How nice is it to be enjoying such a mild winter season? What? Do you mean to say that you miss shoveling the walk and driveway? Scraping the ice off of the car windshield.  Over and over and…

Kara Dardeno, a local lawyer and a member of the Somerville Rotary participated in a Polar Plunge to help end polio on February 11. The Plunge, from Gloucester’s Long Beach, is a regional Rotary fundraiser aiding in the fight against polio. Since 1988, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99 percent, from about 350,000 cases annually to fewer than 650 cases reported so far for 2011. Local clubs like the one in Somerville raise money every year to help with this effort, and Kara was willing to jump into the ocean to demonstrate her commitment. “I was truly honored to represent the Somerville Rotary by physically taking the plunge! It was also so wonderful to see that many members of the Somerville community contributed to the cause,” said Dardeno. This year’s event raised $1,693.

Amanda Torres who is well-established as a writer, teacher, youth leader and poet in Chicago decided to leave the safe environs of her hometown to test the waters and her talents in Somerville, Mass. Torres, who is Mexican-American, came from the the wrong side of the tracks in Chicago, but thanks to writer Anna West and her Young Chicago Authors Program, she was able to pull herself up and out with the help of writing.

Alice Weiss, a Somerville Bagel Bard was included in the poetry anthology Liberty’s Vigil, The Occupy Anthology ( Foothills Publishing)     Her poem  DEWEY SQUARE, is set at ground zero for the Occupy Boston movement.   To order go to:  Foothillspublishing.com.

Arrests:
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Luis Escobar, 24, of 200 Hamilton Ave., Lynn, February 14, 7:13 p.m., arrested at 220 Washington St. on a charge of identity fraud and a warrant charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Francisco Santos, 33, of 22 Rossmore, February 15, 5:00 p.m., arrested at home on charges of assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct.

Nicole Williams of Somerville

Project Bread’s Nicole Williams of Somerville participated in an outreach day at the Pine Street Inn, a Boston-based homeless shelter and one of 450 community organizations The Walk for Hunger funds. “My experience at the Pine Street Inn was beneficial in gaining a better understanding of how the money raised at Project Bread is put into action,” said Nicole, one of the Campaign Associates who helps organize the community of 40,000 Walkers. “The hard work we do at Project Bread through fundraising for Walk is very effective in making a difference in the fight against hunger.”

 ‘YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City’ initiative

Highlighting the international flavors of ten immigrant-run Somerville restaurants, The Welcome Project today released the 2012 YUM Restaurant Card. Supporting the ongoing work this Somerville non-profit, the YUM Restaurant Card and April 25, 2012 celebration feature the multicultural cuisine of Somerville while strengthening the voices of immigrant families across the city.

An early morning fire claimed the life of an elderly woman in Somerville. Firefighters were called to 84 Boston Ave. after neighbors noticed smoke coming from their neighbor’s home.

The cause of fire is under investigation.

Fresh local produce is a key ingredient for the gypsy cooks’ quality fare.

By Harry Kane

Some people like fresh food, and that’s where the Gypsy cooks of Cuisine en Locale come into play. This Somerville pop up food business was founded six yeas ago by JJ Gonson and originally was based out of Cambridge, but three months ago they relocated to Somerville.

In a recent visit to the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Joseph Curtatone used a custom mounted 8’ x 12’ satellite image of greater Somerville to enhance the planning process for upcoming economic development and transportation initiatives.   The image includes Somerville, Cambridge, and downtown Boston.