Tufts offensive lineman George Brereton, E12, presents a Tufts football jersey to 8-year-old Riley Roman at Tufts University's Zimman Field on May 2, 2012. Roman, who has a brain tumor signed a "National Letter of Intent" to join the football team and was visiting Tufts as part of partnership with Team IMPACT. (Kelvin Ma/Tufts University)

Last Wednesday Rob Ninkovich from the New England Patriots visited Tufts for a “draft day” for Riley Roman, an eight-year-old from South Hadley, MA, who was recently diagnosed with a PNET brain tumor, which is an invasive and rapidly growing tumor that has the potential to spread very quickly. Riley underwent major brain surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment at Children’s Hospital Boston. Due to the invasive nature of the treatment, he is currently living at the Ronald McDonald house.

– Photos by Lisa Heyison

Older Americans Month is celebrated each May to honor and recognize older Americans for the contributions they make to our families, communities and society. This year’s theme Never Too Old to Play encourages older Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities. The Somerville Council on Aging gives older adults (55+) many ways to stay engaged and active. With exercise classes, museum trips, Lunch and Learn lectures, book clubs, gardening, musical conversations and Cultural Day trips around the world. It is easy to stay active and involved.

Well-there is a fairly new bookshop in town “THE BOOKSHOP” in Ball Square.  The owner is Gil Barbosa, and he is a brave man. I say this because it is damn hard to keep an indie bookshop thriving in these days of Amazon.com, e books, nooks, etc… Anyway Somerville resident, poet and painter, and longtime arts editor at the Ibbetson Street Press, Richard Wilhelm, has organized a reading in celebration of the store. Gloria Mindock and Lucy Holstedt, both Somerville poets will be reading, as well as a number of talented local folks. Hope you can come-and even read your own work in an open mic after the featured readers.

Well Nicholas Burtt provides us with a touching poem. By touching earth—he touches us.

Chief Thomas Pasquarello announced today that, beginning on June 5 , the Somerville Police Department will provide a special women’s self defense training program for Somerville residents.  The Rape Aggression Defense System or RAD is a program of realistic, practical self-defense tactics and techniques.

– Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Just a week and a half after the big ground breaking, a fire broke out at the new Avalon at Assembly Square Row Construction site on Monday night.

Arrests:
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Mark McLaughlin, 26, of 184 Broadway, April 30, 11:40 p.m., arrested at 182 Broadway on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Paul King, 49, of 240 Albany St., Cambridge, May 1, 8:07 p.m., arrested at 55 Chester St. on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Somerville Historic Preservation Commission sponsors month-long events, culminating with annual awards ceremony honoring Somerville residents and homeowners

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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Executive Director of the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) Brandon Wilson announce the schedule of events for the 2012 “Preservation Month” celebrations.  Throughout the month of May, the SHPC and other local organizations partner to host numerous events honoring Somerville’s history and historic districts.  Remaining events include:

State Police collect plaster footprints as they look for evidence in the robbery and assault of a taxi driver early Saturday morning. – Photo by John Pratti

Shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, a 31 year old Boston Taxi driver was robbed by three suspects and beaten on Evergreen Avenue.  The suspects fled when police were called, but two were quickly apprehended.

By Harry Kane

A community garden called the Growing Center is a destination for young children to discover the beauty of nature. One of the educators who stresses the importance of nature in a child’s development is Paula Jordan.