T.F. Murphy Florist is wrapping up a 60+ year run as Somerville’s premiere provider of fragrant bouquets, spectacularly colorful floral arrangements, and priceless memories.

By Douglas Yu

Tom Murphy Jr. seemed no different than on any of the other days he’s spent for over a decade in his flower shop: he woke up early in the morning to select fresh and shining flowers in a downtown market, fielded phone calls from his customers, and designed flower arrangements.

A candlelight vigil in remembrance of the victims of this weekend’s devastating earthquake in Nepal, and to support Somerville’s Nepali community members as the rescue and cleanup efforts continue, will take place on the evening of Wed., April 29. The vigil will be held beginning with musical selections at 6:45 p.m. on the Somerville High School concourse, 81 Highland Ave. If you have any questions, please call the Somerville Health and Human Services Department at 617-625-6600 ext. 4300. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health resources, contact the Somerville Trauma Response Network at 857-221-0942. Members of the TRN will also be in attendance on Wednesday evening.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police officers on a morning patrol last week received reports of a stolen car Lo-Jack code being transmitted in the area sent them on a search for the vehicle.

Prateek Poddar is but one of the semi-regular singer/songwriters who grace the stage at Arts at the Armory’s “The Loop” event.

By Josie Grove

On the fourth Thursday evening of every month, The Loop convenes at the Arts at the Armory on Highland Avenue. According to organizer Maxwell Bailey, “The Loop is a monthly singer-songwriter event. It’s run by artists, for artists.”

— Photos by Donald Norton

By Donald Norton 

The annual Spring Cleanup and Community Barbecue this Saturday. Residents were invited to join Ward Captains and city officials in each of the city’s seven wards to help prepare the city for the spring and summer by planting flowers, weeding open spaces, and otherwise cleaning our community following the long winter months. Refreshments, t-shirts, and hats were be provided to all participants from 10 a.m. to noon at all cleanup locations and all participants were invited to a community barbecue and SomerGreen Festival, immediately following the cleanup from noon to 2 p.m. at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on Shore Drive.

By Donald Norton

Local well-known good guy Chris Pedersen who works over at Fenway Park sports a picture with all three Red Sox World Series Trophies. Were told he even has a ring but it’s probably in hiding,. We hear he’s holding on to it real tight, and he should.   Chris has worked over at Fenway Park now for a few years and loves his job, especially since he gets to watch parts of the game and gets paid for it. Now, how good is that?

Eagle Feathers #77 – A Tip of the Hat

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

While working for many years on the Somerville Fire Department, I witnessed many stories, running from happy to sad, to unusual. Somerville‘s location is next to Boston, and nested between Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University and many other schools. Every year this causes dozens of lost students and their families to canvas the city in search of their destination. When asked how to get to Harvard or Tufts, the standard firefighters’ reply was, “Study hard, sir; study hard.” After a laugh, they would then give the proper directions.

It’s not as if it’s going to suddenly become a ghost town. Far from it, in fact. Development in the city is at an all-time break-neck pace.

In the wake of the astonishing transformation of the Assembly Row area, plans are underway all over the city for renovation and further development in terms of housing and infrastructure.

By Tom Bannister

Somerville High School girls varsity softball is having a good week, according to coach Tim Hawkins.

The Somerville Highlander softball team opened up spring vacation week with a 21-3 win over Pope John last Wednesday and added a their second of the season later in the week.

Interview by Doug Holder

Elizabeth Gordon McKim is not just about getting her own work out there. A respected educator, poet and influential member of the Expressive Arts Movement, McKim engages the community and other artists and students so they too can realize their creative potential. As the poet, and McKim’s late partner Etheridge Knight said:”You must be a poet of the poem, and the people”. McKim is the embodiment of this.