tylor Monroe, drums and vocals.

Somerville News Photo by Neil W. McCabe