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.

Caitlin Fitzgerald, Lucas Sargent, Emily O’Regan, Aidan O’Donovan, Kaleigh Conte, Nikki Grover, Justin Schofield, Dylan Zraket, Brenna Kristiansen and Katie Ziko.

The Somerville Youth Softball Organization hosted their Kick Off Day Parade and Celebration Saturday April 27 at Trum Field.

Magre, Berger, and Baptista all qualify for states
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By Mike Stoller

The Somerville High track and field team gave more than a commendable effort against a fiercely competitive Malden squad in a meet that came down to the final event – the relay – last week. The Highlanders ultimately dropped a tough 69.5 66.5 decision to the Golden Tornadoes.

There are times when the rose tinted glasses have to come off as we take a hard, dispassionate look at the world we inhabit in the cold gray light of reason and sobriety.

Alderman at Large Bruce Desmond

By Alderman at Large Bruce Desmond

After twenty years of serving the people of Somerville in both elected and appointed positions I have decided to serve out the remainder of my term and not seek re-election as Alderman at Large in the upcoming local election of 2013. I have always believed that government bodies need to be refreshed from time to time. They need the injection of young minds, new ideas and new energy while also maintaining a respect for the past. I make this announcement now in hopes of attracting new candidates for the position of Alderman at Large. I have spent the last twenty years working to make a great city become an even greater city. It has been extremely challenging and very rewarding. It has been my honor and privilege to be a part of what I believe to be the epitome of what American government truly means; “government of the people, by the people, for the people”.