At the Board of Aldermen’s meeting at 7 p.m. this Thursday, May 8, the BOA will honor former Ward 3 Alderman Tom Taylor for his many years of public service on the board, representing not just his constituents in Ward 3 but throughout Somerville as a community. His family will be present, along with many residents here in the city, to witness the outpouring of thanks from a grateful community here in Somerville. This entire event Thursday night will be a great boost to Tom, who has suffered many physical problems he’s had to endure over these past few years. Tom has been an inspiration to many here over the years, and especially now that he has braved adversity. We hope that the Aldermanic Chamber at City Hall overflows with grateful city residents.  His family, and in particular his lovely wife, Celia, truly appreciate the kindness shown to Tom over these past several months with his many complications with his cancer.

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Also at the Board of Alderman meeting this Thursday the owners Bill and Kate Ragusa of Holiday Cleaners will be recognized for their many and varied contributions and dedication to our city.

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This Thursday night, it’s the Sips & Savories with East Somerville Social from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on lower Washington Street on the Charlestown line. Join your friends and neighbors of East Somerville for a tequila tasting, featuring Tanteo tequila, paired with lime tortilla chips, homemade guacamole and fried wontons topped with southwestern ahi tuna. The cost is $10, and attendees can drop their business card to be entered into a raffle. To RSVP, contact dhughes@distinctivehospitalitygroup.com.

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Our condolences to the family of Robert Ventura, a lifelong resident and veteran who passed away this past week. He was waked at Doherty’s on Tuesday. He leaves his wife, Lucille, to whom we offer our sincere condolences. Bob was a very active member here in Somerville until recently. He was a nice guy and well liked by everyone who knew him.

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Congratulations to our good friend James “Jimmy” Mastromatteo and his lovely bride to be this coming Saturday, Ms. Jodi Ann Gallo, who will be tying the knot at Lantana’s in Randolph. We wish them long life and happiness. A nice couple, and Jimmy is also setting up his own business now that he’s moved to Bridgewater with Jodi. Best wishes from his friends here at The Somerville Times. We look forward to a great celebration.

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Happy Birthday this week to a few of our friends and fans here at the Times. To Brendan Ahern, who is celebrating, we wish him a great day. Also celebrating this week is Anthony Fraser, who grew up here, and to Leo Saltman. We wish them both a happy birthday. To Anita Erin, who is celebrating this week, we wish a happy birthday, as well.  A big happy birthday to an old friend from Somerville, Aida Sousa-Braga, who is also celebrating this week. Former Alderman from Ward 4 and popular guy around the city, Walter Pero is celebrating this week, and we wish him well in his retirement. Brian Whalley, a good guy originally from Carlisle and who works for HubSpot, we wish him the very best of birthdays this week.

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Our own Cam Toner is over at the Spaulding in Cambridge (former Youville) and is doing great but has a long road ahead of her. We wish her speedy recovery and hope to see her back to work really soon; we need those Ms. Olio’s trivia! Thousands of Somervillians look for them weekly.

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The first-time home buyers seminar was a success and had a nice turnout at The Norton Group Real Estate offices in Ball Square. The event was co-sponsored by Attorney Mike Dwyer and Sean O’Donovan, with primary residential mortgage person Barry Shields. And a special thank you to Nikitas Tsoukalis, a credit counselor and the only one in the Boston area with his own company. Another one is being planned for mid-June (a date should be set by next week). To the people who attended, we know it was informative and well worth the visit.

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The date for the SHS scholarship raffle and fundraiser (and the $10K prize!) takes place Friday, May 16, at the Highlander Café at Somerville High School. Refreshments will be served, and the event starts at 7 p.m., with the drawing at 8. Several door prizes will be given out during the drawing for those in attendance. To get you’re $100 tickets, you can send a check to SHS Raffle c/o Joseph Favaloro PO Box 440275 Somerville 02144. Upon receipt of your check, you will be sent your ticket for the drawing. Tickets also might be still available at the door at the event. This great cause helps provide students with scholarships while having fun doing it.

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Now that spring has finally arrived, it’s time to dust off your sneakers and start your training! On May 9, SCALE students, staff and friends will be raising awareness for adult literacy and raising funds for SCALE’s student emergency and scholarship fund. You’re invited to join the Friday morning fun! The Walkathon begins on SCALE’s doorstep (167 Holland St., just outside of Davis Square) at 8 a.m. Last year’s event raised more than $4,000 to support SCALE students in their next steps after completing their secondary credentials. Contact Maureen McGovern or Doreen Curreri at SCALE (617-629-5500) for information or to find out how you can support this event.

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Any and all students in grades 5 through 8 (or of corresponding ages) who love to write and are active writers are invited to a “Writers’ Den” from 12:30 to 3:30p.m. at the Central Somerville Public Library (first-floor auditorium) Wednesday, May 7, and Wednesday, May 21.  The Writers’ Den meets informally to share work, learn some tips and discuss publishing possibilities. Bring a short completed piece of writing. There will be writing and discussion of writing. Bring your poetry, fiction, nonfiction, school newspaper reporting – whatever your interest.

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From noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 15, through Sunday, the Friends of the Somerville Public Library will hold its annual spring book sale at the Central Library located at 79 Highland Ave.  Leftover books will be donated to local nonprofit groups and charities further afield. Contact the Friends to be considered. Visit www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheSomervillePublicLibrary for more info.

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The Tufts Department of Music and Community Music at Tufts will hold the Tufts Youth Philharmonic 2014-2015 auditions at 4 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the Perry and Marty Granoff Music Center. The orchestra is open to teenage musicians in the greater Boston area and is led by noted conductor John Page.  For more information about Tufts Youth Philharmonic, audition, and an application form, visit as.tufts.edu/music or contact Edith Auner at Edith.Auner@tufts.edu or by calling 617-627-3564.

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Nike’s newest factory retail location will open at The Outlets at Assembly Row at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, with grand-opening events taking place through Sunday, May 18. Grand-opening events include a free gift to the first 200 shoppers each day, a $10 shopper incentive when you sign up for store email alerts and a raffle to win a $500 Nike gift card.

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Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to learn about the Common Core state standards at an informational workshop at the East Somerville Community School (50 Cross St.), Thursday, May 8, from 6 to 7:30p.m.  Register with the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) in advance for dinner at 5:30p.m. and/or for childcare by calling 617-625-6600, ext. 6966, or by emailing at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/families.

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The city is seeking community-member participation in a 40-member delegation to travel to Denver, Colo., June 13 as the city seeks to win the All-America City Award for the second time in five years, a feat only a handful of communities have accomplished in the award’s 65-year history. Somerville previously won the award in during the 2009 competition, as well as in 1972. Community members of all ages are welcome, although those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Community members of all ages are invited to participate, though spots are limited. All interested community members will be responsible for airfare, hotel and registration fees. All travel costs will be negotiated where possible for lowest prices, however current rates dictate an estimated cost of $1,000 per person and includes round-trip airfare from Boston to Denver, a three-night stay at the Grand Hyatt, Denver, conference registration and ground transportation fees. There is a minimum requirement of two people per room. If you are interested in participating, contact Jackie Rossetti at 617-625-6600, ext. 2614, or JRossetti@somervillema.gov by Friday, May 9, at noon. For more information about the All-America City Award, visit www.ncl.org.