The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, often in partnership with other local organizations, is sponsoring a variety of events in the month of May as part of Preservation Month.  Below is this weekend’s events.

Part 2:  What makes neighborhoods walkable
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By William C. Shelton

 (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.)

Our 19^th Century ancestors who built Somerville’s streets, structures and squares gave no more thought to walkability than a fish gives to water. They created a built environment that met their needs, and they were walkers.

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a call from the Walgreen’s on Beacon St. that a suspected shoplifter had fled the store.

The responding officer was told that a woman was observed putting five cans of baby formula, each one valued at $16, into a bag and leaving the store without paying.

The Alibrandis bullpen is expected to play a major role in another great upcoming season. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

The Somerville Alibrandis Baseball Club has been unstoppable for the past three years. They plan to make it another great season on the baseball diamond with some extra slugging power and pitching speed this year.

The veteran team has gotten an early start with more batting practice and scrimmaging than ever before. The team is looking forward to the upcoming opening game, which is on Friday, May 10 at Trum Field at 8 p.m. The Alibrandis will start their season with a game against the Brighton Black Sox.

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.)

In case you haven’t heard, Somerville is in the midst of a bit of a baby boom. The past six years have seen an upward spike in the number of births for Somerville residents. We’re approaching more than 1,000 births per year – we had 970 in 2012 – which is a figure we have not seen since the 1970s.

The new entryway will be a welcome addition to the Somerville Museum.

The Wallace Foundation has awarded the Somerville Museum $85,000 in matching funds to support construction of a new handicapped-accessible entrance and first floor restroom.

By Izak Shapiro

On May 2, Davis Square residents gathered in the Community Baptist Church on College Avenue for the Ward 6 ResiStat meeting. Additional rows of chairs had to be created as the room filled with people, the high turnout no surprise anymore as Somerville seems to be implementing changes at a rapid pace while the public tries to keep up.

Everybody is Mexican on Cinco de Mayo.
– Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane and Linjing Cheng

Partygoers sporting sombreros, ponchos, and other Mexican regalia went “loco” over tacos, ice cream, and margaritas during the Taza Chocolate Factory Store’s Cinco de Mayo festival on May 5.

The annual Somerville High Scholarship Foundation raffle is coming up fast – and plenty of tickets are still available – on May 17. The usual first prize of $10,000 will be awarded along with many other prizes. Only 250 tickets to be sold. The event will be held at the Highlander Café at the High School, May 17, 7 p.m. with the drawing starting at 8 p.m. Several door prizes, refreshments and lots of fun for a great cause. To purchase a ticket for the raffle beforehand make checks payable to the SHS Scholarship Foundation and mail your $100 check to SHS Raffle, c/o Eugene Brune, P.O. Box 440275. Somerville 02144. This is a great local charity that raises funds for scholarships for well-deserved students. Send a check today and get your tickets and, who knows, you just might be the big winner.

“Red Rooves 1” by Christine Chang – Acrylic.

This past weekend over 400 Somerville artists opened their doors and invited the public into their studios for one of the largest single-weekend open studio events in the nation, Somerville Open Studios.