Somerville Parks, Now and Then is the 11th annual Historic Bike Tour, sponsored in cooperation  with the Somerville Bike Committee.  This year’s theme will take us from end of the City to the other, learning about Somerville’s wealth of parks and what they used to be.  Sunday, May 20, 2 p.m. gathering in the City Hall parking lot.  The tour will depart promptly at 2:15 p.m.

– Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Early Friday evening Somerville Police officer Sal Fusco chased and apprehended an alleged shoplifter that fled from the scene of a store located in Twin City Plaza.

On The Silly Side 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.)

That was one of the phrases Johnny used to use when it was closing time at the Embassy Lounge at 524 Somerville Ave. “Drink ‘em up! Come on. Let’s go. I don’t care where ya go but ya can’t stay here, you follow me?” I am going to mention as many old bars and lounges as I can recall, with the help of my friends. This will not be an all inclusive list, just as many as we can recall. I am not including some current bars because they already get enough publicity but you know where they are. This is by no means a complete list. I wish I knew what all the old bar names were, but we have done our best. I am going on memory and hearsay!

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.”