— Photo by Bobbie Toner

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is announcing the members of the School Building Committee (SBC) who will provide oversight of the city’s construction plans for a new school to meet the needs of the Winter Hill Community Innovation School and potentially the Benjamin G. Brown School. 

Opera on Tap Boston and Simons Shoes present Flowers and Opera on Friday June 7, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Bow Market in Somerville. Free and open to the public, Flowers and Opera is sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council and the Mass Cultural Council, and will feature live opera singers, free flowers from Nellie’s Wildflowers, and a food drive.

The ‘Slice of the City’ spring meet-up series is an opportunity to connect and engage with city leaders and staff as well as neighbors, all while enjoying Somerville’s parks. Events continue next week with meet-ups in Wards 7 and 5.

 The City of Somerville’s annual Hydrant Flushing Program is scheduled to begin on Thursday, May 16 and conclude in late October. This annual program flushes pipes at high velocities to clean water mains and maintain the highest possible water quality.

Calling all riders! To celebrate National Bike to Work Week, USQ and Prospect Union Square have teamed up with Landry’s Bicycles to offer a free Bike Check Up Clinic at Union Square Station Plaza.

Residents, community members encouraged to review interview and submit feedback to help choose Somerville’s next Chief of Police

Somerville community members are encouraged to provide feedback on Police Chief finalists. Search Committee interviews with finalists under consideration to become the next Somerville Chief of Police were recently recorded for public review. The interviews are now available online for viewing and comment. 

This year’s Porchfest takes place on Saturday, May 11, at a neighborhood near you.

Somerville’s porches, yards, and stoops are once again set to host free mini-concerts across the city as part of the city’s annual Porchfest hosted by the Somerville Arts Council. This celebration of local, live, homegrown music offers something for everyone at drop-in home-based shows. Participants can simply stroll from house to house to enjoy the open-air entertainment.

By Dennis Fischman

Dennis Lehane is well known in the Boston area. A Dorchester native, he began his career with the well-written but more conventional mysteries featuring private detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro. Then, he reached beyond the genre, still holding onto the dark vision of his original series.