On Saturday, March 9, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) raised close to $50,000 at its annual Bike4Books spin-a-thon to benefit Project READ, its childhood literary initiative, at Tufts University in Medford. More than 70 people participated and raised funds to purchase new books to distribute to Pediatric patients who come to CHA for wellness visits. Pictured here are physicians and staff from CHA Malden Family Medicine and CHA Somerville Hospital Primary Care.

Shuttle Service Starts Week of March 25

To complete the next phase of work on the Green Line Extension (GLX) Project, the Broadway bridge, between Ball Square and Magoun Square, will close for construction for approximately one-year beginning Friday, March 22, at about 10:00 p.m.

Somerville resident Mike Grunko stands next to a walnut tree on his property at 51 Berkeley Street the morning after attending a public hearing at City Hall.

By Denise Keniston

The hearing on proposed changes to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance that would regulate the removal of significant trees from all private property, including residential property, attracted residents for and against the ordinance on Tuesday, March 12.

The city’s fire and police officials briefed the Somerville City Council on safety measures being implemented in preparation for the GLX project construction bridge closures set to begin later this week.

By Jim Clark

Ward 7 Councilor and Council President Katjana Ballantyne put forward an order that the Chief Fire Engineer and the Chief of Police discuss with the Council, at its February 14 regular meeting, the detailed safety plans for the city as it relates to the upcoming bridge closures due to the Green Line Extension construction.

By Jackson Ellison

Every winter the organization Groundwork Somerville taps maple trees, and with the sap the group hosts a boil down where everyone in the community can come watch maple syrup being made.

Mayor Marc C. McGovern and Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced on Tuesday the establishment of the United Legal Defense Fund for Immigrants, a partnership between the Mayors’ Offices and the Cambridge Community Foundation.

This year we hear so far that the Ward 2, 3, and 6 School Committee members will be retiring, therefore some people are now considering running. We hear that one lady who is very involved with the PTA and is popular, Mary Marshall, is going to pull papers in Ward 3. We heard that couple of candidates are going after the City Councilor At-Large seats. Some other people are looking at various wards to run in. Taxes are way up.

By Donald Norton

A St. Patrick’s Day celebration was held at Sally O’Briens Irish Pub on Sunday. Owner Liam Mannion welcomed many friends and patrons. Bob McWatters also had many friends and family there. Early to arrive and soon had to leave was Secretary of State Bill Galvin. He was heading out to visit a few watering holes. The evening was nice, the corned beef and cabbage was great and the Guinness flowed as it should on this holiday where everyone is Irish. A nice crowd enjoying each other’s company and listening to the Irish band on stage. By the way, if you haven’t been to Sally’s, you are in for a treat. The place has been done over and is now larger.

The long feared bridge closures throughout Somerville to support the Green Line Extension are scheduled to begin this Friday (why Friday?), and area residents as well as those who must travel through are bracing for the worst.

The city has done as much as it says it can to mitigate the misery that will be visited upon us. Rerouting of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, putting up signage to help direct everyone through the alternative pathways, and organizing public transportation to help get everyone through as painlessly as possible has put put in place.

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I like to have these on hand at all times. They are great in a salad, on a sandwich especially with rich proteins like fried chicken or pulled pork, and are especially good on this dish.