Don’t forget the Somerville High Scholarship Foundation’s annual fundraiser this Friday evening at the Somerville High School Café over by the gym. There are lots of prizes along with the big prize of $10K on $100 tickets. You can show up Friday, May 18, at 7 p.m. and buy your ticket, especially if you feel lucky. We will be there since the roots of the foundation go way back to the beginning with The News founder Bob Publicover and present Publisher Donald Norton on the original committees.

Josh Zisson (the cyclist), Laurie Deitemeyer (the T-rider) and Ken Carlson (the motorist) get set to race from Davis Square to Kendall Square on different modes of transportation during Monday morning rush hour. – Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

Rush Hour Race from Davis to Kendall Square

By Elizabeth Sheeran

A motorist, a cyclist and a T-rider meet up at Redbones in Davis Square.

No, that’s not the set-up for a local-flavor joke. Rather, it was the scene at the starting line of Somerville’s first-ever Rush Hour Race.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Frank Senesi.

Meet Frank Senesi, lifelong resident of Somerville, who lives, works, and raised his family here. Frank is married to Cathy, who is also from Somerville. Both are from East Somerville on the Charlestown line. Frank recently retired as Director of Veterans Services. When he took over the job he took it to the next level.

A typical three-decker off Highland Ave.

By Amanda Rhodes

Around 25 people gathered on a beautiful Mother’s Day to find out more about an icon of New England architecture and to celebrate National Preservation Month. The Somerville Museum hosted the lecture, entitled The Menace of the Three-Decker: The History and Architecture of a New England Icon by Dr. Stuart Brorson, an electronics and systems engineer with an avid interest in architecture. He and his wife are heavily involved with the Arlington Historical Society, where they are members.

– Photos by William Tauro

“The iBall: Keeping it Surreal” fundraiser for the Center for Arts at the Armory was a huge success. The event took place at the Armory, located at 191 Highland Avenue in Somerville, on Thursday evening.

New ideas are sometimes difficult to embrace with an attitude of acceptance and an expectation of successful results. We are most comfortable with the familiar. Most at ease with the routine. Breaking old habits can sometimes be a hard thing to deal with. Such is human nature.

By Jim Clark 

Police were called to the parking lot at 111 South St. last week on reports of fighting in progress at that location.

Upon arrival, officers were informed by the reporting party that he was chasing a man who had just physically assaulted him and vandalized his car. The man reportedly said that he and a friend had chased an individual to the nearby La Hacienda Restaurant.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner 

The 2012 version of Somerville’s historic Sunsetters held auditions Monday night.

The 2012 version of Somerville’s historic Sunsetters held auditions Monday night in the Somerville High School auditorium. A lot of seasoned Sunsetters showed up as well as some new faces. Back for his fourth year as director, Jimmy Del Ponte told us it was tougher this year because the bar has been raised. Jimmy said, “The Sunsetters have a reputation dating back to the 70’s of providing quality performances and we try to carry on that tradition. This year the songs are more difficult. The dances will also be more intricate this year. The rehearsals are the real deal and they promise to be quite grueling. Grueling but fun.”

The Center for Arts at the Armory hosted an incredible group of talented vocalists this past Thursday, May 10th as we kicked off the first night of live auditions for Reaching for the Stars, our singing competition.  Our three esteemed judges have a combined 60 years of on-stage and on-air musical experience and really brought an element of professionalism and style to our contest.  Jimmy Del Ponte, Holli Banks and Gordon Michaels presided over the evening, as hopeful singers threw their hats in the ring for the opportunity to land on the big stage in our Finals on June 22. Winners from May 10th include Jamaal-Clark Turpin, Tavonna Miller and Hillary Simpson. Following please find the event listing. Registration is still open for May 17, 24, and 31.