The annual Somerville High Scholarship Foundation raffle is coming up fast – and plenty of tickets are still available – on May 17. The usual first prize of $10,000 will be awarded along with many other prizes. Only 250 tickets to be sold. The event will be held at the Highlander Café at the High School, May 17, 7 p.m. with the drawing starting at 8 p.m. Several door prizes, refreshments and lots of fun for a great cause. To purchase a ticket for the raffle beforehand make checks payable to the SHS Scholarship Foundation and mail your $100 check to SHS Raffle, c/o Eugene Brune, P.O. Box 440275. Somerville 02144. This is a great local charity that raises funds for scholarships for well-deserved students. Send a check today and get your tickets and, who knows, you just might be the big winner.

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We note the sad passing this week of a great guy who will be missed by many, Tony J. Sillari, 92 years of age and married to equally great lady Mary for 67 years, who raised their large family here. What a nice guy from a great local family who has done a lot for many people here in Somerville. A private,  family only, wake will be held this week, Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service in St. Catherine’s of Genoa Church, 179 Summer St, Somerville, MA, on Thursday morning (May 9)  at 11:00 a.m. followed by interment at Oak Grove Cemetery. Tony was a great guy and will be missed by his large family as well as the many here, especially in Somerville, who knew him. He was a great Somervillevillian. We here at The Somerville News extend our heart felt condolences to his entire family.

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A fundraiser gala to benefit Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, hosted by Young Professionals Advisory Board is Friday, May 10 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Harvard Club, 1 Federal Street, Boston. Open bar/live auction/live DJ. Price is $75 online and at the door $100.

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This week’s Happy Birthdays go out to former Ward 4 Alderman – and glad he’s retired now – Walter Pero. Our good friend and funny guy – you know him as the DJ at city events – George Landers. Even though he’s technically celebrating next week on Monday we wanted to squeeze him in this week. To Pauline McMahon, who also works for the city here. Leah Mattson is celebrating along with Internet tech guy Brian Whalley. Long time East Somerville girl Diane Macleod Lima from the famous Macleod family. Also, a good friend and former Villen here, but still has a lot of relations living here, Aida Sousa-Braga, an old time friend. Happy 15th birthday to our good friend John Foscarota, who is celebrating the entire week in the Ville! Also, Louise “Nana” Frongillo is celebrating her 93rd birthday this week. Nana is our good friend Lauren Candelino’s grandmamma and Sylvia Candelino’s mama from Somerville. We wish them all the best! Happy birthday to Joel Mesiti, who is out and about blowing out birthday candles this week! More birthday celebrations are going on in the Ville, like our good friends Leo Saltman’s and Billy Desmond’s.

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We heard that Senator Sal DiDomenico was taken to the hospital this week. We hope he is getting better and on the mend real fast. He is one of the nicest Senators that serve in the Mass Senate. Get better, Sal, and back to doing what you like doing best, serving the residents of his district, of which Somerville is part.

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There was a nice crowd Monday night at Tony LaFuente “Cinco de Mayo” day fundraiser for his re-election to Ward Four Alderman. He’s done a great job for the residents of Winter Hill and Ten Hills and his reward so far is no one is going to challenge him for his seat. At least we haven’t heard of any names. We’ll keep you posted.

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We were very impressed that well known behind the political scene guru Feargal O’Toole was seen sporting a full business suit. First time we’ve seen that and in a bar. A nice guy and a true Liberal in the good sense of the word. He knows what we mean.

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Pulling papers for what appears to be one of the most exciting political years locally here in Somerville, almost wants to make an old time Somervillevillian cry. Hopefully, it will help to stimulate discussion, debate and differences of opinion, which is good for the entire city. So far, as of Tuesday, 26 people pulled papers for various offices here in the city and that’s a good thing.  We hear that more will pull in days to come, hopefully putting every ward in the city for all offices in a debate of the issues. City Hall election department on the lower level (School Street side) is where candidates can sign up and receive nomination papers.

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A Storm is coming! The MMA’s 12th Annual Storm the State House. On May 16, motorcyclists from across the Commonwealth  of Massachusetts and neighboring States will be making the trek to the State House in Boston to attend the MMA’s 12th Annual Storm the State House Event.  The main staging location is the Lion’s Club & Senior Center, 9 New Washington Street, Somerville, MA and they’ll be leaving there at noon.   Other staging areas are located across the state and leave at various times to converge on the Somerville start point. The seniors will have refreshments available at no cost and a donation to the center is welcome. Contact Billy Tauro for more information.

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The recent ground breaking ceremony last week at Assembly Square was well attended under the extra hot tent that Federal Realty or their PR people picked out. It normally might be a good tent for rainy days but a sun blaring down made you feel like you were under a magnifying glass, making the 60 degree weather 90 degrees and on top of that they had the ceremony a fair distance away from where you could park your car. Maybe they need a planner for events?

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Have you bought a Boston Globe lately? Especially the Sunday edition – $3.50. Wow, and the Farm Team is $2. We would be embarrassed to ask for that kind of money, and they seriously think people are reading their stuff? That’s why we are only local stories, and still at the low price of no charge. We do ask that you support our advertisers. They make it happen and they need your business, so mention you saw their ad in The Somerville News.

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The Somerville High School Class of 2013 cordially invites the Class of 1963 to Class Day, Friday, May 31 at the Somerville High School Field House, 81 Highland Avenue. Class Day festivities begin at 9 a.m., with a luncheon immediately following the ceremony. RSVP by May 17 to the Somerville High School Main Office, 617-625-6600 x6100. Limited to the first 50 respondents.

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Auditions for The Sunsetters 2013 Season will be held on Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the Somerville High School Cafeteria. Please bring a CD with your music on it, or be prepared to sing without music. Auditions are open to kids ages 12 to 18 (or entering grade 12). For information call Jimmy Del Ponte at 617-625-6600 ext. 2616.

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Rising – Songs Of Hope & Recovery: A Benefit for Victims of the Boston Marathon Tragedy takes place at Johnny D’s, Tuesday, May 14, 7:30 p.m. Proceeds to benefit The One Fund Boston.