L to R Linda, Brad, Dan Spinosa, Alderman Bill White, Ricky, Angela and Karen Spinosa.

By Donald Norton

This past Saturday, Daniel Spinosa of Winter Hill, lifelong Somerville resident, World War II veteran, businessman and political figure, celebrated his 95 years of devotion to his country and city.

A book of poems by Simrin Tamhane
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Somerville writer Michael Todd Steffen reviews a poetry collection from Endicott College student Simrin Tamhane, as part of Somerville’s Ibbetson Street Press/Endicott College Young Poet Series, as founded by yours truly and professor Daniel Sklar. It is currently directed by Emily Pineau and all books are designed by Steve Glines.

Soon the national pastime will start up once again. So Somerville poet Ed Meek throws us a curve ball of a poem. Ed has recently released a collection of short stories titled Luck.

Arrests:
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Matthew Powers, March 13, 4:15 p.m., arrested at Alewife Brook Pkwy. on charges of receiving stolen property under $250, fugitive from justice, and receiving a stolen credit card.

Derek Correia, of 60 Albion St., March 13, 4:40 p.m., arrested at home on warrant charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, felony daytime breaking and entering, larceny from a building, malicious wanton defacement of property, possession of a class A drug, marked lanes violation, distribution of a class E drug, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, witness intimidation, and operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs.

Join Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang, and the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development on Wednesday, March 29, for a community meeting to discuss upcoming renovations to the Hoyt-Sullivan Playground. The meeting will be held at the Visiting Nurse’s Association, 259 Lowell St., from 6:30 to 8 p.m. City staff and project architects will present new plans for the playground, which are based on community feedback. To review the plans, visit www.somervillema.gov/hoytsullivan. For more information, contact Arn Franzen at AFranzen@somervillema.gov, or 617-625-6600 ext. 2545. 

Drive is one of seven a cappella groups that will be competing in the Boston regional edition of the Harmony Sweepstakes on April 1 at the Somerville Theatre.

By Ariana Colozzo

On Saturday, April 1, come to the Somerville Theatre for a night of a cappella with the 33rd annual Harmony Sweepstakes. Seven Boston area a cappella groups will compete for the title of Boston’s best: Birdland Avenue, Bostonality, Carpe Singem, Drive, Fermata Town, Fireside Quartet, and Harmonious Soul, chosen from nearly 20 groups that auditioned for the chance to compete.

Isley Goulart (left) and Margarida Holmes are Community Care Coordinators for a Home to Hospital program that Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services provides in partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance.

By Nathan Lamb

A hospital to home program that helps patients avoid unnecessary readmissions is set to expand in 2017.

Launched in 2012, the Hospital to Home program is a partnership between Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES), Mystic Valley Elder Services, and the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA). Originally funded by a Medicare grant, the collaboration was so successful that the organizations decided to continue the collaboration past the grant’s expiration date, earlier this year.

Please join the Somerville Commission for Women on Tuesday, March 21, for a special event in honor of Women’s History Month. “Shaping the Future: Our Community Dialogue,” will be held at The Highlander Café located in Somerville High School, beginning at 6 p.m. on March 21, and will include Q&A breakout sessions with local female elected officials, including representatives from Somerville’s State Delegation, as well as a brief presentation about the Somerville Commission for Women and its ongoing programs and initiatives. 

Lesley University announces an immersive exhibition of sculpture, painting, ceramics, architectural elements, textiles and mixed media by Somerville artist Mark Cooper that will envelop the Lunder Arts Center Roberts Gallery from March 18 to April 16.

Beacon Street is one of the most heavily utilized bicycle corridors in the State.

Due to ongoing construction on Beacon St., the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, City of Somerville, and project contractors have determined that it is in the interest of public safety to CLOSE the protected bike lane, between Oxford St. and Washington St., for the 2017 construction season, beginning on Monday, March 20.