This Thursday evening is “3rd THURSDAY BLOCK PARTY: RHYHTM OF THE EAST” from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Chuckie Harris Park. Join the third Block Party called ‘Rhythm of the East!’ This block party includes performances by SHS Jazz, Guitar & World Percussion Ensembles, Somerville Symphony Orkestar and more! Bring a picnic and the whole family and enjoy this fantastic event!

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Celia and Tom Taylor are having a “Taylor Yard Sale” This Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., going through to 1 p.m. 32 Vinal Avenue from Highland Avenue (across from SHS) to Summer Street. Household items, furniture, toys, books, vintage, antiques and collectibles will be available as they need to downsize to the first floor and add a bedroom. Please feel free to share. We will continue the sale on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday is our rain date for either day.

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Thank you to the bloggers who responded to last week’s question on “who was Sylvester Baxter” and why and how the park at Assembly Square got its name. So, unless we’re missing something, the name has been there for a long time, some say when MDC was around, although now it’s called DCR. Why would the state or an agency name a park after someone that has nothing to do with Somerville? We are sure that Sylvester Baxter was a nice guy, but as far as we can see he never lived here or worked here. Should our officials have asked who Sylvester Baxter was? Did you know that the park on the other side of Ten Hills is called “Torbert MacDonald” — a long time congressman out of Medford? Again, some of us have lived in that area all our lives and never heard of Sylvester Baxter. Used to be places and squares and schools were named after well-known civic leaders and politicians that passed on.

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The East Somerville Reunion is coming up fast on July 12 at the Somerville City Club. Open to all who grew up in East Somerville, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, from all parts of East Somerville, Cross Street, the Avenues, Glen Park, Florence Street Park, Prescott School, Edgerly School, all areas if you grew up and want to reacquaint yourself with others from the same neighborhood, this is the party for you. Over 100 so far are going to attend. This will be a great event. Everyone that grew up in East Somerville will tell you, it was a special place in our city. Everyone knew everyone else no matter what corner you hung out on or park you grew up on. East Somerville had something special. The old-fashioned block parties that took place at the Old Broadway show. The event is free, you just have to be from East Somerville. There were sponsors that took care of the bill for the City Club and food.

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Happy Birthdays this week to several friends both here in the Ville and all around. HB to Senator Sal DiDomenico, who used to represent us in East Somerville. We hope he has a good day. A nice guy, Joe E. Vanessa, who owns his own popular pastry/coffee and breakfast shop on the corner of Lowell and Medford Streets, Modelo’s Meat Market, as well as Modelo’s Bakery in Magoun Square.

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The city was authorized and approved by the board to purchase new vehicles, and thanks to Alderman-at-Large Mary Jo Rossetti asking, the police department is going to donate the older cars to the high school so that the students can learn to drive with them.

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One of Somerville’s unsung heroes for many reasons was recognized for his many years of service and contributions to the youth of our city. A quiet man and humble to say the least. The Board of Alderman recognized Richard Knibbs of Ball Square, a lifelong resident. He and his wife took in and helped out many young people here in Somerville over the years. A great guy, we think he deserved it. We who know him and who know of him salute him and when you see him around, say “Hi” and congratulate him as well.

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This week is the celebration of the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. The men who died for our liberties and freedom began with that battle for our independence.

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Alderman Ward 5 Mark Niedergang is having a “party and fundraiser” on Sunday, June 29 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at 29 Conwell Street off Highland. Italian buffet. pizza, live band and children’s activities. The suggested donation is $50 per adult.

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If you’re planning on doing a move, even moving furniture that might be difficult, one of us here at The Times had some very delicate and difficult furniture to move from one room to another. Two men from Gentle Giant Moving came, Viorel (Victor) Bodiu and Tucker Onisky (we apologize if we misspelled), who were perfect professionals in every way. They know their stuff, handled everything with care and made sure it was in its place, and with a smile. We can’t say enough, Gentle Giant has put us in the “we won’t call anyone else ever” category. So, when you call Gentle Giant and want a small but difficult move (even bigger ones) ask for Viorel and Tucker, nice guys, and you will be as amazed as we were.

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Now, on another note, when you call Comcast for some help, with the prices they charge you’d think they would be out with a snap. Not Comcast. A four day appointment and then the window was just 5-7 p.m. Just to connect the Internet. Comcast should be ashamed for what they charge, the cost of which is getting so high it’s like a Cadillac car payment. For that cost we should get to pick the channels you want to watch as well. More than 70% of the channels we bet most people don’t watch, but we pay for them.

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The budget meetings continue at City Hall. Last week the Budget Committee on the Board of Alderman had three late evenings and then a full board meeting, so we got our monies worth, we think, last week. This week the budget hearings continue. We can’t wait to see who is on the chopping block this year. And we wonder where our tax dollars are going. Roll call vote by the board members themselves — let’s see who votes to really cut the budget and who votes to increase.

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Congratulations last week on the recent promotions recommended by the mayor and sent to the Board of Alderman for confirmation of six Somerville firefighters for advancement. For Deputy Fire Chiefs appointed was Michael Avery and Sean Tierney both long time department men. Also voted and approved were two officers in the position of Fire Captain and they were Gregory French and Steven Mauras. Voted and approved were two more for the position of Lieutenant and they were Timothy Flynn and Paul French. All men have been with the department a long time serving our community well. It was announced for the first time that two brothers were appointed and promoted in the same evening. We here at The Times congratulate them all on achieving their positions and wish them the very best of luck. A huge crowd of family and fellow fire fighters filled he Alderman Chambers to witness the swearing in.

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The nationwide search for another police chief is continuing and hard work by the search committee has narrowed the choices down to four candidates who will be submitted to the Board of Alderman for a public hearing. A question and answer session will be held on the 25th at City Hall in the Aldermanic Chambers. The four choices are current Deputy Chiefs Mike Cabral and David Fallon along, with Manchester, NH, Chief of Police David Mara and Hamden, CT, Police Chief Thomas Wydra. The Public is invited to be part of the process and either go online and ask your questions or come on down the 25th at 630 p.m. to the Aldermanic Chambers.

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Several from the city, including the mayor, were off to Denver Co. these past few days to try out again for the “All American City” award. Do you think we deserve it?

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Cam Toner is home recuperating fast and when we visited her she couldn’t wait to get back to being active again. We’re looking at this sometime soon and, hopefully, a nice breakfast for the whole group of us up in Teele Square.

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Assembly Row is working in conjunction with 92.9 to host the inaugural Rock and Run 5k obstacle race taking place on Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The event will feature monkey bars, climbs, hurdles, and walls with live musical acts at every mile marker along the course. After crossing the finish line, runners will be invited to relax at a post race party featuring a beer garden (21+) and will be capped off by an exclusive performance by a national recording artist. Registration is currently open at www.rockandrunboston.com. There will be free parking onsite or you can get there by using the MBTA: Orange line to Wellington. For any questions, please call 617-440-5565, or visit www.assemblyrow.com.