Come and join this month’s block party Thursday, April 17, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Chuckie Harris Park (Cross Street East). Bring a picnic and the family, have fun and meet your neighbors.

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Happy birthday this week to some of our fans here in the Ville and elsewhere. A big “happy birthday” to Linda Rock Coutoumas, who is celebrating this week. Talt Gregory Shackelford IV, from a well-known Villen family, we wish him a HB. Winslan George, who is local realtors very involved here in Somerville for many years, we wish a very happy birthday. Cheryl Constantine Leatham’s is celebrating this week as well.

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Congratulations to our good friends Tony and Donna Alibrandi, who are celebrating 52 years of marriage this week. What a wonderful couple. They are always giving and always supporting a lot of the athletic groups over the years here in Somerville.  Both Tony and Donna have served the community in many ways over these past 52 years and beyond, so when you’re on Holland Street next time, stop over at his barbershop, open the door and give a nice congratulations to the Alibrandis.

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Congratulations are in hand to former Alderman at Large Bruce Desmond, who we hear is now at the police department as deputy director of information. You know the communications department in various departments in the city seems to be where the jobs are at here in Somerville. It used to be Traffic and Parking was the number one place to put people to work and then spread them around. By the way, we hear that Suzanne Rinfrett is the new T&P director (maybe not so new?). Suzanne used to work at Good Times down at Assembly. Might be interesting to add up all those working for the city that are in communications departments sometime -or just maybe it’s being done now?

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That reunion we keep telling you about down in East Somerville is on for sure and will be held at the Somerville City Club July 12. At last check, they raised over $1,000 for the event. If you’d like to donate, go online to Facebook and look up “East Somerville Reunion.” Should be a great time. East Somerville was so unique in its character and makeup, more so than the rest of the city. Everyone who grew up in Lower Broadway knew each other, even though they were broken off into groups. Make sure to mark it on your calendar.

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Our Ms. Cam Toner has been in and out of Mass General this past week. Our thoughts and prayers are for a speedy recovery and sending her home where she will feel more comfortable.

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The busiest people this time of year are the accountants and our tax people, people like Diane O’Brien in Davis Square. She’s a busy lady, but she gets the job done. She’s going to have a nice little vacation for herself. Another friend of ours as CPA is Wayne Snow and his lovely wife, Cheryl, down on Main Street Charlestown (a well-known family from here). They have been working round the clock as well. And finally a big time vacation is nearing for our good friend Attorney Edwin Smith, who is also a great tax attorney.

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Speaking of attorneys, a good friend, Stephen Glines, was in a car accident not too long ago, but he’s back to work and doing what he does best: serving his clients. Steve moved out of Magoun Square to Davis Square over the bank.  A good guy and great attorney -and someone who returns phone calls.

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Heard a saying the other day maybe worth repeating so we leave it here for you to read and decide: “The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies. It comes from your friends and loved ones.”

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For all you history buffs out there, the city’s 239th annual Patriots’ Day celebration will be held at Foss Park from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 21. Co-sponsored by the Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Somerville, the Somerville Museum and East Somerville Main Streets, the day’s events will include Colonial games and songs, light refreshments, youth readings, and a visit from Paul Revere on horseback on his historic ride from Boston to Lexington through Somerville. The event will begin with live music by the Somerville High School band, games and refreshments, followed by a brief speaking agenda with youth poetry readings and the arrival of Paul Revere. Children will receive a “Colonial Times Passport” and are invited to participate in various Colonial-era games. Children who complete each of the six stations will receive a small prize. Volunteers will be dressed in traditional Colonial attire and attendees are encouraged to do the same. For more information, contact Executive Director Brandon Wilson at 617-625-6600 ext 2532 or bwilson@somervillema.gov or Barbara Mangum, president of Historic Somerville by emailing admin@historicsomerville.org or by calling 617-625-5809.

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The first-ever Somerville Food Truck Festival at Assembly Row will be held Saturday, June 7. Launching the 2014 Food Truck Festivals of New England season, the Somerville Food Truck Festival will also launch the second season of ASSEMBLED, the handmade arts market at Assembly Row that will include New England Etsy artisans. There will be food trucks, a beer tent, specialty food vendors, live music, sampling tents and children’s activities. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with popular New England food trucks, plus many newcomers, all serving up a variety of dishes including bacon favorites, Asian fusion, local seafood, BBQ, gourmet grilled cheese, homemade ice cream and more. Ticket information will be available shortly.

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With spring in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about Mother’s Day, which will be here before you know it! A unique place to find that perfect gift is the Local is for Lovers Mother’s Day Market. The market, which is sponsored by ZipCar, takes place place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Brooklyn Boulders (12A Tyler St.). All shoppers must fill out a waiver form for Brooklyn Boulders (the waiver can be filled out online at the Brooklyn Boulders website). The Local is for Lovers Mother’s Day Market will feature 30 local vendors selling everything from jewelry and handmade soap to sweets and clothing.

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The annual Somerville High Scholarship raffle is being planned for May 16 at the Highlander Café. Like every year since 1990, the raffle is limited to 250 tickets at $100 each. The grand prize will be $10,000 which is the last number called. Get your tickets early and support this fine organization that helps to give students at the high school scholarships.  Make check payable to the SHS Scholarship Foundation and mail to the following:  S.H.S. Raffle c/o Joseph Favaloro, P.O. Box 440275 Somerville MA 02144. Upon receipt of your check, your ticket will be mailed to you. Or you can call Gene Brune at 617-628-5835.

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The Somerville Rotary Club is celebrating its 90th anniversary Friday, May 2, at Anthony’s in Malden on Canal Street. Tickets are $50 per person. RSVP by April 22 to am.ferraro@comcast.net.  Somerville Rotary is very active here in the city with various charities that they contribute to, and it is open to members of the business community who would like to join, Rotary meets every Tuesday at noon at the Mt. Vernon Restaurant on Lower Broadway.

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The 40th PTA Scholarship Dinner Dance for the Somerville Council of PTAs will be held May 2 at Anthony’s in Malden.