The Somerville Rotary Club is excited to sponsor the Chamber of Commerce’s Business after Hours on Thursday, February 7, at Dali Restaurant on Washington Street from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The networking meeting is an opportunity for Rotarians to talk about their work in the community and in the world and to invite everyone interested in learning more about the club and Rotary to come as a guest to a luncheon at the Mt. Vernon restaurant, 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12.

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The Somerville Rotary is also excited to participate in an annual Polio Plunge, February 9, at Long Beach in Gloucester. Kara Dardeno Mathieu and Frank Scarpa will plunge to help Rotary International eradicate polio in the world. This has been a major goal of Rotary’s international work for years and, while there are only three countries left that still have a few cases, Rotary seeks everyone’s help to finish the job. To support the plunge please go to the Somerville club’s plunge page: https://www.fundraise.com/activity/the-rotary-foundation-of-rotary-international/rotary7930-polar-plunge/team?show=somerville  any questions please call Mark Alston-Follansbee, club president, at 617-623-6111.

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Best wishes to former School Committeewomen from Ward 6,  Julie DiPasquale, who has been sick and laid up at MGH these past two months. She’s at Spaulding now and is heading back to MGH once again. Send her a card or say “Hi” to her on Facebook. Julie is a lady from a nice family and is another of those lifelong residents that truly love Somerville. We wish her well and a speedy recovery.

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Congratulations to CAAS down in Union Square, a great non-profit here in Somerville doing a lot of good stuff for the poor and low income. We hear they got a new director and all those phony baloney charges months ago were nothing at all. Everything down there is all good, and we are glad to hear that. We wish the new director and the staff nothing but the best for this New Year.

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Happy Birthday to Phil Ercolini and Katie Latashia Harris, and a Happy Birthday to our good friends Maria Nella Nunes-Rollins, whom we hear just got a new dog. Also, Mike Daoud, Somerville Police Officer Mike Kennelly, Don Miele, and to everyone’s favorite Traffic & Parking Control Officer, the friendly Mary Williams Killoren. We wish both Dorothy DiMarzo and Lynn Lenoir a very best and enjoyable birthday. Lifelong resident Phil Ercolini of East Somerville is also celebrating this week. Happy 50th birthdays to twin brothers BU Police Officer Richard Cabral and his brother Somerville Deputy Police Chief Michael Cabral who have been seen out and about celebrating in the Ville.

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Continuing its efforts to support victims of Hurricane Sandy on the Jersey Shore, Mayor Joe Curtatone announced that the City of Somerville will host a “Donation Day” event on Monday, February 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Burren in Davis Square. City staff will be stationed in The Burren’s Back Room to collect donations, and will be available to speak with residents about issues related to city services. Donors will also be entered into a raffle for exciting prizes to be named later this week. In the meantime, anyone interested in donating supplies may do so by visiting City Hall, the Police Station, or Library (main branch), or if you have school children, by dropping off supplies at schools. Please visit the city’s website, www.somervillema.gov, Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter (@Somerville City) for updates on the event and donation drive.

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A good friend to many here in Somerville, Charles “Freddie” Gill, passed away this past Saturday in his sleep from a long illness. He was a great guy and was a lot of fun to be around. He will be waked in Saugus this coming Friday night at Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home. Calling hours are 4-8 p.m.

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Congratulations to Prospect Hill Academy, who was recently named as one of the top 100 charter schools in the nation. In an annual study of charter schools conducted by U.S. News & World Report, PHA was named as one of Massachusetts’ best charter schools. The rankings were based on college readiness and test proficiency and included more than 5,600 charter schools nationally.

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Don’t forget, there is still time to register for the Somerville High Adult Evening School. Lots of classes are still available. Register online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us\eveningschool, or go directly at 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday nights, and register. You can’t beat the prices. Classes include Medical Interpretation, Smart Social Security Planning for both boomers and beyond, calligraphy writing, ESL computer for beginners, Drivers Ed, Academic Recovery, furniture making, and cake decorating. Classes are also beginning in getting a real estate license, including taking the state exam.

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This year’s Somerville High School musical production, The Wizard of Oz, features students from around the District.  Third, fourth and fifth grade students from elementary schools throughout the District will join a Somerville High School cast and crew of more than 30 for a fun and magical musical performance. This year’s performances will be held at the historic Somerville Theatre in Davis Square on Thursday, January 31, 7 p.m., Friday, February 1, 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 2, 2:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $6 for Students and Seniors; $8 General Admission.  You can buy tickets in advance at http://www.ticketstage.com/SHS. (A convenience fee applies to tickets purchased online)Tickets will also be available at the door.