By Kenneth Gloss

We will soon be able to say that “Spring has finally sprung!” As this season renews our energy it also reminds of us of the need to cleanup and clear out, especially if shelf-space is getting tight. But don’t dump those books – you’d be surprised that there’s a market not only for books that are very old but also for new fields of endeavor that change so fast that a 50 year-old book can be more valuable than a 150-year old book. For example, science and computer books engage collectors whether from the 1500s or from the 1950s.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff  or publishers.)

Somerville High School recently presented a production of The Wizard of Oz. It was a great show. When I was at the high school, it was the teachers who conducted the drama, music and other extracurricular activities that kept me from dropping out. Along with some guidance from some great…well…Guidance Counselors, the talent shows, musical revues and plays sealed the deal for me. I was a proud member of the class of 1971.

On the evening of Thursday, Feb. 28, Ensemble 451 will continue its season presenting music by Mozart and Liebermann, and featuring the music of Boston composer Mark Berger; and you are welcome to have a drink or eat a pastry while you enjoy these masterpieces.

By Jim Clark

Members of the Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit engaged in ongoing drug investigations in the Winter Hill area focused their attention on a particular residence as a suspected location of trade in cocaine last week.

Following a local donation drive spanning several months, Mayor Curtatone and a delegation of city staff will travel to the New Jersey coast this weekend to deliver a truck load of supplies to victims of October’s Hurricane Sandy. In a partnership with the communities of Somerville, New Jersey and Summerville, South Carolina, the City of Somerville, Massachusetts collected cleaning supplies, food, and other items needed by victims in New Jersey to assist with cleanup efforts and rebuilding after the super storm demolished many communities there. The delegation will depart from City Hall Friday afternoon at 1 p.m.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

As we continue to dig out from the recent blizzard, even last weekend’s relatively minor snowfall presented significant challenges in terms of snow removal and cleanup. Our DPW crews continue to log anywhere between 16 and 40 hour shifts to make our streets and public ways safe and accessible, and in just over a week they have, along with some assistance from private contractors, contributed tens of thousands of man hours to storm cleanup alone. Even with the warmer-than-average temperatures last week, significant amounts of snow and ice linger across the city, and therefore any amount of additional, plowable snowfall not only hinders our cleanup efforts, but creates new concerns around parking and safety. All of these factors combine to make planning for subsequent snow emergencies more difficult and complex than if Somerville hadn’t just experienced a record-setting snowfall.

Rotary District 7930 will hold its 3^rd annual Polar Plunge on Saturday February 23, 2013 at Long Beach in Gloucester at 11:15 a.m.  The event is part Rotary International’s ongoing campaign to eradicate polio in our lifetime. The date will also coincide with the anniversary of the very first meeting of Rotary by the late Paul Harris who met with three of his colleagues on February 23, 1905.

– Photo by Joan Campo McKenna

Are you looking for ways to help your neighbors this winter?  Are you a Somerville senior citizen or a resident with disabilities who needs assistance with shoveling?  The City of Somerville is seeking volunteers aged 18 and older to assist senior citizens and residents with disabilities with snow shoveling this winter, and accepting applications for residents needing assistance with shoveling.

By Jim Clark

An undercover police narcotics unit working the East Somerville area last Thursday took notice of a man who they believed was engaged in activities consistent with narcotics trafficking.

New meditation program offers free public sessions

Director of the Somerville Public Libraries, Maria Carpenter, announced today a new initiative to introduce wellness programs at the Somerville Public Library. Consistent with the city’s mission to create a healthy, active community, the new SPL initiative will begin with two “mindfulness and stress management” meditation sessions on Thursday, February 21 and Thursday, February 28 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 79 Highland Ave.  Spots are limited to 25 people per session on a first come, first served basis, and will be taught by ordained Buddhist Minister, Sunada Takagi.  A waiting list has been established for the first session, which is sold out, and interested residents should contact Maria Carpenter at 617-625-6600 ext. 2910 to be added to the waiting list. Additionally, free drop-in meditation sessions will be held on Thursdays throughout the month of March from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. All residents are welcome to attend, as space permits.