It will be a busy St. Patrick’s week, starting off with the renewed party at the Armory on Highland Avenue, this Friday night 7-11 p.m., hosted by Alderman Sean O’Donovan. There will be lots of fun. The band is the famous “Old Brigade Irish Band.” Light refreshments will be served and, of course, there will be dancing. Only $20. It was a great event last year, so let’s hope this is a repeat and that it will continue on as in the past.   

Director of Planning George Proakis asserted his commitment to preserving a sense of community in the affected area. – Photo by Amanda Rhodes

By Amanda Rhodes

Around fifty Somerville residents gathered at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School on Monday night to discuss the controversial re-zoning of Somerville Ave. and Elm St., from Wilson Square to the Somerville-Cambridge line at Porter Square.

Michael Dutra and Steven Palumbo brought a little “Rat Pack” glitz to the fundraising event last week. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

The eighth annual fundraiser helps defray the cost of the Memorial Day Parade, which will take place on May 27.  Around one hundred seniors attended the event on March 9 at the High School Auditorium to give their support.

Dan Hadley, City employee of Somerville who worked on the happiness survey. ~Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

One thing that TEDx Somerville did well, perhaps better than any other conceivable circumstance, was that it really allowed Somerville’s hidden jewels to shine. These are all members of the community and all of them, all of them, were moved by the idealist streak embedded in twenty-first century techniques.

Collier Clegg gives her best for the Tufts University Jumbos, who were edged out of finals competition by St. Thomas. – Photo courtesy of Tufts

The Tufts University women’s basketball dropped its third round game of the NCAA Tournament, 50-47, to #12 St. Thomas (Minn.) on Friday evening on the campus of the University of Chicago.

Somerville well represented at the Annual Benevolent Jade Society Banquet in Boston

Close to four hundred law enforcement officers and their guest attended the 2012 Benevolent Jade Society Banquet in Boston’s Chinatown District.The city of Somerville was well represented this year at the annual event.

Pictured (L to R): Peter Messina, Master Sergent William Boyden, Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Donald Norton, Rick Willette, Alderman Maryann Heuston, Jeff Harrington, Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello, Marissa Tauro and  Billy Tauro.

Ed Tauro – Photo by Donald Norton

Meet Ed Tauro, manager of Pat’s Auto Body shop, 161 Linwood Street, here in the ‘Ville. Eddie is a great guy and knows his business. He personally takes an interest in all his customers. When you first go in, he’s the guy with a huge smile with the “can I help you” attitude. Pat’s Auto Body always has a great repeat business and welcomes new business all the time. He does a great job on every car that leaves the shop. Call Ed anytime at 617-628-7500 for a job that looks like new and meet a great guy.

The Wearing of the Green is upon us once again, and we are as ready as ever to do it in style.

Whatever one’s ethnic heritage, for one day out of the year, March 17, it’s extra cool to be Irish, and everyone is invited to the party.

“Wicked Girls or Wicked Women? Salem Village 1692” – (L to R) Kaleigh Conte and Emily O’Regan.

Congratulations to Emily O’Regan and Kaleigh Conte of the Kennedy School on their winning entry in the Massachusetts History Day District Competition held March 3 at Winchester High. The entry Wicked Girls or Wicked Women? Salem Village 1692 was a paper group performance entry in the junior division.

My friend, the first Boston Poet Laureate Sam Cornish, sent me this poem for the LYRICAL. We ( Ibbetson Street Press) published his collection of poetry ” Dead Beats” last year and it can be purchased by sending $15 (check or money order) to Ibbetson Street Press  25 School St. Somerville, Mass. 02143 or it can be ordered online at  http://lulu.com/ibbetsonpress.