Somerville Pop Warner is hosting a Cookies and Cocoa Registration at Clarendon Hill Towers Wednesday (today) from 6-8 p.m. at the community room, 1374 Broadway. Somerville Pop Warner and Cheerleading registration for boys and girls, aged 5–15, by July 31. Fee: $20. Scholarships available. No child is ever turned away for inability to pay.

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We heard that Ward 6 Alderman, Rebekah Gewritz is returning from her leave of absence (recently having had a baby) to the Board of Alderman this month. It will be nice to see her back. We hear also that she’s been very active in keeping on top of things in Ward 6 while she was on leave, tracking the snow removal in Davis Square and the rest of her ward.

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Again, we can’t say it enough. If you think for an instant that the Somerville DPW didn’t do a good job, weeks now after the first two feet of snow fell, then go over and see the conditions on Medford’s streets. What a mess, including the potholes on the narrow streets. Good job to Commissioner Stan Koty and the men and women of the Somerville DPW.

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Speaking of snow removal, if you want to see a sight go to Temple Rd. and Mystic Ave. under I-93 and look at all the snow piled up under the highway that will eventually melt, leaving a mess later on. But the sight of the piles of snow under the highway is something else.

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We want to wish the following Villens here and from here a very Happy Birthday: Lifelong resident and all around great guy – not to mention great Real Estate agent – John Pratti is celebrating this week, and we wish him the very best. Another long time resident and well-known family member is celebrating this week, Marc Piro. We wish him the very best. Even though he moved to NH, his roots and family are still here. Well-known Shriners clown Donald Coutoumas is celebrating this week. Realtor Nick Kondilis of Bremis Realty, a good guy, is celebrating this week as well. Another well-known name is celebrating this week, Dennis Fischman. We wish him the very best as well. A lady whose roots are also here in Somerville, Pat Crawford, is also celebrating this week. Another well-known guy, John Ciriello, is celebrating his birthday this week. And we wish to say Happy Birthday to Linda Pye Greene who is celebrating this week as well. Finally, we want to say Happy Birthday to the father of Rod Kreimeyer (our favorite pest control) guy. His father Roy is 92 this week and still lives alone and gets on very well by himself. To all others we wish a very special birthday this week too.

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Our good friend and former Ward 3 Alderman Tom Taylor is having a rough time of it recently in and out of treatment. We know everyone wishes him the very best. His wife Celia and family would like to have a so-called “celebration of life” for Tom while he is still with us. The event will take place Sunday, April 26 at the Somerville City Club, 4-8 p.m. It will also be Tom and Celia’s 25th anniversary on May 12. The invitations went out on Facebook, but if the family missed anyone please feel free to add yourself to this event. It’s a surprise, so don’t say you read it here. The family will need some help with food, drinks, desserts. They would like EVERY ONE to come!

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Last week, Mary Jo Rossetti had a wonderful showing of support from the community here in the city with her very first campaign kickoff/fundraiser upon her serving her first term in office as Alderman At Large. It’s the season; this year is city elections so a lot of candidates in and out of office will be hosting several of these events.

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Notice the new heading on our paper? It’s the first of several changes being made over the next several weeks here at The Somerville Times. A new format and look to keep up with the times. Also, we want to make sure we look different than some other so-called newspapers. The Times here in Somerville is always changing, always looking to improve. Let us know what you think of our new look. And also feel free to give us ideas. If you would like to contribute to The Times, either as a writer of articles or opinion pieces, give us a call or email us.

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The Arts at the Armory have partnered with The Surfrider Foundation to host The New England Expression Session: A Night of Surf Art and a Silent Auction, happening Saturday, March 14 from 7-10 p.m. at The Armory. This exhibition will feature over twenty local artists, a performance by the local band Squirrelly Bird, live art, and short films. Beer and wine will be served. They are also pleased to be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 18 from 2-7 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

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Learn about Somerville High School’s Center for Career and Technical Education programs at the 2015 CTE Vocational Fair on Saturday, March 21. Guests will get an inside look at the CTE’s 13 trade programs, and have an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities. The day’s events include tours led by CTE Student Ambassadors. Somerville High School’s CTE programs are preparing students for success beyond high school, using the latest technology and the most cutting-edge techniques. Stop in on March 21 between 9:00 a.m. and noon to find out more. Free and open to the public.

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Join in for a family workshop focused on student learning and family fitness. The workshop takes place at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powderhouse Blvd., and is open to all Somerville families. A light supper will be served from 5:00-5:30 p.m. (registration required), followed by Family Fitness and Learning Activities from 5:30-6:30 p.m. For more information please call: 617-629-5476 or 617-625-6600 x6449. Sponsored in collaboration with the Somerville Public Schools Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant and Somerville Community Schools.

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Adults and high school students are needed to help plan and execute the city’s annual Patriots Day event, a Colonial Fair at Foss Park on Monday, April 20. Volunteers are needed in several areas, including: community outreach; working with youth to create drawings about the event and our community in Colonial times; and assistance with event logistics, by leading Colonial era games, serving refreshments, and distributing and stamping Colonial Passports. For more information or to volunteer, contact Brandon Wilson at 617-625-6600 ext 2532, or BWilson@somervillema.gov.

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Leaders of Somerville’s faith communities are invited by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Health and Human Services Department to the first meeting of the newly reorganized Inter-Faith Council. The meeting will be held tonight, March 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall, and will discuss issues faced by each organization, plans to address issues, and to share information about city and organization services and resources. The Somerville Inter-Faith Council is an opportunity for leaders in the faith communities in Somerville to regularly meet and share ideas and opportunities with the Mayor and members of his staff. Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Betsy Allen, at extension 2323 or ballen@somervillema.gov. Please confirm your attendance by contacting Nancy Bacci at NBacci@somervillema.gov, or 617-625-6600 ext. 2250.