So, public school in Somerville begins again on September 1, and with it a new slew of rules, regulations and guidelines to follow in the shadow of the lingering threat from COVID-19 and its Delta variant to both students and faculty.

This time around, the schools will not offer remote learning options for the 2021-22 school year, meaning that all enrolled students will return to full in-person learning this fall. This is considered to be an important advantage by many, in that they feel the in-person option offers the best opportunity for learning as well as social development for the kids by way of personal interaction with their peers.

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Review by “Off the Shelf” Correspondent Denise Provost

R.F. Foster needs no attention from me to burnish his reputation, any more than Seamus Heaney needs Foster to add luster to his. On Seamus Heaney, however, adds welcome layers to our understanding of Heaney as a poet and of the kind of public intellectual who attains moral standing in the wider world. This review aims mainly to draw attention to a valuable book possibly overlooked in the chaos of COVID, and to alert US readers to the merit they will find in Foster’s other writings.

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Dona Luongo Stein, a former Stegner Poetry Fellow at Stanford University, has had poems printed in U.S. and world literary journals. Her fifth poetry collection is Leaving Greece (Shanti Arts Press, 2018).

Arrests:
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Paul Maguire, August 17, 10:15 a.m., arrested at North St. on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Carvel Curry, of Boston, August 17, 6:35 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on warrant charges of miscellaneous municipal ordinance violation and possession of a class B drug.

Assault Log August 10 to August 16

On 8/12/21 at approximately 12:00 a.m., Somerville Police responded to Cleveland St. for report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated while walking on Highland Ave and Cedar St., he was approached by two young white males who proceeded to attack him. The victim suffered injuries to his face and wrist.

The Somerville Arts Council presents: Project Misik, In a Somerville Yard: A Series of Free Music Performances & Workshops Aug. 25, Sept.1, & Sept. 11— FREE! 3 outdoor performances at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse Park

The universal magic of music and brings us together–and a perfect way to spend a late summer evening!

Project Misik, In a Somerville Yard, a production by Project Misik brings this concept to Somerville neighborhoods, featured artists include: Solomon Murungu showcasing the mbira; Harrison Tei, teaching Ghanaian drum & dance; Peniel Guerrier, a Haitian drummer and dancer; and Becky Bass playing a steel pan! Join us for an amazing summer music series filled with music and dance from Ghana, Zimbabwe, Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago. Each evening is divided into two parts –a one hour workshop of learning the history of the instruments and music, followed by hands-on instruction. The sessions conclude with the artists performing live music–students and audience members are invited to join the fun. Let’s learn, create and dance!

The Chamber’s Turning-21 series hosted an hour-long question and answer session with each of the four candidates for Mayor of the city in the upcoming 2021 preliminary election.

A walk-in clinic for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be held Wednesday, August 25, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross Street. No appointment is necessary, but pre-registration is highly encouraged. You can pre-register at somervillema.gov/vaccine.

ONCE at Boynton Yards presents: Pop Punk Pizza Party, August 28, all ages, tickets start at $5, 6:00 p.m. doors.

Dig out your old Vans and your Dickies shorts, strap on a studded belt and that Famous Stars and Straps tee your mom got you for the first day of high school cause Pop Punk Pizza Party is back and bigger and better than ever.