Who said poetry has to be staid and stuffy? Not The Grolier Poetry Bookshop, which is sponsoring a one-time event filled with poetry, levity and laughter. Laughter at the Grolier cranks up the merriment May 20, 2012, 3:30 p.m. at the brand new Grolier Poetry Room–upstairs at the Bloc 11 Cafe–11 Bow St.–Union Square-Somerville.

Events at Local Parks, Bicycle-Pedestrian Safety Campaign Kickoff,  All Events Free!

The City of Somerville will join more than 50,000 communities across 45 states this year for the second annual Kids to Parks Day.  A grassroots movement started by National Parks Trust, Kids to Parks events are planned nationwide to celebrate America’s parks through active play on Saturday, May 19.  In Somerville, events are planned at several parks throughout the City, including Hodgkins-Curtin Playground, Albion Park, Lexington Park and the Community Path, Blessing of the Bay Boat House and Shore Drive, Prospect Hill Park, Perry Park, and Glen Park, and will include activities such as story time for kids, Zumba, bicycle safety programming and bike decorating with the Somerville Police Department, children’s activities with Recreation Department programming for children, and much more!  Participating organizations include Corpbasics, Huan’s Tai Chi, Ultimate Boot Camp, an African Drum Corps., and more!  Residents are encouraged to visit somervilleresistat.blogspot.com in advance to view a new, interactive map of Somerville parks, including tot lots, community gardens, and off-leash recreation areas for dogs.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The second Somerville PorchFest will occur on May 19 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The fest will feature musicians and bands, and it will celebrate and utilize an underused public venue: The porch. A rain date of May 20 is set.

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.)

This is supposed to be Bike to Work Week, but they plan these things ahead of time not knowing what the weather will be. It has been a little too wet and miserable at the beginning of this week for many to consider riding a bike to work every day.

The Kiwanis Club of Somerville recently held its weekly luncheon meeting at The Highlander Café run by the Culinary Arts students of Somerville High School. They were treated to a great menu, quality entrees and fantastic service, all by the students.  After lunch they traveled over to the Central Library where they had the opportunity to see the many improvements made to the Children’s Room as a result of the Somerville Kiwanis recent donation of $10,000.

“Mr. Dave” is coming to Johnny D’s this coming Friday night. – Photo by Neil Zlozower

By Jim Clark

David Lindley is legendary not only as a first-rate musician and entertainer, but also for his unceasing ability to charm and amaze audiences with his musical virtuosity, his well-honed sense of humor, and a seemingly limitless grasp of a myriad of musical styles from around the world. He will be bringing all this to Johnny D’s this coming Friday for an evening that promises to entertain, amuse, and amaze.

Is there really an IKEA store in Assembly Row’s future? Only time will tell.

Somerville store plans still in the air

By Elizabeth Sheeran

If IKEA ever breaks ground on long-standing plans for a Somerville store, the college freshmen shopping for dorm room accessories at the grand opening will be kids who weren’t even born yet when the retail giant first came to town in the 1990s. And locals are starting to wonder if that “if” will ever become a “when.”

The Massachusetts Boys and Girls State Coaches Meet was held on Saturday, May 12, at Dilboy Stadium. The Meet, which was sponsored by Somerville High School, featured 188 teams and over 1700 of the best track and field athletes from all over Massachusetts.

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization is helping to push through plans to include the proposed GLX stop for Route 16.

By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

For years now, the City of Somerville, along with representatives of several other areas in the eastern region of Massachusetts, have fought to expand the Green Line further to reach more residents. Mayor Joseph Curtatone recently announced a victory for this battle, applauding the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) decision to approve a substantial piece of funding for this transportation project.