The Ball Square Bridge is closed, but several local eateries are depending on you to continue stopping in and having a great breakfast or lunch. Whether it’s Ball Square Café, Sound Bites, Kelly’s Diner, or Victor’s Deli – which everyone loves – please don’t forget them. Business will be rough, but each place in Ball Square has loyal dedicated customers who need to keep coming back. Don’t forget the many other businesses in Ball Square either. So far, as we are located here in Ball Square (the newspaper) traffic hasn’t been that bad!

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A third East Somerville Reunion is set for this year. Dan Rogovich has let us know he is once again planning it. Lots of people who grew up in East Somerville have missed the last two but wanted to have a third. Thanks to Dan, who is an East Somerville lover, managed to get the Somerville City Club booked on Saturday, June 15. Dan and his assistants worked hard on the past two and they will do the same this year to make it a success. Many here at The Times are from East Somerville and we will be there, and we have already reached out to others. A small group of “down backers” behind the Bucket who grew up there in the 60’s will all be there. They meet every four or so months to talk about old times and great times. Help make this a success. Go online to Facebook to check it out. Ask Dan what you can do to help. He is looking for the food, entertainment and just plain East Somerville fun. Charlestown line to McGrath Hwy., is considered East Somerville, which includes Glen Park, Florence St. Park, Prescott School, Seven Son’s Restaurant, Trina’s on Washington, Steve’s, Tip Top, S&S Subs on Cross Street, Avenue’s, Broadway show, lower Broadway, Tufts St., Murray St. and Charles St.

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Once again for the 7th year now, the Freemasons on Highland Ave. are hosting their annual Giggles night club with a great night of comedy and a silent auction. The event is on April 24, doors open at 630 p.m. The Tower of Pizza on Rte. 1, Saugus, Giggles Comedy Club. This year, like the last, local comedian and great guy Lenny Clark will be there, and he’s bringing some of his friends. It should be a great night for laughs, all the pizza you can eat and over 20 baskets to bid on at the silent auction. The money raised is for the “insurance fund” for the Masonic Building at 125 Highland (rear) Somerville. Open to Masons, their families and friends, cost is only $25 pp. For more information, contact the President of the Association, Bobby Potaris, at potarisconstruction@yahoo.com or the Secretary of the Association, Mark Aubuchon, at markaubuchon1@gmail.com, or if you prefer just show up at the door.

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Happy birthday to a special and talented young lady who turned 10 years of age this week. We wish Maria Gabriella LoRusso the very best of birthdays. We saw a picture of the cake her mom made, absolutely beautiful. Maria Gabriella speaks several languages, plays an instrument, and is one of the smartest at school. Plus she’s very popular. Happiest of birthdays Maria, from everyone at The Somerville Times.

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Others celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Rachael Hart-Adams, celebrating with her large family and, of course, her 2-year-old Finn. We know Rachael will be smiling as usual the whole week. Happy birthday to Ed Bean, one of the nicest gentleman at City Hall. We wish him a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Zachery Swanfeldt, who although not from Somerville, his grandparents were and they are still seen in the city often. Zachery’s family owns Lynco Sprinklers out of Burlington. We wish Zach a great day. Happy birthday to Sheila Houhgton-Tracy. We wish her a great day. Happy birthday to young Jim Halloran, we hope he has a great day. A great family man and good guy. Happy birthday to Diane O’Brien, who works in Davis Square, does tax filing and provides advice to many here. She’s a nice lady and we wish her the very best of birthday’s and many more to come. To the many others we didn’t post over the last couple of months, we wish them a very happy belated birthday and apologize. To those that are celebrating this week and we didn’t post, again, we wish you the best of birthdays.

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From Donald Norton, here at the paper, after being absent for a couple of months due to my bout with cancer. I can honestly tell you that I appreciated all the cards, calls and inquiries about how I was doing. It really helped me to get through it. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the worst is over and although I’m still on medication I am back in full swing. First time driving my new car this past week and felt good. The team I have at MGH is fantastic, they are the best, and we are so fortunate to live in an area where so many great hospitals like Mass General are. I am being watched carefully. I look good and feel much better than back in December. I underwent extensive radiation in January for the spot on my head, and then chemo cocktails until February 1. They have me on a new pill daily that has a 95 success rate for what I have (spot lung cancer). Again, thank you to everyone for your support, and a special thank you to Bobbie Toner for all she’s done for both my wife and me. She’s the best!

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The Somerville City Club manager Donny Johnson is looking all the time for new members to join the club, if you think you’d be interested give him a call at 617-623-9340. It’s a great local club for the residents of Somerville, and has been around now for over 40 years, their location on Innerbelt Road. Plenty of parking and a very nice hall for rent, some say the best deal in Somerville. Call the hall and ask for details at 617-623-9340.

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We have someone damaging our boxes out there in the streets. So far, two have been destroyed lately. If you see someone doing it call us, no questions asked. A small reward be given for letting us know who it is.

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Looking for a job as a real estate professional here in the Greater Boston area and Somerville? Contact our office, Century 21 North East – Norton Group RE, 699 Broadway, Somerville. Call 617-623-6600 or email donaldfnorton@gmail.com. Century 21 North East has over 45 offices here in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine. It’s the fastest growing company around, headed by Jimmy D’Amico, originally from Chelsea. Find out why so far since January 1 of this year over 100 agents both new and existing have joined with C21 North East. With over 800 agents, it’s all about family and good business sense.