The Somerville Chamber of Commerce monthly After Business Hours this month is set for Thursday, May 2, at the Flatbread Company, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Contact the Chamber to make your reservation.

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Driving around Somerville these past several weeks and months has been torture. What with the detours, construction of bridges and the vast amount of pot holes that are everywhere, it has been a major headache. Who plans this to all happen at the same time? The Ball Square bridge closed, Washington St. bridge closed, and now soon the Medford St. bridge will be closed. Then you have Union Square, which is just horrible to get through unless it’s 3:00 a.m. What person is responsible for a city which is less than four miles square with a population of 78K to 80K and makes it so difficult to get around. Regarding the pot holes, the City Councilors are now telling people to call 311. They can’t or won’t do anything. In days not too far in the past, the Aldermen got a call and the pot hole was filled. We hear one City Councilor has multiple pot holes on his street. Wonder if he called 311?

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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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What is going on with our City Hall? More than a few who work there and others are amazed at the way the building is beginning to deteriorate. With all the new vehicles being bought for the city, you’d think they would take care of it.

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The Somerville High Scholarship annual fundraiser is set for May 17, 7:00 p.m., at the Somerville Lions Club, 9 Washington St., Somerville (behind the Holiday Inn). The drawing, with a top prize of $10K, is based on selling 250 tickets at $100 each. Several door prizes will be awarding and refreshments will be served. To buy a ticket, contact SHS Raffle c/o Joseph Favaloro, PO Box 440275, Somerville, 02144, or call Eugene C. Brune at 617-628-5835.

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We hear that the Master Developer for Union Square is having some serious reservations about getting things started. US2 can’t get a shovel in the ground and development going on the D Blocks because the City Council isn’t allowing the Somerville Redevelopment Authority to convey a parcel on land they need to build out commercial and residential development on the land adjacent to the T Stop in the Square. Also, because US2 can’t develop the property the city loses out on tax revenues which would help residential taxpayers and linkage fees for the affordable housing trust fund.

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We want to congratulate Irene Bremis on her new office at 120 College Ave. Irene and her associates will be having a grand opening May 9, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Irene is the Associate Broker at Ibremis RE. If you know Irene give her a call and congratulate her. Let her know if you’re going to the grand opening, we are!

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Celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday this week to not just another nice guy, but one who works hard in his family restaurant, Brett Henry, of the famous Mt. Vernon Restaurant. We wish Brett a great birthday. Happy birthday to a Somerville newbie from Illinois, Justin David Sofia, who is a computer whiz and is continuing his education. Happy birthday to Linda Beebe, who is celebrating this week along with her daughter, Nicole Fletcher. Happy birthday to both. Happy birthday also to Anthony Frazer, who grew up in East Somerville and married an East Somerville lady, Karen Macleod. A big Happy Birthday to Mike Moccia of the Ball Square Café, we hope Mike has a great day for himself. To those that are celebrating this week, and we didn’t post, again we wish you the best of birthdays.

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Join the City of Somerville, Groundwork Somerville, and Comcast Cares for the annual Spring Cleanup, on Saturday, May 4, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. All participants are invited to meet at the Blessing of the Bay Boat House on Shore Drive from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. for breakfast, a short speaking programs, and information from local environmental organizations before heading out to cleanup sites. Residents are invited to join Ward captains and city officials in each of the city’s seven Wards to help prepare the city for the spring and summer by planting flowers, weeding open spaces, and otherwise cleaning our community following the long winter months. If you’d like to register for the cleanup ahead of time visit bit.ly/SomervilleCleanUp2019. Pre-registration is not required, however, if you have a group larger than five people it is very helpful to let us know you so we can make sure we have enough supplies for your team. Volunteers should meet Ward captains at 10:00 a.m. at the following locations: Ward 1, East Branch Library, 115 Broadway; Ward 2, South Street Farm, 138 South St., Quincy Street Open Space, 14 Quincy St., ArtFarm, 10 Poplar St., Argenziano School and playground, 290 Washington St.; Ward 3, Morse Kelley playground – corner of Summer St. and Craigie St.; Ward 4, Blessing of the Bay Boat House, 32 Shore Dr., Steps at the Mystic Housing Development/Healey School; Ward 5, Community Path, Cedar St. entrance, 154 Cedar St.; Ward 6, Davis Sq., Statue Park (near JP Licks), 4 College Ave.; Ward 7, Dilboy Stadium, meet at tennis courts, 110 Alewife Brook Parkway.

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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 some say the best deal in Somerville. Call the hall and ask for details at 617-623-9340.