It began after a bad oil spill that took place in 1969 off the coast of California. A year later, the first annual Earth Day was celebrated to demonstrate universal support for environmental protection and responsible stewardship of the planet and its inhabitants.

Local slacker-rock group, Otis Shanty, of Prospect Hill, is set to play a string of local shows as daylight hours add up in Somerville. The band is currently in the studio recording their next album, a double EP. Otis Shanty is Sadye Bobbette, Ryan DiLello, Julian Snyder, and Jono Quinn. The four have played for four years, and hope to play forever.

— Photo by Denise Provost

Captive moon.

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Review by off the Shelf correspondent Dennis Daly

Internalized reality and memory need inspired, mindful editing to reach their fated shape of first-rate poetry. Ben Mazer showcases his skills as the genre’s perfect (or, at least, near-perfect) editor in his new book, The Ruined Millionaire. Somehow, in the evident density of Mazer’s work, his mirrored image metaphorically seems to appear distributing versified handbills that alert his already captured audience to the celebration of self-consciousness unquestionably underway. Oxidized word-bronzes and broken shards of stained-glass history are reinvigorated by this poet into contemporary, albeit runic, measures. Here the mind’s suzerainty is never in doubt. And Mazer is nothing if not the self-conscious observer of his own cognizant creations.

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Kenley Kegler is a senior photography major at Endicott College. She is from Ridgefield, Connecticut, and has enjoyed creative writing since she was in high school. Her poetry is inspired by people close to her that have made an impact on her life and is dedicated to those who struggle with alcohol addiction.

Lyndell’s Bakery held their annual Sean Collier Memorial Scholarship fundraiser this past weekend in loving memory of Officer Sean Collier. Proceeds from every half-moon sold went to the SAPD (Somerville Auxiliary Police Dept.) Sean Collier Memorial Scholarship. Winners of the raffle tickets sold can be found on Lyndell’s Facebook page.

RESPOND, Inc., the Somerville-based nonprofit organization serving survivors of domestic violence throughout Middlesex and Suffolk counties, will host its first back-in-person fundraising gala since 2019.

The event will take place at 6 pm on May 4 at The Kimpton Hotel Marlowe located at 25 Edwin H Land Boulevard in Cambridge.

LEGO^® Discovery Center Boston revealed an all-new 20-foot giraffe as part of the attraction’s refurbishment. The giant creation took an entire day to assemble and features 22,000 LEGO® DUPLO^® bricks. The LEGO® Discovery Center, opening later this spring, unveiled the new colorful giraffe as part of the $12-million-dollar renovation.

On Saturday, April 22, Groundwork Somerville will host a farm workday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., along with a community-wide celebration from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. filled with hands-on educational activities, games, music, and more.