Well the fat lady has not sung yet for the end of winter, but I decided to include this poem to bring back some very special memories.

What’s So Funny by Joseph Torra. ( Pressed Wafer Press. 9 Columbus Square. Boston, Mass. 02116) $12.

Joe Torra, a neighbor of mine in my neck of the woods in Somerviile, is a poet, and novelist who I have admired for years. A while ago I read his memoir “Call Me Waiter” that recounts his years as a struggling writer who worked as a waiter to support his art. It was a wonderful portrait of an artist as a working stiff. A straight-no-chaser account, it was funny, sad, and ultimately uplifting.

Arrests:
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Christine Turilli, 26, of 7 Reed Court, March 1, 12:36 p.m., arrested at home on warrant charges of receiving a stolen motor vehicle, assault and battery, larceny under $250, larceny over $250 and larceny of a motor vehicle.

Alberto Brito, 29, of 30 Newtowne Court, Cambridge, March 1, 2:57 p.m.,arrested at 14 Governor Winthrop Road and charged with drug violation near a school or park, possession to distribute a class D drug, resisting arrest, failure to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony and warrant charges.

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Early Monday morning a white automobile was discovered submerged in the water off the launching ramp at the Boathouse located on Shore Drive in Somerville.

State and local police were on scene along with the Somerville Fire Department  investigating the situation.

Mayor Curtatone and Office of Veterans’ Services Director Frank Senesi announced  that the 7th annual Memorial Day Parade fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 19th at 7 p.m. in the Somerville High School Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave.

All proceeds will support the City’s Memorial Day Parade, scheduled for Sunday, May 29th. The fundraiser includes entertainment by the USO Metropolitan New York Performers, and Joey Voices.  Tickets are available for $20 per person, and may be purchased by contacting the Mayor’s Office at 617-625-6600 ext. 2100, or Veterans’ Services at ext 4700. For more information, contact Kathy Carey at Veteran’s Services.

(L to R) The Somerville News Co-Publisher- Somerville Lions Club President Bill Tauro, Som/Camb Lions Club member Marisa Tauro, Somerville's Director of Operations Rick Willette, Somerville Ward Two Alderman MaryAnn Heuston, Somerville Police Chief Tom Pasquarello and House of Representative Chair Al Baldasaro from the State of New Hampshire. - Photo by Tony Yee

By William Tauro

Community members from the City of Somerville were recognized by Association President Warren Yee at the Benevolent Jade Society of New England’s annual banquet in Chinatown Friday evening.

Law enforcement agencies as well as public safety officials from across the nation gathered for the annual feast and awards ceremony for  2011 among a crowd of over 350 attendees including State Representative Tim Toomey.

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.)

Well, we just lost another longtime family home on my street (near Davis Square). They had been here for over 50 years – both parents are deceased and the adult kids decided it was time to sell – they had been my neighbors for 48 years. I heard that the new owner is going to convert the two-family into condos – what an original idea!

By George P. Hassett

A Somerville man broke into an Arlington Street woman’s car and stole her iPod, headphones and speakers Feb. 23, according to police.

Junior Oliveira, 31, of 36 Rush St. was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property over $250 and warrant charges.

On March 5, Somerville residents can revel in the tenth annual Maple Syrup Boil Down Festival.- Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Carrie Stanziola

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It’s syrup time: on March 5, Somerville residents can revel in the tenth annual Maple Syrup Boil Down Festival. Interested community members can come to 22 Vinal Avenue, between Summer St. and Highland Ave. near Union Sq, at 10 a.m., where they are invited to watch as sap from local sugar maple trees is boiled into maple syrup over a warm fire.

For the second year in a row, the project is being spearheaded by Tai Dinnan of Groundwork Somerville, whose aim is, in the words of Dinnan, to do “anything and everything that has to do with environmental and community health in our city. We focus on community initiated concerns or ideas and work to empower residents to improve the environmental and community health of our neighborhoods.”

- Photo by Bobbie Toner

By George P. Hassett

A 44-year-old Malden man was arrested for kicking the car mirror of a man he had a dispute with a few days earlier, police said.

Robert McCarthy was arrested at 17 Stone Ave. and charged with destruction of property over $250 Feb. 26. A witness sitting at home allegedly saw McCarthy walk up to a car and look around to make sure he was not being watched.