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One thing I tell my creative writing students is to “notice” everything. And that is not easy to do in our mad rush – this fever dream we call life. But poet Judy-Katz Levine notices the birds cawing to her in conversation, a trembling cup of tea, her childhood of “Hard balls, sassafras, streets with bicycles…” Her poems are wells of imagery. This work is by a poet who lives deeply in the moment.

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18-year-old Julia Mastorakos, from Hampstead, NH, is a Marketing Communications Advertising Major at Endicott College. Her preferred genre of writing is poetry.

After being nominated by Abode Energy Management, the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is the newest member of 1% for the Planet. This international program encourages business to give at least 1% of their annual sales to approved nonprofits.

Abode Energy Management, an Arlington-based business, works throughout Massachusetts to improve the energy efficiency of homes as part of the Mass Save Program. Working through the network of Home Performance Contractors in the Mass Save Program, Abode is focused on reducing residential energy consumption.

Arrests:
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James Moran, of 27 College Ave., April 18, 8:41 a.m., arrested at College Ave. on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, malicious wanton defacement of property, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a person over 60 or disabled.

Carlos Carrion, of 13 Pine St., Cambridge, April 20, 9:58 a.m., arrested at Somerville Ave. on charges of shoplifting by asportation and disturbing the peace.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Somerville High School students were encouraged to attend the annual Career Fair on Wednesday, April 10, with representatives from local businesses, non-profits and branches of the military.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Somerville Sanctuary City Steering Committee, and Alianza Americas invite you to have a conversation about how Somerville can be a welcoming and safe community for migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. At Building a Narrative of Hope and Welcoming Spaces for Migrants, Asylum Seekers, and Refugees, attendees will talk about subjects like countering xenophobia and racism and how understanding current challenges in Central America can help to create a welcoming community. You can join the conversation on Wednesday, May 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., in the East Somerville Community School Auditorium, 50 Cross Street.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

Today the demo of the buildings started in Ball Sq. to make way for the future Ball Sq Station.

This is the first building that was taken down Monday morning.

By Jim Clark

The United Food and Commercial Workers union has announced that a tentative three-year agreement has been worked out between the Stop & Shop grocery chain and its workers, effectively ended the strike that began on April 11.

Somerville Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) staffers Shamone Allien (left) and Michelle Mazzola volunteered to help host Elder Fair on April 10. Some 17 agency employees pitched-in to help with the free health and wellness expo.

Connecting people with useful resources is a huge part of what we do at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES). On behalf of the agency, I want to thank everyone who took the time to connect with us at Elder Fair 2019.

Now in its 20th year, the Elder Fair health and wellness expo drew more than 300 local older adults for a morning of socializing and information about Aging in Place. It was a great celebration of our mission and the people we serve. Our sincere thanks go out to everyone who was a part of that.

There will be an information session and public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2020 water and sewer rates on Mon., April 22, in the Somerville High School cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave. The information session will start at 6 p.m. and the public hearing will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who would like to testify is welcome to attend. Written testimony will also be accepted until 6 p.m. on Mon., April 29. Written testimony can be submitted by emailing water@somervillema.gov or by mailing or dropping it off at the water and Sewer Department, 1 Franey Rd., Somerville, MA 02145.